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Hey OP, make sure you change ALL your passwords, especially your email. These hackers often get access to multiple accounts. Enable two-factor authentication wherever you can too!
This is exactly why I always recommend setting up direct deposit from day one instead of using those prepaid cards. They're such easy targets for scammers. Sorry this happened to you OP! Make sure you keep copies of everything - the dispute form, any emails, records of phone calls. The more documentation you have, the better. Also, if you haven't already, check if your bank offers any fraud protection services. Some will reimburse you for losses while disputes are pending. Hope you get your money back soon! 🤞
This is such solid advice! I wish I had known about the risks with these prepaid cards earlier. I'm definitely switching to direct deposit now. Quick question though - do you know if there's a way to expedite the direct deposit setup? I'm worried about missing my next payment while this mess gets sorted out.
@Ana Rusula Unfortunately there s'no way to expedite the direct deposit setup - it typically takes 3-5 business days to process once you submit the info. But here s'what you can do: call EDD right away and let them know about your situation. They can sometimes issue a paper check for your next payment while the direct deposit gets set up. Just make sure you have your dispute case number ready when you call. Also, if you re'close to your certification deadline, don t'wait - certify as usual even if the payment method is still being sorted out. Better to have the payment pending than to miss the window entirely!
This is such a helpful thread! I'm currently going through something similar - been waiting almost 8 weeks for my SDI claim and just found out there's some "additional documentation" needed that nobody bothered to explain clearly. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel less crazy for being so frustrated with this process. The fact that @Dominique Adams accidentally got better help at the WRONG building than most of us get through official channels just shows how broken the system is! I'm definitely going to try calling around to see if any local offices will accept forms in person like @Gael Robinson suggested. At this point I'm willing to drive anywhere if it means avoiding their mail processing black hole. Has anyone had luck getting through to EDD recently using their main phone line? I've been trying the 1-800 number for days but can never get past the automated system. Might have to look into that Claimyr service @Payton Black mentioned if I keep striking out. Thanks for sharing all these tips - this community is honestly more helpful than any official EDD resource I've found!
@Faith Kingston I feel your pain! 8 weeks is absolutely ridiculous for what should be a straightforward process. I m'still pretty new to navigating all this EDD chaos myself, but from reading through this thread it seems like persistence is key - even if it means getting creative like Dominique did by accidentally finding help at the wrong building! The phone system is definitely a nightmare. I ve'had better luck calling right when they open at 8am, but even then it s'hit or miss. That Claimyr service does sound intriguing if the regular channels keep failing us. It s'honestly both comforting and depressing to see how many of us are dealing with the exact same runaround. At least we can help each other figure out workarounds since EDD clearly isn t'going to make this easy! Hope you get some movement on your claim soon - keep us posted on what works for you!
Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been lurking on this subreddit for a while but finally created an account because this thread hit so close to home! I'm currently 4 weeks into waiting for my SDI claim and this is giving me major anxiety about what's coming next. @Dominique Adams - your story about accidentally getting help at the wrong building is both hilarious and infuriating at the same time! The fact that a random county receptionist was more helpful than the actual EDD system says everything about how broken this process is. Reading through all these experiences, it sounds like I should probably start mentally preparing for this supplemental form situation. @Louisa Ramirez thank you for breaking down the DE 2525XX form details - I'm saving this info for when (not if) I inevitably run into this same issue. The tip about hand-delivering forms instead of mailing them is brilliant! I'm definitely going to research which offices near me might accept that. At this point I'd drive 2 hours if it meant avoiding weeks of mail processing delays. Has anyone else noticed if the processing times have gotten worse this year? I keep seeing people mention the "new claim system updates in 2025" - wondering if that's causing extra delays for everyone or if it's always been this chaotic!
I went through the exact same thing last year with my maternity disability! Got my first payment and it was like $200 less than expected - I was SO stressed because I had bills due too. Turns out EDD had automatically enrolled me in tax withholding even though I didn't remember selecting it, plus they deducted for some overlap with my last work paycheck. What really helped me was calling my bank (BofA) and asking them to show me the exact deposit details - sometimes they can see more info about deductions than what shows up in your EDD account right away. Also, if you're really tight on rent money, some utility companies and even landlords have started offering payment plans specifically for people dealing with EDD payment issues since it's become so common. The good news is once you get the tax withholding sorted out (which you already did!), your future payments should be much more predictable. Just keep an eye on that overlap issue - if your employer pays you for any days that EDD also covers, that can cause problems down the road.
