EDD PFL application error: First name too long for form, need help!

Ugh, the EDD system is such a nightmare! I had a similar issue with my last name being too long. Ended up having to use an abbreviation just to get through the form. Have you tried using a shorter version of your name or maybe your initials?

I found a way to actually 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 it: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM

Have you tried accessing the form at different times of day? Sometimes the system glitches less during off-peak hours. I had better luck super early in the morning, like 5 AM. Worth a shot!

Okay, listen up folks, I've been dealing with EDD for years and here's what I've learned about these kinds of issues: • First, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. Sometimes it's just a weird tech hiccup. • If that doesn't work, try a different browser altogether. I've had success with Firefox when Chrome was acting up. • For name issues specifically, try using ONLY capital letters. For some reason, this has worked for some people. • If all else fails, you might need to file a paper application. Yes, it's a pain, but it bypasses the online system entirely. • Keep a record of all your attempts, including screenshots if possible. This can be helpful if you need to explain the delay in your application. • Lastly, be persistent with calling. Use auto-dialers if you have to. The squeaky wheel gets the grease! Hope this helps someone out there. We're all in this bureaucratic nightmare together! 💪

Plot twist: what if we all changed our names to be super short? Problem solved! 😂 Jk jk... unless? 👀

Hey OP, any luck with resolving this? I'm in the same boat and could use some hope rn 😩

This is why I'm never having kids. Can you imagine dealing with this AND a newborn? No thank you! 🙅‍♀️

Have you tried turning it off and on again? 😆 But seriously, sometimes logging out completely, waiting a bit, and then trying again can help. Worth a shot!

I actually had this exact same issue last year! What worked for me was contacting my local EDD office directly instead of going through the main phone line. They were able to manually input my full name into the system and flag my account so there wouldn't be any issues later. Try googling "EDD office near me" and calling them directly - the wait times are usually much shorter than the main number. Also, bring documentation showing your full legal name when you eventually get through to someone. Good luck! 🤞

I feel your pain! I ran into the same issue a few months ago with my hyphenated last name getting truncated. What finally worked for me was using the paper application that @Jasmine Quinn mentioned. I know it seems like going backwards, but honestly it was way less stressful than fighting with that broken online system. You can download the DE 2501F form from the EDD website and mail it in. Takes a bit longer to process, but at least you can write your full legal name without worrying about character limits. Also, make sure to include a cover letter explaining that you tried the online system first but encountered technical issues - I heard this can help speed up processing. Hang in there! 💪

I work for a benefits consulting firm and we see this EDD name truncation issue ALL the time! Here's what I tell my clients: First, try using periods after each initial if your name is hyphenated (like Mary-Ann becomes M.A. instead of MA). Second, if you have a middle name you normally include, try submitting without it initially - you can always update it later once your account is established. Third, and this is key - screenshot EVERYTHING when you're having these issues. The EDD reps are actually pretty understanding about technical glitches if you can show them what happened. I've had clients get their applications backdated to when they first attempted to apply online, so you won't lose time. Also, pro tip: if you do end up talking to someone, ask them to add notes to your file about the name issue so future reps will see the context. The system is definitely broken, but there are workarounds! 🙂

Just wanted to share another potential solution that worked for my sister last month - she had the same issue with her first name being too long (it's one of those beautiful long Hawaiian names). What finally worked was using the mobile version of the EDD website instead of the desktop version. For some reason, the mobile form had slightly different character limits and her full name fit! She accessed it through her phone's browser, not an app. Might be worth trying if you haven't already. Also, she said the mobile site seemed to have fewer glitches overall. Hope this helps someone! 🌺

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My full name is 22 characters and the form keeps cutting it off at around 15-16 characters. It's so frustrating because you'd think a government system would be designed to handle normal name lengths. I've been trying for three weeks now and I'm starting to worry about missing important deadlines. Reading through all these suggestions gives me hope though - I had no idea there were so many potential workarounds. I'm definitely going to try the mobile version trick first, then maybe the all-caps approach if that doesn't work. Has anyone had success with contacting their local assembly member's office? I heard they sometimes have direct lines to EDD for constituent services. This whole situation is ridiculous but at least we're all helping each other figure it out! 💪

I just wanted to add another option that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're comfortable with it, you could try reaching out through EDD's social media accounts (Twitter/X and Facebook). I know it sounds weird, but government agencies are sometimes more responsive on social platforms because it's public-facing. A friend of mine had luck tweeting at @CA_EDD with her issue and they actually DM'd her within a day to help resolve it. Just make sure not to include any personal info in the public post! You could say something like "Having technical issues with PFL application due to name field character limits - can someone help?" Worth a shot alongside all the other great suggestions here! 📱

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm also dealing with a name length issue (my hyphenated last name is causing problems). I've tried most of the suggestions here and wanted to share what's worked so far: The mobile version trick from @Connor Murphy actually worked for my first name, but now I'm stuck on the last name field. I'm going to try the periods suggestion from @Yuki Kobayashi next. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're using the same browser/device when you come back to continue your application - I made the mistake of switching between my phone and laptop and it seemed to reset some of my progress. Also keeping a detailed log of what I've tried and when, just in case I need to prove my attempts later. Will update if I get through! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this bureaucratic nightmare! 🙏