Can't reach EDD about PFL claim - approved by doctor but no response from EDD

omg same here!! been calling for like 10 days straight for my baby bonding leave. the system just hangs up on me every single time. the online portal is useless too. feels like they dont even look at those messages

I'm sorry you're going through this frustration. From my experience with EDD PFL claims for caregiving leave, it typically takes 14-21 business days for initial processing, but with their current backlog, many claims are taking 30+ days. Make sure you've completed all certifications properly - that's a common reason for delays. A few tips that might help: 1. Call precisely at 8:00 AM when they open 2. Select option 4 (not option 1) at the first menu 3. Check your UI Online account daily for any notices requesting additional information 4. Make sure your doctor submitted the correct DE 2501 form completely I know it's extremely frustrating when you're caring for someone and facing financial pressure. Don't give up!

The EDD system is BROKEN!!! I've been through EXACTLY the same nightmare with my pregnancy disability claim that should have transitioned to baby bonding. They lost my paperwork TWICE, then claimed I never filed, then magically "found" it after I spent 6 HOURS over multiple days trying to get through on the phone. The whole system is designed to frustrate people into giving up their benefits. Don't trust the online messages - they ignore them. Don't trust the automated system - it's designed to disconnect you. The ONLY way to get this fixed is to actually talk to a human being, and good luck with that!! Even if you do finally reach someone, half the time they can't actually help and transfer you to another department where you'll wait another hour only to get disconnected again. I'm still fighting with them 2 months later. It's disgusting how they treat people who are in vulnerable situations.

I managed to get through to EDD last week about my PFL claim after struggling for a similar amount of time. There's a service called Claimyr that helped me bypass the phone queue. It basically holds your place in line and calls you when an EDD agent is available. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - I talked to someone within 30 minutes after trying for weeks on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 that shows how it works. Their website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. It was worth it to finally get my caregiving claim straightened out - turns out they were missing one form I didn't know I needed to submit.

Yes, when I finally spoke with someone, they explained that my claim was stuck because my employer hadn't responded to their verification request. The rep was able to push it through after verifying some details with me directly. It was something that absolutely couldn't have been resolved without talking to a human. Just make sure you have all your claim information ready when you do get through - claim number, dates, employer details, doctor information, etc. They'll verify your identity first thing.

One thing nobody's mentioned is that caregiving PFL claims can get flagged for additional review more often than baby bonding claims. Since you're caring for your father (not a newborn), they sometimes request additional documentation about the care recipient's condition. I had a similar delay with my mother's cancer care claim last year. When I finally reached someone, it turned out they needed an additional medical certification because the first one wasn't detailed enough about why my presence was required for care. Also, make sure you're using the correct paperwork for caregiving PFL (DE 2501F) vs SDI (DE 2501) or baby bonding (DE 2501FP). The forms look similar but they're processed differently.

honestly just keep calling. it took me 4 days of constant calling (like 30+ times a day) before i got thru for my baby bonding claim. try different times of day too, not just morning. i finally got thru at like 3:45pm on a thursday after trying all week. the whole system is a joke but once you get someone on the phone they can usually fix things quick

Quick update for anyone struggling with reaching EDD: I've noticed their phone lines are significantly less busy on Wednesdays and Thursdays compared to Mondays and Fridays. Also, when you do get through, ask the representative for their direct extension or ID number. This can sometimes help if you need to call back about the same issue. For caregiving claims specifically, make sure the medical provider clearly documented: 1. The specific care needs requiring your presence 2. The expected duration of care needed 3. Whether the patient requires full-time or part-time care Missing any of these details can trigger a manual review that significantly delays your claim.

I'm going through the exact same thing with my PFL claim for caring for my mom after her hip surgery! Filed in early February, got confirmation they received everything, and then... crickets. I've called probably 15 times and either get the busy signal or sit on hold for 2+ hours before getting disconnected. What's really frustrating is that I know people who got their baby bonding claims processed in like 2 weeks, but it seems like the caregiving claims just get stuck in limbo. I had to use up all my vacation time at work and now I'm taking unpaid leave too. Has anyone tried contacting their local assemblyperson's office? I heard they sometimes have contacts at EDD who can help push things through, but I haven't tried it yet. At this point I'm ready to try anything - this whole system is broken and they're making it impossible for people to get the benefits we've been paying into for years!