PFL claim denied - filed on Feb 6, unsure if within 41-day window. Help!
My parental leave claim got denied and I'm freaking out. I filed it on Feb 6th but I'm not sure if that was within the 41-day window they require. Has anyone else dealt with this? What should I do now? I really need this leave approved.
23 comments


Sofia Morales
Ugh, that sucks! The 41-day window is so annoying. When did your leave actually start? That's the key to figuring out if you filed in time.
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Dylan Mitchell
•I think it started around mid-January, but I'm not 100% sure. I was so overwhelmed with the new baby, I lost track of time 😅
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Sofia Morales
•Mid-January to Feb 6th sounds like it might be cutting it close. You should double check the exact date your leave began. If it's within 41 days, you can appeal the denial!
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Dmitry Popov
•Pro tip: always mark important dates like the start of your leave on your calendar. It's a lifesaver when dealing with bureaucracy 📅
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Ava Garcia
I've been there, friend. The system is a nightmare to navigate. Have you tried calling them to explain your situation? Sometimes you can get lucky with a sympathetic agent.
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StarSailor}
Okay, let's break this down: 1. Check the exact date your leave started 2. If it's within 41 days of Feb 6th, you're good to appeal 3. If not, you might still have options Even if you missed the window, you can try filing for a good cause extension. Explain that you were overwhelmed with a newborn and lost track of time. They might be understanding. Also, gather all your documentation: - Birth certificate - Employment records - Any medical records related to the birth Be prepared to make your case. And don't give up! The system is confusing on purpose, but you've got this! 💪
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Dylan Mitchell
•Thank you so much for breaking it down like this! I'll definitely check the exact date and gather all my docs. Fingers crossed 🤞
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Miguel Silva
•This is solid advice. I'd add: keep a log of every interaction you have with them. Names, dates, what was said. It can help if you need to escalate later.
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Zainab Ismail
lol welcome to the wonderful world of parental leave 🤡 where the rules are made up and the deadlines don't matter (except they totally do and will screw you over
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Connor O'Neill
•ain't that the truth 😂 feels like you need a law degree just to take time off for your own kid
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Yara Nassar
Have you tried reaching out to your HR department? Sometimes they can help navigate these issues or even file an appeal on your behalf.
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Dylan Mitchell
•I haven't thought of that! I'll give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Keisha Robinson
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 about it: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM
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GalaxyGuardian
•Sounds sketchy. Is it legit?
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Keisha Robinson
•Totally legit! I was skeptical too, but it saved me hours of hold time. Worth every penny imo
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Paolo Ricci
•20 bucks to skip the hold time? Sign me up! 🙌
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Amina Toure
This happened to me last year. Turns out I filed one day late 😭 But! I appealed and explained that I had postpartum complications, and they approved it. Don't lose hope!
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Dylan Mitchell
•That's encouraging to hear! I'm glad it worked out for you. I'll definitely appeal if I need to.
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Oliver Zimmermann
the whole system is rigged against new parents i stg. like we're not stressed enough already??? 🙄
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Natasha Volkova
Quick question - are you applying for state or federal parental leave? The rules can be different and sometimes you can qualify for one even if denied for the other.
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Dylan Mitchell
•Oh, I'm not sure actually. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for bringing it up!
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Liam McGuire
Hey Dylan, I went through something similar with my PFL claim last year. First thing - don't panic! Even if you're outside the 41-day window, there are still options. I'd recommend calling EDD first thing in the morning (like 8am sharp) - that's when you have the best chance of getting through. When you do get someone on the line, ask them to pull up your claim and verify the exact dates. Sometimes their system shows different info than what you think. If you did miss the deadline, definitely file an appeal citing "good cause" - having a newborn and being overwhelmed is totally legitimate. I've seen people get approved even after missing deadlines when they can show they had valid reasons. Also, make sure you have your baby's birth certificate ready - you'll need it for the appeal process. And document everything going forward! You've got this! The system is confusing but don't let them intimidate you. Keep pushing! 💪
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Caesar Grant
•This is super helpful, thank you @Liam McGuire! I'm definitely going to try calling at 8am sharp tomorrow. The "good cause" appeal sounds like exactly what I need - being overwhelmed with a newborn is definitely real! I'll make sure to have all my documents ready. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience 🙏
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