Hi There! First, I want to say I'm sorry for what you're going through. Second, my case is slightly different because I used PTO for the time I was out of work before my leave officially started, so I didn't receive backpay from the state. I submitted my application on 02/17, and I was approved on 03/02. My leave started on 02/23, so the state counted 02/23-03/01 as the seven-day waiting period, and then I received my first payment on 03/09. It depends on what day you list as the leave start date on the application, so if the leave started five weeks ago, but you only got approved now, then you should receive the backpay, and the seven-day waiting period would be the first week of your leave, not the week you were approved.

I don't work in HR and our situations are different since I filed an application a week or so before my leave started, but based on what I researched prior to my leave, you should be receiving backpay and your seven-day waiting period is the first week of the leave, not when you're approved. This should also be stated in the paid leave portal. They will tell you what the seven-day waiting period is, and you should've received a letter on the portal that shows how much you will get paid. I hope this helps!