tldr; EDD is a dumpster fire, good luck to anyone dealing with them 🔥🗑️

Hey Carmen, I went through something similar last year. The DE-2517-16 notice usually means there's a timing issue with your claim filing. Since you filed in February but they're saying it wasn't within 49 days, there might be confusion about when your disability actually started vs when you filed. For the Form 4365DI, you can usually get it from their website or request it over the phone. Even though there's no specific due date listed, I'd recommend getting it in ASAP - EDD can be unpredictable about deadlines. When you call, ask specifically about: - What date they're using as your disability start date - Whether you can get good cause for the late filing - How to submit the 4365DI form (online, mail, or fax) Also, try calling right when they open (8am) for shorter wait times. Hang in there, the process is frustrating but you'll get through it!

@Yuki Sato This is incredibly helpful! I've been banging my head against the wall for weeks. I didn't realize there was a specific disability insurance line - I've been calling the general EDD number this whole time. The tip about documenting everything with screenshots is brilliant too. I'm definitely going to try calling 1-800-480-3287 first thing Monday morning with all my account info ready. Really appreciate you taking the time to share such detailed advice!

Hey William! I just went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago. Error e324 is definitely the duplicate account issue - I had the same problem after creating multiple accounts during the COVID unemployment mess. Here's what finally worked for me: - Call the EDD Disability line at 1-800-480-3287 (not the regular UI line) - Call RIGHT when they open - like literally at 8am sharp - Have both email addresses ready, your SSN, and any confirmation numbers - Tell them you need "account consolidation for duplicate disability accounts" The key thing is explaining that you're past the filing deadline DUE TO THEIR SYSTEM ERROR. They can extend deadlines for technical issues if you're persistent. I had to call 3 times before I got someone who actually knew how to fix it. Also, screenshot that error e324 every time it happens and save the timestamps - I wish someone had told me this earlier. It helped when I had to explain the timeline to them. Don't give up! The system is absolutely broken but there are people there who can help once you get the right person on the line. Took me 2 weeks of daily calling but I finally got my disability claim processed.

Hi Angelica! I'm new to this community but your situation really speaks to me as I'm about to face something very similar. I left my W2 job at a financial services company about 4 months ago to start my own tax preparation business, and I'm currently 6 months pregnant. Reading through your experience and all the responses here has been incredibly educational! From everything I've learned in this thread, it sounds like you have a really solid case. The fact that EDD already reversed your initial denial is actually huge - that seems to be where a lot of people get stuck. The self-employment questionnaire is definitely intimidating, but it makes sense that they're just trying to verify genuine income loss due to your disability, which is obviously clear with recent childbirth. Your situation with having paid into SDI during your base period while at the tech company seems to be exactly what the system is designed for. The timing of your switch to consulting actually works in your favor since you built up that contribution history first. I'm taking so many notes from everyone's advice about documentation and timeline specificity. It's also really valuable to learn about the Voluntary Disability Insurance program - I had no idea that existed and will definitely be enrolling before my leave! The waiting must be absolutely brutal with a newborn and financial uncertainty. But based on all the similar success stories shared here, it really seems like you're on the right track. Congratulations on your baby, and thank you for sharing your experience - it's helping those of us preparing for this process! 🍼💜

Hi Angelica! I'm new to this community but your situation really resonates with me. I'm currently 8 months pregnant and just left my corporate job last month to start freelancing, so I've been frantically researching how all of this will work when I need to take leave. Reading through your experience and all these incredibly helpful responses has been both reassuring and educational. It's amazing how many of us are dealing with this exact W2-to-self-employment transition scenario, yet EDD makes the process feel so confusing and isolating. From everything I've learned here, it sounds like you have a really strong case! The fact that EDD already reversed your initial denial is actually a huge win - that seems to be the biggest hurdle based on what others have shared. The self-employment questionnaire is definitely nerve-wracking, but it makes sense that they're just verifying you're experiencing genuine income loss due to your disability. Your solid base period of SDI contributions from your tech job seems to be exactly what makes these cases successful. I'm feeling much more confident about my own situation after seeing how similar our timelines and circumstances are. I'm definitely taking notes on all the documentation advice shared here - keeping detailed records of income patterns, being specific about timelines, and having everything organized but waiting for them to request it. Also making a mental note to look into that Voluntary DI program for the future! Congratulations on your baby! I can't imagine juggling all this EDD stress while caring for a newborn. Based on all the success stories shared here, it really sounds like you're on the right track. Thank you for sharing your experience - it's helping those of us who are about to go through this same process! 🤞💜

