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Fatima Al-Suwaidi

EDD SDI denied same day they requested identity verification - what's going on?

I'm completely baffled by what just happened with my disability claim. I started my medical leave on 2/5/2025 and submitted all paperwork immediately - my doctor was super efficient with completing the medical certification. Then yesterday (2/25) I received a letter from EDD saying they needed to verify my identity and gave me until 3/3 to send additional documents (driver's license, passport, etc). But then THIS MORNING I checked my SDI Online account and it shows my claim was DISQUALIFIED! How can they disqualify me before I've even had a chance to send the verification documents they requested? Has anyone experienced this bizarre situation before? I'm missing work because of a serious back injury and desperately need these benefits. I've tried calling but of course can't get through to a real person.

I had the EXACT same thing happen to me!!! The system is SO broken it's unbelievable. They send you a letter asking for documents then deny you before you can even respond. CLASSIC EDD nonsense. I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get this fixed last year when I was on disability for my surgery. You need to keep calling and calling and calling until you get through - it took me literally 78 calls in one day.

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Oh no, that sounds awful! Did you eventually get it resolved? I'm starting to panic because I can't afford to be without income for weeks while fighting with EDD.

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Sofia Morales

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this hapnd to me 2. they do it automatically i think. u gotta call them and explain.

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Dmitry Popov

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Same. It's their dumb computer system. Sends out disqualification notices automatically even when they just asked for more info. So frustrating!

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Ava Garcia

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This is actually a common issue with EDD's automated systems. What's happening is that you're dealing with two separate processes that aren't communicating with each other: 1. The identity verification request (manual review process) 2. The automated disqualification (system timeout) When they can't verify your identity through their standard databases, they send the request for additional documentation. However, their automated system has a timeout period for identity verification and will automatically disqualify claims that haven't been verified within a certain timeframe. What you need to do: 1. Immediately upload the requested identity documents through your SDI Online account 2. Submit an appeal of the disqualification (there should be appeal instructions in the disqualification notice) 3. Include a copy of the identity verification request letter with your appeal Don't worry - this happens frequently and is usually resolved in your favor as long as you provide the documentation and file the appeal within the timeframes.

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Thank you so much for explaining! I just uploaded all my identity documents to my SDI Online account. Should I wait for them to process those first, or go ahead and file the appeal right away?

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StarSailor}

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i got disqalified 4 identity verification too! but then i sent in my stuff and they fixed it in like 3 weeks. dont worry 2 much, just make sure u send really clear copies of everything they asked for. also make sure ur name matches exactly on everything or theyll reject u again.

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Thanks for the reassurance! Did you have to actively appeal the disqualification or did they just reverse it automatically after receiving your documents?

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Miguel Silva

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I went through this exact situation back in January. The key is getting in touch with an actual EDD representative who can manually override the automatic disqualification after verifying your identity. After struggling to get through on the phone for days, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected with an EDD representative in about 20 minutes. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The representative explained that this is a common system issue, and she was able to remove the disqualification flag from my account once she verified my identity documents. My payments started processing within 48 hours after that call. Saved me weeks of stress and uncertainty! Check out claimyr.com if you're struggling to get through.

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Zainab Ismail

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Does this service actually work?? I'm dealing with a similar situation and haven't been able to reach anyone at EDD after calling for 2 weeks straight.

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Ava Garcia

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To answer your question about whether to appeal immediately or wait: Don't wait! File the appeal right away, even while your identity documents are being processed. The appeal clock starts ticking from the disqualification date, and you typically only have 30 days to submit it. The good news is that once your identity is verified, the appeal process usually resolves quickly in your favor. But if you miss the appeal window, you could lose your right to contest the disqualification even if your identity verification eventually goes through. When filing the appeal, include a clear explanation that you received the identity verification request and the disqualification notice almost simultaneously, and note that you've already submitted the requested documents.

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Thank you so much for this advice! I'll download the appeal form right now and get it submitted by tomorrow. I appreciate everyone's help - this whole situation was making me so anxious.

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Dmitry Popov

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When I had my hip surgery last year, something similar happened. I got the ID verification letter and then a disqualification notice like 2 days later. Super annoying! But yeah like others said it's just the computer systems not talking to each other. My case got fixed but it took about 3 weeks and I had to keep calling them.

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This is why I HATE dealing with EDD!!! Their systems are SOOO outdated and they don't care how many people get stressed out by their mistakes. They should just FIX their stupid computer system instead of making thousands of people go through this every year!!!

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Miguel Silva

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I recommend sending your identity verification documents via certified mail in addition to uploading them online. Keep the receipt and tracking number as proof. This creates a paper trail showing exactly when you responded to their request, which can be crucial if there are further issues with your claim or if the appeal doesn't go smoothly. Also make sure to keep detailed notes of every communication - dates, times, names of representatives you speak with, and what was discussed. This level of documentation can make a huge difference if your case gets complicated.

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Great advice about certified mail - I hadn't thought of that! I'll do that tomorrow. I've also started a log with all the details of what's happening. I managed to get through to someone at EDD today who said they can see both the verification request and the disqualification in their system, and confirmed it was an automated error. They're escalating it to a supervisor, but still recommended I submit the formal appeal as backup.

