EDD Nightmare: 35+ Calls, 6 Weeks, No PFL Payment - Finally Found a Solution!
I've been trying to get my paid family leave claim processed for weeks now. It's been a nightmare! I've called the EDD office over 35 times in just 4 days, and this went on for 6 weeks straight. Every time I got through, they just told me they were 'working on it'. The most frustrating part is that they require signatures for the claim that you can't do online. The only way to resolve it is to call, but it's nearly impossible to get through. Transitioning from disability to PFL is a complete mess. I even went to the local disability office multiple times, but all they could do was give me the status of my claim. They couldn't actually do anything about it. They kept telling me I'd be paid in 3-4 business days, but nothing happened. Finally, I found a solution through an online platform about CA Maternity leave. They recommended a service that calls for you and stays on hold until an agent picks up. It cost me $20, but it was worth it. The agent I spoke to was able to process my payment today, so I should receive my money within 3-4 business days. Fingers crossed it actually comes through this time!
30 comments
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Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve paid family leave claim delays, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Mu1LWLxRY
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Rajan Walker
Omg, I'm in the exact same boat! 😠I've been calling for weeks and can't get through. It's so frustrating! How did you find out about that service? I'm desperate for any solution at this point.
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Jungleboo Soletrain
•I found it through a Facebook group for CA moms on maternity leave. Someone posted about it and I thought, why not give it a try? It's called Claimyr if you want to look it up.
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Rajan Walker
•Thanks so much! I'll def check it out. Anything to avoid more hours of hold music 🎵😫
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Nadia Zaldivar
•Be careful with those paid services tho. Some of them are scams. Make sure to do your research first!
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Jungleboo Soletrain
•For sure, always good to be cautious. This one worked for me tho, and I've seen others in my mom group use it successfully too.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
The EDD system is completely broken. It's ridiculous that in 2023, we still have to rely on phone calls and paper signatures for something that should be fully digital. The government needs to get its act together and modernize this process.
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Ev Luca
•Preach! 🙌 It's like they're stuck in the stone age or smthn. My grandma could design a better system lol
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Avery Davis
•True, but let's not forget that these systems are dealing with millions of claims. It's not as simple as just 'going digital'. There are security concerns, legacy systems, and budget constraints to consider.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•I get that, but other states have managed to do it. CA is supposed to be a tech hub, yet we can't figure out how to process claims efficiently? It's embarrassing.
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Collins Angel
Hey everyone, I actually found a method that works to get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM
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Marcelle Drum
•Sounds too good to be true. How do we know this isn't just another scam?
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Collins Angel
•I get the skepticism, but it's legit. I was hesitant too, but after weeks of failed attempts, I gave it a shot. Got through to an agent in about 2 hours.
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Tate Jensen
•Can you give more details about how it works? Do they just keep redialing for you?
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Collins Angel
•From what I understand, they use some kind of auto-dialer system that navigates the phone tree and waits on hold. When a real person picks up, it calls your phone and connects you. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Adaline Wong
Here's a comprehensive guide on how to navigate the EDD system based on my experience and research: 1. Document everything: Keep a log of all your calls, including dates, times, and names of representatives you speak with. 2. Use multiple contact methods: While phone is often necessary, also try email and snail mail. Sometimes, sending a physical letter can get attention. 3. Reach out to your local assembly member or state senator. They often have staff dedicated to helping constituents with EDD issues. 4. Be persistent but polite: The representatives are dealing with a lot, so being courteous can go a long way. 5. Double-check all your paperwork: Many delays are due to simple errors or missing information. 6. Consider using a paid service like Claimyr as a last resort if you're unable to get through. 7. Join online communities (like this one!) for support and up-to-date information. Remember, the system is overwhelmed, but stay persistent. You'll get through eventually!
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Gabriel Ruiz
•This is gold! 💯 Thanks for taking the time to write this all out. Saving this for future reference.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Great advice! I'd add one more tip: if you do get through to someone, ask for their direct extension or if there's a way to follow up directly with them. It can save you from starting over each time.
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Peyton Clarke
Has anyone else noticed that the wait times seem to be shorter early in the morning? I've had better luck calling right when they open.
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Vince Eh
I'm so tired of this whole process. I've been trying to get my claim sorted for 3 months now. It's affecting my mental health at this point. 😞
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Sophia Gabriel
•Hang in there! I know it's tough, but you're not alone. Have you considered reaching out to a therapist? Many are offering sliding scale fees during these times.
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Vince Eh
•Thanks for the support. I might look into that. It's just hard when you're already stressed about money, you know?
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Tobias Lancaster
Pro tip: If you're having trouble with the online system, try using a different browser or clearing your cache. Sometimes it's just a technical glitch.
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Ezra Beard
•This! 👆 I thought I was going crazy, but switching from Chrome to Firefox solved my issue with the online forms.
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Statiia Aarssizan
Anyone else feel like we need to start a petition or something to get the government to fix this mess? It's not fair that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to.
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Reginald Blackwell
•I'm down! Where do we start? Maybe we could use one of those online petition sites?
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Aria Khan
•Petitions are useless. We need to vote for representatives who will actually prioritize fixing these systems.
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Statiia Aarssizan
•Why not both? A petition could at least bring more attention to the issue. Every bit helps, right?
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Anastasia Popov
Wow, this whole thread is so relatable! I'm currently on week 4 of trying to get my PFL claim processed and it's been absolutely exhausting. The fact that we have to resort to paying third-party services just to talk to someone at our own state agency is honestly insane. I've been hesitant about using those calling services because I wasn't sure if they were legit, but hearing multiple people confirm they work is really helpful. At this point, $20 seems like a small price to pay for my sanity. Thanks for sharing your experience @Jungleboo - gives me hope that there's actually a light at the end of this tunnel! 🤞
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Mateo Silva
•@Anastasia I totally feel you! Week 4 sounds absolutely brutal. I'm just starting my journey with PFL and honestly reading all these experiences has me both terrified and grateful for the heads up. It's wild that in 2024 we're still dealing with systems this broken. Have you tried the early morning calling strategy that @Peyton mentioned? I'm thinking of giving that a shot before considering the paid services. Sending you all the good vibes that your claim gets sorted soon! 💪
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