EDD requiring FMLA phone verification - getting through impossible

The FMLA/SDI department is completely separate from regular unemployment. Make sure you're calling the right number - should be 1-866-658-8846 specifically for disability/PFL claims. Regular UI agents can't help with FMLA verification. Also, try calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open, and have your claim number ready. The verification usually only takes about 10 minutes once you get through.

literally going thru the SAME THING rn!!! been trying for 2 weeks and can't get a human on the phone. Its insane they expect ppl to just sit around calling all day when we're supposed to be caring for sick family members?? ugh

i had the same issue last month with my pregnancy disability claim. try calling right when they open OR during lunch (12-1) when less people are calling. also, don't press any options when the recording starts - just wait silently and sometimes it'll transfer you to a real person after 2-3 mins

I've been through this FMLA verification nightmare twice now. The problem is they've severely understaffed the SDI/PFL department but claim volume is still really high. When you call, their system only allows a certain number of calls in the queue, and once it's full, they just hang up on everyone else. After spending 3 days trying to get through the regular way with no success, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically keeps dialing for you until they get through, then they connect you to an EDD agent. Costs money but saved me days of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I actually got through, the verification was simple - they just needed to confirm some information on my application that didn't match their records.

The EDD is such garbage!!! Why make us call when THEY need to verify something? Why not just tell us in the message what they need verified??? They waste everyones time!!!

Just to clarify some confusion in this thread - FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) is actually a federal program that protects your job for up to 12 weeks. What you're dealing with is California's Paid Family Leave (PFL) program, which is administered through EDD's State Disability Insurance (SDI) division. For verification calls, the most common reasons are: 1. Information mismatch between your application and their records 2. Missing physician certification details 3. Identity verification if it's your first time filing 4. Clarification on care recipient relationship One tip that worked for me: call the main SDI number but select the Spanish option, then when a rep answers, politely explain you need English service. The Spanish queue is often much shorter, and all reps are bilingual. Good luck!

UPDATE: Finally got through this morning! Called the correct SDI number at 8:01am and only waited about 15 minutes. Turns out they needed to verify my mom's address because it didn't match what they had on file (she moved last year). The rep was actually super helpful and processed everything right away. My claim should be paid within 7-10 days. Thanks everyone for your advice!