Can't reach EDD after days of calling - mom can't sign PFL caregiver form after stroke

omg the same exact thing happened with my dad after his heart attack!!! i called for TWO WEEKS and never got through. so frustrating!!!!!!

I successfully navigated this situation last year. You need to get your mom's doctor to include a specific note on the medical certification form stating she is physically incapable of signing due to the stroke. Then attach a brief signed letter from yourself explaining the situation. My experience was that you should also fax (yes, fax!) this explanation to the PFL office at 1-855-237-6737 with your claim number at the top. Include your contact information so they can reach you if needed. The doctor's certification of incapacity should be sufficient to move forward. You may also need to get your documents notarized if you have Power of Attorney for your mother.

u should try claimyr.com - they connected me to EDD when I couldn't get thru for my pregnancy leave transition. paid like $20 but got me thru in 15 min when i was calling for days with no luck. they have a demo video too https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5

Just to clarify something important - there's a difference between the Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Care Benefits (DE 2501F) and the Care Recipient's Authorization form. Both need to be filled out. If your mother has had a stroke and cannot sign, you MUST get through to EDD for guidance. However, if you have legal Power of Attorney for healthcare decisions, you can sign on her behalf. But here's the catch - you need to submit a copy of the POA documentation with your application. Keep in mind that the Care Recipient's Authorization allows the EDD to disclose information with you, while the DE 2501F is the actual claim form. Both are required for caregiver benefits.

when my sister coudnt sign cus of her brain surgery the doctor just wrote UNABLE TO SIGN DUE TO MEDICAL CONDITION in big letters across the signature part and it got approved. worth a try if you cant get thru on the phone!

I work at an elder law firm and have helped many clients with this exact situation. Here's what you need to do: 1. If you have valid POA for your mother that specifically covers healthcare and/or financial decisions, you CAN sign on her behalf. Write "POA" after your signature. 2. Submit a copy (not original) of your POA documentation with your application. 3. Have the doctor include language in their certification that specifically states your mother is unable to sign due to her medical condition. 4. Include a brief cover letter explaining the situation. EDD officially says to call, but they acknowledge POA signatures when properly documented. This is standard practice for incapacitated care recipients. Also, submit everything via certified mail so you have proof of submission dates.

I'm going through something similar with my father who has dementia. The EDD system is NOT designed well for these situations. I've been trying to call for weeks with no luck. It's so frustrating when you're already dealing with the stress of caring for a seriously ill family member. Has anyone had luck calling at a specific time of day? I've tried 8am, noon, and right before closing with no success.

UPDATE: I just remembered something important about the Care Recipient's Authorization for Disclosure of Personal Health Information form (DE 2525XX). If your mother is unable to consent due to her medical condition, there's actually a checkbox on the form that says: "I am legally authorized to consent on behalf of the care recipient identified above because the care recipient is a minor or is incapable of consenting because of physical or mental condition." Check that box, sign it as the authorized representative, and attach your POA documentation. The system is designed to accommodate this situation - you just need the right documentation!

I went through this exact situation with my grandmother after her hip surgery left her unable to write. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Contact your mom's neurologist ASAP and ask them to write a letter on hospital/clinic letterhead stating she is "medically incapable of providing written consent due to stroke-related impairment." 2. Get this letter notarized along with a copy of your POA documents. 3. Fill out the DE 2525XX form checking the box that says you're legally authorized to consent on her behalf due to her medical condition (as Carmen mentioned above - this is KEY!). 4. Submit everything together via certified mail AND fax it to 1-855-237-6737 with "MEDICAL INCAPACITY - CAREGIVER CLAIM" written at the top. I also called my state assemblyman's office and they have an EDD liaison who helped expedite my case. Don't be afraid to reach out to your local representatives - they deal with EDD issues all the time and can often get through when we can't. The whole process took about 3 weeks once I had all the right documentation, but my benefits were backdated to when my leave started. Hang in there!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my uncle who had a traumatic brain injury. The information everyone has shared here is incredibly helpful! I wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through to EDD even after following all these steps, you might want to try contacting your local State Disability Insurance (SDI) office directly. They sometimes have separate phone lines that aren't as overwhelmed as the main EDD number. Also, I learned that some hospitals have patient advocates or social workers who are familiar with disability paperwork and can help you navigate the process. They might even have direct contacts at EDD for medical emergency situations. One more thing - document EVERYTHING. Keep a log of every call attempt, every form submitted, and every person you speak with. If there are any delays in processing your claim, this documentation can help prove you did everything correctly and on time. Best of luck to everyone going through this stressful process!

I'm a case worker at a disability advocacy organization and see this situation frequently. One additional option that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're still having trouble even with the POA documentation, you can request an "Administrative Review" through EDD's Appeals Office. This is typically used when there are extenuating circumstances that don't fit the standard process. You would need to submit a written request explaining that your mother is medically incapable of signing due to her stroke, attach all your POA documentation, and include the doctor's certification of incapacity. The Appeals Office has more flexibility to approve non-standard situations. Also, many people don't realize that EDD has regional offices that sometimes have less busy phone lines than the main number. Try calling the Sacramento regional office at (916) 464-3343 or the Los Angeles office at (213) 744-2084. Ask specifically to speak with a PFL specialist about a medical incapacity situation. The key phrase to use is "medical incapacity accommodation" - this signals that you're dealing with a disability-related issue that requires special handling under ADA guidelines.