9 weeks no CA PFL payments - How to check status and speed up EDD family leave benefits?
I started family leave 9 weeks ago and still haven't received any payments. I'm getting really frustrated and worried about my finances. Has anyone else experienced long delays with family leave benefits? How long did it take for you to get your first payment? I'm not even sure if I filed everything correctly or if there's a problem with my claim. Any advice on how to check the status or speed things up would be really appreciated. Also, does anyone know the correct number to call for family leave benefits? I think I might have called the wrong department earlier.
39 comments
Sophia Gabriel
Have you tried checking your claim status online? Sometimes that's faster than calling. But honestly, the whole process is a mess. Good luck!
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Tobias Lancaster
I tried checking online before and it was down for maintenance. Just my luck!
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DeShawn Washington
If you are experiencing delays in receiving family leave benefits, you are not alone. Many people face similar challenges when navigating the system, which can be particularly frustrating and stressful. To address this, there are several steps you can take to determine what might be causing the delay and potentially expedite the process. First, confirm that you have correctly filed for family leave (not unemployment) and that all necessary documentation has been submitted. You can check your claim status online at the EDD website, although, given their reported downtime, persistent checking might be required. In addition, you might consider using services like Claimyr, which, although it comes with a fee, has reportedly helped some individuals get through to live agents more quickly. However, it's worth weighing the cost against your personal budget constraints. Additionally, contacting your local state representative can be a strategic move if you are encountering issues, as they may be able to provide assistance in communicating with the EDD. Lastly, documenting all interactions with the EDD and maintaining patience as you navigate this process is critical. Remember that you are not alone in this, and reaching out to community forums such as this one can provide support and additional tips.
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Caden Turner
Pro tip: call right when they open in the morning. You're more likely to get through before the lines get jammed up. Also, Wednesdays seem to be less busy for some reason.
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McKenzie Shade
Thanks for the tip! I’ll try calling on Wednesday first thing.
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Daryl Bright
Hey OP, hang in there! I know it's tough, but it will get sorted eventually. In the meantime, check if your bank offers any short-term, low-interest loans to tide you over. Some are offering special programs for people waiting on government benefits.
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Sienna Gomez
Solid advice! It's always good to have a backup plan.
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Effie Alexander
lol welcome to the wonderful world of government efficiency 🤡 I swear they're running this system on windows 95 and a prayer
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Melissa Lin
Haha, that's a good one! But seriously, they need a major tech upgrade.
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Val Rossi
9 weeks?! That's insane. I'm in the same boat, waiting for 7 weeks now. This system is a joke. How are we supposed to survive without income for months?!
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Eve Freeman
ikr? it's like they expect us to live on air and good vibes 🙄
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Clarissa Flair
Have either of you tried contacting your state rep? Sometimes they can help speed things up.
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Val Rossi
@profile 12 No, but that's a good idea. I'll give it a try. Thanks!
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Harmony Love
Is it possible you accidentally filed for unemployment instead of family leave? The systems are separate and that could explain the delay. Double-check which one you applied for!
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Oh no, I think you might be right! 😱 I'm pretty sure I filed for unemployment by mistake. What should I do now?
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Harmony Love
Oof, that's rough buddy. You'll need to call and explain the situation. They should be able to help you file the correct claim. Bring lots of patience tho, you're in for a long hold time 😅
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Thanks for the heads up. Guess I'll be camping out by the phone tomorrow 🏕️📞
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
Plot twist: what if the EDD is actually run by a bunch of sloths? 🦥 Would explain a lot tbh
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Abigail bergen
Nah, sloths would be an improvement. I'm thinking more like internet explorer trying to run on a potato 🥔💻
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Ahooker-Equator
You guys are killing me 🤣 But for real, this system needs a major overhaul
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Everett Tutum
Here's what you need to do: 1. Double-check that you filed for the correct type of leave (family leave, not unemployment). 2. Gather all your documentation (medical certifications, etc.) in case they need more info. 3. Try to access your claim online at https://edd.ca.gov/ 4. If you can't get info online, call 1-877-238-4373 for Paid Family Leave 5. Be persistent! Sometimes you have to call multiple times to get through. 6. If all else fails, contact your local state representative's office. They can sometimes help push things through. Remember, the system is overwhelmed right now, so delays are common. But 9 weeks is definitely too long. Don't give up!
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Thank you so much for this detailed info! I'll definitely try calling that number. Fingers crossed 🤞
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Sunny Wang
This is great advice. I'd add: keep a log of all your calls and who you spoke to. It helps if you need to escalate later.
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Hugh Intensity
Great list! I would also suggest checking with your HR department, as they might be able to provide assistance or information.
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Rudy Cenizo
Anyone else notice how the EDD website always seems to be "down for maintenance" when you actually need to use it? 🤔 Conspiracy or just terrible timing?
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Natalie Khan
It seems like it is always conveniently down when you need it most. Maybe they need to upgrade their infrastructure.
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Toot-n-Mighty
Word of advice: start documenting EVERYTHING. Every call, every letter, every online submission. You never know when you'll need to prove you've been trying to resolve this. CYA always!
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Lena Kowalski
Keeping detailed records helped me immensely when I had to dispute an issue with my benefits.
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Peyton Clarke
Ugh, I feel your pain. I went through something similar last year. It took me almost 3 months to get my first payment! The system is so broken 😤
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Vince Eh
Same here, it seems like it's a problem everywhere. It's unbelievable how long they take to get things sorted.
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Ezra Beard
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. (https://claimyr.com
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Statiia Aarssizan
Sounds sketchy. Is this legit? $20 seems steep just to make a phone call.
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Reginald Blackwell
How long did you have to wait after using this service?
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Ezra Beard
@profile 4 I was skeptical too, but it actually worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration. @profile 5 I got connected to an agent in about 45 minutes. Way better than spending all day trying to get through!
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Aria Khan
It's good to have options, but it's a bit of a shame it costs money. Wish there were free tools like this.
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Lydia Santiago
Have you tried faxing your documents? I know it sounds archaic, but sometimes that gets faster results than online submissions. Worth a shot!
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Romeo Quest
Faxing actually worked for me! It's crazy how something so old-school can still be effective.
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Anderson Prospero
Has anyone tried the EDD's virtual assistant on their website? I heard it can sometimes give you status updates without having to call.
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Tyrone Hill
The virtual assistant can be a hit or miss, but it's definitely worth a shot.
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