Can't check PFL caregiver claim status - dr submitted docs but no updates for weeks

ugh same thing happened to me when i was caring for my mom last yr. the whole system is broken. waited 5 weeks for payment and they never told me there was an issue with the doctor certification until i finally got thru on the phone. turns out they never even RECIEVED the docs from her doctor even tho the office swore they sent it. had to start over. its ridiculous!!!

I'm so sorry you're going through this while caring for your father. When my sister had cancer last year, I went through something similar. What finally worked was calling right when they open at 8am - but even then took 3 days of trying. Sending you strength during this difficult time. ❤️

The system is definitely not ideal, but I can explain what's likely happening. With caregiver claims, EDD requires form DE2501F from the care recipient's doctor. When doctors submit directly, it often takes 7-10 business days to process and match with your claim. If it's been more than 3 weeks, there might be an issue with either: 1. The doctor certification wasn't properly submitted 2. The certification doesn't match your claim information exactly (names, SSN, dates) 3. Your claim is under review for eligibility Unfortunately, the only way to check specific status is by phone. Keep trying different times of day, especially Tuesday-Thursday between 8:00-8:30am or 4:00-4:30pm when call volumes are typically lower.

had the EXACT same problem but with my kid not parent. been through this twice now. first time took 7 weeks to get paid!!! second time only 4 weeks but still ridiculous. no status updates no communication nothing. system is a joke honestly

I went through this nightmare in January when my husband was recovering from a stroke. After weeks of calling and getting nowhere, I finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that gets you through to an actual EDD agent without the endless waiting. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 Totally worth it because the agent I reached told me my claim was pending because they needed additional documentation from my husband's neurologist. Something they never bothered to notify me about! Once I got that submitted, payment was processed within 3 days.

im actually an office manager in a doctors office and we submit these forms all the time. your dad's doc should have given you a receipt/confirmation number when they submitted it. call the doctors office and ask for that number, then you can reference it when you finally get through to EDD. also make sure all the dates on your claim match EXACTLY with what the doctor submitted.

One additional tip - since you mentioned you'll need to file for another care period soon, you should know that continuing claims are usually processed faster. Once your first claim is established, the system already has your eligibility verified. For the second claim period, you'll file using the "reestablish a claim" option rather than filing a completely new claim. This assumes the care is for the same family member with the same condition. You'll still need updated medical certification, but the process is generally smoother. Hang in there - caregiving is hard enough without bureaucratic hurdles.

Based on my experience with EDD's Paid Family Leave claims, I recommend taking these specific steps: 1. Contact your father's doctor's office and request: - Confirmation number from their submission - Exact date they submitted the DE2501F form - Verification of how they listed your father's name 2. Call EDD using the timing suggestions others mentioned (8:00-8:30am) and have your claim confirmation number ready 3. If your claim is still pending after 30 days, you have the right to file a formal inquiry through your state representative's office. Their constituent services can often expedite EDD issues. For your upcoming second leave period, you can actually combine it with your current claim if it's within the same 12-month period for the same care recipient. This requires less paperwork than filing a completely new claim.

I'm so sorry you're going through this during such a difficult time with your father. I went through something similar last year when my grandmother was in hospice care. The lack of transparency in the PFL system is honestly heartbreaking when you're already emotionally and financially strained. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of every attempt to contact EDD - dates, times, reference numbers, and what happened. When I finally got through to someone, having that documentation ready actually seemed to help the agent take my case more seriously. Also, if your dad's oncologist office has a patient advocate or social worker, they might be able to help navigate this. Mine was familiar with EDD's system and knew exactly what to ask for when following up on submissions. Thinking of you and your father during this tough time. The system shouldn't add this much stress to families already dealing with so much. ❤️