PFL claim vanished - no updates, what to do?

Ugh, I feel your pain! I had a similar issue last year. Have you tried calling their helpline? It's a nightmare to get through, but it's the best way to get answers.

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

Have you checked your online account? Sometimes updates are posted there before they send out notifications. Might be worth a look if you haven't already.

I've been dealing with PFL issues for months now. Here's what I've learned: • Always keep copies of everything you submit • Follow up regularly, at least once a week • If possible, fax your documents instead of mailing them • Keep a log of every interaction, including dates and names of reps you speak to • Don't be afraid to escalate to a supervisor if you're not getting anywhere It's a broken system, but persistence is key. Don't give up!

have u tried reaching out to ur local state rep? they can sometimes help push things along w/ govt agencies

OMG the PFL system is such a joke 🤡 I swear they make it complicated on purpose to discourage people from claiming benefits. Hang in there OP!

Not sure if this helps, but I had success emailing them at pfl@edd.ca.gov. It took about a week to get a response, but they were actually helpful when they did reply. Might be worth a try while you're waiting to get through on the phone.

I went through something similar last month and it was incredibly stressful. What finally worked for me was a combination approach - I called early morning (around 8:05 AM), sent that email to pfl@edd.ca.gov that Amina mentioned, AND also submitted a complaint through the EDD website. The complaint seemed to trigger some kind of review because I got a call back within 3 days. Also, make sure you have your Social Security number, claim confirmation number (if you have one), and the exact dates you submitted everything ready when you do get through. The wait times are brutal but don't lose hope - you will get this sorted out!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and it's so stressful! Reading through everyone's suggestions here is really helpful. I'm going to try the multi-pronged approach - calling early morning, emailing pfl@edd.ca.gov, and maybe even filing a complaint if I don't hear back soon. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic information about our own claims. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it helps to know I'm not alone in this mess!

I'm in the exact same boat right now - filed my PFL claim over a month ago and it's like it vanished into the void. The stress is real, especially when you're counting on that support. I've been reading through all the advice here and I'm going to try the combination approach: calling right at 8 AM, emailing pfl@edd.ca.gov with my claim details, and if that doesn't work, filing a complaint through the EDD website. It's ridiculous that we have to become detectives just to track down our own claims, but I'm grateful for this community sharing their experiences. Has anyone had luck with the fax option that Yara mentioned? I might try that too since it seems like their mail system is unreliable.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the uncertainty is the worst part! I went through something similar about 6 months ago and here's what finally broke through for me: I started a spreadsheet tracking every single contact attempt (date, time, method, outcome) and referenced my "case history" whenever I got someone on the phone. This seemed to make the reps take me more seriously. Also, if you have any documentation showing when you originally submitted (confirmation emails, screenshots, etc.), make sure to mention those specific details - it helps prove your claim isn't just "lost paperwork" but an actual system issue. The nuclear option that worked for me was contacting my state assemblyperson's office after 6 weeks of runaround. Their constituent services person made one call and suddenly my claim was "found" and processed within a week. Don't feel bad about escalating - you've paid into this system and deserve the support!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation and it's driving me crazy! Filed my PFL claim 3 weeks ago and radio silence ever since. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring that I'm not alone, but terrifying that this seems to be such a common problem. I'm going to try the multi-approach strategy everyone's mentioned: early morning calls, emailing pfl@edd.ca.gov, and keeping detailed records of everything. The spreadsheet idea from Nia is brilliant - I'm starting that today. It's absolutely wild that we have to become project managers just to get updates on benefits we've paid into. Has anyone had any luck with calling on specific days of the week, or is it just pure persistence that works?

