Quick update check: Has the payment appeared on your card yet? If it's been more than 3 business days and still nothing, you should definitely contact EDD to make sure everything is properly set up with your Bank of America card.

So glad to hear your payment finally came through! This is exactly why I always tell people to expect 1-3 business days after the EDD website shows "paid" status. The anxiety while waiting for that first payment is absolutely brutal, especially when you have bills due. For future reference, you can also check your payment status through the Bank of America EDD app - sometimes it updates a few hours before you actually see the funds available. Welcome to the SDI system and hopefully your future payments will be more predictable now that you know the timing!

I'm in a similar situation! Just started with my city government 6 months ago and found out I'm pregnant. Like you, I had no idea about the SDI exemption when I took the job. From what I've learned so far, definitely explore that inactive claim option that Ethan mentioned - it sounds like you might have a real shot since you're within the 18-month window! Also, I'd suggest documenting everything when you call EDD. Write down the rep's name, date, and exactly what they tell you in case you need to reference it later. The rules seem to have so many exceptions that even HR departments don't know about them all. Fingers crossed we both find some better options than just the basic county leave!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! I'm 12 weeks pregnant and work for the state (different agency but same SDI exemption issue). After reading through all these responses, I'm definitely going to look into that inactive claim provision too since I left my private sector job about 14 months ago. One thing I wanted to add - if you do end up needing to rely on your county's leave program, make sure you understand ALL the details. My friend discovered her county had additional vacation/sick time provisions specifically for pregnancy that HR didn't initially mention. Sometimes there are supplemental benefits or the ability to use accrued time differently during maternity leave. It's worth asking for the full employee handbook section on pregnancy/family leave rather than just getting a quick verbal summary from HR. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info - this thread has been super informative!

This might sound weird, but are you using any VPN or ad blockers? I had issues with EDD's site when I had those on. Turned 'em off and suddenly everything worked fine. 🤷‍♀️

I've been dealing with EDD issues for months and found that sometimes their system has temporary hiccups with card verification. A few things that worked for me: 1) Make sure you're entering the 3-digit code from the back of your card (not the longer number on the front), 2) Try using incognito/private browsing mode, and 3) If you have special characters or spaces in any of your info, that can sometimes cause weird validation errors. Also, double-check that your address on file with EDD matches exactly what's on your card account - even small differences can cause problems. Good luck! 🤞

I'm in a very similar situation - submitted my hardship form about 5 weeks ago for a $4,800 overpayment and still waiting for any response. The stress is absolutely overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with financial difficulties that led to needing the hardship form in the first place. I've been calling religiously but can never get through to an actual person. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring (that this wait time is unfortunately normal) and frustrating (that the system is this broken). I'm going to try some of the suggestions mentioned here like sending a secure message through SDI Online and keeping a detailed log of all my contact attempts. It's maddening that they expect us to respond to everything immediately but take months to process our requests. Hoping we all get resolutions soon - this limbo is exhausting.

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to EDD issues. I've been waiting 7 weeks now for a response to my hardship form for a $6,200 overpayment, and like everyone else here, the waiting is absolutely killing me. What's really frustrating is that I submitted everything they asked for - detailed financial statements, medical documentation explaining why I can't work full-time, bank statements, you name it. But still nothing. I did want to share one thing that might help others - I finally got through to someone last week (after literally hundreds of call attempts) and they confirmed my form was received and is "in review." The rep couldn't give me a timeline but did say that as long as the hardship request is pending, they won't start garnishment. So at least there's that small peace of mind. The rep also mentioned that if you submitted your form by mail rather than through SDI Online, it can take an extra 2-3 weeks just for them to process it into their system. Might be worth calling to confirm yours was actually received and entered, especially if you mailed it in like I did initially. Hang in there everyone - this process is broken but from what I'm reading here, most people do eventually get some kind of resolution.

I'm new to this community and currently waiting for my SDI application decision after submitting everything last week for a shoulder injury. Reading through this entire discussion has been incredibly educational and reassuring! I had no idea that SDI was so different from unemployment benefits in terms of certification requirements. The detailed explanations about the DE 2500A form, timeline expectations, and all the practical tips like Informed Delivery and calendar reminders are exactly what I needed to hear. I've been anxiously wondering what comes next if I get approved, and now I feel much more prepared. Special thanks to everyone who shared their personal experiences - it really helps to hear from people who've actually been through this process. I'm definitely going to implement the tracking system suggestions and stay organized with all the important dates. This community is amazing for providing such thorough, helpful information when the official EDD resources can be so confusing!

I'm new to this community and just went through my first week of approved SDI benefits for a wrist injury from a fall. This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was so confused about what happens after approval and kept checking my online account thinking I was missing some kind of weekly requirement. Learning that SDI doesn't require the same certification process as unemployment is such a huge relief. All the tips here about watching for the DE 2500A form, setting up calendar reminders, and using Informed Delivery are going straight into my organization system. I especially appreciate the advice about staying in communication with my doctor about recovery timelines - I have a follow-up next week and will definitely ask about whether my initial 6-week estimate is still realistic. It's incredible how much anxiety gets reduced when you actually understand how the process works. Thank you everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!