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Anastasia Popova

EDD PFL Fresno office visit - what documents to bring for login/phone issues?

Has anyone gone in-person to the Fresno EDD office to resolve PFL issues? I've been trying to file my baby bonding claim for 2 weeks but I'm stuck in this ridiculous loop - can't reach a human on the phone (just disconnects after 45 mins of waiting) AND can't log into my online account (keeps saying 'system error' after password reset). I'm honestly at my wit's end and thinking of just driving to the actual office tomorrow. For those who've done this, what documents should I bring? Birth certificate? ID? Employer info? All of the above? And do they even help with PFL stuff in person or will they just tell me to call/go online (the very things I can't do!)? So frustrated right now...

I went to the Fresno office last month for a similar issue. Bring EVERYTHING - your ID, social security card, birth certificate of the baby, the DE2501F form (even if partially completed), any paperwork from your employer about leave, and any paperwork/letters you've received from EDD. They might not need all of it, but better to have it all. Get there EARLY - like before they open early. I got there at 7:45am for an 8:30 opening and there were already 12 people ahead of me.

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Thank you!!! This is super helpful. Did you end up getting your issue resolved in one visit? I'm bringing my 2-month-old so really hoping not to have to make multiple trips.

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FYI THE FRESNO OFFICE WON'T HELP WITH PFL CLAIMS DIRECTLY!! When I went there in January they told me they could only help with Unemployment issues and limited SDI stuff. For PFL they just gave me another phone number to call (which also never answered). Such a waste of time!!! The whole system is designed to make you give up on benefits you're entitled to!!!

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This isn't entirely accurate. While they don't process PFL claims on-site, they CAN help with account access issues and can sometimes call the PFL department directly from their office on your behalf. But you're right that they don't handle the actual claim processing there.

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when i went i just brought my drivers license and the letter they sent me and it was fine

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Thanks! Did they actually help solve your problem or just give you information?

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Have you tried using Claimyr? It saved me so much headache with my maternity leave transition to bonding time. It's a service that basically connects you with an EDD agent quickly instead of waiting for hours. I was skeptical but it worked! They have a demo at https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 that shows how it works. Their website is claimyr.com - honestly might save you the trip to Fresno entirely if your main issue is just getting someone on the phone.

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I was about to suggest the same thing! Used this last week after trying the EDD phone line for DAYS. Got through to someone in about 20 minutes who fixed my online account access. Worth trying before making the drive imo

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For in-person visits to EDD offices regarding PFL issues, I recommend bringing the following documentation: - Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) - Social Security card - Child's birth certificate - Copy of your DE2508 form (Paid Family Leave claim form) - Any correspondence you've received from EDD - Proof of employment (recent pay stub) - Any medical certification documents - Your EDD Customer Account Number if you have it While the Fresno office may not process PFL claims directly, they should be able to help with account access issues and provide guidance on submitting documentation correctly. Be prepared to explain your specific issues clearly and concisely as they may need to direct you to the appropriate department.

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This is super comprehensive, thank you! I don't think I ever got an EDD Customer Account Number though - is that something different from the online login?

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By the way bring snacks and water and baby stuff because i waited 3 HOURS last time!!! The number system is a joke and they take forever with each person. Also the parking lot fills up fast so you might have to park far away and walk.

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One tip that helped me: Before going to the Fresno office, try calling the technical support line specifically (not the regular EDD number) for the account login issues: 1-855-327-7057. They're sometimes easier to reach than the regular claim line and can specifically help with account access problems. If you do go in person, definitely bring: - Your ID - Social security card - Any correspondence with your EDD Customer Account Number - Screenshots of any error messages (if possible) The Fresno office staff can often help reset your online access, even if they don't process the PFL claim itself. And yes, they can sometimes connect you directly to a PFL specialist from their office phones, bypassing the regular wait times.

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I tried that tech support number too - was on hold for 30 minutes and then it just disconnected me! But good idea about the screenshots, I'll definitely take some of the errors I'm getting.

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anyone know what time they close? their website says like 5 different things

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They close at 5pm but stop taking new people at like 3:30pm. So don't go late in the day!

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I feel your pain! Just went through this exact situation last month. Here's what worked for me: I actually had success with the Assembly member's office constituent services - they have a direct line to EDD and can often resolve account issues within a few days. You can find your Assembly member at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov and call their local office. They helped me get my online access restored without having to drive anywhere. That said, if you do decide to go to Fresno, definitely bring everything everyone mentioned above, plus any emails or confirmation numbers from previous attempts to file. The staff there are actually pretty helpful with account access issues even if they can't process the PFL claim directly. Also try going on a Wednesday or Thursday - seems less crowded than Mondays/Fridays from what I've heard. Good luck mama, you'll get through this!

