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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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I'm going through this exact same issue right now! Just tried to file my disability claim this morning and got hit with that "driver's license already in use" error. Reading through everyone's experiences here is honestly such a relief - I was starting to panic thinking someone had stolen my identity or something worse. It sounds like this is a known system glitch where old claims don't get properly closed out. I definitely had a brief disability claim back in 2021 that I thought was completely resolved, but it must still be lingering in their system somehow. Going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow morning and ask them specifically to check for any old claims under my license. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and solutions - this community is a lifesaver! 🙏
I totally understand that panic feeling when you first see that error! I thought the exact same thing - like someone had stolen my info or there was some major problem with my account. It's such a relief to find out it's actually just a common system glitch with old claims not being properly cleared. Your 2021 claim is probably exactly what's causing the issue - seems like EDD's system has a real problem with properly closing out old files. The 8 AM calling strategy definitely seems to be the way to go based on everyone's success stories here. Make sure to be really specific when you get through about wanting them to check for ANY previous claims, even ones you think are closed. Good luck tomorrow morning - you've totally got this! 🍀
I'm dealing with this exact same issue! Just tried to submit my disability claim and got the "driver's license already in use" error. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I was freaking out thinking something was seriously wrong. Sounds like it's probably an old claim from 2020 that's still showing as active in their system. Definitely going to try calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow and ask them to check for any lingering claims. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - makes me feel so much less alone in this EDD nightmare! 🙏
You're definitely not alone in this! I just went through the exact same thing about a month ago and it's such a common issue with EDD's system. That 2020 claim is almost certainly what's causing the problem - their system seems to have a really hard time properly closing out old claims. The 8 AM calling strategy really does work - I got through on my second try using that approach. When you talk to them, be super specific about asking them to check for ANY previous claims under both your SSN and driver's license number, even ones you're sure are closed. They found mine pretty quickly once I mentioned the specific time frame. It's frustrating but totally fixable! You've got this! 💪
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I just went through this same ordeal last month and finally broke through! Here's my winning strategy: Download an auto-dialer app (I used "Auto Redial" on Android) and set it to call the main EDD number every 30 seconds starting at 7:58 AM. I know it sounds excessive, but I got through on attempt #73 after 2 hours. Also, once you're in the phone tree, press 1 for English, then 1 again for UI claims, then 2 for existing claims, then 4 for claim questions. This specific sequence seemed to have shorter hold times than other options. Most importantly - DON'T HANG UP even if you're on hold for 2+ hours. I made that mistake twice and had to start over. The reps are actually really helpful once you get through, so it's worth the wait. Stay strong! 💪
This is exactly the kind of detailed strategy I needed! The auto-dialer app idea is genius - I can't believe I've been manually redialing this whole time like a caveman 😅. And thanks for the specific button sequence, that's super helpful. I'm definitely going to try this approach starting tomorrow morning. 73 attempts sounds brutal but honestly if it works, it's better than the endless frustration I've been dealing with. Really appreciate you taking the time to share the exact steps that worked for you! 🙏
I totally feel your frustration Miguel! I went through this exact same nightmare about 2 months ago. What finally worked for me was calling the technical support line (1-800-300-5616) instead of the main claims line. I know it sounds weird, but when they answer, just explain that you're having trouble accessing your claim online and need to speak with someone about your account. They can actually help with most claim issues and the wait times are usually way shorter. I got through in about 20 minutes versus the hours I was spending on the main line. Also, definitely try calling right at 8 AM - I set an alarm and would start calling at 7:59 AM sharp. The first 30 minutes after they open seems to be the golden window. Don't lose hope, you'll get through! The system is absolutely terrible but there are people there who want to help once you can actually reach them. 🙏
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I went through this exact situation last year with my workers comp case that transitioned to SDI. My benefit year was ending in March but I still needed another 8 weeks of recovery after spinal fusion surgery. What saved me was getting my surgeon to write a very detailed progress note explaining that while my initial healing was going well, the nerve recovery was taking much longer than initially projected. The key thing I learned is that EDD doesn't care about your original timeline - they only care about your CURRENT medical status. So when filing the new claim, make sure your doctor focuses on your present limitations and prognosis, not just referring back to the original injury. My surgeon included specific functional limitations (can't lift over 10 lbs, can't sit for more than 30 minutes, etc.) which really helped justify continued benefits. I filed my new claim about 4 weeks before my benefit year ended and there was zero gap in payments. The EDD rep I spoke with said that as long as the medical certification clearly shows ongoing disability from the same condition, they process it pretty routinely. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to at EDD doesn't seem helpful - I had to call back twice before I got someone who really understood the process for continuing disability claims. Hang in there!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with spinal fusion recovery! Your point about focusing on current medical status rather than the original timeline is really insightful - I hadn't thought about framing it that way but it makes perfect sense. My situation is similar with nerve involvement from my herniated disc, so hearing that your surgeon was able to document the slower-than-expected nerve recovery gives me hope. I'm definitely going to ask my doctor to include specific functional limitations like you mentioned when they do my updated certification. It's also encouraging to know that you had zero gap in payments when you filed 4 weeks early - that timeline seems to be the sweet spot based on what everyone is saying here. Thanks for the tip about potentially needing to call EDD multiple times to get someone knowledgeable - I'll keep that in mind and not get discouraged if the first rep isn't helpful.
