How to actually reach a live EDD PFL representative by phone - desperate for direct number!
I'm going CRAZY trying to reach someone about my baby bonding claim! Been calling the EDD PFL number for 2 weeks straight and either get disconnected or stuck on hold until they close. I have urgent questions about my claim that the online portal doesn't answer. Does anyone know any tricks for getting through to an actual person? Specific number to call? Best time of day? Which options to press in the phone tree? I'm desperate - my claim is stuck in processing and I'm running out of savings while on unpaid leave with my newborn.
38 comments


Nia Wilson
call at exactly 8am when they open and choose option 1 then 3 i think? worked for me back in january
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Luca Ferrari
•Thank you! I'll try this tomorrow morning. Did you have to wait on hold for long after selecting those options?
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Mateo Martinez
The direct number for PFL claims is 1-877-238-4373. For the quickest connection, call at 8:00 AM or 4:30 PM (right before closing), and press 1, then 2, then 1 again when prompted. The middle of the week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically has shorter wait times than Mondays or Fridays. Also, make sure you have your claim ID, social security number, and employer information ready before calling to speed up the verification process when you do connect with a representative.
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Aisha Hussain
•I tried calling at 8am SHARP for THREE DAYS and still couldn't get through!!! They put me on hold for 2+ hours and then just disconnect me. EDD's phone system is DELIBERATELY designed to prevent people from getting help!!
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Ethan Clark
i had same problm last month with my maternity leave transition to baby bond. try selecting spanish option then when rep answers just speak english they usually help you anyway and that line is way less busy
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StarStrider
•This advice is actually unfair to Spanish speakers who need that dedicated line for language assistance. Please don't clog up language-specific lines if you don't need that service. It just makes it harder for people who legitimately need language support.
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Yuki Sato
I was in your exact situation last month with my PFL claim stuck in processing for over 3 weeks. After trying everything, I found Claimyr.com which connects you to an EDD agent without the endless hold times. You get a call back when an agent is available. It worked perfectly for me - I got connected in under 25 minutes after days of failed attempts. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The agent I reached was able to see that my claim had a document verification issue that wasn't showing on the portal. They fixed it on the spot and my payment was issued 3 days later. Definitely worth trying if you're desperate.
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Luca Ferrari
•Thank you so much for this recommendation! I've never heard of this service before. Did you have to provide any personal information to use it? I'm a bit cautious about third-party services.
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Yuki Sato
•They just need basic info to connect the call - nothing more than what you'd tell EDD directly. The important thing is they don't stay on the line once you're connected to EDD. It's just you and the EDD rep talking privately about your claim.
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Carmen Ruiz
This reminds me of when I had my second baby in 2023 and couldn't reach anyone about transitioning from disability to baby bonding. I ended up going 6 weeks without payment because someone coded something wrong in their system! My husband had to take extra shifts at work and my mom had to loan us money for diapers. It was a nightmare. The whole system is broken if new parents can't even get basic support when we need it most!
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Nia Wilson
•omg that's terrible!! did you ever get the back pay???
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Carmen Ruiz
•Yes but only after I finally got through AND had to file an appeal. Took almost 3 months to get that money. By then we'd already maxed out our credit cards. The system is designed to wear you down so you give up.
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Mateo Martinez
Here's another tip: If you're transitioning from Pregnancy Disability Leave (SDI) to Baby Bonding (PFL), specifically mention that when you call. There's a specialized unit that handles transition cases, and using those exact terms can sometimes get you routed to agents trained to resolve those specific issues. Also, the online portal now has a "Contact EDD" secure messaging feature. While not as immediate as phone support, I've found they typically respond within 3-5 business days, which might be faster than your current phone attempts. Include your claim ID and specific dates in any message to speed up their response time.
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Luca Ferrari
•Thank you for these details! I actually tried the secure messaging feature over a week ago and still haven't heard back. That's why I'm trying so desperately to reach someone by phone. But I'll definitely mention the transition specifically when I call. I'm moving from SDI to baby bonding PFL and maybe that's why my claim is stuck.
