How to extend PFL claim with EDD? Tips for changing return-to-work date

I found a way to solve EDD return-to-work date change, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMWJkFM4fdU

lol good luck. EDD is a joke. I've been waiting 3 months for them to fix an "issue" on my claim. The whole system is broken af

I'm in the same boat as you OP! Extending my leave by 2 weeks too. Solidarity ✊ Let us know how it goes when you finally get through to them!

Anyone else feel like they need a degree in bureaucracy just to navigate the EDD system? 😅 I swear, half the battle is just learning their lingo and processes.

Has anyone else noticed that sometimes when you change your return-to-work date, it can trigger a review of your claim? Happened to my cousin and it was a whole ordeal. Just be prepared for that possibility.

Quick question - how many weeks total will you be on leave after the extension? There might be a limit depending on your situation.

Ugh, good luck getting through to them on the phone. I've been trying for weeks and can never get a human on the line. 🤬

Just a heads up, make sure you keep certifying for benefits while waiting to talk to someone. Don't want to miss out on any weeks!

Yall ever think about how much easier this would be if EDD just had a decent online system? Like, why can't we just update this stuff ourselves on the website? 🤔

Hey OP, just curious - what made you decide to extend your leave? No judgment, just wondering if it's something others might need to consider too.

Dealing with changing your return-to-work date with EDD can be a bit of a challenge, given the notorious difficulty in reaching them via phone. However, it's good to know that such changes are not uncommon, and if the reason is justifiable, the process should be straightforward even if slightly delayed. Make a point to call with all your details ready, and aim to contact them early in the morning when call volumes are lower. Some users have reported success with services like Claimyr which facilitate reaching an EDD agent, though it comes at a cost. While it can save time, it's also worth considering if you are comfortable with the fee. Ensure you keep certifying for benefits to avoid missing any payments, and request written or email confirmation of any changes being made to your claim. Additionally, keep in mind that any change in your return-to-work date might trigger a review, requiring additional documentation. Stay patient, persistent, and make sure all your communications are documented.

Protip: If you can't get through on the main line, try calling some of the other numbers listed on their website. Sometimes the disability or employer lines have shorter wait times and they can still help or transfer you.

Anyone else notice how the EDD website always seems to be down for "maintenance" when you actually need to use it? 🙄

I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. 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 explaining it: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM

I've been there before! It's not a big deal, just make sure you call them ASAP to update your info. Have your claim details ready and explain why you need the extension. They're usually pretty understanding about this stuff.

Here's what you need to do: 1. Gather all your claim info before calling 2. Be clear about your original return date and the new one 3. Explain why you need the extension (keep it simple) 4. Ask them to confirm the change in their system 5. Get a confirmation number or name of who you spoke with Don't stress too much, they deal with this all the time. Just be polite and patient, and you'll be fine. Good luck!

Word of advice: if you do get through, ask them to send you an email confirmation of the change. I've had them say they updated something before, only to find out later it never actually happened. Cover your bases!

I went through this exact situation last month! Called EDD to extend my PFL by 3 weeks and it was actually pretty straightforward once I got through. The key is having your doctor's updated certification ready if it's medical-related. They asked me why I needed the extension, updated it in their system, and gave me a confirmation number. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes. Just make sure you keep certifying every two weeks while you're waiting to get through to them. Best of luck! 🤞

Hey @Levi Parker! I actually went through something similar a few months back. When I called EDD to extend my leave, they were pretty accommodating about it. The rep told me that as long as you have a valid reason (medical recovery, family care, etc.), they can usually process the change without too much hassle. A few tips that helped me: - Call first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) for better chances of getting through - Have your claim number, original return date, and new return date ready - Be prepared to explain briefly why you need the extension - Ask for a confirmation number when they make the change The whole process took about 15 minutes once I got someone on the line. Don't stress too much about it - they handle these requests all the time. Just keep certifying your benefits in the meantime so you don't miss any payments. You got this! 💪

I'm going through a similar situation right now and this thread has been super helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if you're extending for medical reasons, make sure your doctor is aware they might need to provide updated documentation. My doctor had to submit a revised certification form when I extended my leave, and having that ready beforehand saved me a lot of back-and-forth. Also, don't be discouraged if the first rep you talk to seems unsure - I had to call twice because the first person gave me conflicting information. The second rep was much more knowledgeable and got everything sorted out quickly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! 🙏