Thanks for mentioning the bank tip! I never thought to call BofA directly about the deposit details - that's really smart. I'm definitely going to keep a closer eye on any overlap issues since multiple people have mentioned how that can cause problems later. It's honestly crazy how many little things can affect these payments that they don't explain clearly upfront. At least now I know what to watch out for and feel way less panicked about the whole situation. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here!
I had a similar scare a few months ago during my disability leave for wrist surgery! My payment was about $300 short and I immediately thought something was wrong with my claim. After reading through all these responses, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who panicked over this! One thing I learned that might help others - if you're still confused after checking SDI Online, you can also look at your DE 2515 form (the one they mailed when your claim was approved). It usually lists your gross weekly benefit amount, so you can compare that to what you actually received and figure out what got deducted. Also, for anyone dealing with rent stress because of partial payments - I found out that some local assistance programs specifically help with housing costs when people are dealing with disability benefit delays or reductions. Your county's social services department might have emergency rental assistance available. Worth looking into if you're in a tight spot financially while sorting out the EDD payment issues! Hope everyone gets their payment amounts figured out soon. This system really needs better communication about deductions upfront!
This is so helpful! I totally forgot about the DE 2515 form - I have it somewhere in my pile of EDD paperwork. That's a great way to double-check the numbers. And thank you for mentioning the emergency rental assistance programs! I had no idea that was even a thing. I'm going to look into what my county offers just in case I run into this issue again. It's really reassuring to know there are other resources available when EDD payments get confusing. You're absolutely right that they need better communication about deductions - it shouldn't take a whole community forum to figure out why our payments are different than expected!
Ugh, EDD and their never-ending issues. 🙄 Hang in there, OP. We're all in the same sinking boat.
I had the same issue a few months ago! Turns out my form got lost in the mail. Here's what worked for me: I logged into my EDD online account and found there was actually a digital version of the continued benefits form available under "Forms" section. I was able to submit it electronically and got my payments back on track within a week. Definitely check your online portal first before going through the hassle of calling - might save you a lot of time and frustration!
Liam O'Reilly
Quick update on the online upload feature - it's actually under 'Contact SDI' not under forms. You choose 'Send a message' then select 'Claim Information' as the category, then you can attach files with your message. Make sure to include your claim ID number in the message too. Also, for your PFL after having your baby - that should be filed as a NEW claim, not as a continuation of your disability claim. The system is confusing because pregnancy disability can transition to PFL bonding, but in your case (since your disability is for your leg, not pregnancy complications), you'll file a separate PFL claim when the time comes. It's all handled by the same department but processed differently.
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Aria Washington
•Thank you for the specific directions! I just logged into my account again and found the attachment option under 'Send a message' like you said. Going to upload everything right now. And thanks for clarifying about the PFL claim being separate - I was definitely confused about how that would work.
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ElectricDreamer
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare situation! Being pregnant with a broken leg and stuck out of state while EDD gives you the runaround sounds absolutely horrible. A few additional tips that might help: 1. If you have a smartphone, try using the EDD app - sometimes it's faster than the website for uploading documents and checking status updates. 2. Contact your state assembly member's office! They have constituent services that can sometimes intervene with EDD on your behalf. Even though you're temporarily in Nevada, you're still a California resident and taxpayer. 3. For the phone calls - try calling exactly at 8:00 AM, 12:01 PM (right after lunch), and 1:00 PM. Those seem to be the times when wait times are slightly shorter. 4. Document your injury and out-of-state status with photos if possible. Sometimes having visual proof of why you can't physically appear in person helps expedite things. The fact that you have delivery confirmation is huge - don't let them gaslight you into thinking you didn't submit the paperwork. Keep pushing and don't give up! Many of us here have been through similar battles with EDD and eventually got our benefits. You've got this!
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