Hey OP, what state are you in? The process can vary a bit depending on location.

I went through the exact same thing last year with CA SDI! The "insufficient evidence" reason is so vague and unhelpful. What really helped me was requesting a copy of my entire file from EDD - you can see exactly what they have on record and what might be missing. Sometimes they don't receive all the medical records you think you sent. Also, for the appeal, make sure you highlight any functional limitations your condition causes (like inability to sit/stand for long periods, concentration issues, etc.) rather than just listing diagnoses. The appeals process took about 3 months for me, but I eventually got approved. Hang in there! 💪

Congratulations Dominique! That's such great news and what a relief that must be. Your story gives me hope - I'm dealing with a similar situation where EDD says I have an old claim from 2020 that's interfering with my new filing. I've been waiting 6 weeks now with no updates. Did you have to provide any specific documentation about your COVID-era claim during the interview, or did they already have all the information they needed in their system?

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar boat - filed 6 weeks ago and just found out there's an issue with an old claim from 2021 that was never properly closed. Reading through everyone's experiences here really helps calm my nerves about the whole process. It's crazy how many people are dealing with these overlapping claim issues from the pandemic years. Sounds like as long as you're honest during the interview and have your employment documentation ready, things usually work out. Thanks for sharing your journey Dominique - really gives the rest of us hope!

I've been struggling with my PFL application too. Has anyone had success getting through to an actual person recently? The wait times seem incredibly long and I keep getting disconnected. Also wondering if there are any specific documents I should have ready before calling to make the process smoother once I do get through.

As someone who's been through the PFL process, I'd recommend having these documents ready before calling: 1) Your Social Security card or number, 2) Birth certificate of the family member you're caring for (if applicable), 3) Medical certification forms from the doctor, 4) Your employment information including employer's name and address, and 5) Banking information for direct deposit setup. Also, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - I had better luck getting through then. The automated system Katie mentioned really does work if you follow those exact steps. Good luck everyone!

One more thing to note - if this is your first benefit payment ever, EDD might issue it on their Money Network debit card instead of direct deposit, even if you requested direct deposit. This is a security measure they sometimes implement. You might want to watch your mail for the card. Subsequent payments would then follow your direct deposit preference. If that's the case, you can transfer funds from the card to your bank once you receive it.

The Money Network card typically takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail after your first payment is processed. If your online status changes from 'pending' to 'paid' but you don't see a direct deposit, this is likely what happened. Once you get the card, you can set up transfers to your bank account or continue using the card (it works like a regular debit card). For future payments, the direct deposit should work as expected. If your status doesn't change from 'pending' to 'paid' within the next few days, that's when you should try contacting EDD directly.

Good luck with your interview next week! You sound really well prepared with all that documentation. One small tip - during the interview, speak slowly and clearly since EDD agents sometimes have to take detailed notes while you're talking. If they ask you to repeat something, don't worry, that's totally normal. Also, if you get disconnected (which unfortunately happens sometimes), don't panic - just call back and they should be able to pick up where you left off since everything gets logged in your file. Hope it all works out smoothly for you!

I went through something very similar when my partner got a job offer in Seattle and we had to relocate from the Bay Area. I also couldn't transfer within my company because they only had entry-level positions available in the Seattle office, which would have been a significant step backwards in my career. EDD approved my claim, but it did take about 4-5 weeks for the whole process. The key things that helped me were: 1) having documentation from my employer stating no suitable positions were available for transfer, 2) my partner's official job offer letter, and 3) proof of our move (lease agreement). During my phone interview, they were particularly interested in whether I had genuinely explored all transfer options, so those HR emails you have will be crucial. They also asked about the timeline - like when my partner got the job offer versus when I gave notice. Make sure you can clearly explain that sequence of events. The whole process was stressful but ultimately worked out. Wishing you the best with your interview next week!