California Paid Family Leave
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Can't reach California Paid Family Leave? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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EDD denied my full maternity leave after premature birth and NICU stay - can I get more than 9 weeks?
I just received the most frustrating news from EDD. My son arrived 6 weeks early on 12/12/25 and spent 19 days in the NICU. Since I work in software development, I actually continued working remotely during this chaotic time (hospital wifi was surprisingly decent) thinking I could save my leave for when he came home and was more stable. I submitted my maternity leave claim on 2/3/26, but EDD just approved me for ONE DAY! Apparently because my doctor's original note (written before my emergency delivery) had listed my return date as 2/4/26. I'm now realizing I should have applied for Pregnancy Disability Leave instead of going straight to PFL baby bonding. My question is: can I somehow get more than just the 9 weeks I'm looking at now? My baby is developmentally only about 7 weeks old (adjusted age), and I really need to stay home with him until at least April since he has some ongoing breathing issues from being premature. Should I ask my OB for another note with a later return date? Has anyone navigated this premature birth/NICU situation with EDD before?
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When should I file for EDD at 35 weeks pregnant? (Last day April 30th)
Hi everyone! I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant and my last day at work will be April 30, 2025. I'm completely overwhelmed trying to figure out when exactly I should file for EDD benefits and which forms I need. Should I wait until my last day? File now? Is there a specific timeframe?\n\nAlso, I'm confused about whether I can file for both FMLA and disability at the same time? Are they connected or separate processes? My HR department gave me a packet of info but honestly it's just making me more confused.\n\nThis is my first pregnancy and I feel so lost with all this paperwork! Any guidance would be super appreciated!!!
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FMLA paperwork goes to your employer first (this protects your job).\n\nEDD Disability form (DE2501) goes to the state after your last day worked (this pays you while on leave).\n\nThey're separate systems but happen at the same time. Start with the FMLA forms your HR gave you, then handle the EDD forms after your last day.
Thank you all SO much for the advice! I feel much more prepared now. I'll:\n\n1) Ask my doctor to pre-fill their portion of the DE2501 next week\n2) Submit the disability form right after April 30th\n3) Make sure I'm tracking when to submit the baby bonding DE2508 form\n4) Keep that Claimyr contact info handy in case I run into problems\n\nIt's really helpful to hear everyone's experiences. This benefit system seems so unnecessarily complicated!
You've got a solid plan! One more tip - when you create your SDI Online account, take screenshots of everything you submit. The system can be glitchy sometimes and having proof of what you filed and when can save you headaches later. Also, don't stress too much about the complexity - once you get through it the first time, you'll be an expert for any future pregnancies! Wishing you a smooth delivery and easy claims process! 💙
EDD Intermittent Leave - Approved but still losing pay? Need advice
I just got approved for intermittent leave through EDD for my chronic pain condition, but I'm really confused about the pay situation. From what I understand, intermittent leave protects my job when I need to miss work or leave early (which happens at least 1-2 times every week), but it doesn't actually provide any income? I've already burned through all my PTO for 2025, and I'm taking Unpaid Time Off almost weekly now. The unpaid absences are piling up which is honestly making my stress AND pain worse. My doctor said this could qualify for some benefits but the EDD website is so confusing. Has anyone successfully claimed any kind of partial wage replacement while on intermittent leave? Is there some form I'm missing? My HR dept just keeps referring me back to EDD.
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Thank you all SO MUCH for the helpful responses! I've got a doctor's appointment Friday and now I know to ask specifically for the partial SDI certification on the DE2501 form. Will also try Claimyr to speak with an EDD rep directly. I'm relieved to know there's actually a benefit available - my HR person made it sound like I just had to deal with the unpaid time off forever. I'll update once I get everything submitted!
Good luck with your appointment Friday! One more tip - if your doctor seems hesitant about the partial disability certification, you can mention that California specifically allows for "part-time work" while on SDI as long as your earnings don't exceed your weekly benefit amount. Some doctors worry they're committing fraud by certifying someone as disabled who's still working, but partial SDI is totally legitimate and designed exactly for situations like yours. Also, don't forget to ask about backdating your claim - you might be able to recover some of those unpaid hours from recent weeks if your doctor can certify that your condition required reduced hours during that period.