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Kara Yoshida

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I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly stressful when you're already dealing with a medical issue and need the income support. I went through something very similar last fall when I was on leave for my knee surgery. What helped me was being super persistent with the phone calls (I know it's exhausting) and also documenting EVERYTHING. I kept a spreadsheet with every call attempt, every document I sent, and every interaction. When I finally got through to someone, having all those details ready actually impressed the rep and they were able to resolve my case faster. One thing that might help while you're waiting - if you have short-term disability through your employer, make sure to coordinate with them too. Sometimes there are gaps in coverage that you need to plan for. Also, many counties have emergency assistance programs if you're struggling financially while waiting for EDD to sort this out. Hang in there - from what I've seen in this community, these identity verification mix-ups usually do get resolved, it's just incredibly frustrating how long it takes!

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This is unfortunately a really common issue with EDD's system - you're definitely not alone in experiencing this frustrating situation. The automated disqualification happening on the same day or right after they request identity verification is a known glitch that affects tons of people. From what I've seen in this community, the key is to act on multiple fronts simultaneously: 1. Submit your identity docs through the online portal ASAP 2. File the appeal immediately (don't wait for the ID verification to process first) 3. Keep detailed records of everything 4. Be prepared for a lot of phone calls The silver lining is that when this happens due to their system error, it almost always gets resolved in your favor once you get through to an actual person who can see what happened. It's just incredibly stressful in the meantime, especially when you're already dealing with a medical issue. Stay strong and keep pushing - their broken system shouldn't prevent you from getting the benefits you're entitled to while recovering from your back injury. The community here has your back!

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Niko Ramsey

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Thank you so much for this supportive message! It really helps to know I'm not alone in dealing with this mess. I'm feeling a bit more optimistic after reading everyone's experiences - it sounds like as frustrating as this is, there's light at the end of the tunnel. I've already uploaded my documents and I'm going to submit the appeal first thing tomorrow morning. Really appreciate this community having my back during such a stressful time!

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I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Got my identity verification request on Monday and then woke up to a disqualification notice on Wednesday. It's absolutely maddening when you're already stressed about being out of work due to injury. What I've learned from calling EDD multiple times this week is that their computer system has some kind of automatic timer that triggers disqualifications if identity isn't verified within a certain window - but that timer doesn't account for the time it takes them to even REQUEST the verification documents from you. It's like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. I submitted all my documents online immediately and also sent copies via certified mail (great suggestion from others here). The EDD rep I finally reached yesterday said this happens "more often than it should" and that once the identity verification goes through, they can usually reverse the disqualification pretty quickly. The waiting is the worst part though - I totally feel your stress about missing work and needing these benefits. Hang in there and keep pushing through their broken system. From what I'm seeing here, persistence really does pay off with EDD even though it shouldn't have to be this hard!

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Ethan Wilson

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I'm so sorry you're going through this too! It's honestly outrageous that EDD's systems are set up to fail people when they need help the most. The fact that their own reps acknowledge this "happens more often than it should" just shows how broken their processes are. I really appreciate you sharing your experience - it helps to know we're not crazy for being frustrated by this! Did they give you any timeframe for when the identity verification usually gets processed? I'm trying to figure out how long I might be waiting for this mess to get sorted out.

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Zoe Gonzalez

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This exact same thing happened to me about 6 months ago when I was on disability for my shoulder surgery! The timing was absolutely infuriating - I got the identity verification letter on a Thursday asking for documents by the following Tuesday, but then Saturday morning I woke up to see my claim was disqualified. Like, seriously?? How am I supposed to respond to your request when you deny me before I even have a weekend to gather the paperwork? What worked for me was doing exactly what others have suggested - I immediately uploaded everything to the online portal AND sent certified copies by mail, then filed the appeal the same day. The whole thing took about 4 weeks to fully resolve, but once I got connected with a knowledgeable EDD rep, they confirmed it was 100% a system error and reversed everything. The most frustrating part is knowing this happens to SO many people and they just... haven't fixed it? It's like they're intentionally making it harder for people who are already dealing with injuries and medical issues. But don't give up - you WILL get through this and get your benefits. Just keep all your documentation organized and stay persistent with the calls. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating EDD's broken system!

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Miguel Diaz

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Wow, reading all these experiences really drives home how systemic this problem is with EDD! It's both reassuring and infuriating to see so many people dealing with the exact same automated system failure. The fact that you got your verification request on Thursday with a Tuesday deadline, only to be disqualified on Saturday, perfectly illustrates how broken their timing is. Thank you for sharing that it took about 4 weeks to resolve - that helps me set realistic expectations while I'm going through this mess. It's honestly criminal that they haven't fixed this known issue when it's clearly causing so much stress for people who are already vulnerable due to medical conditions. But I'm grateful for communities like this where we can support each other through EDD's dysfunction!

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Nia Johnson

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I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - it's absolutely infuriating that EDD's broken system is causing you stress while you're already trying to recover from a back injury. Reading through all these similar experiences just confirms what a widespread problem this is with their automated systems. Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like you're on the right track by uploading your identity documents immediately and filing the appeal. I'd also recommend calling them daily if possible - I know it's exhausting, but sometimes persistence is the only thing that works with EDD. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to reach out to your state assembly member's office for help. Many of them have caseworkers who specialize in EDD issues and can sometimes cut through the red tape faster than going through normal channels. It's worth a shot if the regular appeals process drags on too long. Keep documenting everything and don't let their broken system discourage you from fighting for the benefits you're entitled to. From what I'm seeing here, these identity verification glitches almost always get resolved eventually - it's just a matter of pushing through their dysfunction. Hang in there!

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