Back to California Paid Family Leave

Levi Parker

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

Hey everyone, I need some advice. I originally told EDD I was going back to work on a certain date, but now I'm thinking of extending my leave for a couple more weeks. Has anyone had experience with changing their return-to-work date? I'm worried about how this might affect my claim. Any tips on how to handle this when I call them?

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

0 coins

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

0 coins

Preach! 🙌 It's like they're stuck in the stone age or smthn

0 coins

Have you tried contacting your local assembly member? They can sometimes help speed things up.

0 coins

True, they can sometimes escalate issues. I've seen a few people have success with that route.

0 coins

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!

0 coins

Good luck to both of you! Here's hoping for quick resolutions. 🤞

0 coins

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.

0 coins

LOL fr tho. I feel like I could teach a class on this stuff now 😂

0 coins

Seriously! Between UI, PUA, PEUC... it's alphabet soup out here 🍜

0 coins

Same here! It's like deciphering a whole new language. Anyone have a glossary? 😆

0 coins

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.

0 coins

Oh no, really? That sounds stressful. What happened with your cousin's claim?

0 coins

It took a few weeks to sort out. They had to provide extra documentation. But it worked out in the end. Just be ready for questions!

0 coins

This happened to me too! Such a pain. But if your reason is legit, you'll be fine. Just annoying to deal with.

0 coins

I've heard of this happening, but usually, as long as you provide the necessary information, it gets resolved.

0 coins

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

0 coins

It'll be 8 weeks total. Do you know if that's too long?

0 coins

8 weeks should be fine for most situations. Just make sure you have proper documentation if it's medical leave.

0 coins

And if you're unsure, you might want to check with HR at your workplace—sometimes they can give you guidance on how this might affect your benefits.

0 coins

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. 🤬

0 coins

I feel ya. It's like trying to win the lottery or something.

0 coins

Have you tried calling right when they open? I heard that's the best time to get through.

0 coins

Tried that, no luck. It's always "we're experiencing high call volume" blah blah blah

0 coins

One trick that sometimes works is to press the prompt for Spanish speakers, even if you're not fluent. They're often faster to pick up!

0 coins

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!

0 coins

Great reminder! I nearly missed a week because I thought the system would update automatically.

0 coins

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? 🤔

0 coins

For real! It's 2023, how is their tech still so ancient? 💀

0 coins

Probably cuz they spent all their money on that fancy new ID.me system that barely works half the time 🙄

0 coins

It's surprising that such a critical system isn't more user-friendly. I hope they prioritize improving it soon.

0 coins

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.

0 coins

Just realized I could use the extra time to fully recover and be 100% when I go back. Didn't want to rush it, you know?

0 coins

It's always best to ensure you're fully ready to return. Taking care of yourself should always be a priority.

0 coins

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.

0 coins

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.

0 coins

I've had some luck with this method before. Definitely worth a try!

0 coins

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

0 coins

omg yes! It's like they KNOW when I'm trying to certify and decide to update the site right then 😤

0 coins

Pro tip: Try using it late at night or early morning. Less traffic, fewer issues.

0 coins

They really need to invest more in their IT infrastructure. So frustrating.

0 coins

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

0 coins

Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit?

0 coins

$20? That's steep. Why should we have to pay to talk to EDD?

0 coins

I get the skepticism, but it really worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration. Worth it IMO.

0 coins

I've heard mixed reviews about Claimyr—some people swear by it, but others say the wait times can still be long. Anyone else try it?

0 coins

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.

0 coins

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!

0 coins

Thanks for the detailed advice! This is super helpful. 🙏

0 coins

Solid advice right here. I'd add: write everything down during the call, including the rep's name and ID number if possible.

0 coins

And remember, if you have any doubts after the call, you can always call back to double-check that your changes have been recorded correctly.

0 coins

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!

0 coins

This is such good advice. I always ask for written confirmation now after it happened to me too.

0 coins

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! 🤞

0 coins

California Paid Family Leave AI

Expert Assistant
Secure