Hey OP! I just went through this exact same thing a few weeks ago. I was originally scheduled to return to work but needed to extend my PFL by another month. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call right at 8:00 AM when they open - I got through on my third try doing this 2. Have your claim number, SSN, and both your original AND new return dates written down before you call 3. Be honest but brief about why you need the extension - they don't need a whole story 4. Ask them to repeat back the new date to make sure it's correct in their system 5. Get the rep's name and a confirmation/reference number for the change The actual conversation was maybe 5 minutes once I got someone on the line. They updated it immediately and I could see the change reflected in my online account the next day. Don't overthink it - they handle these requests constantly and it's really not a big deal from their end. Just make sure you keep doing your bi-weekly certifications while you're waiting to get through! Good luck! 🍀

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process twice now! The first time I was terrified about calling EDD to extend my leave, but honestly it turned out to be way less scary than I thought. The key things that helped me were: 1) Calling right when they open at 8am (seriously, this makes a huge difference), 2) Having all my info ready including claim number and both dates, and 3) Being clear and concise about why I needed the extension. Both times the reps were actually pretty helpful once I got through. The hardest part is just getting someone on the phone! Also pro tip - if you're extending for medical reasons, having your doctor's updated paperwork ready can speed things up if they ask for it. You got this, OP! Don't stress too much about it. 😊

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. I was originally supposed to return to work next Monday but realized I need at least another 2-3 weeks to fully recover. The anxiety about calling EDD has been keeping me up at night, but seeing so many people successfully navigate this process is giving me hope. I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy and have all my info written down beforehand. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's amazing how this community comes together to help each other out! Fingers crossed I can get through to someone soon. 🤞

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago! Had to extend my PFL by 3 weeks due to some unexpected complications with my recovery. Here's what I learned from the experience: The good news is that EDD is actually pretty used to handling these requests - it's more common than you'd think. When I finally got through to someone (took a few tries calling right at 8am), the rep was super understanding and the actual process was straightforward. Make sure you have: - Your claim number ready - Original return date and your new preferred date - A brief, honest explanation of why you need the extension - If it's medical, have any updated doctor documentation handy The rep updated everything in their system while I was on the call and gave me a confirmation number. The whole conversation was maybe 8-10 minutes. One thing I wish I had known - ask them to send you an email confirmation too, just to have it in writing. Also, keep doing your bi-weekly certifications while you're trying to get through to them. Don't let those lapse! You've got this! The anticipation and worry is honestly worse than the actual call. Most EDD reps are pretty helpful once you reach them. Good luck! 🙏

I was in a similar situation a few months back! Had to extend my PFL by 4 weeks when my original return date wasn't realistic anymore. Here's what worked for me: **Before calling:** - Write down your claim number, original return date, and new target date - Have a simple explanation ready (don't overthink it - "need more time to recover" is fine) - If it's medical, get any updated paperwork from your doctor first **The call:** - Call RIGHT at 8:00 AM when they open - this is crucial - Be patient but persistent - took me 3 tries over 2 days - Once connected, the actual conversation was super quick (maybe 5-7 minutes) - Ask for a confirmation number AND request email confirmation **After:** - Keep certifying bi-weekly while waiting - don't let this lapse! - Check your online account in a day or two to confirm the change went through Honestly, I was stressed about it for nothing. The rep was really understanding and said these requests happen all the time. The hardest part is just getting through to someone! Once you do, it's pretty straightforward. You've got this! 💪

Reading through all these experiences is really helpful! I'm actually in a similar situation where I might need to extend my leave by a couple weeks. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone had issues with their employer when extending PFL? Like, do you need to notify your HR department separately, or does EDD handle that communication? I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases and not accidentally creating problems with my job. Thanks for all the great advice everyone has shared! 😊

I actually just went through this process last week! Had to extend my PFL by 2 weeks due to some complications with my recovery. Here's what I learned that might help you: **Getting through to EDD:** - Call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - this is THE most important tip - Have everything written down: claim number, current return date, new return date, brief reason - Don't give up if the first few calls don't work - persistence pays off **The actual call:** - Once I got through (took 4 tries over 3 days), the rep was actually really helpful - The conversation lasted about 6 minutes total - They asked why I needed the extension - I just said "need additional recovery time" and that was enough - Make sure to get a confirmation number AND ask them to email you confirmation **Important reminders:** - Keep doing your bi-weekly certifications while trying to reach them - Contact your HR department separately - EDD doesn't notify employers automatically - If it's medical-related, have updated doctor paperwork ready just in case Honestly, I was way more stressed about it than I needed to be. These requests are super common and the reps handle them all day long. The anticipation is definitely worse than the actual process! You got this! 🙌 @Levi Parker - let us know how it goes when you get through to them!