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Rebecca Johnston

EDD SDI check lost in mail - how long for replacement?

My disability check from February was never delivered to my apartment and I'm beyond frustrated. I reported it missing through the EDD portal on 3/2/25 and completed all the requested paperwork for a replacement. The automated message said they would 'process my request' but gave zero timeline. It's been 11 days now and I'm getting really worried since rent is coming up. Has anyone gone through the process of getting a replacement check? How long did it actually take? I keep calling the EDD SDI number but can't get past the automated system to speak with anyone. Already checked my informed delivery from USPS and confirmed the check was never actually delivered - wasn't stolen, just never arrived.

Nathan Dell

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took almost a month for mine. edd is the worst

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A MONTH?! I can't wait that long... did they give you any updates during the wait or did it just randomly show up?

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Maya Jackson

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When this happened to me last year, it took about 3 weeks for the replacement check to arrive. Make sure you completed form DE 2501R (Request for Replacement of Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Warrant). If you only reported it missing through the portal without submitting this specific form, that might delay things. The form needs to be signed and either uploaded to your SDI Online account or mailed/faxed to the EDD office.

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Yes, I definitely filled out the DE 2501R and uploaded it to my SDI Online account. The confirmation said "Your request has been received" but didn't give any timeline. Did you get any notification when they approved the replacement, or did the check just show up?

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Maya Jackson

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I didn't receive any notification before the check arrived. It just showed up in my mailbox one day. If you're worried about making rent, you might want to see if your landlord will accept a late payment with proof of your EDD situation.

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This happened to me in January!! First check went missing and I panicked because I needed it for bills!! I called and called for DAYS and NOBODY would pick up!!! I was about to give up when someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual EDD representative in less than an hour! The rep was able to track my replacement check status and told me it would arrive within 7-10 days, which it did. Check out their video demo if you're curious how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd

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Thanks for the suggestion! Did you have to pay for that service? It sounds like it might be worth it just to get some answers.

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Yes, there is a fee, but it was worth every penny to finally talk to a human who could actually help me. The rep even put a note on my account to expedite the replacement when I explained my situation.

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Amaya Watson

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the whole system is rigged they make it IMPOSSIBLE to get through on purpose. i lost a check last year and by the time i got it replaced i had already missed my car payment and got hit with late fees that EDD wont reimburse

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Grant Vikers

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Same happened to me! I got a replacement disability check but the late fees from my missed payments totaled $175 that I had to pay out of pocket. Have you tried switching to direct deposit? That's what I did after my check got lost, and it's been much more reliable.

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Just wanted to add that the timeline depends on whether your claim is still active or not. If your claim is still active and you're still within your benefit period, replacement checks generally take 2-3 weeks. If your claim ended and they're reissuing an old check, it can take 4-6 weeks because it requires additional verification. Also, this might be a good time to switch to EDD's direct deposit option through their SDI Online portal. I started using it after my second check was delivered to my neighbor's mailbox, and it's been much more reliable - payments usually show up 2-3 days after certification.

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My claim is still active, so hopefully that means it will be on the shorter end of that timeline. And yes, I've already signed up for direct deposit for future payments! Just need this replacement to come through first.

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If this is really urgent, go to your nearest EDD office in person. Bring your ID, claim number, and printout of all the replacement paperwork you submitted. They can sometimes issue an emergency payment if you explain your situation. I did this last year when my disability check was lost and I was about to be evicted. Had to wait 3 hours but left with a check.

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That's really good to know! There's an office about 40 minutes from me, so I'll try that if nothing happens by the end of the week. Did you need to make an appointment or just show up?

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I just showed up first thing in the morning (like 30 min before they opened). No appointment, but bring every document you possibly can related to your claim and identification.

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Nathan Dell

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did u check if ur on direct deposit? maybe they sent it to ur account not a paper check

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No, that's the frustrating thing - I wasn't set up for direct deposit yet. This was my first payment and I planned to set up direct deposit after receiving it. Lesson learned I guess.

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Maya Jackson

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After reading through all of this, I think your best options are: 1. Use a service like the one mentioned to reach a rep who can check the status 2. Visit an in-person office as suggested if you're facing immediate financial hardship 3. Keep checking your SDI Online account daily - sometimes they update the status there Also, when your replacement check does arrive, make sure to set up direct deposit immediately to avoid this happening again. It's much more reliable and payments typically arrive 1-3 days after certification is processed, rather than waiting for mail delivery.

