Quick update: I took the advice about using Claimyr to get through to EDD and it actually worked! The representative confirmed they received my paper application on 3/22 but it was stuck in the backlog mentioned above. She added notes to expedite it since I'm approaching week 4 with no income. She said I should see it appear in my online account within 5-7 business days. Fingers crossed this actually resolves things!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I just went through something similar last month. My baby bonding application also seemed to disappear after my disability ended, and I was panicking about having no income. After reading through all these comments, it sounds like the March 2025 system upgrade backlog is affecting a lot of us. One thing that helped me was documenting everything - I kept a log of every call attempt, confirmation numbers, and any correspondence. When I finally got through to someone, having all those details ready made the conversation much more productive. Also, if you haven't already, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - I had better luck getting through then. The waiting is absolutely awful when you have bills to pay, but it sounds like your application is in the system and just stuck in processing. Hang in there!

Hey Diego! I totally get your frustration - the waiting is the absolute worst part of this whole process. I went through something similar a few months back. Here's what I learned: The approval date and payment date are two totally different things. When they say "approved," it usually means they've decided you're eligible, but then it still has to go through their payment processing system, which is... let's just say not exactly lightning fast 😅 From my experience and what I've seen others post here, you're looking at roughly 7-14 business days from approval to actually seeing the money in your account. I know that's a huge range, but it really does vary. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts with my bank so I'd know the second any deposit came in. Saved me from obsessively checking my account every hour! Also, if you haven't already, definitely verify your direct deposit info is correct in the system. I've seen people wait weeks only to find out there was a typo in their routing number. Hang in there - it WILL come! And when it does, it's usually the full amount all at once (at least for shorter claims).

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My claim has been approved for 9 days and still nothing in my account. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though - sounds like 7-14 business days is pretty normal, even though it feels like forever when you're waiting. I'm gonna try calling tomorrow morning and see if I can get through to someone. Thanks for posting this question Diego, you're definitely not alone in this struggle! 💪

I just went through this exact situation a couple months ago and it was beyond frustrating! Here's what finally worked for me: • I started calling at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - way better success rate • Used the online chat feature during off-peak hours (like 2-3 PM) - sometimes gets you to someone faster than phone • Filed a complaint through their website when I hit the 4-week mark with no response - that seemed to shake something loose • Asked my employer's HR if they had a direct contact - turns out they did! The whole process took about 6 weeks total, but once I got someone on the line, they were actually pretty helpful and got things moving quickly. Don't give up! The system is definitely broken but persistence eventually pays off. Also, if you're dealing with time-sensitive medical issues, mention that upfront - they sometimes have expedited processes for urgent cases. Good luck! 🍀

I went through this exact same nightmare about 6 months ago and it was honestly one of the most frustrating experiences of my life! Here's what I learned: **For getting through on the phone:** - Call at exactly 8:00 AM when they open (set multiple alarms!) - Try calling on Tuesdays/Wednesdays - seemed less busy than Mondays/Fridays - Have ALL your info ready: SSN, case number, dates, etc. **Alternative approaches that worked:** - The online portal actually does get updated before they call you (check daily!) - Faxing documents got faster responses than email or mail - Your state representative's office can sometimes help - they have direct contacts **The waiting game:** - It took about 5-6 weeks total for me, which seems to be pretty normal unfortunately - Document every attempt to contact them (dates, times, who you spoke to) - Don't be afraid to escalate after 4 weeks with no response The system is absolutely broken, but almost everyone I know who stuck with it eventually got their stuff approved. It's just a matter of outlasting their terrible customer service! Hang in there and keep us updated on your progress. We're all rooting for you! 💪 Also, if anyone finds any new tricks for getting through faster, please share them here - we're all in this together!

Ana, congratulations on your little one and I'm so glad you were able to find your remaining PFL balance! As someone who also navigated the EDD system as a new parent, I completely understand the frustration with their phone system - it's absolutely terrible. Since you discovered you still have 3 weeks available, I wanted to share a tip that really helped me: consider keeping a simple calendar or planner specifically for tracking your PFL usage and deadlines. I marked down when I took each week, when I submitted forms, and set reminders for important dates like the one-year deadline. It helped me stay organized when my brain was total mush from sleep deprivation! Also, since you mentioned struggling with childcare and your husband's work stress, you might want to look into local parent groups or mom groups in your area - they're often great resources for childcare recommendations, emergency babysitting swaps, and just general support during those overwhelming early months. The fact that you can use those remaining weeks flexibly throughout the year is such a blessing - you'll figure out the perfect timing for your family's needs. You're doing great mama, even when it doesn't feel like it!

Ana, I'm so relieved you were able to find your remaining balance without having to deal with EDD's nightmare phone system! As a mom who went through this exact same confusion with my son last year, I totally get the panic of thinking you might have missed out on benefits you're entitled to. Those 3 remaining weeks are such a gift - especially with everything you mentioned about childcare struggles and your husband's work stress. One thing that really saved me was creating a simple note in my phone with all the key dates and deadlines related to my PFL benefits. I included things like when my year expires, how many weeks I had left, and even screenshots of the claim balance page. That way I could reference everything quickly without having to dig through the EDD website again when my brain was fried from lack of sleep. Also, since you mentioned potentially using the weeks throughout the year, don't forget that you need to give your employer proper notice each time - but the flexibility of being able to split them up is honestly one of the best parts of the California PFL system. You're doing amazing navigating all this bureaucracy while caring for a new baby - that's no small feat! Congratulations on your little one and I hope those remaining weeks give you some much-needed relief when you need it most.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - applied for PFL almost 4 weeks ago and my claim still isn't showing up online. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money! I've tried calling but like everyone else said, it's impossible to get through. I'm thinking of trying that assembly member tip someone mentioned. Has anyone actually had success with contacting their local representative's office? Also wondering if anyone knows if there's a specific timeframe they're supposed to process these applications by law?

I'm dealing with a similar situation - it's been almost 5 weeks since I submitted my PFL application and absolutely nothing is showing up in my online account. The anxiety is real when you're depending on those benefits to cover basic expenses! 😰 I've tried the calling marathon like everyone else with zero success. The automated system just loops you around in circles. I'm definitely going to try that assembly member suggestion - seems like that might be our best bet right now. One thing I noticed is that when I log into my EDD account, there's literally no trace that I even submitted an application. It's like it disappeared into the void. Has anyone else experienced this complete lack of any record? Starting to wonder if something went wrong during submission but there's no way to verify without talking to an actual human being. This whole system is such a nightmare when you actually need help. Praying we all get our situations resolved soon! 🙏