< Back to California Paid Family Leave

StarSeeker

PFL claim pending for 6 weeks - need approval ASAP. Any tips?

My PFL claim has been pending for 6 weeks now and I'm getting really frustrated. I need this approved ASAP. Has anyone else experienced such long wait times? Any advice on how to speed up the process?

I found a way to expedite PFL claim approval, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gyQa2d757g

0 coins

Ugh, I feel your pain! I waited 8 weeks for mine to get approved. It's ridiculous how long they make us wait. Have you tried calling them? Sometimes that can help move things along.

0 coins

I've tried calling but can never get through. It's so frustrating! How did you manage to reach someone?

0 coins

It took me like 50 attempts, no joke. I just kept redialing over and over. Eventually I got lucky and got through. It's a total crapshoot tho 🎲

0 coins

Pro tip: call right when they open. That's how I finally got through after weeks of trying!

0 coins

6 weeks is actually not that bad compared to some people. I've heard of claims taking 3-4 months to process. The system is completely overwhelmed rn

0 coins

Have you checked your online account? Sometimes they need additional info but don't tell you. Worth double-checking to make sure you didn't miss anything they requested.

0 coins

Good idea, I'll take another look. Thx for the suggestion!

0 coins

I found a way to actually 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

0 coins

Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit? Anyone else tried it?

0 coins

Yeah, it's totally legit. I was skeptical at first too, but it saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo

0 coins

$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken 🤦‍♂️

0 coins

I get it, but think about how much your time is worth. For me, not having to spend hours on hold was def worth the cost.

0 coins

Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? They can sometimes help expedite claims. Worth a shot!

0 coins

I hadn't thought of that. How do I find my assembly member?

0 coins

Just google '[your city] assembly member' and it should come up. Most have forms on their websites for constituent services. Good luck!

0 coins

Unpopular opinion: maybe we should all just be grateful that PFL exists at all? A lot of states don't even have this benefit. Just sayin' 🤷‍♂️

0 coins

Bruh, just because other places have it worse doesn't mean we can't expect better. That's some 🤡 logic right there

0 coins

Agreed. We pay into this system, we deserve better service. Period.

0 coins

Here's what I've learned from my experience and research on PFL claims: 1. Document everything. Keep a log of all your calls, emails, and online submissions. 2. Double-check your application for errors. Even small mistakes can cause major delays. 3. If you can't get through on the phone, try emailing. Sometimes you'll get a faster response. 4. Use the online portal to upload any additional documents they might need, even if they haven't asked for them yet. 5. Be persistent but polite when you do get through to someone. They're probably overwhelmed too. 6. Consider reaching out to your local government representatives. They can sometimes help expedite claims. 7. Join Facebook groups or forums dedicated to PFL claims. Other people's experiences can be really helpful. 8. If all else fails, consider filing a complaint with the state labor board. Hope this helps! Hang in there, OP. I know it's frustrating, but you'll get through this.

0 coins

Wow, thank you so much for this detailed response! This is incredibly helpful. I'm definitely going to try some of these strategies.

0 coins

This should be pinned to the top of the sub. Great advice! 💯

0 coins

lol welcome to the wonderful world of government bureaucracy. grab a seat, you'll be here a while 😅

0 coins

Have you tried faxing your documents? I know it sounds archaic, but sometimes that gets faster results than online submissions. Worth a shot!

0 coins

omg does anyone even have a fax machine anymore? 😂

0 coins

There are online fax services! Welcome to 2023 where we use the internet to pretend it's 1993 lol

0 coins

California Paid Family Leave AI

Expert Assistant
Secure

Powered by Claimyr AI

T
I
+
20,087 users helped today