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PFL only approved for 8 weeks instead of 12 - What gives?

Hey everyone, I'm really confused about my Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits. I just found out I'm only getting 8 weeks instead of the full 12 weeks I thought I was eligible for. Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm not sure if I'm missing something or if there's a way to extend it. Any advice on what to ask when I call them?

Ugh, that sucks! I've been there. First thing you should do is double-check your eligibility. Sometimes there are weird rules that can affect how many weeks you get. Also, make sure you have all your paperwork ready when you call. They love to give you the runaround if you're not prepared.

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Thanks for the advice! Do you know if there's a specific document I should look for that shows eligibility?

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Yeah, look for your claim award letter. It should break down your benefit amount and duration. If you can't find it, you can usually access it online through your EDD account.

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Got it, I'll check that out. Really appreciate the help!

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I had a similar issue last year. Turns out I hadn't worked enough hours in the previous year to qualify for the full 12 weeks. Might be worth checking your work history to see if that's the case for you too.

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

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I get the skepticism, but it seriously saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo. They even refund you if it doesn't work.

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Amina Sy

Here's what you need to know about PFL duration: 1. Standard duration is 8 weeks for most cases 2. 12 weeks are available for certain situations like caring for a seriously ill family member 3. Your employer might offer additional time 4. Recent policy changes may affect duration When you call, ask: - Why your claim was limited to 8 weeks - If there are any extensions available - What documentation you need to provide for a longer duration - If recent policy changes affect your claim Hope this helps! Let us know what they say.

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Wow, this is super helpful! I didn't realize there were different durations for different situations. I'll definitely use these questions when I call. Thank you so much!

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Great info! Just to add, sometimes the type of leave (bonding vs. care for family member) can affect duration too. Make sure you've applied for the right type!

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lol welcome to the wonderful world of EDD 🤡 where nothing makes sense and the rules change every 5 minutes

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ain't that the truth 😂 I swear they make it confusing on purpose

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fr tho. I've been dealing with them for months and I still don't know what's going on half the time 🤦‍♂️

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Have you checked if your employer offers any additional leave? Sometimes companies have policies that extend beyond the state minimum. Might be worth asking HR if you haven't already.

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Quick tip: keep a log of every interaction you have with EDD. Note down who you talked to, what they said, and when. It's saved my butt more than once when dealing with conflicting info.

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That's a great idea, I'll definitely start doing that. Thanks!

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Ugh, I feel for you. I'm in the same boat with SDI right now. The whole system is so broken. Good luck getting through to anyone who can actually help 🙄

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Hey, don't lose hope! I managed to get my issue resolved after a few calls. Just be persistent and don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if you're not getting anywhere with the first person you talk to.

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Thanks for the encouragement! I'll definitely keep trying.

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I went through something similar a few months ago. Turns out the 8 vs 12 week thing often depends on the specific reason for your leave. For bonding with a new child, it's typically 8 weeks, but if you're caring for a seriously ill family member, you might qualify for up to 12 weeks. Also, double-check that you didn't accidentally apply for SDI instead of PFL - I know people who've made that mistake. When you call, have your Social Security number and claim number ready, and don't hang up if they put you on hold for a long time. The wait sucks but it's usually worth it to get answers. Keep us posted on what you find out!

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This is really helpful, thank you! I think I might have gotten confused about the different types of leave. I applied for bonding with my new baby, so maybe that's why it's only 8 weeks? I didn't realize there was a difference between SDI and PFL either - I'll double check that when I call. Appreciate the tip about staying on hold too, I tend to hang up when it gets too long but I'll be more patient this time!

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