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Andre Lefebvre
I work for an HR department and deal with this all the time. The direct PFL number is 1-877-238-4373. Best time to call is Tuesday-Thursday between 8:00-8:30am or 4:00-4:30pm. Press 1 for English, then 1 for claim questions, then 2 for PFL. Avoid Mondays at all costs - that's when everyone who couldn't reach them over the weekend is calling. Also, always have your claim ID number ready - they can look up your info much faster with that than with just your SSN.
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Aisha Hussain
•THIS!!! ⬆️ The only useful advice on calling EDD I've ever seen! Tried calling Thursday at 4:15pm following exactly these prompts and got through after only 23 minutes on hold. THANK YOU!!!
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Diego Chavez
I feel your pain! Just went through this nightmare myself 3 months ago with my PFL claim. Here's what finally worked for me: Download an auto-redial app on your phone and set it to call the main number (1-877-238-4373) every 60 seconds starting at exactly 7:58am. When you get through the menu, press 1-1-2 as others mentioned. The key is persistence - it took me calling 47 times in one morning before I got into the hold queue instead of getting the busy signal. Once on hold, DO NOT hang up even if it's 2+ hours. I literally put my phone on speaker and did housework while waiting. Also bring snacks and water because when you do get through, the call can take 45+ minutes to resolve everything. The rep was actually super helpful once I reached them - turns out my employer had submitted incorrect dates which was blocking my payments. Got it fixed same day and received back pay within a week. Don't give up!
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CosmicCaptain
I'm so sorry you're going through this stress with a newborn! I went through something similar last year. Here's what worked for me: Call exactly at 8:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday (avoid Mondays and Fridays). Use the number 1-877-238-4373 and press 1, then 1, then 2. If you get the busy signal, hang up and immediately redial - don't wait. Keep doing this for the first 30 minutes they're open. Once you get through to hold music, DO NOT hang up no matter how long it takes. I waited 2.5 hours but finally got someone who resolved my claim in 15 minutes. Also, have your claim ID, SSN, and employer info ready. The wait is brutal but stick with it - you've got this! Your baby needs you to get this sorted out. 💪
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Michael Adams
•Thank you so much for the encouragement! I really needed to hear that. I've been feeling so overwhelmed trying to juggle a newborn and this bureaucratic nightmare. I'm definitely going to try your Tuesday 8am strategy - I've been calling randomly throughout the day which clearly isn't working. The tip about immediately redialing instead of waiting is gold. I'll make sure to have all my documents ready and prepare for a long wait. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you! 🙏
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Connor Richards
I'm a social worker who helps families navigate EDD claims daily. Here's my proven method: Call 1-877-238-4373 at exactly 8:00 AM on Wednesday (statistically the best day). Press 1-1-2 for PFL. If you get a busy signal, redial immediately - don't wait even 5 seconds. Do this for 45 minutes straight. Once you hear hold music, you're in the queue - DO NOT HANG UP even if it's 3+ hours. Pro tip: Have your claim documents photographed on your phone so you can read confirmation numbers quickly when asked. Also, if your claim involves transitioning from pregnancy disability to baby bonding, specifically say "I need help with my PFL transition claim" - this gets you routed to specialists who handle these complex cases. The system is frustrating but persistence pays off. I've helped dozens of new parents get their claims resolved. You've got this! Your little one is lucky to have such a determined parent fighting for your family's financial security.
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Fernanda Marquez
•This is incredibly helpful advice from someone who clearly knows the system inside and out! I had no idea that Wednesday was statistically better - I've been randomly trying different days. The tip about photographing documents is brilliant - I've been scrambling through paperwork every time they ask for numbers. And yes, my situation is exactly a transition from pregnancy disability to baby bonding, so I'll definitely use that specific language. Thank you for doing this work helping families - it means so much to have someone who actually understands how broken and stressful this system is for new parents. I'm going to follow your method exactly and hopefully finally get some answers about my stuck claim!
