< Back to California Paid Family Leave

Cameron Black

PFL claim follow-up nightmare: Can't reach anyone on the phone. Help!

Hey everyone, I'm having some trouble with my paid family leave follow-up. I filed a claim a while back and I'm trying to get an update, but I can't seem to get through to anyone on the phone. Has anyone else had this problem? Any tips on how to actually talk to a real person?

Tom Maxon

•

I found a way to solve paid family leave claim delays, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJCd-grPQnc

0 coins

Ugh, I feel your pain. I've been trying to get through for weeks now. It's like they don't want us to actually use the benefits we're entitled to. šŸ™„

0 coins

Seriously! It's like they purposely make it difficult. I've tried calling at different times of the day, but no luck.

0 coins

Ruby Garcia

•

Have you tried emailing them? Sometimes that works better than calling.

0 coins

Yeah, I tried emailing too. Got an auto-reply saying they'd get back to me in 5-7 business days. It's been 3 weeks now 🤔

0 coins

I actually found a way to get through! There's this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, and then connects you when a live agent picks up. It costs $20, but it worked for me. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM

0 coins

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

0 coins

Idk man, paying to talk to a government agency? Seems sketchy.

0 coins

I get the skepticism, but it really did work for me. Saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo.

0 coins

Maya Lewis

•

Just tried it and it actually worked! Got through in about an hour. Thanks for the tip!

0 coins

Isaac Wright

•

Here's what I've learned from dealing with PFL claims: • Call right when they open in the morning • If you get a busy signal, hang up and immediately redial • Keep detailed notes of all your calls and claim info • Be super polite when you finally get through (even if you're frustrated) • Ask for a direct number or extension for follow-ups • If all else fails, contact your local representative's office Hope this helps! Hang in there, OP.

0 coins

Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'll definitely try calling first thing tomorrow morning.

0 coins

Lucy Taylor

•

Great tips! I'd add: use the online portal if possible. Sometimes you can get updates there without calling.

0 coins

anyone else think its ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get whats rightfully ours? the whole systems broken af 😤

0 coins

KhalilStar

•

Pro tip: if you're having trouble with your claim, try reaching out on social media. Sometimes they respond faster there to avoid bad PR.

0 coins

This actually worked for me! I tweeted at them and got a DM within a day. Worth a shot!

0 coins

Kaiya Rivera

•

Hey OP, when did you initially file your claim? There might be different follow-up procedures depending on how long it's been.

0 coins

I filed about 6 weeks ago. Still haven't heard anything back šŸ˜•

0 coins

Kaiya Rivera

•

Oof, that's rough. Definitely time to start calling and following up. Good luck!

0 coins

Harold Oh

•

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim 2 months ago and it feels like I'm stuck in limbo. The phone system is absolutely brutal - I've probably made 50+ calls and only gotten through once, just to be told they needed more documentation (which I had already submitted twice). One thing that's helped me stay organized is creating a spreadsheet with all my call attempts, confirmation numbers, and what was discussed each time. Also screenshot everything in your online account - I've had things mysteriously disappear from my portal before. Has anyone tried faxing documents instead of uploading them online? I'm wondering if that might be more reliable. At this point I'm willing to try anything! 😩

0 coins

Oh wow, 2 months is insane! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this too. The spreadsheet idea is brilliant - I'm definitely going to start doing that. It's crazy how disorganized this whole process makes you feel when you're just trying to keep track of everything. I haven't tried faxing yet, but that's actually a really good idea! Sometimes the old-school methods work better than their "modern" online systems. Have you considered sending documents via certified mail too? At least then you'd have proof they received it. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's oddly comforting to know I'm not the only one going through this nightmare! šŸ¤

0 coins

I'm dealing with the same frustration! Been waiting 8 weeks now and it's driving me crazy. One thing that helped me was calling the disability insurance number (1-800-480-3287) instead of the main PFL line - sometimes they can transfer you or give you updates since PFL claims go through the same system. Also, if you have a case worker assigned, try asking for their direct extension when you do get through. I finally got one after my 4th successful call and it's been a game changer for follow-ups. The whole system definitely needs an overhaul, but hang in there! You'll get through eventually. Keep detailed records of everything like others mentioned - it really does help when you finally talk to someone. Good luck! šŸ¤ž

0 coins

California Paid Family Leave AI

Expert Assistant
Secure

Powered by Claimyr AI

T
I
+
20,087 users helped today