Thousands of Californians rely on the California Employment Development Department (EDD) for critical financial support during some of the most difficult times in their lives—whether due to illness, family emergencies, job loss, or caregiving responsibilities.

Programs like State Disability Insurance (SDI), Paid Family Leave (PFL), and Unemployment Insurance (UI) are meant to provide timely financial relief. Unfortunately, the system is failing many of the people it was designed to protect.

I am sharing my personal experience as one example of a much larger, systemic issue.

My family filed a Paid Family Leave claim on January 9, 2026, due to a sudden medical emergency requiring international travel to care for an ill parent. All required documentation, including the medical certification, was submitted promptly. However, weeks have passed with no update, no payment, and no meaningful response from EDD.

Repeated attempts to contact EDD have been unsuccessful. Phone calls consistently result in automated messages stating that call volume is too high. Online inquiries go unanswered.

This is not just an inconvenience—it is a financial crisis.

Across California, countless individuals are experiencing similar issues:

• Disability Insurance claims delayed for weeks or months
• Paid Family Leave benefits not processed on time
• Unemployment claims stuck without updates
• Inability to reach a live representative
• No response to online messages or inquiries
• Confusing or inaccessible documentation requirements

These delays leave families struggling to pay rent, cover medical expenses, and meet basic living needs—at a time when they are already vulnerable.

These problems point to a systemic issue—most likely understaffing, outdated systems, and lack of accountability.

Our Demands

We call on the California Employment Development Department and California state leadership to take immediate action:

1. Hire additional staff to process SDI, PFL, and UI claims efficiently
2. Improve customer service access, including shorter wait times and callback options
3. Ensure timely responses to online inquiries
4. Provide clear, accessible, and downloadable forms for all required documentation
5. Establish transparent processing timelines and status updates
6. Create escalation channels for urgent or hardship cases
7. Modernize systems to reduce backlogs and improve efficiency

Why This Matters
These programs are not optional benefits—they are essential safety nets funded by workers. Delayed access defeats their purpose and puts families at risk during already difficult times.

Californians deserve a system that works when they need it most.

Call to Action
If you or someone you know has experienced delays or difficulties with EDD—whether for disability, unemployment, or family leave—please sign this petition and share your story.

Together, we can push for accountability, reform, and a system that truly serves the people of California.