I'm not in your exact situation but wanted to share that when I had an overpayment issue while applying for disability, the EDD representative told me they're required to inform you in writing before they start taking money from your disability payments. You should receive a notice explaining the offset amount at least 10 days before it takes effect. Also, if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try calling right when they open at 8am or during lunch hours around 12-1pm. I had better luck those times. And definitely ask to speak to a supervisor if the first person you talk to says they can't help - sometimes the regular reps don't know about all the hardship options available. Good luck with everything and congratulations on your baby! The stress of dealing with EDD while pregnant is the worst, but it sounds like you're being really proactive about handling this.

I went through this exact situation in 2023! EDD did take money from my SDI pregnancy payments, but I was able to get it reduced by calling ahead of time. Here's what worked for me: 1. Called the overpayment collections line (1-800-676-5737) about 2 weeks before filing my SDI claim 2. Explained that I was pregnant and would be my family's only income during leave 3. Asked specifically for a "financial hardship reduction" 4. They reduced my offset from 25% to 15% and put a note in my file The key was calling BEFORE filing my SDI claim and being very clear about my financial situation. I also mentioned that I had been making consistent payments on my payment plan (which sounds like you have too!). One tip - when you call, have your overpayment notice handy with all the account numbers. And don't hang up if they say "nothing can be done" - ask to speak with a supervisor or someone in the hardship department. It took me 3 calls but I eventually got someone who could help. You've got this! The fact that you're planning ahead shows you're on the right track. Wishing you the best with your pregnancy and hoping EDD cooperates! 💕

I'm going through this exact same situation right now - 2 weeks since my SDI application after knee surgery and it's like I exist in EDD's text system but not their website! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm planning to try the assembly member approach that Keisha mentioned since that seems to have the fastest turnaround time. One thing I wanted to add based on my research - if you're using a VPN or have strict privacy settings on your browser, that can sometimes cause the "no record found" error even when your claim exists. I found this buried in their technical FAQ. Try disabling any VPNs and allowing all cookies for the EDD site before logging in. It's a long shot but worth trying since it takes 30 seconds. Also, for anyone keeping track of their attempts to contact EDD - document EVERYTHING with dates and times. If you end up needing to request retroactive payments later, having a detailed log of your attempts to resolve the issue will help your case significantly.

This whole thread is like reading my own horror story! I've been stuck in this exact same EDD black hole for 3 weeks now after applying for SDI following back surgery. The "you don't exist" error while simultaneously receiving text confirmations is absolutely mind-boggling - it's like being gaslit by a government computer system. What's really struck me reading through everyone's experiences is how many different potential causes there are for this issue: browser problems, VPN interference, medical certification errors, system upgrades not syncing properly, claims stuck in verification queues... It's clear EDD's systems are held together with digital duct tape and prayers. I'm going to implement a combination approach based on all the great advice here: 1. Try the assembly member route first since Keisha had such quick success 2. Call my local EDD office using Zainab's specific terminology 3. Double-check browser settings and disable my VPN as Katherine suggested 4. Verify with my doctor that all paperwork was submitted correctly The most frustrating part is that we're all dealing with legitimate disabilities and surgeries, yet we have to become part-time detectives just to access the benefits we've paid into. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this community support means more than you know when you're feeling completely lost in the system!

Hey OP, how long have you been waiting for your payment? Might help to know the timeline

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Been waiting almost 4 weeks for my SDI payment and it's honestly stressing me out so much. The uncertainty is the worst part - like, are they processing it or is there some issue I don't know about? I tried checking the online portal but it just says "pending" with no real explanation. Has anyone had luck with contacting their local EDD office directly instead of the main number? I'm wondering if that might be faster than waiting on hold for hours. Really hoping we all get our payments sorted out soon. This whole situation is just adding unnecessary stress when we're already dealing with health issues 😔

anyone else notice how the first ppd extension goes thru easy but if u need a second one they make it super hard?? my doctor had to submit the paperwork 3 times for my second extension!!

UPDATE: I certified for the missed periods and got an email saying my payment was processed! Should be in my account in 1-2 days. Thanks everyone for your help - I would've been lost without this advice.

Thanks for posting this question! I'm actually in a similar situation right now - just got my pink letter yesterday and trying to figure out the best approach. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like being proactive with the doctor's office is key. @Ezra Bates, your breakdown was super helpful! I'm definitely going to try the hand-delivery approach that @Sarah Ali mentioned. Has anyone had issues with doctors not understanding what they need to fill out, or do they usually know the drill with these EDD forms?

Been there! 😊 Just went through this whole pink letter ordeal last month. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - if your doctor's office has an online patient portal, try messaging them through that too. I sent a message explaining the urgency and attached a photo of the form, and they actually prioritized it because they could see exactly what needed to be done. Also, don't forget to check that your doctor filled out the "return to work" section correctly if that applies to your situation - mine initially missed that part and it delayed everything by another week. The whole process is frustrating but you'll get through it! Keep us posted on how it goes.