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Oscar O'Neil

PFL claim for bonding time not processed, already back at work. Help!

Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with my PFL claim. I filed for bonding time with my newborn, but I haven't received any payment yet. The kicker is, I've already gone back to work! My claim started about three weeks ago, and I returned to work last week. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice on how to get this processed faster? I'm worried I might miss out on the benefits I'm entitled to.

I found a way to solve PFL claim payment delays, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0O28Ii-j7Y

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Ugh, I feel your pain! The PFL system can be such a headache sometimes. Have you tried calling them directly? It might be worth a shot to see if you can get someone on the phone to expedite your claim.

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I've been trying to call, but the wait times are insane! I swear I've spent half my life on hold at this point 😫

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Pro tip: call right when they open. I managed to get through after only 20 minutes of waiting last time I tried this.

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Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a shot tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed 🤞

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

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20 bucks? Idk man, seems kinda steep just to make a phone call.

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I get the skepticism, but honestly, it was worth every penny for me. Saved me hours of frustration and got my issue resolved quickly.

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How does it actually work? Do you have to give them your personal info?

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Nah, you just put in the number you want them to call, and they handle the rest. When an agent picks up, they connect you. No personal info needed beyond your phone number.

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Have you checked your online account? Sometimes they update the status there before sending out payments. Might give you an idea of where things stand.

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This happened to me too! It took about a month after I went back to work for my payment to come through. Don't worry, they should backpay you for the time you were out. Just make sure all your dates are correct in the system.

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Oh man, a whole month? 😱 I hope mine doesn't take that long, but it's good to know they eventually paid you. Did you have to do anything special to make it happen?

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Nope, just waited it out. But if you're worried, doesn't hurt to give em a call and check on the status. Better safe than sorry!

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Here's what you need to do: 1. Double-check all your paperwork. Make sure every form is filled out correctly and all dates match up. 2. Log into your online account and verify that your claim status is 'processing' or 'approved'. 3. If everything looks good online, try calling first thing in the morning (8:00 AM sharp) to speak with a representative. 4. Be prepared with all your info: claim number, dates of leave, return to work date, etc. 5. If you can't get through on the phone, consider sending a secure message through your online account. 6. As a last resort, you might want to reach out to your local state representative's office. They sometimes can help expedite these issues. Remember, PFL claims can take up to two weeks to process under normal circumstances, but with current backlogs, it might take longer. Don't panic if it's been less than a month. They will backpay you for the time you were out. Hang in there! The system is frustrating, but you'll get your benefits eventually.

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Wow, thank you so much for this detailed response! This is super helpful. I'll start working through this list tomorrow. Really appreciate you taking the time to write all this out! 🙏

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This should be pinned or something. So many people have this same issue!

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lol welcome to the wonderful world of bureaucracy 🤡 where everything's made up and the timelines don't matter

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🤣🤣🤣 ain't that the truth

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Have you tried faxing your documents? I know it sounds old school, but sometimes it gets processed faster that way.

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Faxing? What year is it, 1995? 😂 But seriously, I'll try anything at this point. Do you know if there's a specific fax number for PFL claims?

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Lol I know right? But hey, if it works, it works! The fax number should be on their website, but make sure to include a cover sheet with your claim number and contact info.

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This is why we need better systems in place. It's ridiculous that in 2023 we're still dealing with these kinds of delays. Anyone know if there's a petition or something we can sign to push for improvements?

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Hang in there, OP! I know it's frustrating, but your benefits are protected even if you've returned to work. They'll backpay you for the time you were out. Just keep following up and don't let them forget about you!

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Thanks for the encouragement! It's good to know I'm not alone in this. Gonna keep pushing until I get what I'm owed!

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I'm dealing with something similar right now! Filed my PFL claim 2 weeks ago for bonding time and still haven't heard anything back. It's so stressful not knowing when the payment will come through, especially when you're already juggling work and a new baby. @Ellie Simpson's checklist looks super helpful - definitely going to try calling first thing in the morning. Has anyone had luck with the secure messaging through the online portal, or is calling still the better option?

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Hey Katherine! I'm actually new to this community but have been lurking and reading everyone's experiences. From what I've seen in other threads, calling seems to be more effective than the secure messaging, but it requires patience with those long wait times. The secure messaging can take days or even weeks to get a response. If you do try calling, definitely follow @Charlee Coleman s'advice about calling right when they open - seems like that s'the golden tip everyone swears by! Good luck with your claim, and congrats on the new baby! 🍼

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