Desperate for EDD PFL contact methods that actually work - tried calling for 2 weeks!

Unfortunately there's no magic solution to reaching EDD - their phone system is notoriously terrible. Your best bet is to call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open (not 8:01, literally 8:00 sharp). Have all your info ready - claim number, last 4 of SSN, etc. Try Tuesdays and Wednesdays which tend to have slightly lower call volumes than Mondays or Fridays. If you get a recording saying high call volume, hang up immediately and redial. It can take 20+ attempts even at 8:00 AM.

OMG I FEEL THIS SO HARD!!! Same exact thing happened with my baby last year. Called for THREE WEEKS STRAIGHT with no answers!!! EDD is the absolute worst with their phone system. I literally had to borrow money from my parents to cover bills while waiting for them to fix my claim. It's ridiculous that they make it this hard for new moms who are already sleep deprived and stressed!!

I had luck using Claimyr to get through to an EDD representative after trying for days on my own. It's a service that basically calls EDD for you and then connects you once they get through. Saved me countless hours of frustration with my PFL claim. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 I was skeptical at first but it worked really well when I was dealing with my transition from pregnancy disability to baby bonding. The rep I reached was able to fix my date issues immediately.

When I had my baby in November, I had a similar issue with my pregnancy disability to PFL transition. The dates were messed up because my doctor put the wrong date on one of my forms. I ended up going in person to an EDD office - it took half a day of waiting but I finally got it resolved. Might be worth a try if you're still struggling to get through on the phone.

To fix the PFL transition issues, you need to speak specifically with the Paid Family Leave department, not general EDD. The direct PFL number is 1-877-238-4373. But honestly, all these numbers connect to the same broken system. What's critical is knowing exactly what to say when you finally reach someone. For the transition from pregnancy disability to baby bonding, they need to: 1. Verify your pregnancy disability end date 2. Confirm the date of birth 3. Establish the start date of your baby bonding period Common mistakes include overlapping dates between SDI and PFL (not allowed) or gaps between benefits (you want to avoid). You'll need your DE2501 claim number from your pregnancy disability claim and the confirmation number from your PFL filing. Also, if you're calling using a cell phone with poor reception, the EDD system will often disconnect you because their automated system can't properly register your responses. Try using a landline or a cell phone in an area with excellent reception.

the edd system is DESIGNED to be impossible to reach anyone. its not an accident. they save millions by making it so hard to talk to anyone that people just give up on their claims. been this way for YEARS and they have no incentive to fix it because it saves them money. the whole system is corrupt and broken. they dont care about new mothers or families.

pro tip - when u finally get thru to EDD make sure u get the persons ID number or name at the beginning of the call. i didnt do this and when i got disconnected after 30 mins of explaining my situation i had to start all over again lol. also write down EVERYTHING they tell u during the call cause they tell u different stuff every time u call

Just to clarify one important technical point: When transitioning from Pregnancy Disability (PDL/SDI) to Paid Family Leave (PFL) for baby bonding, the start date of your PFL claim MUST be the day after your pregnancy disability ends. There cannot be any overlap or gap. For example: - If your pregnancy disability claim (DE2501) ends on 4/15/2025 - Your PFL claim (DE2508) must start on 4/16/2025 If you put 4/12 as your PFL start date but your disability ends 4/15, that's likely causing the issue because you'd be claiming both benefits simultaneously for 3 days, which isn't allowed. When you reach a representative, specifically ask them to adjust your PFL start date to align with the end of your disability claim.

Has anyone tried contacting their state assembly person's office? My friend had a similar EDD nightmare and she contacted her local assembly member's constituent services office. They have special contacts at EDD and were able to get her claim fixed within a week! Might be worth a try if nothing else works.

I went through this exact same situation last year and it was incredibly stressful! One thing that helped me was using the EDD callback feature if it's available when you call - sometimes you can request a callback instead of waiting on hold for hours. Also, try calling the disability insurance number (1-800-480-3287) in addition to the main PFL line, as they sometimes can help with transition issues between SDI and PFL. Another tip: if you're still having trouble, try calling different regional offices directly. The Sacramento office (916-464-3500) sometimes has shorter wait times than the main statewide number. And definitely document everything - dates you called, reference numbers, what each person told you - because you'll likely need to reference it later. Hang in there! It's frustrating but you will get it sorted out. Your benefits are retroactive so once they fix the date issue, you should get paid for the time you've been waiting.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I just went through the same thing with my PFL claim two months ago. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Call the direct PFL number (1-877-238-4373) at exactly 8:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday 2. When you get through, immediately ask for the representative's ID number and write it down 3. Explain that you need to fix the transition dates between your pregnancy disability and PFL - specifically that your PFL start date needs to be adjusted to the day AFTER your SDI claim ends The overlapping dates issue is super common and they can fix it quickly once you reach someone. In my case, I had put my baby's birth date as the PFL start date instead of the day after my disability ended, which caused the same problem you're having. Also, if you're still stuck after trying these phone strategies, definitely consider going to an EDD office in person. I know it's a pain with a newborn, but sometimes it's the only way to get immediate resolution. Bring every piece of paperwork you have - DE2501 form, DE2508 form, doctor's notes, birth certificate, everything. You've got this! The benefits are retroactive so you'll get paid for all the time you've been waiting once they fix it.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! My PFL claim has been stuck for 3 weeks due to date issues transitioning from pregnancy disability. One thing that's helped me get through faster is using the automated callback system - when you call the main EDD number and it says high call volume, sometimes there's an option to request a callback instead of waiting on hold. It's not always available but when it is, it saves hours of your time. Also, I've found that calling right after lunch (around 1:00-1:30 PM) sometimes has better luck than the morning rush. Everyone tries to call at 8 AM so it's actually more congested then. And make sure you're calling from a phone with really strong signal - I learned the hard way that their system will drop you if there's any connection issues during the automated prompts. Hope you get through soon! The stress of dealing with this while caring for a newborn is just awful.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been trying to reach EDD for over a week about my PFL transition and it's absolutely maddening. What's really frustrating is that they make this process so complicated when you're already exhausted from having a newborn. One thing I discovered is that the SDI Online messaging system sometimes works better if you categorize your message as "Urgent - Benefit Payment Issue" rather than just general inquiry. I got a response in 5 days instead of the usual 10+ days when I resubmitted with that category. Also, try sending your message on Monday mornings - seems like they process weekend backlog first. Really hoping you get through soon! The financial stress on top of everything else is just too much. Keep us posted on what works for you - we're all learning from each other's experiences with this broken system.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD phone system is absolutely brutal when you're already dealing with a newborn! I went through something similar with my PFL claim last year. One strategy that worked for me was using a combination of approaches: I'd call the direct PFL number (1-877-238-4373) right at 8:00 AM sharp while also having the Claimyr service call on my behalf as backup. The overlapping dates issue you described is super common - they need to adjust your PFL start date to be the day after your pregnancy disability officially ends, not your baby's birth date. Also, since you mentioned rent is due next week, you might want to contact your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) for emergency financial assistance resources while you're waiting for EDD to get their act together. Some counties have emergency funds specifically for situations like this where government benefits are delayed. Keep documenting every call attempt with dates and times - if this drags on much longer, your assembly member's office can really help cut through the red tape. Hang in there, mama! The benefits are retroactive so you'll get everything you're owed once they fix the dates.