CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE!!! They have liaisons who can escalate your case. It's literally their job to help constituents with stuff like this.

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed my PFL claim on 8/20 and it's been radio silence ever since. Really frustrating because I need this money to take care of my newborn. I tried the early morning calling strategy that @Gianna Scott mentioned but still haven't gotten through. Thinking about trying the social media route next. Thanks everyone for the suggestions - at least I know I'm not alone in this mess!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My HR department has been automatically paying out my sick leave accrual during my maternity disability without telling me - I only found out when I checked my online pay portal yesterday. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both helpful and nerve-wracking, but it sounds like the consensus is to call EDD ASAP and be completely transparent about the situation. I'm planning to use that Claimyr service mentioned earlier since regular calling hasn't worked for me either. It's so frustrating that employers don't communicate these things clearly - my HR told me during my leave planning that all payroll would stop, but apparently that didn't include automatic sick leave payouts! For anyone else dealing with this, I'm keeping detailed records of all my attempts to resolve this, including screenshots of when I discovered the payments and all my call attempts. Hopefully being proactive about reporting will help avoid any major penalties. This whole system really needs better communication between employers and EDD to prevent these situations in the first place!

I went through this exact situation last year and it was so stressful! My employer had been paying out accumulated sick time during my maternity leave without any notification. What I learned is that timing is everything - the sooner you report it, the better your outcome will be. Here's what worked for me: I gathered all my bank statements showing the deposits, got documentation from HR about what the payments were for (sick time, vacation, etc.), and made a timeline of which weeks the payments were supposed to cover versus when they were actually deposited. This documentation was crucial when I finally got through to EDD. The Claims Examiner explained that they look much more favorably on self-reported income versus discovering unreported wages during an audit. In my case, they reduced my disability benefits for the affected weeks but there were no penalties since I reported proactively. The adjustment ended up being pretty minor since sick pay is usually a small percentage of your regular wages anyway. One thing that really helped was being very specific about the TYPE of payment - sick time versus vacation time versus regular wages are all treated slightly differently. Make sure your HR can provide documentation about exactly what each payment represents. Don't panic - you're doing the right thing by reporting this now rather than hoping it goes unnoticed. Most people in your situation end up with minor adjustments rather than major overpayment demands!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! 37 weeks pregnant and just started getting SDI payments last week. This thread is a lifesaver - I had no idea SDI and PFL were separate applications! My biggest fear was also having a gap in payments, so I'm going to follow everyone's advice about filing the PFL claim 1-2 weeks before recovery ends. Already setting up calendar reminders now. One question though - has anyone had issues with the doctor certification part? My OB mentioned something about needing to certify the recovery period but wasn't super clear on timing. Do they automatically send that to EDD or do I need to follow up with my doctor's office to make sure they submit it? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world info that EDD definitely doesn't explain clearly!

Just wanted to add one more tip that really helped me - download the EDD mobile app if you haven't already! I found it way easier to certify for benefits and check claim status on my phone, especially during those sleep-deprived newborn days when getting to a computer felt impossible. Also, if you're planning to breastfeed, keep in mind that pumping at work is protected under California law, but it's separate from your PFL benefits. I mention this because a lot of new moms get confused thinking PFL covers pumping time when you return to work - it doesn't. PFL is specifically for bonding time while you're completely off work. One last thing - start thinking now about whether you want to take all 8 weeks of PFL consecutively or split it up. You have up to 1 year from baby's birth to use those 8 weeks, so some people take 4-6 weeks right after recovery ends, then save the remaining weeks for later (like around the holidays or if childcare falls through). Just something to consider while you're planning! Good luck mama, you're going to do great! 💕

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share some encouragement after reading through all these helpful responses! It's amazing to see how supportive this community is during medical emergencies. As someone who just went through a similar situation when my partner had emergency surgery, I can confirm that California PFL really is designed for exactly your circumstances. The stress of managing everything alone with young kids while recovering from major surgery is overwhelming, so please don't feel guilty about needing this support. One small tip I didn't see mentioned - when your husband talks to his HR department, ask if they have a standard PFL packet or checklist they provide to employees. Some companies have streamlined their process and can walk him through both the state requirements and company policies at the same time. Also, while all the paperwork is getting sorted out, don't hesitate to accept help from friends, neighbors, or family for things like meal trains, school pickups, or just having someone watch the kids for an hour so you can rest. Recovery goes so much better when you actually get to focus on healing instead of worrying about everyone else. You're handling this crisis really well by getting informed and taking quick action. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping the PFL approval comes through quickly! Please keep us posted on how it goes.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out after reading about your emergency surgery situation. As someone who navigated PFL when my spouse had unexpected gallbladder complications last year, I can absolutely confirm that your husband qualifies for benefits to care for you. A few things that helped us get through the process smoothly: 1. **Start the online application immediately** - Even without the medical certification, he can begin the SDI Online application today. The system allows you to upload documents later. 2. **Emphasize the family care aspect** - With four young children (especially your 2-year-old), make sure the medical documentation clearly states you cannot perform childcare duties, not just that you need personal care. 3. **Prepare for the financial adjustment** - The 60-70% wage replacement was challenging, but we found ways to temporarily reduce expenses and it was absolutely worth having the proper recovery time. 4. **Keep detailed records** - Document his caregiving activities, your recovery progress, and any additional medical appointments. This helps if EDD has questions later. The emergency nature of gallbladder surgery should help expedite your claim. Most importantly, don't feel guilty about needing this support - this is exactly what you've been paying into the system for! Sending positive thoughts for your recovery and hoping the approval process goes smoothly. Please update us when you hear back from EDD!

Have you tried reaching out on social media? Sometimes tweeting at them can get a faster response.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim 3 weeks ago and radio silence. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money. I've been checking my online account obsessively but no updates there either. Really appreciate everyone sharing their tips here - going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning and maybe give that social media approach a shot too. Hang in there OP, hopefully we both get some movement on our claims soon! 🤞