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Welcome to the community and congratulations on both your new baby and getting this resolved! As a newcomer here, I've been following your story and it's such a relief to see a positive outcome. Your experience really demonstrates how valuable this community is - from the initial diagnosis that it was likely an SDI/PFL mix-up to the practical solutions like specific call times and the Claimyr service. What's particularly helpful for future readers is how you documented everything throughout the process. Getting the EDD rep's name, confirmation number, and expected timeline shows exactly the right approach when dealing with these phone resolutions. Your decision to still file the written appeal as backup was smart too - it protects your rights even when the phone fix seems to work. I'm expecting my first baby later this year and posts like yours are invaluable for understanding what to prepare for. The fact that this type of administrative error happens "frequently" (according to your EDD rep) is both frustrating and good to know. It makes me want to be extra vigilant about confirming my claim type when I file. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone with your resolution, especially while you're caring for a newborn! Stories like yours give the rest of us confidence that even when EDD's system seems completely broken, the right combination of persistence and strategy can get things back on track. Enjoy this precious time with your little one!
Welcome to the community Lauren! As another newcomer, I really appreciate how you've highlighted the importance of documentation throughout this process. Your point about being "extra vigilant about confirming claim type" when filing is so smart - it seems like that simple step could prevent a lot of the headaches we've seen in this thread. What really strikes me about this entire conversation is how it shows both the best and worst of dealing with EDD. On one hand, you have this frustrating system that frequently mixes up basic claim types, causing unnecessary stress for new parents. But on the other hand, you have this amazing community of people sharing their hard-won knowledge to help others navigate these challenges. I'm also preparing for my first pregnancy and potential SDI claim, and reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly educational. The specific strategies mentioned here - from optimal call times to backup documentation - feel like essential preparation rather than just helpful tips. It's encouraging to see how quickly things can turn around once you reach the right person at EDD. Twenty minutes with Claimyr versus potentially 6-8 weeks of appeals really shows the value of trying multiple approaches simultaneously. Thanks for adding such thoughtful observations to this discussion. The collective wisdom in this thread will definitely help future parents avoid similar pitfalls!
Welcome to the community! As a new member, I've been reading through EDD disability posts to prepare myself for potential future claims, and your story is incredibly valuable. What strikes me most is how a seemingly impossible bureaucratic nightmare got resolved so quickly once you reached the right person - it really shows the power of persistence and trying multiple approaches. The fact that this SDI/PFL mix-up happens "frequently" according to the EDD rep is both helpful to know and deeply frustrating. It seems like such a basic administrative error that could easily be prevented with better system design or clearer application processes. But I'm so glad the community here was able to quickly identify what was likely happening and provide actionable solutions. Your documentation approach throughout this process was excellent - getting the rep's name, confirmation number, and timeline for when changes should appear in your portal. That level of detail could be crucial if any issues resurface, and it's great advice for others facing similar situations. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone with your resolution, especially while caring for a newborn! Success stories like yours give newcomers like me confidence that even when EDD's system seems completely broken, the right strategies and community support can get things back on track. Congratulations on your baby and getting your benefits sorted out!
Hi! I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been. I recently submitted my SDI application and made a similar spelling error with my doctor's name - I wrote "Dr. Anderson" instead of "Dr. Andersen" (missed the 'e'). I've been so anxious about it potentially affecting my claim processing, especially since I'm recovering from hernia surgery and really depend on these benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief! It's reassuring to see that these spelling mistakes are incredibly common and that the EDD system primarily relies on license numbers for verification. The fact that so many people have shared their positive outcomes despite similar errors really helps ease the anxiety of navigating this process for the first time. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative community - it means so much to newcomers like me who are dealing with the stress of being out of work and worried about every detail of their claim!
Welcome to the community, PixelPioneer! Your "Anderson" vs "Andersen" situation is so similar to what many of us have experienced - it's incredible how these small spelling differences can cause such big worries when we're already stressed about recovery and benefits! I'm also new here and this thread has been absolutely amazing for understanding how forgiving the EDD system actually is with minor typos. The consensus really does seem to be that as long as your license number is correct, these spelling errors rarely cause any issues. Hernia surgery recovery is tough enough without the added anxiety about claim processing! Based on all the positive experiences everyone has shared here, it sounds like you should be totally fine. This community has been such a lifesaver for newcomers like us - there's something so reassuring about hearing real stories from people who went through the exact same worry and came out okay. Please keep us posted on how your claim goes - it always helps to hear about successful outcomes!
Hi everyone! I'm brand new to this community and just submitted my SDI application yesterday. I made a similar mistake - spelled my doctor's name as "Dr. Thompson" instead of "Dr. Thomson" (extra 'p'). I've been losing sleep over it thinking it might delay my benefits since I'm out of work after ankle surgery. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief! It's amazing to see how common these spelling errors are and how many people have had successful claims despite similar mistakes. The consensus about the license number being the key identifier really puts my mind at ease since I double-checked that part. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful for newcomers like me who are navigating this process for the first time and anxious about every little detail. This community seems incredibly supportive!
Welcome to the community, Arnav! Your "Thompson" vs "Thomson" situation is exactly the kind of minor spelling error that so many of us have worried about unnecessarily. I'm also new here and this thread has been absolutely incredible for understanding how these small mistakes are handled by EDD. It's really reassuring to see that you double-checked the license number - that seems to be the most important detail based on everyone's experiences shared here. Ankle surgery recovery is already stressful enough without losing sleep over paperwork typos! From all the positive outcomes people have shared, it sounds like you should be completely fine. This community has been such a valuable resource for newcomers like us who are dealing with the anxiety of navigating SDI claims for the first time. It's amazing how much peace of mind comes from hearing real stories from people who went through identical worries and had successful outcomes. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and your claim processes without any issues!