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Mason Davis
I'm going through the exact same thing right now with my 6-week-old! After reading all these tips, I tried calling Wednesday at 8am sharp using the 1-877-238-4373 number with the 1-1-2 sequence. It took 52 redials but I finally got through to hold music. Waited 2 hours and 15 minutes but the rep was amazing - turns out my employer submitted the wrong dates for my baby bonding start date. She fixed it immediately and said I should see payments within 5-7 business days. The key really is Wednesday mornings and NOT giving up on those redials. Also having your claim ID and employer EIN ready speeds things up so much. Hang in there - this system is designed to frustrate us but persistence really does work!
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Sean O'Brien
•This gives me so much hope! I'm dealing with the exact same employer date issue - they initially submitted my maternity leave dates but never updated them when I transitioned to baby bonding. It's reassuring to hear that the reps can actually fix these problems on the spot once you finally reach them. 52 redials sounds exhausting but totally worth it for getting your payments sorted! I'm definitely going to try the Wednesday morning approach this week. Thank you for sharing your success story - it's exactly the motivation I needed to keep pushing through this frustrating system! 🤞
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Logan Stewart
I've been dealing with EDD PFL for years as a benefits coordinator, and here's what I tell everyone: Download the "Auto Redial" app and set it to call 1-877-238-4373 every 30 seconds starting at 7:58 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday. When you get through, press 1-1-2 immediately. The trick is to keep redialing the INSTANT you hear a busy signal - don't even let it finish the message. I've seen people get through on the 3rd try and others on the 80th try, but Wednesday mornings are definitely your best bet. Once you're on hold, put it on speaker and do other things - I've had clients wait 4 hours but they ALWAYS get through eventually. The reps are actually very helpful once you reach them, they just have an impossible call volume to manage. Also, if your claim shows "pending" online but you haven't received any mail requests for documents, it's usually an employer reporting error that only a phone rep can fix. Don't give up - your family needs this support!
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Aaron Boston
•Thank you for this professional insight! As someone who works with these systems regularly, your advice carries so much weight. I'm downloading the Auto Redial app right now - that 30-second interval strategy sounds much more systematic than my random manual attempts. The detail about not even letting the busy signal finish is brilliant - I've been wasting precious seconds listening to the whole message. You're absolutely right about my claim showing "pending" with no document requests - it's definitely feeling like an employer reporting issue at this point. Your reassurance that the reps are actually helpful once you reach them gives me hope. I know they're overwhelmed with impossible call volumes. I'm going to try this exact method Wednesday morning and commit to however long it takes. Really appreciate you sharing your professional experience to help struggling parents like me navigate this system!
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Butch Sledgehammer
I just went through this exact situation 2 months ago! The frustration is real, especially when you're sleep-deprived with a newborn and worried about finances. Here's what finally worked for me: Use the number 1-877-238-4373 and call at exactly 8:00 AM on Wednesday (avoid Monday/Friday). Press 1, then 1, then 2. If you get a busy signal, hang up IMMEDIATELY and redial - don't wait even a second. I had to redial 73 times but finally got into the hold queue. Once you hear hold music, DO NOT hang up no matter what - I waited 2 hours and 45 minutes but the rep was incredible. She found that my claim was stuck because my employer had submitted incorrect baby bonding start dates. She fixed it on the call and I received my back pay within 6 days. Have your claim ID, SSN, employer name and your baby's birth date ready. The system is broken but the actual reps are helpful once you reach them. Stay strong - you're advocating for your family and that's what good parents do! 💪
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Andre Dubois
•This is exactly the encouragement I needed to hear! 73 redials sounds intense but knowing that persistence actually pays off makes it feel doable. I'm in the same boat with sleep deprivation and financial stress - it's so hard to stay focused on these long calling sessions when you're running on 3 hours of sleep with a newborn. The fact that your rep was able to fix the employer date issue immediately gives me real hope since that sounds exactly like what's happening with my claim. I'm definitely going to try the Wednesday 8am strategy with immediate redials. Having all my info ready beforehand is such good advice - I've been fumbling around for documents during calls before. Thank you for the reminder that we're doing this for our families - sometimes the bureaucratic nightmare makes you forget what you're actually fighting for! Going to give it everything I've got this week! 🙏
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Logan Scott
I'm a former EDD employee (worked there 2019-2022) and can share some insider knowledge. The absolute best time to call is Tuesday at 8:00 AM sharp - that's when they have the most staff scheduled and fewest calls in queue from weekend backlog. Use 1-877-238-4373 and press 1-1-2. Here's the key nobody mentions: after you press those options, there's a 3-4 second delay before the system decides to give you a busy signal or put you in queue. If you hear ANY background noise or static during that delay, stay on the line - you're getting through. If it's dead silent, hang up immediately and redial. Baby bonding claims get stuck most often because of employer date mismatches or incorrect transition coding from pregnancy disability. When you do reach someone, immediately say "I need help with a PFL baby bonding claim that's stuck in processing due to a potential employer date issue." This gets you transferred to Tier 2 specialists who can actually make system changes. The regular agents can only view your claim, not edit it. Also, if your claim has been pending more than 14 days, you can request it be escalated to a supervisor. Don't let them tell you to "wait and see" - newborn families can't afford that luxury. The system is intentionally difficult, but advocating firmly (while staying polite) gets results.
