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PFL claim processing for 2 weeks, no updates. How much will I get? Tax implications?

Hey everyone, I'm having some issues with my Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. It's been processing for 2 weeks now with no updates. I'm getting worried about how much I'll actually receive. My weekly wage before leave was $2600. Does anyone know how much I can expect to get? Also, is this taxed? If so, how much should I set aside for taxes? Any advice would be appreciated!

Finley Garrett

Based on your weekly wage of $2600, you should expect to receive about 60-70% of that for PFL. So you're looking at roughly $1560 to $1820 per week. And yeah, it is taxed federally but not by the state. Federal tax is usually withheld at a flat 10% rate.

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Cass Green

Thanks for the info! Do you know if there's a way to get the money pre-taxed so I don't have to worry about it later?

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22d

Finley Garrett

Unfortunately, California doesn't offer an option to have federal taxes withheld from PFL payments. Your best bet is to set aside that 10% yourself or talk to a tax pro for personalized advice.

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21d

Madison Tipne

man, that sucks. the government always finds a way to make things more complicated šŸ™„

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Holly Lascelles

2 weeks of processing isn't too bad actually. When I applied last year, it took almost a month before I saw any movement on my claim. Hang in there!

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Cass Green

A month?! šŸ˜± I hope mine doesn't take that long. Did you have to do anything to speed it up?

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Holly Lascelles

Nah, I just had to wait it out. But don't worry, they backpay you from the start date of your leave once it's approved.

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Malia Ponder

Pro tip: keep ALL your documentation. I mean everything. You never know when they might ask for additional info or if you need to appeal something. Better safe than sorry!

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Kyle Wallace

I found a way to actually get someone on the phone about my PFL claim. 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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Ryder Ross

Sounds too good to be true. Does it really work? How long did you have to wait?

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17d

Kyle Wallace

It does! I was skeptical too, but I got through in about 45 minutes. Way better than spending hours on hold myself.

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Gianni Serpent

$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken šŸ˜¤

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Kyle Wallace

I get it, but for me, it was worth it to finally get some answers and peace of mind. Time is money, ya know?

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Henry Delgado

Just a heads up, make sure you're keeping track of your expenses while on leave. Some stuff might be tax-deductible, which could help offset that federal tax hit. Not a tax expert tho, so def double-check!

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Cass Green

Oh, I hadn't even thought about that. Thanks for the tip!

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15d

Olivia Kay

Ugh, the whole PFL system is such a headache. I'm in the same boat, waiting on my claim to process. Solidarity, friend! šŸ’Ŗ

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Cass Green

Thanks! It's good to know I'm not alone in this. Hope your claim gets processed soon!

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Joshua Hellan

Here's a comprehensive breakdown of what you need to know about PFL in California: ā€¢ Benefit Amount: As others have said, it's typically 60-70% of your weekly wage, capped at a maximum weekly benefit amount. ā€¢ Processing Time: Can vary, but 2-4 weeks is common. Don't panic if it takes a bit longer. ā€¢ Taxation: Subject to federal income tax (not state tax in CA). No option for withholding, so set aside about 10%. ā€¢ Duration: Up to 8 weeks of PFL benefits in a 12-month period. ā€¢ Documentation: Keep everything! Medical certifications, correspondence with EDD, pay stubs, etc. ā€¢ Appeals: If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal within 30 days. ā€¢ Contacting EDD: Notoriously difficult. Try early mornings or use a service like others have suggested if you're desperate. Remember, your employer can't discriminate against you for taking PFL. If you face any issues at work, document everything and consider consulting with an employment lawyer. Hang in there, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more info!

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Cass Green

Wow, this is incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out. I feel much more prepared now.

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Jibriel Kohn

This should be pinned or something. Super useful info!

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Edison Estevez

lol welcome to the wonderful world of california bureaucracy šŸŽ‰ where everything's made up and the processing times don't matter

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Emily Nguyen-Smith

šŸ¤£šŸ¤£šŸ¤£ ain't that the truth

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10d

James Johnson

Has anyone tried reaching out to their local state representative's office? I've heard they can sometimes help speed things up with EDD claims.

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Sophia Rodriguez

I did this for my unemployment claim last year and it actually worked! Might be worth a shot for PFL too.

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10d