I'm dealing with the same frustrating name length issue right now! My hyphenated name is 17 characters and the online system just won't accept it. I've been getting paper notices for weeks and it's driving me crazy not being able to check my claim status online. Has anyone tried shortening their name temporarily just to get into the system? Like using just one part of a hyphenated last name? I'm wondering if I could create an online account with a shortened version of my name and then call to have them link it to my paper claim. Probably a long shot but at this point I'm willing to try anything to avoid the phone maze!

I'm currently going through this exact same nightmare! My hyphenated name is 18 characters and I've been stuck with paper everything for my maternity leave. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope though. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8:05 AM sharp tomorrow with all my paperwork ready. Quick question for those who successfully got online access - were you able to upload documents through the online portal after getting access, or do you still have to mail everything? I have some medical forms I need to submit and I'm really hoping I won't have to keep dealing with the postal service delays!

I went through almost the exact same situation 8 months ago and want you to know there IS a path forward! Here's what worked for me: **Immediate action items:** - Call 2-1-1 (dial 2-1-1) - they have a database of low-cost mental health providers in your area and can often get you same-day appointments - Your local Women, Infants & Children (WIC) office often has mental health resources specifically for postpartum moms, even if you don't receive WIC benefits - Many Planned Parenthood locations now offer mental health services and understand PPD - worth calling to check **For the SDI claim:** You absolutely CAN file a new claim! I filed mine 3 days before my PFL ended and it went through smoothly. The key is making sure any new provider documents this as a "continuation" or "exacerbation" of your existing postpartum depression, not a brand new condition. **Insurance hack:** Call your insurance and specifically ask about "crisis mental health services" - these often have different coverage rules and shorter wait times than regular therapy appointments. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not sick enough or that you should just "push through." PPD is a serious medical condition. I ended up needing an additional 10 weeks of SDI and it made all the difference in my recovery. You've got this mama! 💙

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. As someone who's navigated the EDD system for mental health claims, I wanted to add a few points that might help: **For finding immediate care:** - Many urgent care centers now have behavioral health specialists who can provide same-day evaluations and complete SDI paperwork - Check if your area has "maternal mental health collaborative" programs - these are becoming more common in California and specifically designed for postpartum issues **Important timing detail:** When you file your new SDI claim, make sure to request that the effective date starts the day after your PFL benefits end. There's a specific field for this on the DE2501 form, and it helps prevent any gap in coverage. **Documentation tip:** Ask any new provider to specifically state in their medical certification that your current symptoms represent a "continuation and exacerbation" of your previously diagnosed postpartum depression. This language helps EDD understand that this isn't a completely new condition. The system is frustrating, but please don't lose hope. Postpartum depression is a serious medical condition that deserves proper treatment and time to heal. You're being an excellent advocate for yourself and your baby by recognizing that you need more support right now. Keep us updated on how things go - this community is rooting for you! 💕

One more thing - make sure your husband's employer didn't report him as having returned to work "permanently" after his first bonding period. Some HR departments make this mistake, and it can cause EDD to question the second claim. If possible, have him check with HR about how his first leave period was classified in their records.

I just went through this exact situation in December! My husband took his second PFL bonding period after using only part of his 8 weeks initially. Here's what worked for us: 1) We applied exactly 30 days before his leave start date, 2) In the "additional information" section, I wrote "CONTINUATION OF BONDING LEAVE FOR SAME CHILD - PREVIOUS CLAIM #[his claim number]", 3) We kept all documentation from the first claim handy, and 4) He called EDD within 48 hours of submitting to confirm they could see it was a continuation claim. The whole process went smoothly and he got approved within 2 weeks. The key is being very explicit that it's a continuation and having the previous claim details ready!

It sounds like there's some confusion about your work schedule in your PFL claim. The denial reason suggests EDD thinks you're not regularly employed during the weekends you're trying to claim benefits for, despite you working full-time Monday-Friday and being on-call every other weekend. This is likely a misunderstanding about your employment situation. PFL benefits are designed for people who need to take time off from work they would otherwise be performing. Since you're regularly on-call every other weekend as part of your normal work schedule, you should be eligible to claim PFL for those periods. You definitely have grounds for appeal. For your appeal, gather documentation that clearly shows: - Your full work schedule including the on-call weekend rotation - Proof that being on-call is part of your regular employment (like your employment contract) - Documentation showing you're regularly paid for these on-call weekends When filing the appeal, specifically address the misunderstanding about your "normal contractual employment period" by explaining that your regular work includes these on-call weekends, and you're seeking PFL only for time you would otherwise be working. The EDD likely misinterpreted your work schedule, thinking you were trying to claim benefits for days you wouldn't normally be working. This is a relatively common misunderstanding with non-traditional schedules.

Update: We finally got through to EDD this morning! Turns out there was a document missing that they never notified us about. They needed my husband's ID verification even though he submitted all the other documents correctly. The rep was able to push it through and said payment should process within 48 hours. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

Congratulations on getting it resolved! This is such a perfect example of why the EDD system is so frustrating - they required additional ID verification but never sent any notification about it. I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my own PFL claim (different reason though) and this gives me hope that calling persistently will eventually work. Did you try calling right at 8am like others suggested, or did you get through at a different time? Always trying to figure out the best strategy for actually reaching a human there!