I'm going through this exact nightmare right now and honestly, this thread is a lifesaver! Filed my PFL claim over 5 weeks ago and it's like it just evaporated. The financial stress is unreal when you're counting on that support. I've been calling daily but can't get through - just endless hold music that eventually disconnects. Reading everyone's strategies here gives me hope though. I'm going to start that spreadsheet tracking system Nia mentioned and try the combination approach: early morning calls (8 AM sharp), email to pfl@edd.ca.gov, and maybe even reach out to my assemblyperson if needed. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become detectives to track down our own benefits, but I'm grateful for this community sharing real solutions. The fact that so many people have eventually gotten through makes me feel less alone in this mess. Thanks everyone for the practical advice - time to get organized and persistent!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - I know exactly how stressful it is when your claim just seems to disappear! I went through this nightmare about 8 months ago and what finally worked was being really strategic about it. Here's my game plan that actually got results: **Morning Power Hour**: Call at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - set multiple alarms! I'd literally have my coffee ready and redial constantly for the first hour. Tuesday through Thursday seemed to work best for me. **Paper Trail Everything**: Keep screenshots of every page when you submit online, save confirmation emails, and write down every single interaction with dates and names. This saved my butt when I finally got through and they claimed they had "no record" of my submission. **The Magic Email**: That pfl@edd.ca.gov email address really works, but be specific in your subject line. I used "URGENT: Missing PFL Claim [Your SSN last 4 digits] - Submitted [Date]" and got a response in 5 days. **Nuclear Option**: If you're still stuck after 2 weeks of trying everything, contact your state assemblyperson's constituent services. I was hesitant to "bother" them but honestly, one call from their office and my claim magically reappeared and was processed within 3 days. The system is broken but people DO get through it. You've paid into this system and you deserve these benefits - don't let them wear you down! Keep pushing and document everything. You've got this! 💪

I'm going through the exact same thing right now and this thread is honestly keeping me sane! Filed my PFL claim about 6 weeks ago and it's like it just disappeared into a black hole. The financial stress is overwhelming when you're depending on that support to help with family care. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both comforting (knowing I'm not alone) and eye-opening about what actually works. I'm creating my action plan based on all the great advice: ✓ Start the spreadsheet tracking system immediately ✓ Call at exactly 8 AM starting tomorrow (setting 3 alarms!) ✓ Email pfl@edd.ca.gov with specific subject line format ✓ Keep all my original documentation ready ✓ If all else fails, contact my assemblyperson's office The fact that so many of you have eventually gotten through gives me real hope. It's absolutely insane that we have to become full-time advocates for our own benefits, but if that's what it takes, I'm ready to fight for what I'm owed. Thanks to everyone sharing their strategies - this community is a lifeline when dealing with such a broken system!

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now and it's such a relief to find this thread! My PFL claim disappeared about 3 weeks ago and I've been panicking about how to handle my family care responsibilities without that financial support. The advice here is incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the pfl@edd.ca.gov email or the 8 AM calling strategy. I'm definitely going to start that spreadsheet tracking system everyone's mentioned and try the combination approach. It's mind-blowing that we have to become private investigators just to get updates on benefits we've already qualified for, but reading everyone's success stories gives me hope. The assemblyperson option is good to know about too as a last resort. Thanks for creating this lifeline of information - knowing I'm not alone in this bureaucratic nightmare makes all the difference!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now and honestly, this entire thread feels like finding a support group I never knew I needed! Filed my PFL claim about 5 weeks ago and it's like it just vanished - no updates, no notifications, nothing. The anxiety is real when you're counting on that support for family care. After reading through everyone's strategies, I'm putting together my battle plan: • Starting the detailed spreadsheet tracking system TODAY • Setting my alarm for 7:55 AM to start calling right at 8:00 AM • Sending that email to pfl@edd.ca.gov with the specific subject format Mei suggested • Gathering all my original documentation and confirmation numbers It's absolutely wild that we need to become project managers and detectives just to track down benefits we've already earned and paid into. But seeing how many people here have eventually gotten through gives me real hope. The assemblyperson option is definitely going in my back pocket for if things don't improve in the next couple weeks. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and actual actionable advice - this community is proving to be more helpful than the actual EDD system! I'll update with my progress and hopefully add to the success stories soon. We've all got this! 💪