As someone who's completely new to California's benefit system and will likely be going through this transition myself in the coming months, this thread has been absolutely incredible to read! The clarity everyone has provided about using your actual last physical work day (11/11/25) makes so much sense - I was initially thinking it would be some complex calculation involving all the different benefit periods, but you're right that it's just asking for a simple fact. What really stands out to me is how proactive you were about the payroll overlap situation. Starting your PFL on 2/1/26 to avoid complications and adding that explanatory note shows exactly the kind of transparency that seems to help these claims process smoothly. It's so reassuring to know that EDD's systems are designed to handle these pregnancy-to-bonding transitions regularly. Reading about everyone's processing timelines (6-10 days seems to be the norm) is also really encouraging. I was expecting this kind of thing to take weeks or even months based on some of the horror stories you hear about government benefits. Thank you for asking this question and creating such a helpful discussion! I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for when I need to navigate this myself. Congratulations on your new baby and I hope your bonding time is amazing once everything processes through!

As someone who's currently on pregnancy SDI and will be transitioning to PFL in a couple months, this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was already getting anxious about all the different dates and forms involved, but reading everyone's clear explanations has really put my mind at ease. The consensus is so clear - use your actual last physical work day (11/11/25 in your case) regardless of all the other benefit dates and payroll complications. I love how someone described it as a "factual question, not a strategic one" - that really clarifies why it's much simpler than it initially seems! Your proactive approach with the payroll overlap and transparency with EDD through that explanatory note is exactly the kind of guidance I needed to see. It's so reassuring to know that being upfront actually helps speed up processing rather than causing delays. The processing timelines everyone shared (6-10 days) are much faster than I was expecting too. This whole thread is going to be my reference guide when I file my own PFL claim later this year! Congratulations on your new baby and thank you for starting such a helpful discussion for all of us navigating California's benefit system!

I'm currently dealing with this exact same issue and this thread has been such a lifesaver! My first PFL payment came through in early March and then nothing for almost 3 weeks now. I was convinced I had missed some certification requirement or messed up my application somehow. The quarterly review hold explanation makes perfect sense given the timing - I had absolutely no idea this was even a thing EDD does automatically. It's so frustrating that they don't send any kind of notification when these holds happen, especially when we're already juggling the stress of a new baby and worried about finances. I'm definitely calling the PFL line at 1-877-238-4373 tomorrow and asking specifically about "quarterly verification holds" like everyone suggested. Thank you so much to Ella for sharing your successful resolution and to everyone else who provided the exact terminology and phone number. This community knowledge is invaluable when EDD's own resources are so unhelpful. Really hoping I can get this sorted out as quickly as you did!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to find! I'm a new mom who just started PFL three weeks ago and was getting really worried after hearing so many nightmare stories about EDD payment issues. Reading about the quarterly review holds is completely eye-opening - I had no clue this was even a thing they do automatically at the start of each quarter. What really gets me is that EDD doesn't communicate ANY of this to us. We're already overwhelmed with new babies and the last thing we need is to be guessing why our benefits might suddenly stop without warning. The fact that we have to rely on community knowledge like this to understand basic processes is just ridiculous. I'm saving the PFL customer service number (1-877-238-4373) and all the specific language about "quarterly verification holds" just in case I run into this issue. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their real experiences, especially Ella for the detailed update about getting it resolved. This is exactly the kind of practical information that makes all the difference when you're trying to navigate this confusing system as a stressed new parent!

For anyone still struggling to get through, I recommend calling at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - that's when I had the most luck. Also, if you're put on hold, don't hang up! I waited 2.5 hours once but finally got through. Keep a book or something nearby to pass the time. The key is persistence - it's frustrating but totally worth it when you finally connect with someone who can help fix your application.

I went through something similar a few months ago - put the wrong end date for my benefits. Here's what worked for me: I called the main PFL number (1-877-238-4373) and kept hitting option 1 until I got to a human. Took about 3 tries over 2 days, but once I got through, the rep was super helpful. They fixed it on the spot and sent me a confirmation email. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes once I actually got connected. Don't stress too much about it affecting your claim - they deal with these corrections all the time. Just have your claim number ready and be clear about what needs to be changed. You got this! 👍

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress while trying to recover from your c-section and bond with your little one! 💕 Reading through all these responses has given me hope for my own situation too. I just wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was dealing with EDD issues last year - if you're comfortable sharing your situation, try posting in local parenting Facebook groups for your city/county. I found that other moms in my area had dealt with the exact same EDD office and could give me specific tips about which phone extensions to try and even which individual case workers were most helpful. Also, when you do get through to someone at EDD, ask them to email you a summary of your conversation. Most reps won't volunteer to do this, but if you specifically request it, many will send a brief email confirming what was discussed and any next steps. Having that paper trail has been invaluable for follow-up calls. Your situation with the employer date error sounds very similar to several others in this thread, and the success rate seems really high for these types of appeals. Don't let them pressure you into giving up your rightful recovery time - you've paid into this system and deserve every day you're entitled to, especially after an emergency c-section. The bureaucracy is infuriating but you're clearly organized and determined. You've got this! Wishing you a speedy resolution and peaceful bonding time with your baby. 🤞✨

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare while trying to recover from your emergency c-section! 😔 Reading through everyone's experiences here has been eye-opening - it's clear that employer date errors are unfortunately very common but also have high success rates on appeal. I wanted to add one tip that helped me when I was dealing with a different EDD issue last year: if you have a smartphone, use the voice memo app to record yourself stating the date, time, reference number, and summary of each call right after you hang up. When you're sleep-deprived and dealing with a newborn, it's so easy to forget important details from these conversations, and having audio notes saved me multiple times when following up. Also, don't feel bad about calling frequently for updates! I used to feel guilty about "bothering" them, but then I realized - this is YOUR money that you've paid into the system, and YOUR legal right to these benefits. You're not being pushy, you're advocating for yourself and your family during a vulnerable time. Your documentation sounds really solid, and with your HR director already agreeing to submit a correction, I think you have an excellent chance of getting this resolved. The 4-6 week timeline that others have shared is manageable, especially knowing you'll get full backpay. Hang in there mama - your recovery and bonding time is precious and worth fighting for! 💪💕

@Mateo Warren Yes, you can file retroactively! I had to do this too - didn't realize I was eligible until 3 weeks into my leave. You'll need to explain the delay in your application and provide documentation for the entire period you're claiming. They accepted mine, but it did add about a week to the processing time. The key is being thorough with your paperwork and having a valid reason for the late filing. Don't stress too much about it!

Just went through this process last month! One thing that really helped me was organizing all my documents in a folder before starting the online application. Also, double-check that your pay stub shows your full legal name exactly as it appears on your ID - mine got delayed because there was a slight mismatch. And definitely submit everything during business hours if possible - I noticed the system seemed more responsive then. Good luck with your claim!