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Samantha Howard
•This insider perspective is absolutely invaluable! As someone who actually worked within the EDD system, your advice carries so much more weight than the usual "just keep calling" suggestions. The detail about listening for background noise during that 3-4 second delay is brilliant - I had no idea there were audio cues that could tell you whether you're getting through or not. I've been hanging up too quickly when I should have been listening more carefully. The specific language about requesting Tier 2 specialists for "employer date issues" and "transition coding" problems is exactly what I needed - I've been explaining my situation in general terms instead of using the technical language that gets you routed correctly. And knowing that I can request supervisor escalation after 14 days is empowering. I'm definitely trying the Tuesday 8am strategy with your exact approach. Thank you for taking the time to share this insider knowledge with struggling parents like me - it means everything to have someone who understands how the system actually works from the inside! 🙏
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Douglas Foster
I'm a new parent dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! My baby bonding claim has been stuck for 3 weeks and I'm getting desperate. Reading through all these responses gives me hope that there are actual strategies that work. I'm going to try the Tuesday 8am approach with the 1-877-238-4373 number and the 1-1-2 sequence. The insider tip about listening for background noise during that delay is fascinating - I never would have known to pay attention to that. I'm also going to make sure I use the specific language about "PFL baby bonding claim stuck due to employer date issue" to get routed to the right specialists. It's both frustrating and comforting to know so many other parents are going through this same broken system. Thank you everyone for sharing what actually worked - this community support means everything when you're stressed about finances with a newborn! 🍼
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Oliver Brown
•Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in! 😅 I'm in week 4 of trying to get my PFL claim unstuck and this thread has been a lifesaver. The Tuesday 8am strategy with the audio cues from the former EDD employee sounds like the most promising approach I've seen yet. I've been calling randomly throughout the week which clearly isn't working. One thing I learned from my failed attempts is to definitely have your baby's exact birth date written down - they ask for it to verify your identity and when you're sleep deprived it's easy to mess up the details. Also make sure your phone is fully charged because these waits can be brutal. We're all rooting for each other in this frustrating system - keep us posted on how the Tuesday morning attempt goes! The fact that so many people have eventually gotten through gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. Hang in there! 💪
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Carmen Vega
I'm a mom who went through this exact situation 6 months ago with my PFL baby bonding claim. After trying everything mentioned here, what finally worked was calling Tuesday at exactly 8:00 AM using 1-877-238-4373, pressing 1-1-2, and doing the immediate redial strategy (took me 41 attempts but I got through!). The game-changer was having a list of specific questions written down beforehand so I didn't waste time when I finally reached someone. My claim was stuck because of an employer coding error - the rep fixed it in 10 minutes and I had payments within a week. One tip I haven't seen mentioned: if you're breastfeeding, pump right before calling so you're not stressed about that during the long hold times. Also, put your phone on speaker and charge it fully - my call lasted 3.5 hours total but it was worth every minute. This system is absolutely broken for new parents when we're most vulnerable, but don't give up. You're fighting for your family's financial security and that makes you a warrior, not just someone complaining about wait times. Keep pushing - you WILL get through eventually! 💪👶
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Jamal Washington
•This is such thoughtful and practical advice from someone who's been through the exact same struggle! The tip about pumping before calling is so smart - I hadn't thought about how the stress and long wait times could affect breastfeeding. Having specific questions written down is brilliant too because you're right, after waiting hours you can get flustered and forget what you actually needed to ask. 41 attempts sounds exhausting but knowing it led to a 10-minute fix and payments within a week makes it totally worth it. I really appreciate the reminder that we're not just complaining - we're fighting for our families when the system should be supporting us during this vulnerable time. Your encouragement means so much. I'm going to try the Tuesday 8am strategy this week with all my questions prepared and phone fully charged. Thank you for taking the time to share what worked and for the motivation to keep pushing! 🙏
