Can't reach California Paid Family Leave? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
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If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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I went through this exact situation 8 months ago with PFL overpayment after returning from bonding leave. Here's what worked for me: First, you're absolutely right not to cash those checks! For the dependent question, list yourself and the baby as 2 dependents since your husband is financially supporting you both during this time period. I made the mistake of initially only counting dependents from my tax return and had to correct it later. Also, when you return the checks, include a brief timeline showing when he submitted return-to-work paperwork versus when EDD continued sending benefits - this helps demonstrate it was their processing error, not late notification on your part. The whole process took about 6 weeks to fully resolve, but they did eventually clear the overpayment once they processed the returned checks properly.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same situation. I'm definitely going to include that timeline you suggested - showing when my husband submitted his paperwork versus when they kept sending checks should help demonstrate this was their error. Six weeks feels like a long time to resolve, but at least there's light at the end of the tunnel. Did you have to follow up with them during those 6 weeks, or did they handle everything once you returned the checks with documentation?
I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! EDD sent me 4 extra weeks of PFL checks after I returned to work from maternity leave, even though I submitted all my return-to-work documentation on time. Like you, I haven't cashed the extra checks because something felt off about receiving them. Reading through everyone's advice here has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about marking the checks "RETURNED UNCASHED" or that I should photograph them before sending back. The dependent question was confusing me too, but now I understand it's about who is financially dependent on me NOW, not from last year's taxes. Since my partner is currently unemployed and I'm supporting them plus our baby, that would be 2 dependents. It's so frustrating that their system errors become our paperwork nightmares, but at least we're not alone in this!
I'm so glad you found this thread before cashing those checks! It sounds like you have a solid plan now with all the advice here. Four extra weeks is even worse than what most of us dealt with - that's a lot of money they'd be trying to recover. Since you're in the same boat with supporting dependents during this time, definitely count both your partner and baby when you fill out their forms. The photographing/copying everything tip is crucial - I wish I'd known that from the start. It's ridiculous that we all have to become EDD paperwork experts just to fix their mistakes, but at least we can help each other navigate this mess!
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One more tip that saved me a lot of stress - make sure to keep all your documentation organized in one folder (physical or digital). You'll need your pregnancy disability paperwork, hospital discharge papers, and eventually your PFL approval notices. Having everything in one place made it so much easier when I had questions or needed to reference dates. Also, screenshot or print your EDD account pages showing your claim status - the website can be glitchy and sometimes info disappears temporarily. Good luck mama, you're going to do great! 🍀
This thread is SO helpful! I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant and was feeling overwhelmed about this whole process too. Thank you everyone for breaking it down so clearly! One quick question - for those who've done this, did your employer require any special paperwork when transitioning from SDI to PFL? My HR department mentioned something about needing to update my leave status with them, but I wasn't sure if that's separate from the EDD applications or if it's all connected. Also @Lena Kowalski - you mentioned your doctor has you starting disability 4 weeks before due date. Did you have to request that specifically or did they recommend it? My OB hasn't brought it up yet and I wasn't sure if I should ask.
Hey @Luca Russo! Great questions! For the employer paperwork - yes, you'll likely need to keep HR updated separately from your EDD applications. Most employers want copies of your EDD approval notices and updated leave forms when you transition from SDI to PFL. It's not automatic - you have to provide them the documentation. I'd suggest asking HR now what specific forms they'll need so you're prepared! As for the 4-week start - I had to ask my doctor about it. Some OBs automatically suggest it around 36-37 weeks, but others wait for you to bring it up. If you're having a tough pregnancy (back pain, swelling, etc.) or have a physically demanding job, definitely mention it at your next appointment. The timing can be flexible based on your medical needs. Don't be shy about advocating for what you need! @Lena Kowalski might have more insight on how that conversation went with her doctor.
@Luca Russo Yes, definitely ask your HR department now for their specific requirements! In my experience, you ll'typically need to submit separate paperwork to your employer when transitioning from SDI to PFL - they re'not automatically connected. Most companies want copies of your EDD approval letters and may have their own internal leave forms to update. For the 4-week pre-delivery start - I actually had to bring it up with my doctor myself. I mentioned that I was having trouble sleeping, back pain, and that my job involves a lot of standing. She was totally supportive and said starting at 36-37 weeks is pretty standard if you re'experiencing pregnancy-related symptoms that make work difficult. Don t'hesitate to advocate for yourself - if you re'uncomfortable or your job is becoming challenging, most doctors are understanding about starting disability a bit earlier. The worst they can say is they want you to wait another week or two!
