< Back to California Paid Family Leave

PFL Payment Timeline? Applied weeks ago, still no $$ šŸ˜«

Hey everyone, I'm wondering about the payment timeline for paid family leave. Has anyone here gone through the process recently? How long did it take for you to receive your first payment after applying? Any tips on speeding things up or what to expect would be really helpful!

Aisha Jackson

I applied for PFL about 2 months ago. It took around 3 weeks to get my first payment. Make sure you have all your docs ready when you call - it can help speed things up!

0 coins

-

Ryder Everingham

3 weeks? You're lucky! I've been waiting for over a month now and still nothing šŸ˜«

0 coins

-

14d

Lilly Curtis

Did you have to call them? Or did everything just process automatically for you?

0 coins

-

12d

Aisha Jackson

I did have to call once to clarify some info on my application. That probably helped move things along.

0 coins

-

10d

Leo Simmons

Ugh, the waiting game is the worst! I'm in the same boat, applied 6 weeks ago and still crickets. Anyone know if there's a way to check the status online?

0 coins

-

Lindsey Fry

You can try logging into your account on the PFL website. Sometimes they update the status there, but it's not always reliable tbh

0 coins

-

13d

Leo Simmons

Thanks, I'll give that a shot! Fingers crossed there's some update šŸ¤ž

0 coins

-

11d

Saleem Vaziri

Listen up, folks! I've been through this rodeo before, so here's what you need to know about getting your PFL payments: ā€¢ First off, patience is key. The system is swamped, so expect delays. ā€¢ Double-check your application before submitting. Any errors can set you back weeks. ā€¢ Keep ALL your documentation handy. They might ask for additional proof at any time. ā€¢ If you haven't heard anything after 2 weeks, start calling. Be persistent! ā€¢ Sometimes, sending a follow-up fax (yes, fax in 2023 šŸ™„) can help nudge your application along. ā€¢ If you're really stuck, consider reaching out to your local state representative's office. They can sometimes expedite things. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself!

0 coins

-

Kayla Morgan

This is gold! šŸ’Æ Thanks for sharing your experience. Quick question - what kind of additional proof did they ask you for?

0 coins

-

11d

Saleem Vaziri

They wanted more medical documentation in my case. But I've heard they sometimes ask for proof of relationship for family care leave too.

0 coins

-

9d

James Maki

Wait, we can contact our state rep for this? Mind. Blown. šŸ¤Æ

0 coins

-

8d

Jasmine Hancock

Has anyone else noticed that the payment amounts seem... off? I got my first payment but it's way less than I expected based on my salary.

0 coins

-

Cole Roush

Omg yes! I thought I was going crazy. Did you ever figure out why?

0 coins

-

11d

Jasmine Hancock

Not yet, planning to call them tomorrow. I'll update here if I learn anything useful!

0 coins

-

8d

Scarlett Forster

Pro tip: I found a way to actually get someone on the phone without waiting for hours. 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. Check out this video for more info: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM

0 coins

-

Arnav Bengali

Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?

0 coins

-

9d

Sayid Hassan

Idk man, paying to talk to a government agency feels wrong somehow. Shouldn't this be free?

0 coins

-

7d

Scarlett Forster

I get the skepticism, but it seriously saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo. And yeah, it SHOULD be free, but... *gestures at the whole system* šŸ¤·ā€ā™‚ļø

0 coins

-

4d

Rachel Tao

lol why is it easier to file my taxes than to get this PFL stuff sorted? šŸ¤” The whole system needs an overhaul

0 coins

-

Derek Olson

Quick question - does anyone know if you can apply for PFL retroactively? I've been caring for my mom for a few weeks already but just found out about this benefit.

0 coins

-

Danielle Mays

Pretty sure you can, but there's a time limit. I think it's within 41 days of starting your leave? Double-check on the official website tho

0 coins

-

9d