
California Paid Family Leave
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Has anyone else had their paid family leave disqualified because of wrong dates? I've been waiting for 2 months and just found out it was rejected due to incorrect dates on the application. I'm so frustrated and don't know what to do next. Any advice on how to fix this or appeal the decision?
Hey everyone, I'm having an issue with my PFL claim. The last day of employment on my claim is wrong and it's causing problems with processing. Has anyone dealt with this before? What's the best way to get this fixed?
I had the exact same issue a few months back! The wrong employment date messed up my whole claim timeline. What finally worked for me was faxing a correction request along with my final paystub and a signed letter from HR confirming my actual last day. It took about 2 weeks to process, but way faster than trying to get through on the phone. The fax number should be on your claim paperwork - if you can't find it, it's usually listed on the EDD website under PFL contact info. Just make sure to include your claim number on every page!
Help! My husband started his baby bonding PFL in late January after our twins were born. He got his first payment about a month ago, but we're still waiting on his second payment. It's been almost 3 weeks since that first check came and nothing else has shown up. He's been trying to call EDD daily (sometimes 5-6 times!) but either gets disconnected or sits on hold until the office closes. We're starting to really stress about bills since we budgeted for these payments to come regularly. Has anyone experienced delays between payments like this? Did we miss certifying something? The online account shows his claim is active but doesn't explain the payment delay. This is so frustrating!
This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm currently on maternity leave through SDI and planning to transition to PFL for bonding time in a few weeks. Reading about the certification requirements has been eye-opening - I had no idea PFL worked differently than regular disability payments. I'm definitely going to set up those calendar reminders that Aisha mentioned. It's frustrating that EDD doesn't make this clearer, but at least now I know what to expect. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's going to save me (and probably my husband when he takes his PFL later) from the same payment delays and stress you all went through!
@Grant Vikers hi hopefully I can get a response. I’m in the same boat. I switched to family paid bonding and only received 2 days worth of pay when I submitted my application. It’s been 14 days today and there’s nothing in my account. My claim is active and the only forms I have are reestablishing bonding and claimant change. I see there is a certification process mentioned. Which form would that be?
I'm going through a very similar situation right now! My wife just started her baby bonding PFL two weeks ago and we're already confused about the certification process. After reading this thread, I immediately went to check her SDI Online account and sure enough, there's a certification form that's been sitting there for 3 days that we had no idea about. It's absolutely ridiculous that EDD doesn't send any kind of email notification or text alert when these certifications are due. How are people supposed to know? We got so used to the automatic payments during her pregnancy disability that we just assumed PFL would work the same way. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread literally just saved us from weeks of payment delays and frustration. Going to set up those biweekly calendar reminders right now!
@Yara Sayegh what does the certification form look like?
@Stephanie The certification form is usually titled something like "Continued Claim Form" or "DE 4581 PFL" in your SDI Online account. When you log in, look for a section called "Forms to Complete" or "Certify for Benefits" - it should be pretty obvious once you're looking for it. The form will ask you to confirm your dates of leave, whether you're still bonding with your child, and if you had any work or income during that certification period. It's actually pretty straightforward once you find it! If you don't see any forms waiting, try calling the PFL line directly or use that Claimyr service others mentioned. Sometimes the forms don't show up right away in the system.
Hey everyone, I'm having some trouble with my paid family leave claim. I submitted it back in January, but it hasn't been processed yet. The main issue is that the care recipient couldn't sign the form. Has anyone dealt with this before? What should I do if the person I'm caring for can't sign the paperwork? Any advice would be really appreciated!
Friendly reminder to everyone: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Keep copies of all forms, note down every call (date, time, who you spoke to), and save all emails. It'll save your butt if theres ever a dispute.
If the care recipient has a legal guardian or power of attorney, they might be able to sign on their behalf. You'll need to include documentation proving the legal relationship (like court papers or POA documents) along with your claim. I had to do this for my elderly parent and it worked, though it did add a few extra weeks to the processing time. Make sure to include a cover letter explaining the situation too!
I'm currently receiving disability benefits for my pregnancy (just gave birth 4 weeks ago). My doctor originally certified me for 6 weeks post-birth recovery period on SDI. When those 6 weeks are up, I want to start my baby bonding time (PFL). Do I need to get additional paperwork from my doctor for the PFL part, or is my original disability certification enough? First-time mom here and I'm so confused about all these different forms and when/how to transition between benefits! The EDD website is super unclear about this transition process. Thanks in advance for any help!
Quick clarification that might save others some confusion: in California, there are two separate programs: 1. State Disability Insurance (SDI) - this covers your pregnancy disability before birth (if needed) and your recovery period after birth (typically 6 weeks for vaginal delivery or 8 weeks for c-section). This requires doctor certification. 2. Paid Family Leave (PFL) - this covers baby bonding time and gives you up to 8 weeks of paid leave. No doctor certification needed, just proof of relationship to the child. The transition between these two programs is where most people get confused. They are separate claims but both managed through the same EDD system and SDI Online account.
As someone who just went through this transition last month, I can confirm you absolutely DO NOT need new doctor paperwork for PFL baby bonding! The medical certification is only required for the SDI disability portion (your recovery period). Here's what you'll need to do: 1. File a new PFL claim using form DE2508 through your existing SDI Online account 2. You'll need your baby's birth certificate information (not the actual certificate, just the details) 3. Set your PFL start date for the day AFTER your disability ends 4. File about 1-2 weeks before your disability period ends to avoid payment gaps The whole process took me maybe 15 minutes online. No doctor visits, no medical forms, no hassle! Just make sure you don't overlap the dates between your disability and PFL claims. Congratulations on your new baby! 🎉
Brianna Muhammad
I'm in the same boat, OP. Been waiting 3 months now. This thread is giving me some ideas tho. Hang in there!
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Nathaniel Stewart
AuthorThanks, you too! We'll get through this somehow. 💪
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GalaxyGazer
I went through this exact same nightmare last year! The date error thing is SO common - you're definitely not alone. Here's what finally worked for me: I sent a certified letter to their appeals department with all my correct documentation AND called my state representative's office to ask for help. The rep's office actually contacted EDD on my behalf and it got resolved within 2 weeks after that. Sometimes you need that extra push from someone with more authority. Don't give up - you deserve those benefits!
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