One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that your husband should also check if his employer offers any additional paternal leave benefits beyond what the state provides. Some companies supplement PFL with additional paid time or allow employees to use accrued vacation/sick time alongside PFL to get closer to their full salary (since PFL only covers 60-70% of wages). My brother's company let him combine PFL with vacation days so he didn't take such a big pay cut during his leave. Worth asking HR about!

Hey guys, what if my work does not contribute into SDI, can I still, as a husband, apply for PFL once my baby is born?

I'm so sorry you're going through this - postpartum anxiety is incredibly difficult and you're not alone. I went through something similar with my second baby. One thing that really helped me was working with a perinatal mental health specialist rather than a general therapist. They understand the specific challenges of postpartum conditions and are much better at documenting the severity for disability claims. If you can find one through Postpartum Support International's directory, they're usually very experienced with writing the medical documentation EDD needs. Also, don't let your HR department discourage you - they often don't understand that mental health disability is separate from pregnancy-related leave. You have the right to apply for additional time if your condition prevents you from working safely. The worst they can do is deny it, but many people do get approved for postpartum mental health claims. Take care of yourself mama. Your mental health matters and your baby needs you healthy. ❤️

I'm dealing with something similar right now and wanted to share what I've learned. After my PFL ended, my psychiatrist helped me file for regular SDI based on postpartum depression and anxiety. The key was having her document specific symptoms that prevent me from working - like panic attacks, inability to concentrate for extended periods, and severe sleep deprivation affecting my judgment. One thing that helped my claim get approved was having my doctor explain how my symptoms could create safety risks at my job (I work with heavy machinery). EDD seems to take workplace safety concerns seriously when evaluating mental health claims. I also recommend starting the application process at least 2 weeks before your PFL ends if possible. There can be processing delays, and you don't want a gap in benefits. My claim took about 3 weeks to get approved, but I got backpay for the waiting period. Hang in there - postpartum anxiety is so hard, but there are options available. Don't let anyone make you feel like you should just "tough it out." Your mental health is just as important as physical health.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! Here's what finally worked for me: I kept a detailed log of every time I called, what time, and how long I waited before hanging up. Then I filed a complaint with the state's consumer protection agency citing the unreasonable wait times. Within 48 hours, I got a callback from a supervisor who was able to fix my date errors in about 10 minutes. Sometimes you have to escalate to get results. Also, if you have any medical documentation that supports the correct dates, make sure to have that ready when you do get through to someone. Good luck!

I'm dealing with the same issue right now! Made a mistake with my claim dates and it's been such a headache trying to get it fixed. Reading through everyone's suggestions here - seems like there are a few different approaches that might work. I'm going to try calling first thing in the morning like Oliver suggested, and if that doesn't work I'll consider the in-person route that Malik mentioned. The idea of keeping a detailed log like Myles did is really smart too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one struggling with this system!

I've been dealing with this same nightmare for weeks! One thing that helped me was calling the disability hotline instead of the main PFL number - sometimes they can transfer you directly to a specialist without the usual hold times. Also, if you're getting nowhere with phone calls, try reaching out through their social media channels (Twitter/X especially) - companies often respond faster when complaints are public. The squeaky wheel gets the grease! Hang in there, you're definitely not alone in this struggle 🤞

I've been there too - it's absolutely maddening! One trick that worked for me was calling around 2:30-3:00 PM on weekdays. Sounds counterintuitive, but I think that's when people are giving up for the day and call volume drops slightly. Also, make sure you have your Social Security number, case number (if you have one), and all relevant dates ready before you dial - nothing worse than finally getting through only to be put on hold again while you scramble for paperwork. If all else fails, try emailing your state assembly member's office with your situation. They often have dedicated liaisons who can cut through the red tape. Keep fighting - you deserve the benefits you've earned! 🤞

PSA: Be careful about sharing too much personal info when trying to troubleshoot these issues online. Scammers are always looking for ways to steal identities. Stay safe out there, folks! 👀

I had a similar E311 error a few months ago and it turned out to be a mismatch with my address. Even though I had moved and updated my address with EDD online, their verification system was still using my old address from when I first filed. I had to call (took forever to get through) and specifically ask them to update the address in their verification database, not just my profile. Might be worth checking if you've moved recently or if there's any address discrepancy between what you're entering and what they have on file from previous claims or employers.