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Have you tried contacting them through social media? Sometimes tweeting at govt agencies can get a faster response. Worth a shot! 🐦
Just went through something similar last month! I had an old EDD account from 2015 that I couldn't access. What worked for me was actually going to a local EDD office in person with my ID and old paperwork. They were able to look up my account and help me reset it on the spot. Way faster than the phone lines! Check if there's an office near you that does walk-ins - it might save you hours of frustration. Good luck with your SDI application! 🤞
One more important tip - once your SDI claim is approved, you'll need to complete bi-weekly certifications to keep getting paid. Make sure you set a reminder because it's easy to forget, especially when you're sleep-deprived with a newborn! And when you transition to PFL, you'll certify differently - just once at the beginning of that claim period.
Just went through this process 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: I filed my SDI claim online about 2 weeks before my due date, then had my doctor complete the medical certification right after my last day of work. The key thing is making sure your doctor puts the correct "last day able to work" date - this is usually different from your actual last day worked. Also, keep ALL documentation! Screenshots of your claim status, confirmation numbers, everything. The system can be glitchy and having proof saved me when my claim got stuck in processing. You've got this mama! 💪
Also, if you're calling about an extension, try calling early in the morning (like right when they open) or later in the afternoon. I've found the wait times are usually shorter then. And if you get disconnected, don't give up! It happened to me twice before I finally got through. The whole process took about 15 minutes once I actually got someone on the line, so it's not as bad as it seems once you're talking to a real person.
I just went through this process about 6 weeks ago! The call wasn't as intimidating as I thought it would be. They asked me to verify my personal info, confirm my current claim number, and explain why I needed the extension. The rep was actually pretty helpful - she walked me through exactly what documentation I needed to submit and gave me a timeline for when to expect a decision. One thing that surprised me was that they were able to process most of it over the phone, but I did have to follow up with some paperwork from my doctor. The whole call took maybe 20 minutes. Just be honest about your situation and don't be afraid to ask them to repeat something if you didn't catch it the first time!
I went through this exact same nightmare a couple weeks ago! What finally worked for me was a combination of things: First, I had to completely log out of my EDD account on ALL devices (including my phone), then clear not just my browser cache but also cookies and stored passwords for the EDD site specifically. After that, I waited about 2 hours before trying to log back in. Turns out my account had some kind of session conflict that was preventing new logins. Also, double-check that you're using the correct URL - there are some phishing sites that look identical to the real EDD login page. The real one should be edd.ca.gov. If none of that works, definitely mention to the agent that you've tried multiple browsers and cleared cache - they have some backend tools they can use to reset your account status that regular users can't access. Good luck and let us know how the call goes!
This is such solid advice! The session conflict thing makes total sense - I bet that's what's happening to me too. I never thought about logging out of ALL devices first, that's really smart. And you're absolutely right about double-checking the URL, I've heard horror stories about people accidentally using fake EDD sites. I'm definitely going to try your step-by-step approach before my call tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your experience and for mentioning what to tell the agent about their backend tools - that could save me a lot of time on the phone! 🤞
I just went through this exact same thing last month! One thing that helped me was checking if there were any pending security verifications on my account. Sometimes EDD will require additional verification (like confirming your identity or updating your contact info) but they don't always send clear notifications about it. When I called, the agent told me my account was in a "pending verification" status that was blocking logins, even though I never received any emails or messages about it. They were able to clear it right away once I confirmed my identity over the phone. Also, if you're using any browser extensions (ad blockers, privacy tools, etc.), try disabling them temporarily - some of them can interfere with EDD's login process. Hope this helps and that your call goes smoothly!
Oscar O'Neil
I'm sorry to hear you're going through this Diego. Payment delays are unfortunately common with SDI. Here are a few things that helped me when I was in a similar situation: 1. Check your mail carefully - sometimes important notices get mixed in with junk mail or delivered to the wrong address 2. Log into your SDI online account and look under "Inbox" or "Messages" - there might be a request for additional information that's easy to miss 3. Try calling the SDI customer service line at 1-800-480-3287. Best times are right when they open at 8am or around lunch time 4. If you suspect there might be an issue with your claim, you can also try visiting your local SDI office in person The whole process can be incredibly stressful when you're depending on those payments. Hang in there and keep pushing for answers. Most delays are just administrative backlogs, but it's important to stay on top of it. Let us know how it goes!
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KylieRose
•This is really helpful advice! I had no idea about checking the inbox in the online account - I'll definitely look there. The timing tip for calling is gold too. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed response @Oscar O'Neil!
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Everett Tutum
Diego, I went through something similar a few months ago and it was incredibly stressful. In my case, it turned out that EDD had sent a notice to verify my identity, but it got lost in the mail somehow. I only found out when I finally got through to someone on the phone after multiple attempts. Here's what I'd recommend: First, try logging into your online account and check every single section - not just the main dashboard but also look for any "pending" or "action required" items that might be buried in submenus. Sometimes they hide important stuff there. If that doesn't reveal anything, definitely try the early morning calling strategy others mentioned. I had success calling right at 8:00 AM sharp. Have your social security number and claim info ready before you dial. Also, don't overlook checking with your mail carrier or neighbors - sometimes SDI notices get misdelivered. I know it sounds silly but it happens more than you'd think. Hang in there - most of these delays do get resolved eventually, even though the waiting is awful when you need that money. Keep us posted on what you find out!
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