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Has anyone else noticed that the wait times seem to be getting worse? I swear it used to be bad, but now it's just ridiculous. Is there some kind of staffing shortage or something?
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my SDI claim about 6 weeks ago and it's been radio silence ever since. The uncertainty is the worst part - like, I need to know if I should be looking for other options or just keep waiting. I've tried calling but gave up after being on hold for 2+ hours multiple times. Really hoping some of these tips from everyone help speed things up. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops when we're already dealing with health issues.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this too! The waiting game is absolutely brutal, especially when you're already struggling with health issues and need that financial support. I'm actually pretty new to navigating all of this myself, but from reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the system is just incredibly overwhelmed right now. The advice about calling early in the morning and checking the online portal regularly seems to come up a lot. I also hadn't considered reaching out to local representatives before seeing it mentioned here - that might be worth trying if the standard channels keep failing you. It's really disheartening that we have to become experts in bureaucracy when we should be focusing on our health, but I guess that's the reality we're dealing with. Hoping things move forward for both of us soon! 🤞
I'm in a similar boat - filed about 5 weeks ago and still waiting! The silence is definitely the hardest part. I've been checking the online portal daily (sometimes multiple times a day, I'll admit) and calling every few days, but no luck getting through yet. One thing that's helped me cope a bit is keeping a detailed log like someone mentioned earlier - noting every call attempt, what time I called, how long I waited, etc. It doesn't speed up the process but at least makes me feel like I'm doing something productive. Also found it helpful to join some Facebook groups for CA disability claims where people share real-time updates about wait times and success stories. Hang in there - we'll get through this eventually! 🙏
Have you considered getting a lawyer? Some specialize in SDI appeals and might be able to help. Many offer free consultations.
I went through something similar last year! The key is to act fast - definitely file that appeal within 30 days like others mentioned. When I had my denial, I wrote a detailed timeline showing exactly when I received the denial vs. when the form was due, and that helped my case. Also, if you can get your doctor's office to write a letter explaining any delays on their end, that can be really helpful. The appeals process took about 6 weeks for me, but I did eventually get approved. Don't lose hope - the initial denial doesn't mean it's over!
This is really encouraging to hear! Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about documenting the timeline. It's so reassuring to know that someone else went through this and came out successful on the other end. 6 weeks feels like forever when you're waiting, but at least there's light at the end of the tunnel. Did you have to do anything special during the appeals process, or was it mostly just waiting after you submitted everything?
@Evan Kalinowski This gives me so much hope! I m'in almost the exact same situation right now. Quick question - when you wrote that detailed timeline, did you submit it as part of your initial appeal or did you have to send it separately? Also, did you include any other documentation besides the doctor s'letter? I want to make sure I m'covering all my bases when I file my appeal. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you!
I had a similar issue last year with my disability payments! In my case, it turned out the EDD had an address mismatch in their system that was causing deposits to get rejected by my bank, but neither side was communicating this properly. I had to call EDD directly and verify all my banking information was correct in their system. It took about a week to resolve, but once they updated everything, the missing deposit showed up along with the current one. Definitely check with EDD to make sure they have the right account details on file - sometimes the issue isn't with your bank at all!
That's such a good point about checking with EDD directly! I always assume it's the bank's fault, but you're right that the issue could be on the sender's side. Did you have to provide any specific documentation to get them to update your banking info, or was it just a matter of confirming the details over the phone?
This exact thing happened to me about 6 months ago! Turned out my bank had updated their ACH processing system and some deposits were getting stuck in a queue without any notification. The frustrating part was that the first customer service rep I talked to didn't know about the system issues, so they just told me there was no record. I had to call back three times before I got someone who actually looked deeper into it. My advice would be to call your bank again and specifically ask them to check for any ACH holds, pending transactions, or system delays - don't just accept "no record" as the final answer. Also, if it's an EDD payment, they sometimes batch process on different days than expected, especially around holidays. Hang in there, it'll likely show up in the next day or two! 🤞
I'm really grateful for all the detailed information shared here! I went through SDI last year for recovery from surgery and can confirm everything mentioned about the process. One small addition - if you move during your claim period, make sure to update your address with EDD immediately through the SDI Online portal or by calling them. I had a friend who missed her DE 2500A form because it went to her old address, and it caused a temporary payment delay while she sorted it out. Also, keep in mind that if you have any other income during your disability (like vacation pay or sick leave from your employer), you need to report that when you get the continued claim form. The key really is just staying organized and not overthinking it - the SDI system is much more straightforward than unemployment once you understand the basics. Wishing you a smooth recovery!
