Need help navigating EDD parental leave claims for both spouses - tips?
Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out the parental leave EDD claims process for both me and my wife. We're expecting our first child and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the paperwork and steps. Has anyone gone through this recently? Any tips or advice on how to navigate the system smoothly? I've heard horror stories about long wait times and confusing forms, so I'm hoping to get ahead of any potential issues. Thanks in advance for any help!
25 comments
Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve EDD parental leave claim issues, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGTnDVeXMRU
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Lena Müller
Congrats on the baby! 🎉 I went through this last year, and it can def be a headache. My biggest advice: start the process EARLY. Like, as soon as you know you're pregnant. The EDD can be slow AF, and you don't want to be stressing about paperwork when you should be enjoying your new little one.
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Raj Gupta
Thanks for the advice! How early did you start? We're about 4 months along now, is that too late?
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Lena Müller
Nah, 4 months is still good! Just don't wait til the last minute. I started around 5 months and it was fine. Just make sure you have all your docs ready to go.
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TechNinja
bump for visibility. this is solid advice right here 👆
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Keisha Thompson
ugh, the EDD is such a nightmare. I swear they make it confusing on purpose 🙄 Good luck, OP. You're gonna need it.
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Paolo Bianchi
Here's a breakdown of what you need to do: 1. File for Disability Insurance (DI) for the birth mother. This can be done 4 weeks before the due date. 2. After the baby is born, file for Paid Family Leave (PFL) for both parents. 3. Make sure your employer fills out their portion of the forms. 4. Keep copies of EVERYTHING. 5. Follow up regularly. Don't assume they received your forms. 6. Be prepared for long hold times if you need to call. The EDD website has all the forms and info, but it can be overwhelming. Take it step by step, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
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Raj Gupta
This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much! Do you know if there's a specific order we need to file these in?
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Paolo Bianchi
Glad to help! The order should be: 1. Mother's DI claim 2. Mother's PFL claim 3. Father's PFL claim But double-check on the EDD website to be sure. Things change sometimes.
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Yara Assad
This guy EDDs 👏👏👏
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Olivia Clark
I found a method to 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
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Javier Morales
Sounds sketchy. Is this legit?
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Olivia Clark
Yeah, it's totally legit. I was skeptical at first too, but it saved me hours of hold time. Worth every penny imo.
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Natasha Petrov
How long did it take to get through?
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Olivia Clark
For me, it took about 2 hours. But I didn't have to sit there listening to hold music the whole time. The service called me when an agent picked up.
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Connor O'Brien
am i the only 1 who thinks its ridiculous we have to jump through all these hoops just to spend time with our newborns? the system is broken af 😤
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Amina Diallo
Preach! 🙌 It's 2023, you'd think they'd have figured out a better way by now.
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GamerGirl99
for real tho. other countries have it so much better. we're getting clowned 🤡
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Hiroshi Nakamura
Pro tip: set up your SDI account online before you need to file. Makes the whole process smoother. Also, don't forget to factor in the waiting period for payments. It's not instant, so plan your finances accordingly.
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Raj Gupta
Good call on the SDI account. How long is the typical waiting period for payments?
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Hiroshi Nakamura
It can vary, but in my experience, it was about 2-3 weeks after they approved the claim. Some people get it faster, some slower. Best to have a buffer just in case.
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Isabella Costa
Anyone else notice that the EDD seems to lose paperwork constantly? I swear I had to send in the same forms like 3 times 🙄 Keep copies of EVERYTHING and follow up often!
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Malik Jenkins
omg yes! I thought it was just me. I started taking pictures of the envelopes before I mailed them as proof 📸
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Freya Andersen
Pro move: fax everything. Old school, but you get confirmation it was received.
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Eduardo Silva
Hey OP, don't forget to check if your employer offers any additional parental leave benefits on top of the state program. Some companies have pretty sweet deals that can extend your time off or provide extra $$.
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