For anyone still struggling with this - I just want to emphasize that you absolutely need to report your SDI benefits on your federal tax return even if you didn't receive the 1099-G form yet. The IRS considers disability benefits as taxable income, so don't skip reporting it just because you're missing the form. You should have records of your weekly benefit amounts that you can use to calculate the total. But definitely try to get that 1099-G from UI Online first since it will also show any federal taxes that were already withheld, which could mean a refund for you! Also, keep in mind that while SDI is taxable federally, it's not taxable for California state taxes, so don't include it on your state return.
This is really important information! I wish I had known about the federal vs state tax difference earlier - I was going to report my SDI on both returns. Quick question though: if I received about $8,000 in SDI benefits last year and had federal taxes withheld from each payment, do you know roughly how much they typically withhold? I'm trying to figure out if I'll owe more taxes or get a refund. I haven't been able to access my 1099-G yet but I'm working on setting up the UI Online account tonight.
@FireflyDreams The federal withholding rate for SDI is typically 10% if you elected to have taxes withheld. So on $8,000 in benefits, you would have had about $800 withheld for federal taxes. Whether you owe more or get a refund depends on your total income for the year and tax bracket. If you're in the 12% bracket, you might owe a little more. But definitely get that 1099-G first since it will show the exact withholding amount - sometimes it's less than 10% depending on when you started receiving benefits or if you changed your withholding election mid-year.
I went through this exact same situation last month! Like others mentioned, you definitely need to create a UI Online account even though you only received SDI. One thing I learned the hard way - if you're having trouble with the identity verification during UI Online account setup, you can also call the EDD customer service line at 1-800-300-5616 and they can help you access your 1099-G over the phone. It took me about 45 minutes to get through, but they were able to read me all the numbers I needed for my taxes while I waited for my online access to get sorted out. The rep also confirmed that the 1099-G shows both your total benefits AND the federal taxes withheld, which is crucial for filing correctly. Don't panic about the deadline - you have options even if the online account setup is giving you trouble!
I had a similar issue a few months ago! The bank told me it was because there was a security feature on the check that their scanner couldn't read properly. When I called EDD, they were actually pretty helpful - they cancelled the old check and sent me a new one within about 10 business days. The key is to have your claim number ready and be specific about the error you got when trying to cash it. Also, ask them to put a note in your file about the issue in case it happens again. Hope this helps!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear that EDD was actually helpful when you called. I'm definitely going to have my claim number ready and write down the exact error message I got. Did you have to do anything special to get the new check, or did they just automatically send it once you explained the situation?
I've had this exact same issue! When I called EDD, they told me to try taking the check to a different bank branch first - sometimes it's just the specific location's equipment having trouble reading the check. If that doesn't work, they can put a stop payment on the original check and issue you a replacement, but it takes about 2-3 weeks. Make sure to ask them about switching to direct deposit while you're on the call so you don't have to deal with this again! Also, keep that original check until the new one arrives - they might ask you to destroy it or mail it back.
NeonNova
That's such great news that you finally got through and got some clarity! The fact that they miscategorized it as standard disability instead of pregnancy disability explains everything - those are totally different systems with different requirements. It's ridiculous that this kind of mix-up is "common" but at least now you know what happened. Definitely still file that appeal like the rep suggested, even if they're trying to fix it administratively. I learned the hard way that EDD's left hand doesn't always know what the right hand is doing, so having the appeal as backup protection is smart. Hope your doctor can get that pregnancy-specific certification submitted quickly and this all gets resolved soon. You shouldn't have to deal with this stress while caring for a newborn!
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Marina Hendrix
•Wow, what a relief that you figured out what was wrong! The miscategorization issue explains so much - no wonder the system was giving you trouble. It's frustrating that this kind of mix-up happens regularly, but I'm glad you persisted and got answers. Smart move on filing the appeal anyway as backup. With EDD, it's always better to have multiple safety nets in place. Wishing you a smooth resolution and hoping you can finally focus on your new baby without this added stress hanging over you!
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Jasmine Hancock
Congratulations on finally getting through and figuring out what went wrong! The miscategorization between standard disability and pregnancy disability is such a frustrating but apparently common issue. I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where my maternity leave claim got mixed up in their system. Your advice about filing the appeal as backup protection is really smart - I've heard too many stories about EDD's administrative "fixes" getting lost in the shuffle. Better to have that formal appeal on record just in case. Thanks for updating us on your progress! It gives me hope that persistence really does pay off with EDD, even though it shouldn't be this hard. Hope everything gets resolved quickly so you can enjoy your time with your new baby without this stress!
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Carmella Fromis
•I'm so glad Luca finally got some answers! This whole thread has been incredibly educational for me as someone new to navigating EDD. The fact that pregnancy disability and standard disability are separate systems that can get mixed up is something I never would have known to check for. It's really encouraging to see how this community comes together to help each other through these bureaucratic nightmares. Between the specific form numbers, the calling strategies, and even services like Claimyr that people shared, there's so much practical advice here that you just can't find elsewhere. @ad4e60893f83 Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress! Your persistence is inspiring, and I'm sure your experience will help other parents going through similar issues. Hope you can finally relax and focus on your little one!
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