PFL Letter of Computation Received - When Will Payments Start and Do I Need to Certify?
Hey everyone, I just got my letter of computation for paid family leave and it says my claim has been processed. I'm trying to figure out when my income will actually start and if I need to certify for benefits. Anyone been through this recently? What should I ask the agent when I finally get through to them?
26 comments


Chloe Martin
Congrats on getting your claim processed! That's a big step. When I went through this, I had to wait about 2 weeks after getting that letter before I saw any money. Definitely ask the agent for your exact payment start date and whether you need to certify weekly or bi-weekly. That'll help make sure you get paid on time.
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Omar Farouk
•Thanks for the info! Did you have to do anything special to start getting payments, or did they just show up automatically after those 2 weeks?
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Chloe Martin
•For me, they just started automatically. But I know some people who had to certify first. That's why it's super important to ask the agent about your specific case. Every claim can be a bit different.
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Diego Fernández
•2 weeks?! 😱 I've been waiting for over a month now. This system is so broken
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
ugh, good luck getting through to an actual person. I've been trying for weeks and keep getting the runaround. Let us know if you figure out a way to talk to a real human!
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Sean Fitzgerald
Hey, I actually found a way 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 about it: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM
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Zara Khan
•Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit? Anyone else tried it?
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Sean Fitzgerald
•I was skeptical too, but I can confirm it worked for me. Got through in about an hour instead of days of trying.
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MoonlightSonata
•$20 just to talk to someone? 🤔 The system is so messed up that we have to pay extra just to get basic service
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Sean Fitzgerald
•I hear ya, it sucks we have to pay. But for me, it was worth it to finally get my issues resolved. Time is money, ya know? 🤷♂️
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Mateo Gonzalez
Make sure to ask about any potential delays or issues that could hold up your payments. Sometimes there are weird technicalities that can cause problems. Better to know upfront!
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Omar Farouk
•Good point! Any specific issues you ran into that I should watch out for?
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Mateo Gonzalez
•In my case, they needed additional documentation for my leave reason. Took an extra week to sort out. Just be prepared with all your paperwork!
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Nia Williams
Here's what you need to know about PFL payments and certification: 1. Payment Start: Usually begins about 2 weeks after your claim is processed, but can vary. 2. Certification: Some claims require bi-weekly certification, others don't. Always ask! 3. Payment Method: You can choose between debit card or direct deposit. Direct deposit is usually faster. 4. Partial Payments: If you're working part-time, you may get partial benefits. Be sure to report any work/income accurately. 5. Taxes: PFL benefits are taxable. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later. 6. Duration: PFL lasts up to 8 weeks in California. Make sure you know your exact eligibility period. When you talk to the agent, ask about all of these points. Also, keep all your paperwork and correspondence in case of any issues. Good luck!
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Omar Farouk
•Wow, this is super helpful! Thanks for breaking it down like this. I'll definitely use this as a checklist when I talk to them.
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Luca Ricci
•Great info! Just want to add that the 8 weeks can be taken intermittently if needed. That tripped me up at first.
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Aisha Mohammed
•This should be pinned tbh. So many ppl come here asking the same questions 💯
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Ethan Campbell
am i the only 1 who thinks its ridiculous we have to jump through so many hoops just to get benefits we've paid into? 🤡 the whole system needs an overhaul
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Yuki Watanabe
•Preach! 🙌 I've been saying this for years. It's like they make it complicated on purpose
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Carmen Sanchez
•ikr? other countries have this stuff figured out. we're so behind smh
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Andre Dupont
Quick tip: keep a log of every interaction you have with them. Note down who you talked to, what they said, and when. It'll save you a headache if there are any discrepancies later.
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Zoe Papadakis
Has anyone else noticed that the payment amounts sometimes vary? I've been getting different amounts each time and I can't figure out why
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ThunderBolt7
•Yeah, it can depend on your base period earnings. Also, if you're working part-time, it affects the amount. Did you ask an agent about it?
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Zoe Papadakis
•I tried, but I couldn't get through. Gonna try that calling service someone mentioned above. This is driving me nuts!
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Jamal Edwards
Pro tip: if you can, set aside some of the money from each payment. Sometimes they overpay and ask for it back later. Learned that the hard way 😭
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Amara Nnamani
Just went through this exact same process last month! After getting my letter of computation, my first payment came exactly 14 days later. I didn't have to certify initially - the payments started automatically. But here's what I wish someone had told me: make sure to ask the agent about your specific payment schedule and if/when you'll need to start certifying. Also, double-check that your direct deposit info is correct if you chose that option. The letter should have most of the details, but definitely confirm your weekly benefit amount and total claim duration. One more thing - if you're planning to work at all during your leave (even just a few hours), ask about how to report that income properly. Good luck getting through to them! 🤞
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