EDD SDI Online 'Other Last Names' error blocking my disability claim - system says I used names I never had

omg this happened to me in january!! its probably because you checked the wrong box somewhere else in the application and the system is being stupid about it. try going back to the beginning and double-check every single answer especially the personal info section. sometimes the system thinks your middle name is a last name or something dumb like that.

This is a known issue with the new EDD SDI Online verification system. The problem might be in their database, not something you entered wrong. Two possibilities: 1. If you've ever filed unemployment (UI) with a slightly different name spelling or format, the systems sometimes don't reconcile correctly 2. There could be a maiden name or previous married name in your Social Security records that you need to acknowledge You need to call EDD directly and have them manually verify your identity. Unfortunately, the EDD Contact Center is extremely backed up right now with the recent system changes.

NOBODY EVER GETS THROUGH ON THE REGULAR LINE!!! I spent TWO WEEKS trying to reach someone about my claim. EDD is a complete disaster. They expect us to jump through all these hoops but then make it IMPOSSIBLE to talk to anyone when their system screws up. So frustrating!!!!!

I think the error might be happening because if u have EVER gone by a nickname or abbreviated name on ANY official document (like if ur Elizabeth but sometimes use Liz on paperwork) the system might be looking for that. When I filed for PFL last yr I had to include my maiden name even tho I got married 20 yrs ago!

Try checking the box that says you HAVE used other names, then enter your exact current name again in that field. Sounds counterintuitive but it worked for me when I had this exact same error. The SDI system is extremely glitchy since they updated it in February. If that doesn't work, check if any of your identification documents (license, passport, etc.) have even slightly different spellings of your name.

my cousin works for edd and she says theres a HUGE backlog right now with the disability claims because of the new system update. its not just you having problems!! apparently the new system is matching against credit records too which is causing all kinds of weird errors for people.

I work with disability claims professionally, and here's what's happening: The 2025 SDI Online system upgrade included integration with multiple database systems, including DMV, Social Security, and credit reporting systems. The "other last names" field is notorious for creating false positives. Here's my advice: 1. Try the workaround suggested above (say yes and enter your current name again) 2. If that fails, you need to speak directly with an EDD representative who can override the system flag 3. Request a "manual identity verification" - they can bypass the automated system 4. Make sure to mention you've already had your healthcare provider submit the medical certification (DE 2501) so they understand the urgency Important: Your claim effective date is based on when your doctor certified your disability, not when you complete the online portion, so you won't lose benefits due to this delay. Focus on getting the identity issue resolved.

did u try using Claimyr like someone suggested above? I used it last month when my disability payment randomly stopped and it seriously worked. got through to someone in like 15 min after spending days trying on my own. worth it when ur desperate

UPDATE: I checked with a colleague who experienced the same issue last week. The current workaround is to select "YES" to other names used, then enter your CURRENT name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. The system has a bug where it sometimes requires you to enter your current name as both your current AND "other" name. Seems like the 2025 system update created this problem. Once you get past this screen, the rest of the claim process should work normally.

So glad to see you got it resolved @Max Reyes! This is exactly the kind of helpful community problem-solving that makes this forum valuable. I'm bookmarking this thread because I have a feeling this "enter your current name as other name" workaround is going to help a lot of people dealing with the buggy 2025 SDI system update. Thanks to everyone who contributed solutions - especially the detailed explanations about the database integration issues. It's frustrating that we have to figure out these workarounds ourselves, but at least we're helping each other navigate EDD's broken system!

Welcome to the community @Anna Kerber! This thread has been a lifesaver for so many people dealing with EDD's frustrating system bugs. The "enter current name as other name" workaround seems to work for both SDI and UI claims from what I've seen. Make sure to enter your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card when you try it tomorrow. Also, if you run into any other weird errors, don't hesitate to post here - this community is really good at crowdsourcing solutions when EDD's system acts up. Good luck with your claim!

This thread is exactly what this community is all about - people helping each other navigate EDD's broken systems! I've been following the 2025 SDI system update issues closely since I work in benefits administration, and the "enter current name as other name" bug is unfortunately very common right now. What's particularly frustrating is that EDD hasn't officially acknowledged this widespread issue or provided guidance to claimants. I'm seeing similar database integration problems across multiple state benefit systems that upgraded their verification processes this year. For anyone still struggling with identity verification issues, document everything with screenshots - if you end up needing to escalate to a supervisor or file a complaint, having proof of the system errors is really helpful. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions here!

Just wanted to add another data point for anyone still dealing with this issue - I'm a software developer and I think I understand what's happening with the EDD system bug. When they integrated the new verification databases in 2025, they probably changed how name matching works. The system is likely doing a strict comparison between multiple data sources (SSA, DMV, credit bureaus, previous EDD records) and if there's even a tiny formatting difference (like "John Smith" vs "JOHN SMITH" or extra spaces), it flags it as a mismatch. The workaround of entering your current name as an "other name" basically tells the system "yes, I acknowledge this variation exists" which satisfies the verification logic. It's a classic integration bug that should have been caught in testing. Really glad @Max Reyes got their claim through and that this thread is helping so many people! EDD really needs to fix this properly instead of making claimants figure out these workarounds.

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar verification issue right now but mine is asking me to verify my address history going back 10 years. The system keeps rejecting addresses I know I lived at, even though I have utility bills and lease agreements to prove it. Has anyone else run into the address verification problems with the 2025 SDI update? I'm wondering if there's a similar workaround where I need to enter my current address as a "previous address" or something like that. The name verification bug you all solved gives me hope that there might be a similar logic error with the address matching!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it might help others! I just went through the exact same "other last names" verification error last week. Like everyone else here, I had never changed my name and was so confused why the system kept rejecting my "NO" answer. After reading through this thread, I tried the workaround of selecting "YES" and entering my current name exactly as it appears on my Social Security card, and it worked immediately! What's interesting is that I also encountered the address verification issue that @Mohamed Anderson mentioned. I had the same problem with addresses being rejected even though I had documentation proving I lived there. I ended up having to format my addresses exactly as they appeared on my old tax returns rather than how I normally write them (like using "Avenue" instead of "Ave"). It's really frustrating that we have to become detective work to figure out these system bugs, but I'm so grateful for threads like this. The EDD website has zero helpful information about these verification errors, so community solutions are literally the only way to get unstuck. Thanks to everyone who shared their workarounds - you're helping way more people than you probably realize!

As someone who just joined this community after dealing with EDD issues myself, I'm amazed at how helpful this thread has been! The collective problem-solving here is incredible - you've essentially created an unofficial user manual for EDD's buggy 2025 system update. I'm dealing with a different EDD issue (overpayment dispute) but reading through all these verification workarounds gives me hope that there are community-driven solutions for most of their system problems. It's ridiculous that we have to crowdsource fixes for a government agency's broken technology, but I'm so grateful for people like @Max Reyes who share their struggles and everyone who jumped in with solutions. This thread should honestly be pinned or turned into a guide for others facing similar verification errors. EDD really needs to acknowledge these widespread bugs and provide official guidance instead of leaving claimants to figure it out themselves!