EDD asking for paystub verification for dad's SDI claim - confused about requirements

You're fine submitting the paystub with "THIS IS NOT A CHECK" on it. That's just standard language on many paystubs to prevent people from trying to cash/deposit them as actual checks. What EDD is looking for is proof of wages. Regarding the SSN, having just the last 4 digits on the paystub might be an issue. I would definitely submit both the paystub AND the W-2. The W-2 showing the full SSN will satisfy that requirement. Just make sure you include a brief note explaining that you're providing both documents to meet all verification requirements. If you submit through SDI Online, there should be an option to upload multiple documents for income verification.

when I filed for my disabilty last yr they ask for same thing. my check stub had last 4 #s of ssn only and they rejected it!!!!! had to send w2 after and it delayed payment by 3 wks. defintly send BOTH to be safe

I recommend you send both documents together from the start. EDD is very specific about verification requirements and many paystubs no longer show full SSNs for security reasons. This is a common issue. Make sure your submission includes: 1. The most recent paystub (even with just partial SSN) 2. The W-2 showing full SSN 3. A brief cover note explaining you're submitting both to meet all requirements Also, be absolutely certain your dad's name appears exactly the same on both documents as it does on his disability claim. Even minor differences (like Mike vs. Michael) can trigger additional verification steps. If you don't receive confirmation within 10 days that they've accepted your documents, I'd recommend calling to verify. The online status doesn't always update promptly.

The middle name variation shouldn't be a major issue as long as first and last names match exactly. EDD deals with those minor variations routinely. What's most important is that the SSN is correct and matches across all documents. The W-2 with full SSN will be your primary verification document, with the paystub providing additional wage information they need.

UGH the EDD verification process is SO FRUSTRATING!!! I went through this exact nightmare in January. Sent my paystub - REJECTED because it only had last 4 of SSN. Sent W-2 - REJECTED because it was from previous tax year (even though that was the most recent one available). Had to get a special letter from my employer with current wages AND full SSN. The whole time my claim status just said "pending" with NO EXPLANATION. Couldn't get anyone on the phone for weeks. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual EDD representative who explained exactly what documents they needed. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Saved me from going another month without benefits while recovering from a serious health condition. Worth every penny not to deal with the constant busy signals and hangups.

My dad had the same issue last month! What they're looking for is proof of wages in the base period, and any official document showing both identity (name, SSN) and earnings should work. The "not a check" language is totally normal on paystubs. The partial SSN on the paystub is the real issue. Most employers now only show last 4 digits for security. You're smart to send the W-2 also. Make sure it's the most recent W-2 though. One thing we ended up doing was having his employer write a letter confirming his wages and full SSN on company letterhead. This worked for us when there were issues with the other documents.

Yes, once we submitted the employer letter on letterhead, his claim was approved within 5 business days. The letter included his full name, SSN, employment dates, and salary information. The HR person mentioned they do these letters frequently for disability claims.

I work in payroll and deal with this all the time. Send both documents together. The "THIS IS NOT A CHECK" is standard payroll form language and has nothing to do with the document's validity for EDD purposes. Most modern paystubs only show last 4 of SSN due to identity theft concerns. EDD knows this but their forms and requirements haven't caught up to modern privacy practices. That's why the W-2 is important. One tip: if you're uploading through SDI Online, combine both documents into a single PDF file if possible. This prevents one document from being processed without the other.

I typically recommend naming the file something like "LastName_FirstName_IncomeVerification_ClaimNumber.pdf" if you know the claim number. If not, just use the name and income verification part. The more specific, the better chance it gets routed correctly in their system.

Just checking back - were you able to submit both documents? Any updates on your dad's claim status?

That's great that you were able to get everything submitted! The employer verification letter was a smart addition - that should really help speed things along. Keep an eye on your claim status over the next week or so. In my experience, once they have all the right documents, the approval usually comes through pretty quickly. Hope your dad gets his benefits soon!