good luck!! i had 2 go through the whole appeal thing last year and finally got approved. just make sure u turn it in on time!!

Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully appealed my SDI denial last fall and the date issue definitely tripped me up at first too! Like everyone else confirmed, you absolutely need the "date mailed" from your determination notice. But here's something that might help: when you submit your appeal, consider sending it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. EDD has to receive it within 30 days of that mailed date, not just postmarked. I almost missed my deadline because I assumed regular mail would be fine. Also, if you're close to the deadline like you are, you can actually submit the appeal online through EDD's website which gives you immediate confirmation. Good luck with your appeal - the process is stressful but don't give up!

OP, any luck yet? Keep us posted!

I actually had the exact same e324 error when trying to set up my PFL claim last month! What finally worked for me was going into my ID.me account and making sure ALL my personal information matched EXACTLY what was on file with EDD - down to middle initials, address formatting, everything. Even tiny discrepancies can trigger that error. Also try logging out of both accounts completely, waiting about 30 minutes, then logging back in. The system seems to need time to sync sometimes. Hope this helps and congrats on your new family members! 🎉

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD system can be incredibly confusing and unforgiving. I went through something similar a couple years ago with a different medical condition. Here's what I learned that might help: For the SDI backdating, don't give up after the first rejection. I had to submit THREE separate written requests with increasingly detailed medical documentation before they finally approved my backdate. Make sure your doctor's letter is very specific about when your condition began, how it prevented you from working, and why you couldn't have known to file for SDI initially. For the UI overpayment appeal, focus on these key points: 1) You had no knowledge of the SDI program, 2) You were acting in good faith trying to support yourself, 3) You have medical evidence proving you were genuinely unable to work. I also included a statement from my doctor explaining that my condition affected my cognitive ability to understand complex benefit systems. The appeals process took about 6 months for me, but I ultimately got the overpayment waived and my SDI claim backdated. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and honest mistakes happen all the time with these programs. Document EVERYTHING and keep fighting!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - the EDD system is so confusing and they don't make it easy to understand which program you should use. I went through something similar last year when I had surgery and was out of work for months. One thing that might help is documenting exactly when you first learned about SDI vs UI. If you can show that reasonable people in your situation wouldn't have known about the distinction (like getting advice from friends, family, or even EDD representatives who didn't explain the difference), that could strengthen both your backdating request and your overpayment appeal. Also, I'd suggest reaching out to a disability rights organization in your area - many offer free consultations and can help you navigate the appeals process. They often know which specific arguments work best with EDD and can help you frame your case more effectively. Don't let that one commenter get to you about it being "not complicated" - the system IS confusing, especially when you're dealing with a medical condition that affects your ability to process complex information. You're not alone in making this mistake, and there are paths forward even if they're not easy. Keep all your documentation organized and don't give up!

Okay, hear me out. What if you made a TikTok about your EDD struggles? I've seen people get traction and even responses from companies that way. Could be worth a shot! 🤷‍♂️

OP, I feel for you! EDD errors are so frustrating. One thing that helped me was calling their dedicated appeals line (1-800-300-5616) rather than the regular customer service number. They usually have shorter wait times and the staff is specifically trained on appeal issues. Also, make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING - your original claim forms, the incorrect notice, your appeal, etc. If your partner's job loss is recent, definitely mention that in any follow-up communications as it strengthens your hardship case. The good news is that most appeals with documentation errors like yours do get resolved in your favor, it just takes patience. Hang in there! 💪

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same duplicate account nightmare right now - have an old UI account from 2018 and my new SDI claim is stuck because of it. I've been getting the runaround for 2 weeks with the same "we'll escalate it" promises. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like I need to stop accepting vague responses and start demanding specifics. Going to call tomorrow and ask for: 1) Priority Processing Request due to financial hardship, 2) Identity Verification department specifically, 3) Escalation ticket number, and 4) Rep's name and ID number. Thank you all for sharing your strategies - finally feel like I have a real action plan instead of just hoping they'll eventually fix it!

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Been stuck in the duplicate account loop for over 2 weeks. I have an old UI account from 2020 and my current SDI claim can't process because of the conflict. Every time I call, they give me the same "we'll escalate it and merge the accounts within 24 hours" line, but nothing ever happens. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about requesting Priority Processing or specifically asking for the Identity Verification department. I'm definitely going to try the approach that worked for Lucy and demand specifics instead of accepting vague promises. It's so frustrating that we have to become experts on their internal processes just to get our legitimate claims processed! Thank you everyone for sharing what actually worked.