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Hassan Khoury
I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation right now! My PFL baby bonding claim has been stuck for over 2 weeks and I'm getting nowhere with the regular phone lines. After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I'm planning to try the Tuesday 8:00 AM strategy using 1-877-238-4373 with the 1-1-2 sequence. The insider tips about listening for background noise during that 3-4 second delay and using specific language like "PFL baby bonding claim stuck due to employer date issue" are game-changers I never would have known about. It's both heartbreaking and reassuring to see so many other new parents struggling with this broken system when we should be focused on bonding with our babies instead of fighting bureaucracy. Thank you everyone for sharing what actually worked - this community support gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off! Going to charge my phone, write down my questions, and commit to however many redials it takes this Tuesday morning. 🤞
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Ethan Wilson
•You're absolutely not alone in this struggle! I'm a new community member here but I've been lurking and reading through everyone's experiences with these PFL claim issues. The solidarity and practical advice in this thread is incredible - it's like a survival guide for navigating EDD's broken system. The Tuesday 8am strategy with that specific phone sequence seems to be the most consistent approach that's actually worked for people. I love how everyone is sharing not just what to do, but the emotional support too because this really is exhausting when you're already sleep-deprived with a newborn. The insider knowledge from the former EDD employee about listening for audio cues and requesting Tier 2 specialists is pure gold. Wishing you success on your Tuesday morning attempt - we're all rooting for each other here! 💪
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Ava Rodriguez
I'm a new parent who just successfully got through to EDD PFL after weeks of trying! I used the Tuesday 8:00 AM strategy with 1-877-238-4373 and the 1-1-2 sequence that everyone's been recommending. It took 67 redials but I finally got through after listening for that background noise cue during the delay - that insider tip was absolutely crucial! My claim was stuck because my employer submitted the wrong transition date from pregnancy disability to baby bonding, just like so many others here. The rep was incredibly helpful and fixed it immediately - I should see payments within 5-7 business days. To anyone still struggling: download an auto-redial app, have your claim ID and baby's birth date ready, charge your phone fully, and DO NOT give up once you hear hold music no matter how long it takes. This thread gave me the exact roadmap I needed when I was desperate and overwhelmed. Thank you to everyone who shared what worked - your advice literally saved my family's financial situation! 🙏✨
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Paolo Marino
•Congratulations on finally getting through! This gives me so much hope as someone who's been stuck in this same nightmare for weeks. 67 redials sounds absolutely brutal but knowing it led to immediate resolution makes it totally worth it. The fact that your issue was also the employer transition date problem confirms what so many others are experiencing - it seems like this is a really common glitch in their system. I'm definitely going to download that auto-redial app and try the Tuesday 8am approach with all the tips from this thread. It's amazing how this community has basically created the definitive guide to actually reaching EDD when their official system is so broken. Thank you for coming back to share your success story - it means everything to those of us still fighting through this process! 🙌
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Ale D.
•@Ava Rodriguez I m'confused on the 1-1-2 sequence. After I call, I m'prompted to enter a 4-digit verification code. I enter the 4 digit code, and then the lady says For "Faster service have your claim number ready... I" ve'tried entering 1-1-2 before she speaks, so like 4 digit code + 1-1-2, and also 1-1-2 while she s'speaking. At what point do you enter it? your guidance is appreciated. I m'about to throw my phone out of frustration with this whole process.
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