Debit card message when calling EDD - does this mean my PFL claim is approved?

yes this means ur approved! the debit card talk is their way of telling u that ur getting paid. mine took about 10 days to come in the mail after that msg. congrats!!!

Not necessarily. The automated system often mentions the debit card regardless of your claim status because that's how they distribute funds *if* you're approved. You need to speak with an actual representative to confirm your status. When you call, press 1 for English (or 2 for Spanish), then 1 for Claimant, then 1 for PFL, then 2 for claim status. Ask specifically if your claim has been approved and when payments will process.

When I filed for PFL in January 2025, I heard the same debit card message when I called, but my claim was still under review! I panicked and kept calling for three days straight with no luck getting through. Turns out the message is standard and doesn't confirm approval. My claim was actually held up because they needed additional info from my employer. Dont lose hope though - check your online account daily for updates. The UI is terrible but its the most reliable way to know whats happening.

I had a similar experience last month with my maternity leave transition to baby bonding PFL. The automated message about the debit card is confusing but here's how it actually works: 1. If you're a first-time claimant, EDD automatically sets up a Bank of America debit card account for you when you file 2. The message plays for EVERYONE, approved or not 3. For new cards, expect 7-10 business days for delivery 4. If you previously had a card (from disability or unemployment), they'll use the same one even if it's expired (they'll send a new one) The only reliable way to confirm approval is to either speak with a representative or check for a payment posted in your SDI Online account under "Payment Activity." If nothing shows there, you're still pending.

Try using claimyr.com to get through to an EDD agent right away. Saved me weeks of frustration when I had the exact same issue with my PFL claim. The regular phone line is useless but this service got me connected to a real person in about 10 min who confirmed my approval status and payment date. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5

To directly answer your questions: 1. The debit card message does NOT confirm approval - it's a standard message in the phone system 2. If approved, most first-time cards arrive in 7-10 business days after approval 3. Payments are typically processed within 2 business days of approval 4. First payment often includes retroactive benefits from your claim date Since it's been 5 weeks, your claim should have been processed by now (current processing time is averaging 21 days for PFL baby bonding). I suggest: - Check your mail carefully - they may have sent a request for additional information - Log into SDI Online and check for messages in your inbox - Contact your employer to verify they submitted their portion correctly - When you do reach a representative, ask specifically what's causing the delay

btw if u already had a disability claim for pregnancy before ur baby bonding claim they sometimes dont send a new card. they just load the money on ur old one. happened to me and i kept waiting for a new card but the $ was already on my old card lol

I just went through this exact same situation in February! The debit card message had me so confused too. Here's what I learned from my experience: The automated system mentions the debit card for EVERYONE who calls about PFL, regardless of approval status. It's super misleading! What actually happened with my claim: - Week 1-3: Called daily, heard debit card message, got my hopes up - Week 4: Finally got through to a rep who told me my claim was still "under review" - Week 5: Randomly checked my online account and saw the first payment had been processed! - Week 6: Debit card arrived in mail So the timeline can vary a lot. Since you found that letter asking for your baby's birth certificate, that's probably what's been holding things up. Once you upload that document, you should see movement within 5-10 business days. The good news is that when it does get approved, you'll get all the back pay from when you first filed. Keep checking your SDI Online account daily - that's where you'll see the payment show up first before any card arrives. Hang in there!