Can't find PFL link on EDD portal after SDI - stuck with paper forms!

omg same thing happened to me in february!! thought i was doing something wrong but turns out the system glitches sometimes and the link just doesn't show up for some people. i had to do paper too and it took like 3 extra weeks to process 😡

This is a known issue with the EDD portal that happens when your SDI claim has a specific status that doesn't properly trigger the PFL link. There are three things you can try: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies completely, then log out and back in 2. Try accessing from a different browser or device 3. Call and specifically ask them to manually enable the PFL link on your account The third option is really your best bet. Once they flip that switch on their end, the link should appear within 24 hours. The paper form will work, but as you noted, it adds significant processing time.

I spent HOURS trying to figure this out last year!!! The EDD system is SO broken. I ended up having to mail in the paper form too since the online link never showed up. Called like 50 times and either got disconnected or was on hold forever. The most frustrating part was when I finally got through, the rep acted like I was crazy and insisted there should be a link. I was like YES I KNOW THERE SHOULD BE, THAT'S WHY I'M CALLING! 🤬 It took almost a month for my PFL to kick in after disability ended and we nearly missed our mortgage payment. The system totally fails new parents when they need it most.

I found a solution to this exact problem! After trying to call EDD for days without getting through, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connected me to an EDD agent in about 15 minutes. The agent was able to activate the PFL link on my account right away - it showed up when I logged in later that day! Saved me weeks of waiting for paper processing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. Seriously worth it when you're stressing about a gap in benefits.

This is a technical issue that occurs in approximately 15-20% of SDI to PFL transitions. The portal is supposed to automatically generate the PFL link 5-7 days before your SDI claim ends, but several factors can prevent this: 1. If your doctor certified an unclear end date for disability 2. If your SDI claim required any special processing or review 3. If you had any interruptions or modifications to your SDI claim 4. Sometimes it's just a random system glitch The proper solution is to contact EDD and have them manually activate the link. While the paper form will eventually work, it typically adds 14-21 days to processing time. I recommend trying again to reach an agent by phone, as they can resolve this in minutes rather than weeks. Make sure when filing that you correctly specify this is for bonding (PFL), not continued disability. Different forms and processes apply.

when i had my baby in 2023 i had no problems the link was just there automatically!! maybe try using chrome instead of safari? sometimes websites work better on different browsers just a thought

UPDATE: I tried clearing my cache and cookies and using a different browser, but still no PFL link. I'm going to try calling again tomorrow morning right when they open. Thanks to everyone for all the advice! At least I know it's not just me doing something wrong. I'll update again when I (hopefully) get this resolved.

FINAL UPDATE: Success! After trying unsuccessfully to get through on the phone for 2 days, I tried the Claimyr service that someone suggested here, and it actually worked! Got connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. She confirmed there was a glitch because my SDI claim had been extended. She manually added the PFL link to my account, and I was able to submit my baby bonding claim online today. Such a relief not to worry about a gap in benefits! Thanks everyone for your help with this!

Wow, what a journey! I'm so glad you finally got this resolved. This exact same thing happened to my coworker last month - the EDD portal just wouldn't show the PFL link no matter what she tried. She also ended up using that Claimyr service and got connected within 30 minutes after days of trying the regular phone line. It's honestly ridiculous that new parents have to jump through these hoops when they're already dealing with so much stress. The fact that this is such a common issue shows EDD really needs to fix their system. Thanks for sharing your solution - I'm sure this will help other parents who run into the same problem!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant and already dreading dealing with the EDD transition from SDI to PFL based on all the horror stories I've heard. Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me a game plan - I'm definitely going to bookmark that Claimyr service and try the early morning calling strategy if I run into the same missing link issue. It's so frustrating that this is such a widespread problem that EDD hasn't bothered to fix. Thank you Dmitry for sharing your whole journey and everyone else for the helpful tips. Hopefully by the time I need this, they'll have gotten their act together, but at least now I know what to do if not!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - I'm on week 4 of SDI and already panicking about the transition to PFL after reading so many stories about gaps in benefits. It's reassuring to know that there are solutions like Claimyr when the EDD phone system fails (which seems to be constantly). I'm definitely going to save all these tips and check my account regularly as I get closer to my SDI end date. It's honestly shameful that EDD's system is so broken that new parents have to rely on third-party services just to access their own benefits. Dmitry, I'm so glad you got it sorted out and thanks for updating us with the solution! This thread should be pinned somewhere for other parents to find.