I'm going through something very similar right now - my SDI benefit year ends in January but my doctor says I need at least another 6 weeks of recovery after my ankle surgery. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful because I was completely panicking thinking I'd just lose all benefits suddenly. Based on everything I've learned here, I'm planning to: 1. Get updated medical certification from my orthopedic surgeon next week 2. File a new claim about 3 weeks before my current benefit year ends 3. Make sure my doctor documents specific functional limitations and why recovery is taking longer than expected 4. Have the medical forms both mailed and faxed to EDD One question I have - has anyone dealt with this process when your original claim was related to a workplace injury that's now being handled through SDI instead of workers comp? My situation started as a work injury but transitioned to regular SDI, so I'm wondering if that affects how I should approach the new claim filing. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has been a lifesaver!
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I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Been trying to call for over two weeks with zero luck getting through. This thread is a goldmine of information - I had absolutely no clue about that alternate disability line at (800) 480-3287! It's honestly ridiculous that this kind of crucial info isn't posted anywhere official. I'm definitely going to try the 8am strategy tomorrow with all my paperwork ready. It's so frustrating that we're all basically having to crowdsource solutions just to access our own benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works - this gives me hope that maybe I can finally get my claim sorted out! 🙏
Right there with you! I'm brand new to this whole EDD disability thing and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed by the whole process. This thread has been such a lifesaver though - I can't believe there's this whole alternate phone number that nobody tells you about! It's like there's this secret knowledge that you only get by talking to other people who've been through it. I'm definitely going to try calling (800) 480-3287 at 8am sharp tomorrow too. Maybe we should all check back in and share how our calls go? Would love to know if these strategies actually work for us newcomers! Thanks for making me feel less alone in this mess 😊
I'm in the exact same situation! Been trying for almost two weeks now and it's driving me crazy. This thread is amazing though - I had no idea there were all these different strategies and that alternate disability line! I'm definitely going to try calling (800) 480-3287 at 8am tomorrow with all my documents ready. It's honestly shocking that we have to become amateur investigators just to figure out how to reach the people who are supposed to help us. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not the only one going through this nightmare! 🤞
NeonNova
I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar PFL situation right now! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. I just wanted to add that when I spoke with an EDD representative last week (finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned), they told me that split PFL claims are actually more common than people think, especially for new parents who want to stagger their leave. The rep I spoke with emphasized that the key to a successful appeal is being very clear that you DID use all the benefits you received - just not in the timeframe EDD initially expected. She said they see this type of appeal regularly and most get approved when there's proper documentation. One thing she mentioned that I haven't seen in the comments yet: if you have any text messages or emails between you and your wife discussing the leave plans (like "mom is leaving next month so I'll take my remaining weeks then"), include those as supporting evidence too. It shows this was always your intention, not something you decided after receiving the overpayment notice. Really hoping your appeal goes smoothly! This whole process is so stressful but it sounds like you have a strong case.
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Romeo Barrett
•Welcome to the community and thank you so much for sharing what the EDD rep told you! That's really reassuring to know that split PFL claims are common and that most appeals with proper documentation get approved. The tip about including text messages and emails is brilliant - we definitely have conversations saved about planning the leave periods around when my mother-in-law was helping us. I hadn't thought to include those as evidence but it really does show our intent from the beginning. Thanks for taking the time to share this helpful information, especially as someone new here dealing with the same stressful situation!
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Fatima Al-Mansour
I just went through something very similar with my own PFL claim! Based on everyone's advice here, I definitely think appealing is your best bet. I wanted to add one more tip that helped me - when you're gathering documentation, don't forget about any medical appointments or pediatric visits that happened during those 5 weeks she took off later. Those appointment records with dates can serve as additional proof that she was actually on leave caring for your baby during that time period. Also, I see people mentioning Claimyr - I used them too and it was honestly a lifesaver. The $20 or whatever it costs is so worth it compared to losing entire days trying to get through to EDD. The representative I spoke with through their service was actually really knowledgeable about PFL appeals and gave me specific guidance on what language to use in my appeal letter. One last thing - make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit for your appeal. EDD has a tendency to "lose" paperwork and you'll want to have backup copies ready. Good luck with your appeal - it sounds like you have a really strong case!
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