When to submit PFL application? Before or after leave starts?

This is the way. I waited a week and regretted it. Every day counts when ur waiting for that $$$

But what if you know your leave date in advance? Can't you submit it before?

Nah, they want the actual start date on the form. If you submit early, they might reject it or make you reapply. Not worth the hassle imo

This is gold 💯 Wish I had this info when I applied last year!

Thank you so much for this detailed response! It's exactly what I needed. Quick question - do weekends count as part of the 2-week follow-up period?

Glad it helped! And good question - typically, they mean business days, so weekends don't count. But if you hit day 10 with no response, I'd give 'em a call just to be safe.

Dude, I feel you. I spent HOURS on hold last month. It's a total nightmare.

I found a way 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

Whoa, that sounds too good to be true. Does it really work?

Yeah, it does! I was skeptical at first too, but I was desperate. It saved me hours of hold time. Worth every penny imo.

Idk man, paying to talk to a government agency feels wrong. Shouldn't this be free?

I get where you're coming from, but think about how much your time is worth. For me, not sitting on hold for 3+ hours was totally worth the $20.

Pretty sure its the same process, just different forms. But don't quote me on that lol

That's such a good idea! Definitely gonna do this, thanks!