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This is such great advice about the Assembly member's office! I had no idea they could help with EDD issues. I'm definitely going to try that first before making the drive to Fresno with a 2-month-old. Thank you so much for the tip about Wednesday/Thursday being less crowded too - that's really helpful to know!

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I had the exact same issue with the login errors after password resets! What finally worked for me was clearing all my browser cookies and cache, then trying a completely different browser (I switched from Chrome to Firefox). Sometimes their system gets stuck if there are old session cookies. Also, try logging in from an incognito/private window first. I know it sounds basic but it saved me a trip to the office. If that still doesn't work, the Assembly member suggestion from Diego is brilliant - I wish I had known about that option when I was dealing with this nightmare! The whole EDD system is so broken, but you'll get through it. Hang in there!

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Oh my gosh, thank you for the browser suggestion! I've been using Chrome this whole time and getting so frustrated. I'm definitely going to try Firefox and the incognito window before I drag my baby to the EDD office. It's amazing how many little tech tricks can help with their broken system. And yes, that Assembly member tip from Diego sounds like a game changer - I'm going to look up my representative right now. Really appreciate all the support from everyone here, it helps to know I'm not alone in dealing with this mess!

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I'm so sorry you're going through this! I went through a similar nightmare with my PFL claim last year. One thing that really helped me was contacting my state senator's office (not just Assembly member) - they have caseworkers specifically for EDD issues and can often get things resolved faster than the Assembly offices since they handle fewer cases. You can find yours at senate.ca.gov. Also, before you make the drive, try the EDD's live chat feature during off-peak hours (like 7-8am or after 4pm) - it's hidden on their website but sometimes connects you faster than the phone lines. If you do end up going to Fresno, definitely bring your phone with screenshots of all the error messages you're getting, plus any confirmation emails from when you first tried to file. They can use those to look up what's blocking your account. The wait is brutal but the staff there can usually fix login issues same-day. You've got this mama! 💪

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Thank you so much Brooklyn! I didn't know about the state senator option either - that's another great resource to try. And the live chat tip is gold, I had no idea they even had that feature! I'm definitely going to try the early morning time slot you mentioned. It's so reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing and came out the other side. This community has been such a lifesaver with all these tips and alternatives I never would have thought of. Going to try the browser tricks and Assembly/Senate offices first before making that drive with my little one. Really appreciate all the support! 💕

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I went through this exact same situation with my PFL claim a few months ago - the system errors, endless phone holds, everything! What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my Assembly member's office (like Diego suggested) AND tried the browser clearing trick (like Chloe mentioned) at the same time. The Assembly office caseworker was amazing - she actually stayed on a three-way call with me and the EDD tech person to get my account unlocked. It took about a week from when I first contacted them, but they followed up regularly and kept me updated. In the meantime, the browser clearing did help me see different error messages that were more specific, which I was able to screenshot and send to the caseworker. If those don't work and you do have to go in person, I'd recommend calling the Fresno office first thing in the morning (around 8am) to ask about their current wait times - sometimes they can give you a heads up if it's going to be an especially busy day. Don't give up - the system is absolutely broken but there are people who will help you navigate it!

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Isabella, this is exactly the kind of detailed success story I needed to hear! The three-way call approach with the Assembly caseworker sounds incredibly helpful - I love that they actually stayed on the line to make sure things got resolved. I'm definitely going to try contacting my Assembly member first thing tomorrow and mention that approach. The tip about calling the Fresno office early to check wait times is really smart too, especially since I'd be bringing my baby. It's so encouraging to know that even though the system is completely broken, there are still people within it who genuinely want to help. Thank you for sharing your experience and for the encouragement - it really means a lot! 🙏

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I just went through this exact same situation last week! The combination of login issues and impossible phone wait times is so maddening when you're trying to care for a new baby. What finally worked for me was actually filing a complaint through the EDD website's "Contact EDD" form under the "Technical Issues" category - within 24 hours someone from their IT department called me back and walked me through resetting my account over the phone. It was much faster than trying to get through the regular phone lines. They also mentioned that if you've been locked out due to multiple password reset attempts, there's actually a 72-hour waiting period before you can try again (which they don't tell you anywhere!). If you haven't tried that route yet, it might save you the trip to Fresno. But honestly, having a backup plan with all those documents ready is smart too - this system is so unpredictable! Hope you get it sorted out soon mama! ❤️

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