That's such an important point about updating your address! I hadn't even thought about that scenario, but it makes total sense that you'd need to keep EDD informed of any changes. Moving stress plus disability recovery sounds overwhelming enough without having to deal with missed forms and payment delays. The tip about reporting other income on the continued claim form is really valuable too - I can see how that could easily be overlooked if you're not expecting it. I'm definitely going to make a note about both of these things. It's incredible how many little details there are to keep track of, but having them all laid out like this makes it so much more manageable. Thanks for adding those practical tips from your surgery recovery experience!
As someone who just started my own SDI claim process for a work-related back injury, I can't thank everyone enough for all this detailed information! I was completely in the dark about what happens after approval and was honestly dreading having to deal with weekly certifications like I had to do with unemployment years ago. Learning that SDI works so differently is such a relief. I'm especially grateful for all the practical tips - setting calendar reminders, signing up for Informed Delivery, keeping all documentation, and staying in touch with my doctor about recovery timelines. The advice about watching for the DE 2500A form around the halfway point and being proactive about reporting any changes is invaluable. It's clear this community really understands the challenges of navigating the system while trying to focus on healing. I'm bookmarking this entire thread as my SDI reference guide. Thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences - it's made what felt like an overwhelming process seem much more manageable!
Welcome to the community, Mei! I'm so glad you found this thread helpful - it really shows how valuable it is when people share their real experiences navigating these systems. A work-related back injury is no joke, and you're absolutely right that focusing on healing should be the priority, not stressing about paperwork. This thread has been a lifesaver for me too as someone new to SDI. One thing I'd add is don't hesitate to reach out here if you run into any questions during your process - everyone has been so generous with their knowledge and support. The fact that you're already thinking ahead about organization and documentation puts you in a great position. Hope your claim gets approved quickly and your recovery goes smoothly!
Mei-Ling Chen
I'm dealing with the exact same E311 error right now! It's so frustrating because like you, all my info is correct and I even completed the ID.me verification. I've been lurking here trying to find solutions and it seems like this is a pretty common issue with EDD's system not syncing properly with ID.me. From what I've read in other threads, it might be worth trying to clear your browser cache and cookies completely before attempting again, or even trying from a different device entirely. Some people have said that helped them get past the identity mismatch error. Also, if you haven't already, try logging into your ID.me account directly to make sure your verification is actually showing as complete on their end. Sometimes there's a delay or glitch there too. Let me know if any of the suggestions from the other folks here work for you - I'm taking notes for when I tackle this nightmare again tomorrow! 🤞
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Logan Chiang
•I'm so glad I'm not the only one dealing with this! The E311 error has been driving me crazy too. I tried the browser cache clearing trick you mentioned and it actually seemed to help a little - at least I got past the initial login screen before hitting the identity mismatch again. One thing I noticed is that when I log into ID.me directly, my verification shows as "complete" but there's a weird delay in the timestamp that makes me wonder if EDD's system is checking an older version of my verification status. Have you noticed anything like that on your end? I'm definitely going to try some of the other suggestions here too, especially the in-person office visit if nothing else works. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps to know we're all in this together! Keep me posted on how it goes for you! 💪
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Amina Diallo
I had this exact same E311 error a few months ago! What worked for me was actually contacting ID.me support directly first, not EDD. Turns out there was some kind of sync issue between their systems. ID.me support was able to "refresh" my verification on their end and push it through to EDD again. After that, I waited about 24 hours and then the EDD system finally recognized my verified status. Worth a shot before you spend hours on hold with EDD! Their chat support is usually pretty responsive too.
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