This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm not currently dealing with a PFL claim myself, but my sister mentioned she might need to file one soon to care for our aging mother. Reading about all these technical issues is both terrifying and reassuring - terrifying that the system is so broken, but reassuring that there are actual workarounds and that other people have successfully navigated these problems. I'm definitely going to share this thread with her and bookmark it for future reference. The advice about documenting everything, trying during off-peak hours, and having specific questions ready for EDD representatives is gold. It's absolutely ridiculous that people have to become tech support experts and EDD system hackers just to access benefits they've paid into, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people share their hard-won knowledge. @Zainab Mahmoud - hope your dad's recovery is going well! And @Felicity Bud - wishing you the best with both your claim resolution and enjoying those precious newborn days!

This thread is incredibly valuable! I'm currently helping my elderly neighbor navigate the PFL system to care for her husband who has dementia, and we've been running into the exact same draft submission issues. The technical workarounds you've all shared are going to be so helpful - especially the tips about using Chrome, clearing cache, and trying during off-peak hours. What really strikes me is how many people are dealing with these same system glitches. It seems like EDD's 2025 system update created more problems than it solved! I'm definitely going to try the early morning submission approach first, and if that fails, we'll look into the phone options. @Zainab Mahmoud - I'm so glad you got your claim resolved and that your father can get the care he needs during his recovery. Your persistence really paid off! This whole conversation gives me hope that there are solutions, even when the system seems completely broken. Thank you everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion. It's communities like this that help us get through these bureaucratic nightmares! 💙

This is why we need to overhaul the entire unemployment system. It's not equipped to handle modern workforce needs.

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now! My payments have been delayed for over two weeks. One thing that helped me was checking if there's a "stop payment indicator" on your account - sometimes EDD puts a temporary hold without telling you. Also, make sure your address and banking info are still correct in the system. I've seen cases where payments get returned because of outdated info and then everything gets stuck in limbo. Keep us posted on what works for you!

Have you checked your online account? Sometimes they update the status there before they actually contact you. Might give you some insight into whats going on with your application.

pro tip: if u can, go to ur local edd office in person. sometimes face-to-face works better than tryna deal w/ this stuff online or over the phone

I went through something similar last year! The key thing that helped me was getting a supervisor on the phone and walking them through the timeline step by step. Make sure you emphasize that your SDI was already approved - that's proof that your dates and eligibility were valid. Also, double-check what date they have on file as your "leave start date" vs what you actually reported. Sometimes there's a data entry error on their end that causes the whole 41-day calculation to be wrong. Don't let them brush you off - if the first person can't help, politely ask for a supervisor or specialist who can review your case more thoroughly.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! EDD denied my PFL claim saying I filed late, but like you, my SDI was already approved. It's so frustrating because you'd think if one part of the system approved it, the other would too. I've been trying to get through to someone for weeks but keep getting stuck in phone hell. Has anyone had luck with the appeal process, or is it better to just keep calling until you get someone who actually understands the system? The whole thing feels like they're set up to deny claims on technicalities rather than actually help parents who need support during bonding time.

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.