Hey @Victoria Scott! I just successfully updated my direct deposit info with EDD last week and wanted to share what worked for me since I see you're getting some great advice here already! I called the 1-800-300-5616 number at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday morning. It took about 20 redial attempts to get past the busy signal (don't give up!), then I waited about 2.5 hours on hold - but I just put it on speaker and did other things. Once I got a rep, the actual process was super quick - maybe 5-6 minutes total. Make sure you have your SSN, new routing number, and account number written down clearly, and double-check that your name on the new account matches exactly what EDD has on file. The rep was actually really helpful and read all my info back to me for confirmation. They processed a small test deposit ($0.01) within 4 days, then my regular payment went to the new account 8 business days later. Definitely keep your old account open until you see at least one successful payment! The phone wait is brutal but totally worth it once it's done. You've got this! 💪

Hey @Victoria Scott! I'm new to this community but just went through the exact same situation last month. After reading through all the helpful advice here, I wanted to add my experience since it might give you some extra confidence. I called 1-800-300-5616 at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday morning (the Tuesday/Wednesday timing seems to be the real key!). It took about 22 redial attempts to get past the busy signal, but don't let that discourage you - just keep hitting redial while doing other things. Once I got into the queue, I waited about 2 hours and 15 minutes on hold, but I put it on speaker and caught up on some shows. The actual update process was surprisingly smooth - the rep was really patient and professional, and it only took about 7 minutes total. Make sure you have everything ready: your SSN, new routing number, account number written down clearly, and verify that your name on the new bank account matches EXACTLY what EDD has on file (they're super strict about this). The rep read all my information back to me twice for confirmation, which was reassuring. They sent the tiny test deposit ($0.01) after 3 days, and my first real payment hit the new account exactly 9 business days later. Definitely keep your old account open until you see at least one successful deposit - that advice from everyone here is spot on! The waiting and multiple redials are frustrating, but once you get through, it's actually pretty straightforward. You've absolutely got this! 🙌

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my voice to everyone saying this should definitely be a workers' comp claim! I went through something similar with my brother who injured his shoulder at his warehouse job. One thing I learned that might help - when you request the DWC-1 form from the employer, send it via email so you have a record of when you asked. If they don't respond within a few days, that documentation can be helpful when you file directly with the state. Also, make sure your husband doesn't sign anything from his employer about "light duty" or "modified work" without understanding what it means. Sometimes employers try to get injured workers back to work too early to avoid paying full workers' comp benefits. The medical documentation is absolutely crucial - his doctor needs to be very specific about work restrictions and why he can't perform his normal job duties. Vague statements like "take it easy" won't be sufficient for a strong claim. You're doing the right thing by advocating for him! California really does protect all workers in these situations, and it sounds like you now have all the resources you need to move forward with the workers' comp claim. Hope his recovery goes well!

I'm new to this community but have been following this thread with great interest. As someone who works with immigrant communities, I wanted to emphasize how valuable this discussion has been for highlighting the difference between workers' compensation and SDI. One additional resource that might be helpful - many community health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) have patient advocates who can help navigate workers' comp claims. They're often familiar with the challenges undocumented workers face and can provide guidance in multiple languages. Also, I wanted to reinforce what others have said about California's strong worker protections. The state's "sanctuary" policies extend to workplace safety and benefits - agencies like EDD and the Division of Workers' Compensation are specifically prohibited from sharing information with immigration enforcement. This means your husband can pursue his rightful benefits without fear. It's clear from everyone's responses that your situation is definitely a workers' comp case, not SDI. Don't let the employer's reluctance discourage you - they're legally required to carry workers' comp insurance precisely for situations like this. Your husband contributed to the system through his work and deserves full protection under California law. Wishing your family the best as you navigate this process and hoping for your husband's speedy recovery!