Can't reach EDD PFL department for weeks - any working phone numbers?

omg same boat over here! been trying 4 almost a month. the # on their website is useless. my claim is stuck in processing hell & rent is due next week 😭

Try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM. I've had better luck getting through then. Also, make sure you're calling the right department. For PFL baby bonding, use 1-877-238-4373. The regular disability number won't help with PFL issues. When you do get through, ask them to expedite your claim due to financial hardship.

After weeks of frustration, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD agent for my PFL claim. It connected me directly to an EDD agent without the crazy hold times. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. The agent was able to see that my claim had some missing information they never notified me about. Got it resolved in one call instead of waiting more weeks!

The EDD system is DELIBERATELY BROKEN. They make it impossible to reach anyone so people give up on their benefits. I filed for PFL after my twins were born and ended up submitting a formal complaint to my state representative before anyone would help me. THREE MONTHS waiting while bills piled up. This is how they save money - by making the process so frustrating people abandon their claims!!!

Have you tried checking if your employer actually submitted their portion of the paperwork? When I applied for baby bonding PFL last year, my claim was stuck for weeks because my HR department hadn't completed their verification. The EDD never notified me - I had to figure it out myself. Also, try contacting them through their social media accounts. Sometimes their Twitter team responds faster than phone support.

when i had my first baby in 2023 i had to call like 67 times in one day before getting someone. second baby now and same problems ugh. the whole system is broken

I work as an employment benefits specialist and can offer some insight. For PFL baby bonding claims specifically, there are a few common holdup reasons: 1. Transition from pregnancy disability to baby bonding requires a separate DE2501F form 2. Employer wage verification delays 3. Identity verification issues 4. Missing birth certificate/documentation 5. Incorrect dates on application Calling at 8:00 AM is definitely best. Also, check your EDD online account for any correspondence requiring your response - they often send notices there without email notifications.

my sister had baby last month and she told me to tell u that trying different phone options sometimes helps? like if u pick the option for "new claims" instead of "existing claims" u might get a different call queue. worth trying maybe

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through to EDD after trying the suggestions here? Did you find the documentation they were looking for in your online account?

That's awesome news @Jungleboo Soletrain! So glad you were able to get through and get your claim expedited. This thread has been really helpful for everyone dealing with similar PFL issues. For anyone else still struggling, it sounds like the key steps are: 1) Call 877-238-4373 right at 8am, 2) Check your online account for any notices you might have missed, and 3) Have all your documentation ready to upload. Hope everyone gets their benefits sorted out soon!

As someone who just went through the PFL application process last month, I can't stress enough how important it is to check your online account regularly for notices! Like @Jungleboo Soletrain discovered, EDD often sends requests for additional documentation through the portal without any email notification. I almost missed a request for my employer's wage verification form because I was only checking the main status page. Also, if you're still having trouble getting through by phone, try calling on Wednesdays or Thursdays between 1-3pm - the call volume seems lower then. The 877-238-4373 number for PFL is definitely the right one to use, not the general disability line. Good luck to everyone still working through their claims!

As a new member here, I just wanted to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently expecting and will need to apply for PFL in a few months, so reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been incredibly valuable. It's clear that the key takeaways are: call 877-238-4373 right at 8am, religiously check your online account for notices (not just the status page), and have all documentation ready to upload immediately. The persistence everyone showed here is inspiring, and @Jungleboo Soletrain's success story gives me hope that the system does eventually work when you know the right steps. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and helping each other navigate this challenging process!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently navigating the PFL system myself for the first time and was feeling completely overwhelmed until I found this discussion. The detailed advice from @Collins Angel about common holdups and @Nadia Zaldivar's timing tips are exactly what I needed. It's so encouraging to see @Jungleboo Soletrain's success story - proof that persistence and knowing the right steps really does work. I'm taking notes on the 877-238-4373 number and the importance of checking for notices in the online portal. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where people share real solutions instead of just complaints. This is what community support should look like!