EDD denied my SDI claim, saying $0 income. I'm self-employed - how to prove real income?
I recently applied for disability benefits after having a baby, but got denied because they said my income was $0. I'm self-employed in real estate, so my income varies month to month. How can I prove my actual income to EDD? They never even asked me to verify it before rejecting my application. Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice on appealing or getting them to look at my application again?
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Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve self-employed disability income verification, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzWr4bvOCR0
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Luca Russo
Ugh, the EDD system is such a mess! I had a similar issue when I applied for unemployment as a freelancer. Here's what worked for me: 1. Gather all your tax returns from the past couple years 2. Collect bank statements showing deposits from work 3. Put together a spreadsheet of your monthly income 4. Write a detailed letter explaining your situation 5. Submit everything through their online appeal system It took a while, but I eventually got approved. Don't give up!
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Nia Wilson
•This is really helpful, thanks! How long did the appeal process take for you?
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Luca Russo
•It took about 2 months from when I submitted everything to when I got approved. Felt like forever tho 😩
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Mateo Sanchez
•Did you have to do a hearing or anything? Or was it all just paperwork?
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Luca Russo
•Just paperwork for me, thankfully. But I've heard some ppl do end up having hearings.
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Aisha Mahmood
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone at EDD! I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Ethan Clark
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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AstroAce
•20 bucks? Thats highway robbery!
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Aisha Mahmood
•I know it sounds sketchy, but I swear it worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Yuki Kobayashi
•How long did you have to wait after using the service?
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Aisha Mahmood
•Only about 30 minutes! Way better than the 3+ hours I spent trying to get through on my own.
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Carmen Vega
have you tried contacting your local state representative? sometimes they can help cut through the red tape
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Andre Rousseau
edd is the worst!!! i've been trying to get my claim sorted for months. feels like im just shouting into the void ðŸ˜
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Zoe Stavros
•Same boat here. It's like they don't even care about us little guys 😡
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Jamal Harris
Pro tip: keep calling until you get someone helpful. Some reps are WAY more knowledgeable than others. Don't settle for someone who doesn't understand your situation.
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GalaxyGlider
•This! I had to call like 5 times before I got someone who actually knew what they were talking about.
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Mei Wong
Have you considered hiring a lawyer? Some specialize in EDD cases and only charge if they win your appeal.
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NebulaNinja
•I've thought about it, but I'm worried about the cost. Do you know roughly how much they charge?
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Mei Wong
•Most take a percentage of your backpay if you win, usually around 10-15%. Might be worth it if you're owed a lot.
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Liam Sullivan
lol welcome to the wonderful world of california bureaucracy 🤡 where nothing makes sense and the rules are made up
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Amara Okafor
Quick question - did you file for State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL)? Just want to make sure you applied for the right program since you mentioned having a baby.
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NebulaNinja
•I applied for SDI. Should I have done PFL instead?
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Amara Okafor
•SDI is correct for the initial recovery period after birth. You can transition to PFL after that if you want more bonding time. Just making sure!
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Giovanni Colombo
Ive been in your shoes and it SUCKS. heres what worked for me: 1. Call right when they open 2. Have all your docs ready 3. Be super nice to the rep (even tho you wanna scream) 4. Ask for a supervisor if the first person cant help 5. Follow up EVERY WEEK until its resolved Stay strong, you got this! 💪
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•This is solid advice. Persistence is key with EDD!
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