I'm dealing with something similar right now - just found out my employer has been automatically paying out accrued sick time during my maternity leave without telling me! Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying. It sounds like the key is to be proactive about reporting it even if it's after the fact. Has anyone here successfully avoided penalties by self-reporting retroactive payments like this? I'm gathering all my documentation now but worried about what kind of adjustment they'll make to my benefits.

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!

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! 🤞

One more important tip: when you apply for PFL, you'll need to provide your baby's birth certificate or other proof of relationship. You can upload this directly on the EDD website when you file your claim. If you don't have the birth certificate yet (it can take several weeks), you can submit proof of birth from the hospital temporarily. This helps avoid delays in processing your PFL claim. Also, if you're planning to split your 8 weeks of PFL (some now, some later), make sure to indicate this on your application. Many parents don't realize they can use PFL intermittently within the first year after birth.

I just went through this exact same process 6 months ago and it was SO stressful! Here's my timeline to help you plan: Week 38: Baby born, called EDD immediately to report birth date Weeks 38-44: Continued getting SDI payments for recovery (had c-section so 8 weeks) Week 42: Filed PFL application online (2 weeks before SDI ended) Week 45: First PFL payment arrived with no gap! The key things that saved me: - Set phone reminders to call EDD when baby arrives - Put a calendar reminder 2 weeks before your estimated recovery end date to file PFL - Have all your documents ready (I used the hospital birth record initially since birth certificate took 3 weeks) - Screenshot everything you submit online Don't stress too much - you've got this! Just stay on top of the timing and you'll be fine. The EDD website for PFL is actually pretty user-friendly compared to the SDI side. Congrats on your upcoming arrival! 💕

also tell him to keep certifying every 2 weeks once approved!! my brother in law lost benefits cuz he missed a certification deadline and it was a HUGE hassle to get it restarted

I went through this exact situation when my wife had her appendix out last year! Your husband can definitely get PFL to care for you - it's specifically designed for situations like this. A few things that helped us: 1. Apply online at SDI Online immediately - don't wait 2. Make sure your doctor is very specific about why you need care (can't lift kids, can't drive, need help with daily activities, etc.) 3. The benefit is about 60-70% of his wages, capped at around $1,540/week currently 4. There's a 7-day waiting period before benefits start, but he can use sick leave or vacation for those days With 4 young kids and major surgery recovery, this is exactly what PFL is for. The whole process took about 2 weeks for us once we submitted everything. Your husband should also coordinate with his employer about job protection under FMLA/CFRA. Hope your recovery goes smoothly!

Hey OP, just wondering - did you try using the mobile app? Sometimes it works better than the website.

I went through this exact same issue a few weeks ago! Here's what finally worked for me: make sure your ID photo is super clear and well-lit (no shadows or glare), and try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening when the system is less congested. Also, if your ID has any damage or wear, even minor scratches, the system might reject it. I had to borrow my partner's phone with a better camera to get a cleaner photo. Don't give up - it took me 4 tries but it eventually went through!