Got PFL letter, need to call. What to expect/prepare?

I went through this last year. Make sure you have all your paperwork ready - the letter they sent you, any medical documentation, and your employment info. They'll probably ask for dates and specifics about your situation.

Ugh, good luck. Their phone system is a nightmare. I spent days trying to get through. Hope you have better luck than me!

Pro tip: call right when they open. The wait times are usually shorter then. Also, be super nice to the agent - they deal with angry people all day and being friendly can go a long way.

I found a way to get someone on the phone without the wait. 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 about it: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM

Here's what you need to know about Paid Family Leave (PFL): • PFL provides up to 8 weeks of partial wage replacement benefits • You must have earned at least $300 in wages that were subject to State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions • You need to submit your claim no later than 41 days after you begin your family leave • Have your Social Security number, employer info, and last day worked ready • If you're caring for a family member, you'll need their info and a medical certificate • For bonding claims, you'll need the child's birth certificate or adoption/foster care documents Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

anyone else think its ridiculous we gotta jump through so many hoops just to get basic benefits? 🙄 the whole systems broken af

Hey OP, don't forget to write down the name and ID number of the agent you talk to. It's come in handy for me before when I needed to follow up.

I just went through this process a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: Call around 8:05 AM right after they open, have your ID and employment info handy, and definitely be patient - even with early calling I was on hold for about 45 minutes. The agent was actually really helpful once I got through. Also, if you're doing this for bonding with a new baby, make sure you have the birth certificate ready even if they don't ask for it right away. Good luck! 🍀