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This thread has been absolutely invaluable - thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences! I'm currently 7 months pregnant with my first and my husband and I have been discussing timing for a potential second baby. Reading through everyone's situations has really opened my eyes to how complex the SDI system can be with back-to-back pregnancies. The tip about requesting a benefits estimate from EDD is brilliant - I had no idea that was even possible! And I'm definitely going to start that earnings spreadsheet right away. It sounds like being super organized with documentation is crucial for avoiding delays and calculation errors. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen discussed much: has anyone had experience with different employers between pregnancies? I'm wondering if changing jobs between babies could complicate the base period wage calculations, especially if the new employer is slower to report wages to EDD. Also, for those who've been through this process, did you find it helpful to connect with other parents who had similar timing situations? This community seems so supportive and knowledgeable compared to trying to figure everything out alone! Sending positive vibes to everyone navigating these complex benefit situations while growing their families! 💕
Great question about changing employers @Lourdes Fox! I haven't personally dealt with that situation, but I imagine it could definitely complicate things since EDD pulls wage data from all your employers during the base period. You'd probably want to make sure both employers have reported your wages correctly to the state - sometimes there can be delays, especially with smaller companies or if you're switching jobs right around quarter-end reporting periods. The benefits estimate that @QuantumQuest mentioned would probably be extra important in that scenario to catch any missing wage data before you actually need to file. And yes, connecting with others going through similar situations has been so helpful! This thread alone has answered questions I didn't even know I should be asking. The whole system is way more complex than it seems on the surface! 🤯
Wow, this thread is absolutely incredible! I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant with my first baby and honestly hadn't even thought about how complex the benefit situation could get with potential future pregnancies. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a little overwhelming! The practical tips you all have shared are amazing - especially the benefits estimate request, keeping detailed spreadsheets, and calling EDD multiple times to find knowledgeable reps. I'm definitely going to start organizing all my employment/earnings documentation now while I'm thinking about it. @Isabella Martin - I really hope your situation works out smoothly! It sounds like based on everyone's advice, you should be in good shape with your July-December 2023 work history. And @QuantumQuest, that benefits estimate tip could be a game-changer for planning purposes. One thing I'm realizing from this discussion is how important it is to understand these systems BEFORE you need them. Has anyone found good resources (besides this amazing community!) for learning about SDI/PFL rules in plain English? The EDD website is so confusing, and it seems like getting accurate info from phone reps is hit or miss. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space to discuss these complicated situations! 💙
@Ava Hernandez You re'so smart to start thinking about this early! I wish I had been as proactive with my first pregnancy. For resources beyond this community, I found the California Employment Development Department s'disability insurance handbook helpful though (still confusing at times .)There s'also a nonprofit called Work and Family Legal Center that has some good guides on California pregnancy/family leave rights. And honestly, some of the best info I got was from other parent groups on social media - sometimes real experiences are more valuable than official documentation! The fact that you re'already planning to organize your documentation puts you way ahead of where most of us were. This thread has been such a lifesaver for understanding the complexities we never knew existed! 🙌
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I'm so glad you found a workable solution with your employer! The part-time arrangement sounds like a great compromise. Just wanted to add a few things that might help: When you talk to EDD through Claimyr, make sure to ask them specifically about the "partial benefits" calculation so you understand exactly how your part-time earnings will affect your weekly PFL payment. They use a formula that can be confusing. Also, since you're only 6 weeks postpartum, don't forget that your body is still recovering! Even though you're going back part-time, be gentle with yourself. The sleep deprivation alone is no joke with a newborn. One last thing - if your employer is being flexible now, they might be open to other accommodations too. Maybe ask about working from home some days or flexible hours if that would help with childcare logistics. Good luck with everything, and definitely update us on how it goes! Your situation will probably help other new parents who find themselves in similar circumstances.
This is all such great advice! I'm definitely going to ask about the partial benefits calculation when I call EDD. I had no idea there was a specific formula they use - that would have been a nasty surprise if I got way less than expected. And you're absolutely right about still recovering. I'm honestly exhausted and probably being too optimistic about jumping back into work so soon. Maybe I should ask about starting with even fewer hours the first week or two. The work from home suggestion is brilliant too! I didn't even think to ask about that but it would make everything so much easier with feeding schedules and everything. My job is mostly computer-based so there's no reason I couldn't do some of it from home. Thank you for thinking about the bigger picture and not just the bureaucratic stuff!
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through something very similar! I was only 10 months at my company when I had my daughter and faced the same job protection issue. One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed log of ALL my communications with both HR and EDD - dates, times, who I spoke with, and what was discussed. This saved me when there was confusion later about my return date and benefit payments. Also, since you're doing the part-time return, make sure you understand your company's policy on health insurance during reduced hours. Some companies require you to work a minimum number of hours to maintain full benefits, and with a newborn, you definitely want to keep your health coverage intact! The emotional aspect of this is really tough too. I felt so guilty about not being able to take my full bonding time, but honestly, having the financial security of keeping my job was the right choice for my family. You're making a smart decision by finding this compromise.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It really helps to hear from someone who went through the same thing. I'm definitely going to start keeping a detailed log - that's such a smart idea that I wouldn't have thought of. And wow, the health insurance thing is a great point! I need to check with HR about the minimum hours requirement. With a newborn, losing health coverage would be a disaster. You're right about the emotional side too. I keep feeling like I'm somehow failing my baby by not taking the full bonding time, but realistically we need the income and job security. It's hard to let go of what I had planned versus what's actually possible right now. Did you end up using any of your remaining PFL time later in the year? I'm trying to figure out the best strategy for those leftover weeks.
Natalie Chen
I swear, dealing with bureaucracy is a full-time job these days. Hang in there, OP. We're all in the same boat!
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Santiago Martinez
•Ain't that the truth! Sometimes I think I need to hire an assistant just to handle all this paperwork 😅
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Dylan Evans
One thing that really helped me was scheduling a dedicated appointment with my doctor just to go over the PFL forms together. Don't try to squeeze it into a regular visit - make it the main focus. I brought the forms already filled out as much as I could, and we went through the medical sections line by line. My doctor was actually really grateful that I came prepared because it made their job easier too. Also, if your doctor's office has a medical assistant who handles forms, they might be able to help you understand what's needed before you even see the doctor. Good luck with your application!
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Emma Wilson
•This is such smart advice! I never thought about scheduling a separate appointment just for the forms. That would definitely take the pressure off trying to rush through everything during a regular visit. Did you find that your doctor was more thorough when you approached it this way?
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