This is really great advice about mentioning the legitimacy of partial work while on SDI to doctors! I had no idea about potentially backdating the claim either - that could make such a huge difference financially. @Grace Johnson definitely ask about that backdating option when you talk to the EDD rep through Claimyr. Even getting a few weeks of back benefits could help with all those unpaid hours you ve'been dealing with. Fingers crossed everything works out smoothly!
PFL payment not received - Need advice on speeding up claim process
Hey everyone, I'm having some issues with my paid family leave. I filed my claim a while back but still haven't received any payment. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm trying to get through to someone on the phone but no luck so far. Any advice on how to speed up the process or what I should say when I finally get through?
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I'm in the same boat, OP. Filed 6 weeks ago and crickets. This wait is killing me. How are we supposed to take care of our families without income? The system is broken af 😤
Preach! 🙌 It's like they forget we have bills to pay and mouths to feed. The stress is unreal.
For real. I'm about ready to camp outside their office until someone helps me lmao
I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim 5 weeks ago and still nothing. The waiting is so stressful when you're already dealing with family stuff. I've been trying to call but can never get through - the line is always busy or I get disconnected after waiting forever. Has anyone had luck calling at specific times of day? Maybe early morning or late afternoon? I'm willing to try anything at this point. The online portal is useless too - just says "processing" with no timeline. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here, at least I know I'm not alone in this mess!
PFL claim filed 3 weeks ago, no payment or updates from EDD. What to do?
I filed for paid family leave 3 weeks ago and still haven't received any payment. I've checked my online account and there's nothing there. No letters, no notices, nothing. I've already verified my identity. It's a new claim that I filed on 8/23. Has anyone else experienced this? What should I do?
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CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE!!! They have liaisons who can escalate your case. It's literally their job to help constituents with stuff like this.
💯 this. My assemblyman's office got my issue resolved in a week after months of nothing.
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!
Sean Fitzgerald
So this might be a little off-topic but I'm actually amazed you were able to work during your NICU stay! When my daughter was in the NICU last year, I was such an emotional wreck I couldn't even check email. Just wanted to acknowledge your strength during what must have been an incredibly stressful time. Regarding your benefits, definitely talk to your doctor about extending your disability period. My OB wrote a letter explaining that the premature birth plus NICU time created additional recovery needs and stress. It worked for me!
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Omar Farouk
AuthorThank you for the kind words! Honestly, work was my coping mechanism - it gave me something to focus on besides worrying about my baby 24/7. The NICU nurses actually encouraged me to take mental breaks. But now I'm regretting that decision if it impacts my benefits! I'll definitely ask my OB for that letter explaining the extended recovery needs.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
One more important thing - when you submit your new disability claim, make sure to include all your medical documentation showing the premature birth and NICU stay. This strengthens your case for extended disability benefits. Also, if you're having trouble reaching EDD by phone (which is common), you can use their online message system through your SDI Online account. Document everything and follow up persistently. The system is complicated but navigable if you're persistent.
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Omar Farouk
AuthorThank you for this additional advice! I'll gather all my documentation from the hospital regarding the premature birth and NICU stay. Should I also get something documenting his ongoing breathing issues, or is that not relevant to my disability period?
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Sean Flanagan
Your baby's ongoing health issues could actually be relevant! While YOUR disability period is based on your own medical recovery needs, having a baby with ongoing health complications (like breathing issues from prematurity) can sometimes justify extended recovery time for the mother, especially if you're providing intensive care or dealing with additional stress/sleep deprivation. Your doctor might consider this when certifying your disability period. It's definitely worth mentioning to your OB - they can determine if it's medically relevant to include in your certification. The worst they can say is it doesn't apply to your case, but many doctors understand the additional physical and emotional toll of caring for a medically complex newborn.
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