EDD PFL caregiving dilemma: Who can sign form DE 2501FC when parent can't?
I need urgent help with my PFL caregiving claim for my terminally ill mom. She's been in hospice for almost a month now, and I've been her primary caregiver since leaving my job. I filed for PFL caregiving benefits about 2 weeks ago, but I'm completely stuck on the DE 2501FC form, specifically Part C where my mom needs to sign as the care recipient. The problem is she's barely conscious most days and physically unable to sign anything. The form lists options for "Authorized Representative" signatures including "Parental Right", "Power of Attorney (attach copy)", and "Court Order (attach copy)". I have NO IDEA which one applies to my situation or what documentation I need! Does anyone know what qualifies when caring for a parent who can't sign? Do I need some kind of emergency POA? I've called EDD multiple times but can't get through to an actual person. The recording always says the line is full. My claim paperwork says I have a deadline to submit this form and with my mom's condition getting worse daily, I'm desperate for answers. Has anyone been through this with the caregiving PFL claim?
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Yuki Nakamura
I had a similar situation with my father last year. You need a Power of Attorney document for healthcare decisions. Since your mom isn't able to sign one now, you may need to look into emergency conservatorship through the courts, but that takes time. Call her doctor immediately - sometimes they can help with alternatives or sign as her medical provider on certain parts of the form. Do you have any siblings who might have POA already?
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Ethan Moore
AuthorThanks for the info. No siblings with POA, and mom didn't set one up before getting sick. I'll call her hospice doctor tomorrow first thing. Do you know if EDD will extend the deadline if I explain the situation? I'm terrified of losing the benefits since I've already been caregiving unpaid for weeks.
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StarSurfer
call ur moms doctor ASAP! when my grandma was in hospice the doctor signed some paperwork for us saying she wasnt able to make decisions. bring that 2 edd. they should accept it but u need 2 talk to a real person there
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Carmen Reyes
Unfortunately, EDD specifically requires one of the three options listed on the form for PFL caregiving claims. A doctor's note about capacity isn't sufficient by itself for the DE 2501FC form. The OP needs to get proper legal documentation like a POA or start emergency conservatorship proceedings.
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Carmen Reyes
I work with elder care issues, and this is unfortunately common with PFL caregiving claims. For the DE 2501FC form, here are your options: 1. If you have ANY documentation showing your mom previously authorized you to make decisions (even emails or texts), gather those immediately 2. You need an emergency temporary conservatorship. Contact your county's probate court - many have self-help centers for exactly this situation 3. Some hospice organizations have legal assistance programs that can expedite these documents - ask your hospice coordinator TODAY As for the EDD deadline - call first thing in the morning at 8:00am sharp when their lines open. Keep calling. Explain your situation and request an extension due to these extenuating circumstances. They can add notes to your claim and typically grant 15-day extensions in these situations.
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Andre Moreau
This is super helpful information. I went through something similar last year but nobody told me about the county probate court self-help option. Would have saved me SO much stress!
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Zoe Christodoulou
After trying for DAYS to reach EDD about my PFL caregiving claim last month, I finally used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD agent in under 5 minutes. It costs money but was totally worth it for me. They basically call EDD for you and then call you when they have an agent on the line. Saved me hours of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The EDD agent I spoke with told me they can put a hold on your claim deadline while you get the proper documentation together - but you HAVE to talk to someone to get this noted on your account.
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Ethan Moore
AuthorThanks for this suggestion. At this point I'd pay anything to talk to a real person at EDD. I'll check out that service tomorrow if I can't get through in the morning. Did they need any special information from you to put a hold on the deadline?
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Jamal Thompson
I used this service too when I was dealing with my SDI to PFL transition and it actually worked. The EDD rep was surprised I got through because apparently their lines have been overwhelmed with the new tax year starting. Just have your claim number ready.
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Mei Chen
The WHOLE EDD system is designed to make you fail!!! I spent 5 weeks trying to sort out my PFL claim and lost almost $4,000 in benefits because of their incompetence. They DELIBERATELY make these forms confusing and the phone lines NEVER work. It's a SCAM to avoid paying benefits that we're entitled to!!! My advice? Document EVERYTHING. Record dates, times, names of anyone you talk to. When you finally get through, DEMAND a supervisor immediately. The first-level agents don't know anything and give wrong information. Don't let them push you around!!
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Ethan Moore
AuthorI'm definitely feeling that frustration. Every day that passes is money I desperately need to pay bills while caring for mom. Did recording all that information actually help you resolve your claim?
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Yuki Nakamura
While I understand your frustration, I've found that approaching EDD agents respectfully tends to get better results. They're overworked and dealing with an outdated system. That said, documenting everything is excellent advice for any government benefit claim.
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Andre Moreau
Just wanted to add - make sure you're applying for CFRA (California Family Rights Act) leave from your employer too if you're eligible. It doesn't pay you but protects your job for up to 12 weeks while you care for your mom. Many people don't realize this is different from PFL.
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Ethan Moore
AuthorThanks for mentioning this. I actually had to quit my job because they wouldn't approve extended leave for caregiving (small company with less than 20 employees). So I'm fully depending on the PFL benefits to survive financially right now, which is why I'm so stressed about this form.
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Carmen Reyes
Quick update on my earlier advice - I just learned that as of January 2025, EDD has a new provision for terminal illness situations. If your mother's doctor completes the "Physician Certification of Patient Capacity" form (DE2501FC-PC) and submits it with your regular caregiving certification, this can temporarily substitute for the authorized representative requirement. This form isn't mentioned on their website yet, but if you request it specifically when you get through to an agent, they can email it to you. This is a much faster solution than emergency conservatorship for hospice situations.
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Ethan Moore
AuthorThis could be a game-changer! Thank you so much. I'll specifically ask about the DE2501FC-PC form when I call tomorrow. I had no idea this option existed. Her hospice doctor has been very helpful so I'm sure he'd complete this form quickly. Fingers crossed this works!
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Jamal Thompson
When my neighbor went through something similar, there was also something about a "caregiver authorization affidavit" that might help? I'm not sure if that applies to adult parents though, I think it might be just for kids. But worth asking about maybe?
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Carmen Reyes
You're thinking of the Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit, but you're right that it only applies to minors, not adult parents. It's a common confusion, but that form won't help in this situation with an adult parent in hospice care.
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LunarLegend
I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your mom. Based on what others have shared here, I'd recommend trying multiple approaches simultaneously since time is critical: 1. Call EDD at exactly 8:00 AM when lines open - keep trying every few minutes 2. Contact your mom's hospice doctor TODAY about the DE2501FC-PC form that Carmen mentioned - this sounds like your best option for terminal illness situations 3. Also ask the hospice social worker if they have any legal resources or can help expedite documentation I went through something similar with my grandmother last year, and the hospice team was incredibly helpful with paperwork and knew exactly what forms were needed for different benefit programs. They deal with these situations regularly and often have connections with agencies like EDD. Don't give up - you're doing everything right by seeking help and advocating for your mom. The system is frustrating but there are solutions available for your exact situation.
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