EDD PFL phone number hacks? How to actually reach a human at Paid Family Leave

The EDD phone system is a nightmare, but I've had the most success calling EXACTLY at 8:00 am when they open. Not 8:01, not 7:59 - literally the second they open. I call from my landline and cell simultaneously to double my chances. Got through within 10 minutes last month when I needed to ask about my baby bonding transition from disability. Also, try the main SDI number instead of the PFL-specific one. Sometimes the wait times are shorter and they can often help with PFL questions too since it's technically the same department.

sameeeee boat!! been trying for 2 weeks and cant get thru. its ridiculous they expect new parents to sit on hold all day?? like we dont have newborns to take care of?? my claim says pending too and i have NO IDEA why. so frustrating!!!

I work with EDD claims professionally and can offer some insights. First, "pending" status after 3 weeks for PFL baby bonding is actually normal, especially if you're transitioning from pregnancy disability. They're likely waiting for your SDI claim to fully close before processing the PFL portion. For contacting them, a few tips: - Call on Tuesday-Thursday (avoid Mondays and Fridays when volume is highest) - Try between 1-2pm when many agents return from lunch - Select the Spanish option, then ask for English when connected (shorter queues) - When prompted by the automated system, press 1, then 2, then 3, then 1 again - this specific sequence often routes you to agents handling PFL claims Also, check your EDD online account for any notifications about missing documentation. Sometimes they need additional info but the letter gets lost in the mail.

I tried calling every day for TWO WEEKS and kept getting busy signals or disconnected. Then I used a service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD agent in about 25 minutes! It costs money but honestly it was worth every penny after wasting hours trying to call myself. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92Ay5?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2wM But check their website (claimyr.com) because sometimes they fill up. I got to talk to someone who actually fixed my PFL claim issue on the spot.

Pro tip from someone who just went through this mess: Try the disability customer service number instead (1-800-480-3287) and ask to be transferred to PFL. I got through in 20 minutes last week when the PFL number had me on hold for over an hour before disconnecting me. Also, if you're transitioning from pregnancy disability to baby bonding, make sure you already received your final disability payment before stressing too much about the PFL claim. The system won't process your PFL until the disability claim is fully closed, which can add an extra week or two to the process.

isnt it crazy that we need to come to a forum to figure out how to talk to the government agency thats supposed to be helping new parents?? my sister had a baby in oregon and everything was super easy, all online, no need to call anyone. california needs to fix this!!

Just to add - if your baby bonding claim has been pending for over 3 weeks and you've already received your final pregnancy disability payment, there might be a flag on your account that requires manual review. Sometimes this happens if: 1. Your baby's birthdate on the PFL form doesn't match the date on your pregnancy disability claim 2. Your employer information changed between claims 3. You filed your PFL claim before your pregnancy disability claim was fully closed 4. Your doctor used different dates on your return-to-work certification Definitely worth calling to check if any of these apply. And remember, when you do get through, ask for a direct number or extension for follow-up questions. Many representatives will provide this if you ask nicely!