Can I switch my EDD SDI payment method from check to debit card mid-claim?

ya u can change it! i switched from check 2 card last yr when i was on disability 4 my back surgery. just call edd they can do it over the phone. took like 2-3 wks to kick in tho

You can definitely change your payment method mid-claim. You need to contact EDD through your SDI Online account (send a message through Contact EDD) or call their customer service line at 1-800-480-3287. Request the change specifically. Just note that there might be a processing period of 7-10 business days before the change takes effect. So you might receive one more check before payments start coming to your debit card.

Yes, you can change your payment method at any time during your claim. I just did this last month when my disability got extended. The key things to know: 1. You can only do this by phone - there's no option online to change payment methods 2. Have your claim ID, SSN and identity verification info ready when you call 3. Once processed, you'll receive a confirmation letter in the mail 4. Your next payment after the change will arrive via your new preferred method 5. If you're switching to a debit card and don't already have one, they'll mail you a new card which can take 7-10 business days I found getting through on the phone line was the hardest part - I had to call right when they opened at 8am to avoid the long wait times.

I tried to switch from debit card to check payments last year and let me tell you it was a NIGHTMARE. Called like 20 times before getting through, then they said they made the change but nothing happened for weeks. Ended up having to file a formal complaint before anyone would help me. The EDD system is completely broken!!

Just wondering - why do you prefer the debit card? I've been using checks for my pregnancy disability claim and like having a physical record of each payment. Does the card offer any advantages I'm missing?

To add to my previous comment - when you call to switch to the debit card payment method, make sure to ask if you need to activate anything in your Bank of America EDD account. Sometimes there's an additional step where you need to set up your preferences in the B of A EDD portal after receiving the card. Also, you can set up direct deposit from the EDD debit card to your personal bank account for even more convenience.

Wait I'm confused. I thought everyone automatically got both options? I have my disability payments going to the card but I still get checks sometimes too. Maybe I'm thinking of unemployment not disability??

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning when they open. Hoping I can get through without too much of a wait. I'll update if I run into any issues with the process in case it helps anyone else.

Good luck calling tomorrow morning! Pro tip: I've found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp gives you the best chance of getting through quickly. Also, have all your info ready before you dial - claim number, SSN, and be prepared to verify your identity. The whole process once you get through usually takes less than 10 minutes. The representatives are generally pretty helpful with payment method changes since it's a common request. Hope it goes smoothly for you!

I switched from checks to the debit card about 3 months into my disability claim and it was totally worth it! The process was pretty straightforward - I called the EDD customer service line (1-800-480-3287) around 8:15 AM and only waited about 20 minutes to get through. The rep was able to make the change immediately over the phone. Just make sure you have your claim number and SSN ready. The new debit card arrived in about 8 business days, and my next payment after that went straight to the card. One thing to note - you'll want to set up your Bank of America EDD account online once you get the card so you can easily transfer funds to your personal bank account. The transfers are free and usually process the next business day. Much faster and more secure than waiting for checks in the mail!

I just went through this exact same situation last month! I was about 5 weeks into my SDI claim and getting frustrated with the slow check delivery. Called the EDD line at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday and got through in about 15 minutes. The representative was super helpful and made the switch immediately - no hassle at all. She told me to expect the debit card in 7-10 business days and that my next payment would automatically go to the card once it was activated. The card actually arrived in 6 business days and I was able to activate it online through the Bank of America EDD portal. One heads up though - make sure you don't throw away any mail from Bank of America during that waiting period! The activation instructions came in a separate envelope from the actual card. Overall the whole process was way easier than I expected. Definitely call first thing in the morning for the shortest wait times!

I actually just switched from checks to the debit card about 2 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience! Like others mentioned, calling right at 8 AM is definitely the way to go - I got through in about 12 minutes on a Tuesday morning. The EDD rep was really helpful and processed the change immediately. She explained that I'd get a confirmation letter in the mail within a few days (which I did), and then the debit card would arrive separately in 7-10 business days. Mine came in exactly 8 days. The activation process through the Bank of America EDD website was super simple - just entered the card info and set up my PIN. What I really love about the card is that I can check my balance anytime through the BofA app and set up instant notifications when payments are deposited. Plus the free transfers to my regular bank account are a game changer! The whole switch was totally worth the brief phone call. Good luck with yours!