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Thank you! I appreciate the clear summary of options. I'm going to try calling one more time tomorrow morning right when they open, and if that doesn't work, I'll either try the service or go in person.

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KingKongZilla

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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it was such a nightmare! My replacement check took exactly 18 days to arrive after I submitted the DE 2501R form. What really helped me was calling the EDD number at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - I had to redial about 20 times but finally got through to a human who could at least confirm my replacement request was being processed. They told me that replacement checks are processed in batches twice a week, so there can be delays depending on when your request gets picked up. Also, definitely document everything - take screenshots of your online submissions and keep records of when you called. If you're really in a bind financially, some local churches and community organizations have emergency assistance programs that can help with rent while you wait. Hang in there, the check will come but I know how stressful the waiting is!

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Ava Martinez

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Thank you so much for sharing your experience! 18 days is still frustrating but at least gives me a realistic timeline to expect. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy - that's a great tip about calling right when they open. And you're right about documenting everything, I've been taking screenshots but should probably start keeping a log of my call attempts too. I hadn't thought about reaching out to local organizations for emergency assistance, that's actually really helpful to know as a backup option. It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing and came out the other side!

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I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! My January SDI check never arrived and I submitted the DE 2501R form three weeks ago. Still nothing. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're already dealing with a disability and financial stress. I've been following some of the advice here - tried the 8 AM calling strategy mentioned by KingKongZilla and actually got through after about 15 tries! The rep told me my replacement is "in processing" but couldn't give me a specific timeline. She did mention that if it's been over 21 days since submitting the form, they can sometimes expedite it. I'm also considering visiting the office in person if nothing happens by next week. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this frustrating process. Will update if I hear anything!

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Luca Bianchi

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I'm so glad you were able to get through to someone! That gives me hope that persistence with the 8 AM calling strategy really does work. The fact that they can expedite after 21 days is really good to know - I'm at day 11 now so if nothing happens in the next 10 days I'll definitely push for that. It's frustrating that they can't give specific timelines but at least "in processing" sounds more promising than just radio silence. Please do keep us updated on what happens! It really does help to hear from others going through the same thing. The disability + financial stress combo is no joke, and dealing with EDD's system on top of it feels impossible sometimes. Hoping both of our replacements come through soon!

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I'm going through this same nightmare right now! My SDI check from mid-February never showed up and I submitted the DE 2501R form 2 weeks ago. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying - sounds like I could be waiting anywhere from 2-6 weeks total. The inconsistency in timelines is what's driving me crazy. I tried the 8 AM calling strategy this morning and got through after about 25 attempts! The rep confirmed my replacement request is "being processed" but said they can't provide specific timelines due to "processing volumes." She did mention that they prioritize cases where people are facing immediate financial hardship, so I made sure to explain my rent situation. For anyone else dealing with this - definitely document every interaction and keep calling. Also, I wish I had known about direct deposit from the start. Setting that up immediately once this replacement comes through!

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Jayden Hill

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Ugh, I feel your pain! I'm dealing with a similar situation - my February check went missing and I'm on day 11 of waiting for the replacement. It's so frustrating that they can't give us concrete timelines when we're already struggling financially. That's great that you got through to someone and they noted your rent situation! Did the rep give you any sense of what "immediate financial hardship" actually means to them in terms of prioritization? I'm wondering if I should emphasize my rent deadline more when I call. The direct deposit thing is definitely lesson learned for all of us - wish the system made that more obvious from the start instead of defaulting to paper checks that can disappear into the mail void.

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Mason Kaczka

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I'm in a very similar boat and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My February SDI check also never arrived and I submitted the DE 2501R form about 10 days ago. Like others have mentioned, the lack of clear timelines from EDD is maddening when you're already dealing with disability and financial stress. I'm going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow - it sounds like persistence really does pay off based on everyone's experiences here. For those asking about direct deposit, I called and they said you can set it up through the SDI Online portal, but it won't take effect until your next payment cycle. So we're all stuck waiting for these replacement checks first. Has anyone had luck with the in-person office visits? There's one about an hour from me and I'm debating whether it's worth the trip. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - it really helps to know we're not dealing with this alone!

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I can definitely relate to the frustration! I haven't tried the in-person office visit yet, but based on what Savannah mentioned earlier in the thread, it sounds like it could be worth it if you're facing immediate financial hardship. She said she had to wait 3 hours but actually left with a check that day. For an hour drive, that might be worth considering if you're getting close to rent deadlines or other urgent bills. The 8 AM calling strategy has worked for several people here - I'm planning to try it again tomorrow too. Good luck and thanks for adding your experience to the thread! It really does help to see we're all going through the same frustrating process.

