I'm dealing with this exact same lockout issue right now! Been stuck for 4 days and it's incredibly stressful when you're depending on these benefits. Thank you to everyone who shared their strategies - I had no idea there were so many different approaches to try. The early morning calling strategy from @Luca Russo sounds promising, and I'm definitely going to test the browser cache clearing trick from @Mateo Gonzalez. The assemblymember option from @Aisha Mahmood is brilliant too - I never thought about reaching out to elected officials for help with this. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to become system-hacking experts just to access our own benefits, but this community is a lifesaver for sharing real solutions. Going to try multiple approaches tomorrow and will update if anything works! Stay strong everyone! 💪

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD lockout situation is absolutely maddening! I've been following this thread and wanted to share another approach that worked for my sister last month. She contacted her local state senator's office (in addition to the assemblymember suggestion) and they actually have a dedicated EDD liaison who was able to unlock her account within 48 hours. You can find your state senator at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Also, if you're comfortable with it, try calling the EDD technical support line at 1-855-327-7057 - sometimes they can help with login issues even if it's not technically their department. The key is being super polite and explaining that you just need to access your benefits. Hang in there, and definitely try that early morning calling strategy - it really seems to be the most consistent method! 🤞

I'm so sorry your father is dealing with this unfair situation. Reading through all these responses really shows how broken the system is - taking SDI contributions for years but denying benefits due to SSN requirements is just wrong. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned is checking if your area has any mutual aid networks or community support groups. These are often organized through social media (Facebook groups, WhatsApp, etc.) where neighbors help each other during emergencies. They sometimes coordinate meal trains, small financial donations, or other practical support. Also, since your father has been such a long-term, reliable employee, his boss might be willing to write a letter of recommendation or reference that could help when applying for other assistance programs. Sometimes having that kind of employer endorsement can make a difference with community organizations or charitable funds. The fact that so many people here have shared similar experiences really highlights that this isn't just an individual problem - it's a policy issue affecting thousands of hardworking families. Your father sounds like exactly the kind of person these safety net programs should be designed to help. I hope his recovery continues to go well and that some combination of these community resources can provide the support your family deserves during this difficult time.

I'm really heartbroken reading about your father's situation. It's so unfair that he's paid into the SDI system for 7 years but can't access benefits when he needs them most. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is contacting your state legislators' offices - both your Assembly member and State Senator. Their constituent services staff often help navigate situations like this and can sometimes connect you with resources or programs that aren't widely known. They may also be interested in your father's case as an example of why the current policy needs to change. Additionally, some community colleges have emergency assistance funds for community members (not just students) facing financial hardship. It might be worth calling the financial aid offices at local colleges to ask if they have any emergency grant programs. Your father sounds like an incredibly dedicated worker who deserves so much better from the system he's been supporting. I hope his recovery goes smoothly and that some of these community resources can help ease the financial burden on your family during this challenging time.

I had the exact same E324 error last week! What finally worked for me was using a different browser entirely (switched from Chrome to Firefox) and making sure I wasn't using any browser extensions or ad blockers. Also double-check that you're entering your SSN exactly as it appears on your card - no dashes or spaces. The EDD system is super picky about formatting. If all else fails, the phone number for SDI is 1-800-480-3287, but yeah, expect to wait on hold for hours. Hope this helps!

I've been dealing with E324 errors for the past two weeks and finally got through yesterday! Here's what worked for me: I disabled ALL browser extensions (especially privacy/security ones), used an incognito/private window, and made sure my browser was fully updated. Also, I noticed the system seems more stable between 6-8 AM PST. One thing that really helped was having all my documents ready as PDFs beforehand - the system times out if you take too long uploading files. Don't give up! It's frustrating but you'll get through eventually.

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago and I was just as panicked! Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like everyone has given you really solid guidance. Just wanted to add that when your doctor submits that supplemental certification, make sure they're specific about WHY you need the extension - not just that you do. In my case, my doctor initially wrote something vague like "patient needs more recovery time" and EDD came back asking for more detail. The second submission included specifics about my healing progress and complications, and it went through without any issues. Also, one thing that helped reduce my anxiety was setting up text alerts in my SDI account so I'd get notified immediately when there were any updates to my claim status. That way I wasn't constantly logging in to check. Sounds like you're on the right track with getting your doctor to submit today - that timing should work perfectly to avoid any payment gaps!

I'm so glad to see this thread and that you got your doctor to submit the form! I went through almost the exact same situation about 4 months ago - surgical complications that extended my recovery way beyond what was originally expected. One thing I wish someone had told me: if your extension gets approved but your recovery ends up taking even longer than the new estimated date, don't panic about doing another extension. The process is the same - your doctor just needs to submit another supplemental certification. I ended up needing three extensions total because of infection complications, and each one was processed smoothly once I understood the system. Also, I noticed you mentioned your condition is getting worse - make sure your doctor documents any new symptoms or complications that have developed since your original claim. EDD sometimes questions extensions if the medical picture seems inconsistent, so having clear documentation of how your condition has evolved really helps. Wishing you a smooth extension process and hoping your recovery goes better than expected from here on out!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! My disability claim ended in September, I did PFL for 6 weeks, and now I need to extend my disability again. Like you, my doctor submitted all the medical paperwork and I can see in my SDI Online account that it shows the extension, but there's that confusing "file extend claim form" message with no link anywhere. After reading all these responses, it sounds like the DE 2501 form is definitely what we need to submit. I'm planning to download it from the EDD website tomorrow and include a detailed cover letter explaining the timeline (SDI → PFL → SDI extension for same condition). The tip about writing "EXTENSION - SAME CONDITION" in big letters at the top is brilliant - I definitely don't want them thinking this is a new claim with another waiting period! Has anyone had luck with the fax option vs mailing? I'm worried about mail delays but also want to make sure it gets processed correctly. Also wondering if I should try calling first or just go ahead and submit the form since my doctor's certification is already in the system.

I just went through this exact same nightmare situation a few months ago! The "file extend claim form" message with no visible link is such a common EDD glitch when you transition from PFL back to SDI. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Download the DE 2501 form directly from edd.ca.gov/forms/ (don't wait for a link that may never appear) 2. Write "EXTENSION - SAME CONDITION AFTER PFL" in bold at the top 3. Include a cover letter with your timeline: original SDI dates → PFL dates → extension request dates 4. FAX it instead of mailing - I got processed in 8 days vs weeks for mail 5. Keep calling at 8am sharp with your fax confirmation ready The key thing is that even though your doctor submitted their part, EDD still needs YOUR certification (the DE 2501) to complete the extension. It's a two-part process that they don't explain clearly anywhere. Once both pieces are in, payments usually resume within 7-10 business days. Don't panic about the gap in payments - as long as you get everything submitted properly, they should backpay you to when your PFL ended. The system is frustrating but this situation is definitely fixable! Hang in there and get that form submitted ASAP.