One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually check the status of your EDD debit card shipment online! Once your first payment is processed, you should get an email or text (if you signed up for notifications) with a tracking number from BofA. You can then track it just like any other package. This really helped ease my anxiety when I was waiting for mine last year - at least I knew it was actually on its way and when to expect it. Also, just a heads up that the card comes in a pretty plain envelope that doesn't look like anything important, so make sure anyone in your household knows to look out for mail from Bank of America. My roommate almost threw mine away thinking it was junk mail! The waiting game is stressful enough without wondering if your card got lost in the mail.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. The BofA debit card is indeed the only option, but here's something that might help with your planning: once you get your card and set up the automatic transfer like others mentioned, you can actually schedule the transfers to happen on specific days of the week. I set mine to transfer every Tuesday, so even though EDD payments can hit the card on different days, I always know when the money will be in my regular checking account. Also, pro tip - keep your first payment stub or screenshot from your EDD portal showing when your benefits started. If you ever have issues with the card or payments, having that documentation makes resolving problems with customer service much faster. The whole system is definitely outdated, but once you get the workflow down it becomes pretty routine. Wishing you a smooth recovery from your surgery!

Just wanted to check in - were you able to get your address corrected? If you're still having trouble, you can also ask your employer to contact EDD directly to confirm your employment details. Sometimes this can help expedite things from their end.

That's great news that you got it resolved! For anyone else dealing with similar issues, I've found that persistence really pays off with EDD phone calls. Also, if you're calling about a correction, having your claim confirmation number ready speeds things up significantly. The representatives can pull up your case much faster with that number rather than searching by SSN. Glad everything worked out for you Sean!

I went through a name change with EDD about 6 months ago after getting married. Here's what I learned: definitely call right when they open at 8 AM - I tried calling later in the day multiple times and could never get through. When you do reach someone, be patient because they'll need to put you on hold while they access the name change system (apparently it's a separate system from their main one). The rep told me it typically takes 2-3 weeks to process, but mine actually took closer to 4 weeks. Make sure you don't update your name anywhere else (like with your bank or employer) until EDD confirms the change is complete, otherwise it can cause issues with your benefit payments. Also, keep checking your EDD online account because sometimes the name updates there before you get the official letter. The whole process is definitely a pain, but it's doable if you're persistent. Hang in there!

I'm going through a similar situation right now! Reading through all these responses is so reassuring - it's nice to know I'm not the only one struggling with EDD's phone system. I've been putting off calling because I was dreading the wait times, but seeing that people have actually gotten through gives me hope. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy and make sure I have all my documents organized first. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is exactly what I needed to see today!

One more important thing - make sure your doctor is very specific about your disability being due to pregnancy complications (high blood pressure and swelling) rather than just a normal pregnancy. Standard pregnancy disability usually only starts 4 weeks before your due date, but with complications properly documented, you can start earlier. Ask your doctor to be very clear about why you can't work now, otherwise EDD might deny your claim or only approve it starting at the standard 36-week mark.

I went through this same transition last year! Just wanted to add a few things that helped me avoid issues: 1. Keep ALL your paperwork from both UI and SDI - I had to reference my UI claim dates when there was a question about my SDI timeline 2. Take screenshots of your last UI certification and the date you stop certifying - this saved me when EDD questioned whether I had properly ended my UI claim 3. Ask your doctor to put the START DATE of your disability on the medical form, not just sign it - mine initially just signed without specifying when my disability began and it caused a delay 4. If you have any saved sick/vacation time from your old job, that might affect your SDI calculation, so mention it when you file The pregnancy-induced hypertension should definitely qualify you for early disability before the standard 36-week mark. Wishing you a healthy rest of your pregnancy and hoping your claim goes smoothly! The EDD process is stressful enough without pregnancy complications on top of it.

This has been such an informative thread! I'm currently dealing with work-related anxiety and depression, and my doctor has been encouraging me to consider disability benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences has really helped me understand the importance of proper documentation and timing. A few key takeaways I'm getting: 1. Having medical visits documented WHILE still employed is crucial 2. The doctor needs to be very specific about how the condition prevents work 3. Keep detailed records of everything submitted to EDD 4. The separation reason should be listed as "medical reasons" not just "voluntary quit" @Darren Brooks - it sounds like you're in a much better position than you initially thought! Having those urgent care visits for panic attacks while still employed is exactly the kind of evidence EDD looks for. For anyone else in similar situations - this thread is a goldmine of practical advice. Thank you all for being so open about sharing your experiences. It's helping more people than you probably realize!

Reading through this entire thread has been so educational! I'm currently employed but struggling with severe work-related anxiety and considering my options. What really stands out to me is how crucial it is to have that medical paper trail BEFORE leaving employment. @Darren Brooks - you mentioned having urgent care visits for panic attacks while still working, which seems like it's going to be key evidence for your claim. The fact that your doctor is willing to backdate the disability start date to when your symptoms actually became severe is also really smart. One question for those who've been through this process - how long did it typically take from filing to getting your first payment? I'm trying to plan financially in case I need to go this route. The 7-day waiting period that @Kara Yoshida mentioned is helpful to know about. Also wanted to echo what others have said - this community is amazing! The level of detailed, practical advice here is exactly what people in these difficult situations need. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences.