I'm in a similar boat right now! Just submitted my bonding claim paperwork last week and the waiting is killing me. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time 😅 It sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty typical, but that range is so wide! I keep checking my email obsessively hoping for an update. Has anyone tried reaching out before the 2-week mark, or is it better to just wait it out? Also wondering if there's a specific day of the week they typically send out responses - probably overthinking this but when you're anxious, every little detail matters!

I'm currently in week 3 of waiting for my bonding claim response, and this thread is exactly what I needed to see! It's so reassuring to know I'm not alone in this anxious waiting game. The automated status check line that @Dmitry Smirnov mentioned sounds like a game-changer - definitely going to try that tomorrow. I've been hesitant to call because I didn't want to seem pushy, but it sounds like checking in is pretty normal. The range of experiences here (from 12 days to over a month) shows how inconsistent the process can be, but at least most people seem to get through eventually. Fingers crossed we all hear back soon! Thanks for creating this post, OP - sometimes just knowing others are going through the same thing makes all the difference. 🤞

I just wanted to add my recent experience to help with the timeline! My partner got his PFL approval letter last Thursday and we just received our first payment today (exactly 5 business days). The key things that helped us were: 1) calling EDD the day after getting the approval letter to confirm everything looked good in their system, 2) checking his online account daily for the certification forms (they appeared on day 2 for us), and 3) setting up direct deposit beforehand which definitely speeds things up. One thing I didn't see mentioned much is that the EDD rep on the phone was actually really helpful and could tell us exactly when the payment was scheduled to process. Don't be afraid to call - it only took about 15 minutes on hold! The certification process has been straightforward so far too. Wishing you all the best with your new little one! 💙

This is such helpful timing! My husband just got his PFL approval letter yesterday for baby bonding leave and I was feeling completely overwhelmed about what to expect next. Reading through everyone's real experiences here has been so much more useful than trying to decode EDD's vague paperwork. It sounds like most people are seeing that first payment within 3-8 days after the approval letter, which is really encouraging. The certification requirement was a total surprise to me too - I wish they made that crystal clear in the approval materials since it's so critical! I'm definitely having him call EDD today to verify everything is set up correctly in their system, and we're going to set up those bank text alerts and bi-weekly reminders right away. Thank you all for sharing such detailed timelines and practical advice - this community is amazing for helping new parents navigate these confusing systems! I'll update once our payment comes through to add another data point. 🙏

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the 3 week wait is absolutely ridiculous and you're not alone! I just got my payment after waiting 7 weeks, so don't lose hope. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the 1-877-238-4373 number at exactly 8:01 AM (not 8:00 - that's when everyone calls) and pressed 1-2-1. I had to do this for 3 straight days but finally got through to someone who could actually see what was holding up my claim. Turns out there was a tiny discrepancy in my employer's submitted dates that no one had bothered to tell me about. Once they fixed it, payment came within 5 business days. Also, definitely check the EDD portal daily - sometimes status updates appear there before they tell you. The system is completely broken but unfortunately persistence is the only thing that seems to work. Hang in there! 💪

I'm in the same boat - been waiting 4 weeks now and it's incredibly stressful. What's helped me stay somewhat sane is creating a daily calling schedule (I try at 8:01 AM like Aria suggested) and keeping detailed notes of every interaction. I've also been checking the EDD portal religiously because sometimes there are updates that don't get communicated. One thing I discovered is that you can also try calling the disability insurance number (1-800-480-3287) and pressing 1 for PFL - sometimes their hold times are shorter. Also, if you're really struggling financially while waiting, look into local food banks and utility assistance programs. It shouldn't be this hard to get benefits we've earned, but we have to advocate for ourselves. Hang in there - you're not alone in this! 💙

Just wanted to share my recent experience extending my PFL claim! I was in the exact same situation as you OP - originally planned to return to work but needed an extra 3 weeks. Called EDD yesterday morning right at 8am and actually got through on my first try (couldn't believe it!). The rep was super professional and understanding. Had my claim number, original date (March 15th), new date (April 5th), and a brief explanation ready. The whole call took maybe 8 minutes and she gave me a confirmation number plus said I'd get an email within 24 hours. Already saw the update in my online portal this morning! Don't stress about it too much - they really do handle these requests all the time. The key is definitely calling right when they open and having all your info organized beforehand. Good luck OP! 🙌

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Was supposed to return next week but my doctor thinks I need another 2-3 weeks to fully heal. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea so many people successfully extend their PFL claims. The consistent advice about calling right at 8am seems to be the magic formula. I'm definitely going to prepare all my info beforehand like everyone suggests. It's so reassuring to hear that the reps are generally understanding about these requests. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - makes this feel way less intimidating! Going to give it a shot tomorrow morning. 🤞

I'm currently going through this exact situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! I'm 8 weeks postpartum and just had my Kaiser psychiatrist appointment yesterday after that frustrating initial therapy session (so similar to what everyone's describing here). I came prepared with all the advice from this thread - wrote down specific work-related symptoms, was super direct about needing EDD paperwork, and asked for the DE2501 form by name. The psychiatrist was SO much better than the therapist! She immediately understood what I needed and said she sees these requests regularly. One thing that helped was bringing my partner to the appointment. The psychiatrist was able to hear from both of us about how my symptoms are impacting daily functioning, which seemed to really drive home the severity. She completed the paperwork the same day and said she'd submit it electronically to EDD. For anyone preparing for their psych appointment - definitely use the specific language people shared here about needing "documentation for EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression." It's like magic words that immediately put them in the right mindset. Also wanted to mention that my psychiatrist said Kaiser recently updated their postpartum mental health protocols due to all the criticism they've received, so hopefully the process is getting better for people going through this. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - knowing what to expect and how to advocate made all the difference! 💕

I'm so sorry you're going through this - PPD is incredibly isolating and Kaiser's system can feel impossible to navigate when you're already struggling. I went through almost the exact same experience about 6 months ago and wanted to share what helped me get my extension approved. That therapist session sounds so frustratingly familiar! Mine also kept wanting to dig into childhood issues when I was literally having panic attacks and couldn't care for my baby properly. It's like they have a script that completely misses postpartum crises. Here's what worked with my psychiatrist: **Be super direct immediately:** Start with "I need documentation for an EDD disability extension due to postpartum depression and anxiety." Don't assume they know - some providers aren't familiar with this process. **Bring specific work-impact examples:** I wrote down things like "can't focus on computer tasks for more than 2 minutes," "making simple decisions takes hours," "anxiety prevents sleep even when baby sleeps which affects cognitive function." EDD needs to see how symptoms prevent you from working. **Ask for form DE2501 by name** and request electronic submission (much faster than mail). My psychiatrist was actually really helpful once I was clear about what I needed. I got approved for 10 weeks which was life-changing for my recovery. Also started Lexapro which was completely safe with breastfeeding. You're doing exactly the right thing advocating for yourself. Your baby needs you healthy, not just present. The extension gave me the time to actually heal and become the mom I wanted to be. Hang in there mama! 💜