This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently on SDI and my doctor just submitted paperwork for my first extension yesterday. Reading everyone's experiences here, especially the original poster's journey from panic to resolution, really helps set expectations for what might happen next. It's so frustrating that EDD's system generates these misleading automated messages that cause unnecessary stress when people are already dealing with health issues. I'm going to bookmark this thread so I can reference it if I run into the same "additional information needed" message. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and outcomes - this kind of real-world information is so much more valuable than trying to navigate EDD's confusing website alone!

This thread is exactly what I needed to find today! I'm currently dealing with the same situation - my SDI extension was approved but I'm seeing that dreaded "additional information needed" message about a continued claim form. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially the original poster's successful resolution, has really helped calm my nerves. It's incredible how EDD's automated system creates so much unnecessary stress by generating these misleading messages when extensions are actually processing fine in the background. I'm planning to call tomorrow if nothing changes, but knowing that most people here didn't actually need to submit any additional forms gives me hope. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines - this community support makes navigating EDD's confusing system so much more manageable!

This entire thread is incredibly helpful! I'm new to dealing with EDD disability benefits and honestly had no idea these check cashing issues were so common. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions gives me hope that if I run into similar problems, there are actual steps I can take. The specific advice about using "known payee verification" terminology and bringing multiple forms of documentation seems really valuable. It's also good to know about alternative options like community banks and check cashing services if the big banks don't cooperate. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this kind of real-world advice is exactly what people need when navigating these frustrating situations!

As someone who's been through the EDD disability system multiple times, I can't stress enough how important it is to document EVERYTHING! Take photos of your checks, keep copies of all correspondence, and screenshot your online account regularly. The fraud prevention measures have gotten so strict that even legitimate claimants get caught up in it constantly. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're still having trouble after trying the bank manager route, contact your state assembly member's office. They have caseworkers specifically for EDD issues and can sometimes cut through the red tape faster than calling EDD directly. I had to use this option once when my payments were frozen for weeks, and they got it resolved in 3 days. It shouldn't have to come to that, but sometimes you need to escalate beyond the normal channels when you're dealing with basic survival needs like rent and food.

Honestly, I've had better luck reaching out to my state representative's office. They can sometimes cut through the red tape.

Just went through this process last month! Here's what really helped me: **Before the call:** - Have your Social Security card, driver's license, and any EDD correspondence handy - Write down your claim number in BIG letters (you'll need it multiple times) - Prepare a one-sentence summary of why you're calling - Clear your schedule - these calls can take forever **During the call:** - Be super patient but persistent - If the first agent can't help, politely ask to speak with a specialist - Take detailed notes with timestamps - Ask for a reference number for your call **Key questions to ask:** - What's the current status of my certification? - Are there any outstanding issues or missing documents? - What are the next steps and realistic timelines? - Can you email me a summary of what we discussed? The biggest game-changer for me was asking them to walk through my account step-by-step while I was on the phone. Found issues I never knew existed! Good luck! 🍀

I'm so sorry this is happening to you and your son - this must be incredibly stressful when you're counting on those payments! As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the responses and I'm amazed at how much helpful advice everyone has shared. The technical support line at 1-800-300-5616 that multiple people mentioned seems to be the most promising option - it sounds like they're separate from the regular claims department and actually equipped to handle technical issues like disappearing claims. The timing strategies are also key - calling right at 8:00 AM or trying 2-3 PM seem to have better success rates. I'd definitely also check for any pending ID.me verification since that appears to be a common cause of claims disappearing without proper notification. It's frustrating that the system is so broken, but seeing all these success stories where people got their claims restored with full back payments gives me real hope! Document everything, try multiple approaches (phone, online messaging, different browsers), and don't give up. Your son's claim data is almost certainly still in their system somewhere. This community has your back - keep us posted on how it goes! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! As a newcomer here, I've been reading through all these responses and I'm honestly shocked at how common this issue is. The good news is that there seem to be some real solutions that have worked for people. That technical support line at 1-800-300-5616 that everyone keeps mentioning sounds like your best bet - it's separate from the regular claims line and they can actually see what's happening behind the scenes. I'd also definitely check for any pending ID.me verification since that seems to be a hidden cause for a lot of disappearing claims. The timing tip about calling right at 8:00 AM sharp also seems crucial based on the success stories here. Don't lose hope - from what I'm seeing, most people do get their claims restored with all back payments once they reach the right person. Your son's data is almost certainly still in the system somewhere. Keep documenting everything and trying different approaches. This community has some amazing advice and we're all rooting for you! 🙏

I'm brand new to this community but had to join after reading through this amazing thread! I've been dealing with my own SDI claim nightmare for about 2.5 weeks now after surgery, and I was feeling completely lost and overwhelmed by the process. Seeing Jamal's success story and all the incredibly detailed, practical advice from everyone here has been such a relief - finally actionable strategies instead of generic "keep calling" advice! I had no idea about the 1-7-1-4 menu sequence or that saying "payment status" vs "claim questions" could make such a difference in routing. I've been calling at random times and getting nowhere, but now I have a real game plan. I'm going to try the 8:01am Wednesday strategy tomorrow morning with all my documentation ready (claim number, SSN, doctor info). The financial stress while waiting for benefits is so overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with recovery from surgery. But this community has given me both hope and a concrete action plan. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing what actually works - I'll definitely report back with my results!

I just discovered this thread and I'm so grateful! I've been struggling with my SDI claim for the past 6 weeks - it's been pending since mid-February after a car accident left me unable to work. I've called dozens of times using the regular approach and never gotten through to a human. Reading through everyone's experiences here, especially Jamal's success story, has given me the first real hope I've felt in weeks. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am Wednesday call with the 1-7-1-4 menu sequence and saying "payment status" instead of "claim questions." The financial pressure has been crushing - I'm behind on rent and my savings are completely depleted. But seeing how many people have successfully resolved their issues using these specific strategies gives me confidence that there's light at the end of this tunnel. Thank you all for sharing such detailed, actionable advice. I'll make sure to report back with my results to help the next person who finds themselves in this frustrating situation!