EDD denied baby bonding PFL claiming full wages - appeal filed but need urgent help

I went through almost the exact same situation last fall. EDD commonly misclassifies sick pay as regular wages and issues these incorrect denials. The appeal process typically takes 3-4 weeks IF you've submitted clear documentation. Make sure you included: 1. A letter from your wife's employer specifically stating she received SICK PAY, not regular wages 2. Pay stubs showing the difference between her normal pay and the reduced sick pay 3. Your wife's work schedule showing she was not actually working during this time As for reaching someone by phone, the main number is basically useless. Try calling the Appeals Division directly at 1-800-300-5616. They sometimes answer more reliably, but it's still a challenge.

the same thing happened to my sister!! she had to wait 7 weeks for her appeal and they never even called her!!! the system is completely broken and nobody cares about new parents. good luck getting thru to anyone

This is unfortunately a common issue with EDD PFL claims involving sick pay. They have an automated system that often flags any employer payments as "wages" even when they're clearly sick leave or PTO. During your appeal, make sure you specifically cite California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 3302(s)-1 which clearly states that sick leave pay is NOT considered wages for PFL purposes. Include this exact regulation citation in all your documentation. As for expediting your case - technically appeals are processed in the order received. However, if you can demonstrate financial hardship (risk of eviction, inability to pay for necessities, etc.), you can include a hardship request with your appeal. For getting through to a representative, I'd suggest trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that helps you connect with EDD representatives without the endless waiting. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5. I used it when I had issues with my transition from SDI to PFL, and they got me connected to an agent in about 25 minutes instead of trying for days.

Just wanted to point out that you NEED to keep calling persistently. My PFL claim was initially denied for a similar reason, and I spent 3 days straight calling that 877 number. Best times to call are right when they open at 8:00 AM or around 11:30 AM when the lunch shifts change. I eventually got someone who fixed my claim on the spot when I finally got through! Don't give up!!! The system is DESIGNED to be frustrating so people will give up on their RIGHTFUL benefits!!!

Similar thing happened to me back in January. My company paid me 60% disability during my maternity leave and EDD claimed I was getting full pay. I couldn't get through on the phone either, but I did discover you can contact them through SDI Online by using the Contact EDD button. I sent a detailed message explaining the situation with documentation and surprisingly got a response within 3 days. They corrected my claim without requiring a formal appeal. But I'll be honest - the online message probably only worked because my claim was still relatively new and hadn't gone through the full denial process yet. Since you've already received a formal denial, the appeal is probably your only option. Make sure ALL your documentation is crystal clear and easy to understand. My claim specialist told me they're drowning in appeals and claims with clear documentation get processed much faster. Btw, I used Claimyr twice when I absolutely needed to speak to someone. It cost money but worked both times when I was desperate. Way better than calling for days with no response.

the same exact thing happened to me!! my company gave me partial pay (they call it supplemental pay) during maternity leave and EDD rejected my claim for "receiving wages". i had to file an appeal and wait almost two months before they fixed it. its absolutely ridiculous that new parents have to deal with this stress on top of having a newborn!! btw did your wife file for SDI for the pregnancy recovery period before applying for PFL? if she was approved for SDI with the same payment situation that might help your case since the same wage rules apply to both

Just call early! My husban call at 8am got EDD rep in 20 minits. They helping fixing claim no need appeal. Try calling early morning!!

Coming back to update - to directly address your expediting question: Yes, you CAN request that an appeal be expedited, but you need to demonstrate genuine financial hardship. Include documentation showing: 1. Your current bills that are due/overdue 2. Bank statements showing low funds 3. Any notices regarding rent/mortgage/utilities 4. A clear explanation of why this situation constitutes an emergency Submit this as an "Expedited Appeal Request" along with your regular appeal. In my experience, this can potentially cut the wait time in half. While a regular appeal might take 6-8 weeks currently (2025 timeframes are much longer than they were in 2023), an expedited appeal might be resolved in 3-4 weeks. Also, don't just rely on the appeal - continue trying multiple contact methods simultaneously. The squeaky wheel often gets the grease in these situations.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with a newborn! I just went through a similar situation last month. EDD wrongly denied my PFL claim saying I received "full wages" when I was only getting 50% pay through my company's short-term disability. Here's what worked for me: I contacted my state assembly member's office and explained the situation. They have caseworkers who specifically handle EDD issues and can sometimes get faster responses. My assembly member's office submitted an inquiry on my behalf and I heard back from EDD within 10 days instead of waiting months for the appeal. You can find your assembly member here: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/ Also, when you resubmit documentation, make sure to include a cover letter that explicitly states "This is NOT regular wages - this is sick leave/disability pay which is exempt from PFL wage calculations per CCR Title 22 Section 3302(s)-1." Sometimes being very direct helps cut through their automated systems. Don't give up - you're entitled to these benefits and EDD's initial determination is clearly wrong. The stress is awful but most of these cases do get resolved in the parent's favor once a human actually reviews the documentation.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare with a newborn! Unfortunately, this is an incredibly common issue with EDD's automated system flagging any employer payments as "wages" even when they're clearly sick leave or disability benefits. A few things that might help speed up your case: 1. **Contact your Assembly member's office** - They have EDD liaisons who can sometimes get responses in 1-2 weeks instead of months. Find yours at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov 2. **Check your wife's employer reporting** - Ask HR how they coded her sick leave payments on their DE-9 quarterly forms to EDD. Sometimes the issue starts with incorrect employer reporting codes. 3. **Submit an expedited hardship request** with your appeal - Include documentation of overdue bills, low bank balances, and rent/utility notices to potentially cut wait time in half. 4. **Try the 1-800-300-5616 appeals line** - Sometimes has better connection rates than the main number. The good news is that these wrongful denials almost always get overturned once a human reviews the documentation. Make sure your appeal includes pay stubs, employer letter stating it was SICK PAY (not wages), and cite California Code of Regulations Title 22 Section 3302(s)-1. You've got this - don't let EDD's broken system defeat you!