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Aisha Hussain

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I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I had my March SDI check go missing last month and went through this exact same process. Here's what I learned that might help: The 8 AM calling strategy mentioned by others really works - I got through on my 18th attempt and the rep was able to tell me my replacement was in "final processing." Mine took exactly 16 days from when I submitted the DE 2501R form. One thing that helped was keeping a detailed log of every call attempt, submission confirmation, and any reference numbers they gave me. The rep told me that replacement checks are indeed processed in batches twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays), so timing matters. Since you're at day 11 and rent is coming up, I'd definitely recommend trying both the early morning calling strategy and having a backup plan with your landlord. Most landlords are understanding if you can show proof of the EDD situation and give them a realistic timeline. Also, once this nightmare is over, definitely switch to direct deposit immediately - it's been a lifesaver for avoiding this kind of stress. Hang in there, the check will come!

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This is exactly the kind of detailed, helpful information I needed to hear! 16 days gives me a realistic timeline to work with, and the detail about the Tuesday/Friday batch processing is really valuable - I hadn't seen that mentioned anywhere else. I'm definitely going to start keeping a detailed log like you suggested, and I love the idea of having that documentation to show my landlord if needed. It's such a relief to hear from someone who actually made it through the other side of this process recently. I'm going to try the 8 AM calling strategy again tomorrow and if I can get through, I'll ask specifically about the batch processing schedule. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel!

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Mateo Hernandez

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I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! My February SDI check disappeared too and I submitted the DE 2501R form about a week ago. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both helpful and anxiety-inducing - the timeline variations are wild! Some people getting replacements in 16-18 days, others waiting a month or more. The lack of consistency from EDD is maddening when you're already stressed about finances and dealing with a disability. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow - it sounds like multiple people have had success with that approach. The batch processing on Tuesdays/Fridays that Aisha mentioned is really useful info too. Has anyone noticed if there's a pattern to which day of the week you submit the form affecting how quickly it gets picked up in those batches? I'm also planning to set up direct deposit the second this replacement arrives - never going through this mail nightmare again! Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips, it really helps to know we're not alone in this frustrating process.

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Lydia Bailey

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I totally understand your anxiety about the timeline variations - it's so frustrating not knowing if you'll be waiting 2 weeks or 6 weeks! From what I've gathered reading through everyone's experiences, it seems like the timing might depend on factors like whether your claim is still active (as Giovanni mentioned) and how backed up their processing is at any given time. I haven't noticed a specific pattern with which day you submit affecting the batch pickup, but the Tuesday/Friday processing schedule that Aisha shared is definitely worth keeping in mind. You're smart to plan on switching to direct deposit immediately - that seems to be the consensus from everyone who's been through this nightmare. Good luck with the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow! It really does seem to work based on all the success stories here.

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I'm going through this exact same situation right now and it's absolutely maddening! My March SDI check never arrived and I submitted the DE 2501R form 8 days ago. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful - it's both reassuring and terrifying to see the timeline variations from 2-6 weeks. The uncertainty is the worst part when you're already dealing with disability stress and tight finances. I tried calling yesterday but couldn't get past the automated system, so I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM strategy that multiple people have mentioned. The batch processing detail that Aisha shared about Tuesdays/Fridays is really valuable info I hadn't seen anywhere else. I'm also considering the in-person office visit if nothing happens in the next week - an hour drive and 3-hour wait seems worth it if I could actually leave with a check like Savannah did. Thank you to everyone sharing their timelines and tips, especially the advice about documenting everything and having backup plans with landlords. This thread has been more helpful than anything I've found on EDD's actual website! Will definitely be switching to direct deposit the second this replacement arrives.

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Talia Klein

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I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress too! Your timeline sounds almost identical to mine - I'm at day 11 now with my February check that went missing. The uncertainty really is the worst part, especially when you're already managing a disability and financial pressure. I've found this thread to be incredibly helpful too - way more useful than anything on EDD's website! The 8 AM calling strategy seems to be the most consistently successful approach based on everyone's experiences here. I'm planning to try it again tomorrow myself. The batch processing info about Tuesdays/Fridays has been a game-changer for understanding how their system works. If the calling doesn't work out for either of us, the in-person visit might be worth it - especially since Savannah actually got results the same day. Fingers crossed both of our replacements come through soon! And yes, direct deposit immediately once this nightmare is over - lesson learned for all of us!

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