This entire thread has been such a blessing to find! I'm currently in week 3 of my PFL claim and thankfully haven't hit any payment issues yet, but reading everyone's experiences has me so much better prepared for what might come up. The quarterly review hold explanation is something I never would have known to ask about - it's ridiculous that EDD doesn't inform claimants about these automatic processes. I'm saving the PFL customer service number (1-877-238-4373) and all the specific language about "quarterly verification holds" just in case. It's clear that knowing exactly what to ask for makes all the difference when trying to get through to them. What really strikes me is how this community has created the resource that EDD should have provided in the first place. New parents shouldn't have to piece together this crucial information from each other's trial and error experiences. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and solutions - you're helping so many of us navigate this confusing system during an already stressful time!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for me as someone who's currently experiencing the exact same issue! I received my first PFL payment in early March and then nothing for almost three weeks now. I was starting to think I had messed something up with my application or that there was some certification requirement I was missing. The explanation about quarterly review holds makes so much sense, especially given the timing at the start of Q2. It's really frustrating that EDD doesn't notify us about these automatic processes - we're already dealing with enough stress as new parents without having to worry about mysterious payment gaps! I'm definitely going to call the PFL customer service line at 1-877-238-4373 tomorrow and specifically ask about "quarterly verification holds" like others have suggested. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to Ella for the update about getting it resolved. This community knowledge is absolutely invaluable when EDD's own resources are so lacking. Fingers crossed I can get this sorted out quickly too!

Just a heads up, I've heard they've been really backed up lately due to staff shortages. Might explain why you're getting conflicting info. Hang in there!

Wait, they asked for your doctor's diploma and license ID? That seems really unusual for a PFL claim. Normally they just need medical certification from your doctor, not their credentials. Are you sure you're dealing with the right department? This sounds like it might be a different type of claim or verification process. I'd double-check that you're actually filing for paid family leave and not something else, because this doesn't sound right to me.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Just went through a name change after marriage and the EDD system is so confusing. One thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of every attempt to contact them - dates, times, reference numbers if you get any. Also, I found out from a friend who works in benefits that you can sometimes get faster service by calling right when they open at 8am or during lunch hours when call volume might be lower. The Claimyr service mentioned above sounds promising too. Make sure to document everything in case you need to file an appeal later. The stress of dealing with this while pregnant is awful - sending you good vibes that you get it resolved quickly!

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! The key thing that finally worked for me was being super persistent with the phone calls AND having all my documents ready before I called. Here's what I learned: 1) Call EDD at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - you'll get through faster, 2) Have your marriage certificate, old and new IDs, and SSN ready before you dial, 3) When you get through, specifically ask for the "name change department" - don't let them transfer you around, 4) Get a confirmation number for your name change request and write it down! The whole process took about 3 weeks once I got through to the right person. For your PFL claim, definitely use both names on all forms like "Anastasia [Maiden Name] Popov" until it's fully updated in their system. Also, give your employer's HR a heads up about the name situation so they're not surprised when processing your leave paperwork. Don't give up - you've got this mama! 💪

This is such a stressful situation to be in! I went through something similar during my disability leave in 2023. My employer kept paying me small amounts of "administrative leave" that I had no idea about until I got a confusing pay stub months later. What really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every attempt to contact EDD - dates, times, how long I waited, etc. When I finally got through to a Claims Examiner, having that documentation showed I was making good faith efforts to resolve it quickly. They were much more understanding and willing to work with me. One tip: when you do get through, ask the examiner to email you a summary of what was discussed and what adjustments they're making. I learned this the hard way when there was confusion later about what had been agreed to over the phone. Having that written record saved me a lot of headaches! The whole system is definitely broken, but don't panic - most people who proactively report these issues end up with minor adjustments rather than major penalties. You're doing the right thing by addressing it now rather than hoping it goes unnoticed.

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!

Anyone else notice how the EDD website is always "under maintenance" when you need it most? 🙄 It's like they're trying to make this as difficult as possible.

Hey Diego, I totally understand your frustration! I went through the same thing last year and it was incredibly stressful. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. Log into your EDD online portal first - sometimes there are status updates or requests for additional info that they don't always mail out right away 2. When calling, try early morning (8-9am) or late afternoon (3-4pm) - I had better luck during those times 3. Have your Social Security number, claim number, and any reference numbers from previous correspondence ready 4. If you do get through, ask specifically what's causing the delay and get a timeline in writing if possible Also, don't forget to keep certifying for benefits even while waiting - missing a certification can really mess things up. The whole process is frustrating but hang in there! Most delays are administrative and do get resolved eventually. Sending positive vibes your way! 🙏