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Keisha Jackson

EDD taking SDI payments for UI overpayment - will monthly payment plan affect this?

I'm so confused about my disability payments right now! I just got approved for pregnancy disability last week, and I noticed that my first SDI payment was about $800 less than it should have been. When I called EDD, they told me it went toward an unemployment overpayment from last year that I still owed. Here's where I'm really confused - I had NO IDEA they would automatically take my disability money for this! After learning this, I panicked and set up a monthly payment plan online to repay the remaining unemployment balance (about $2,100 left). My question is: Now that I've set up these monthly payments, will EDD still continue taking chunks from my bi-weekly disability checks too? Or will they just stick to the payment plan I set up? I'm trying to budget for my maternity leave and this really throws things off. Has anyone dealt with this situation before?

Yes they WILL take both!!!! EDD doesn't care if you're pregnant or disabled, they'll take every penny until you're paid up. My cousin had the same thing happen with her maternity leave last year and they took her payment plan AND a portion of each disability check. The system is designed to get their money back as fast as possible. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news 😔

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Omg seriously? That's going to completely destroy my budget. How am I supposed to survive on partial disability payments? Did your cousin do anything to stop it?

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hmmm I'm not sure thats right actually. when i had an overpayment situation they gave me options. Did you talk to an actual EDD rep or just see this online? sometimes the computer system does things automatically but a rep can fix it

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They absolutely will take both unless you specifically request otherwise! It's literally designed to take your money from multiple sources. Don't spread incorrect information!!!

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I've worked with many clients facing this exact situation. Here's what's actually happening: When you have an overpayment balance from UI and then receive SDI benefits, EDD has the authority to collect from your new benefit payments through a process called "benefit offset." However, once you establish a formal repayment plan, you have the right to request that they STOP the automatic offset and only collect through your agreed payment plan. You need to specifically contact EDD and request to have the benefit offset removed now that you've established a payment plan. This isn't automatic - you must ask for it. Call the overpayment collection unit directly at 1-800-676-5737 and explain your situation. The law allows them to collect up to 25% of your benefit amount through offset, but they cannot both offset your benefits AND collect through a payment plan unless you've agreed to this arrangement.

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Thank you so much for this information! So they can't legally take both unless I agreed to it? I definitely didn't agree to both - when I set up the payment plan online, I thought that would REPLACE the automatic deductions, not be in addition to them. I'll call that number tomorrow.

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I had something kinda similar happen but it was for child support not overpayment. They took like 50% of each check no matter what I said or did. EDD has all the power unfortunately

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Just to clarify on this topic (since there's some misinformation): EDD handles child support garnishments differently than overpayment collections. Child support is mandated by court order and cannot be modified by EDD. Overpayment collections have more flexibility. For your situation, you need to speak with someone in the Collections Division specifically. The main EDD number representatives often don't have the authority to modify collection arrangements. I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent quickly - they helped me reach someone at EDD when I was in a similar situation with overpayments. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Once you reach the Collections Division, request that they honor your payment plan and suspend the benefit offset. Get the representative's ID number and note the date/time of your call. Follow up with a written request through your UI Online account as documentation.

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Thank you! Has anyone used this Claimyr service before? The EDD phone system is absolutely impossible. I've tried calling 6 times today and can't get through.

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I used Claimyr when I had an address issue with my disability claim. Got through to someone in about 25 minutes instead of spending days trying. Worth it when you're desperate.

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your basically paying twice u need to call and get it straightend out. they cant take payments AND offsets unless you afreee. my frend had this happen too

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Follow-up information that might help you: When you call, specifically ask for a "conditional offset waiver." This is the technical term for what you need. Explain that you've established a payment plan and want the automatic benefit offsets to stop while you maintain your payment plan. Also, request a detailed accounting of your overpayment balance. Sometimes the amounts can be incorrect, especially if penalties or interest have been added. If you're experiencing financial hardship due to pregnancy, mention this as well. In some cases, they can temporarily reduce your monthly payment amount during your disability period, then increase it after you return to work. One more tip: if you've received your first payment with the offset already taken, you can request a reconsideration of that offset. Sometimes they will credit it toward your payment plan instead, though this isn't guaranteed.

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This is incredibly helpful! I'm writing down "conditional offset waiver" right now. I'll definitely ask for a detailed accounting too - the overpayment amount they initially told me seemed higher than I expected. Hopefully I can get this resolved quickly because I'm due in 8 weeks and really need to sort out my finances before then.

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update us after you call! i'm dealing with something similar but with paid family leave. curious what they tell you

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UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD after using that Claimyr service someone recommended. You guys were right - they CAN'T take both the payment plan AND offsets from my SDI! The rep explained that when I set up the payment plan, it should have automatically stopped the benefit offsets, but there was a system error. They're fixing it now, and my next SDI payment should be the full amount. The rep also said they're reviewing if they can reimburse that first $800 they took and just apply it to my payment plan instead. Thanks everyone for your help! Definitely request that "conditional offset waiver" if you're in this situation.

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Great news! I'm glad you got it resolved. Make sure to get a confirmation number or some form of documentation about this change. Sometimes these modifications don't get properly recorded in their system. If your next payment still shows an offset, you'll want proof of your previous conversation.

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thats awesome! the system is so broken but sometimes it works out if u can actually talk to someone

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So glad you got this resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to push back when EDD does something that doesn't seem right. The automatic systems make mistakes all the time, but the reps can usually fix them once you get through to an actual person. For anyone else reading this thread - definitely save Oliver's advice about the "conditional offset waiver" terminology. Having the right words to use when you call EDD makes a huge difference in getting help quickly. And yes, always get that confirmation number like he mentioned! Hope everything goes smoothly with your pregnancy and that you don't have any more issues with your disability payments. Good luck with the baby! 🍼

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This whole thread has been so educational! I'm new to this community and had no idea about these kinds of EDD issues. The fact that they can automatically take money from your disability payments for old overpayments is terrifying - especially when you're already dealing with reduced income during pregnancy or illness. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and especially to Oliver for the detailed technical advice. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I ever need this information. It's really reassuring to see people helping each other navigate these complicated government systems!

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As someone who's been through multiple EDD situations, I just want to emphasize how important it is to document EVERYTHING when dealing with these kinds of issues. Screenshot your payment plan details, save confirmation numbers, and keep notes of every phone call (date, time, rep ID if they give it). EDD's systems don't always communicate with each other properly, so having your own paper trail is crucial. I've had to provide the same documentation multiple times because their different departments couldn't see what the other had done. Also, for anyone facing similar situations in the future - don't wait to call if something seems wrong with your payments. The sooner you catch these errors, the easier they are to fix. And definitely don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if the first rep you talk to can't help or seems unsure about the rules. Really glad this worked out for you Keisha! Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly without any more EDD drama.

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This is such great advice about documentation! I'm actually new to dealing with EDD and had no idea how important it was to keep track of everything. Reading through this whole thread has been eye-opening - I never realized how many different ways their systems can mess up or how departments don't communicate with each other. It's scary to think that people dealing with pregnancy or disability might have their benefits reduced without proper notice. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and creating such a helpful resource for newcomers like me who might face similar issues!

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This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently pregnant and just applied for SDI, but I also have an old UI overpayment that I've been avoiding dealing with. After reading everyone's experiences here, I realize I need to be proactive about setting up a payment plan BEFORE my disability benefits start, so I don't end up in the same situation as Keisha initially did. Quick question for those who've been through this - is it better to set up the payment plan through the UI Online portal or should I call directly? I want to make sure I do this right from the start and avoid any automatic offsets. Also, should I mention that I'm expecting disability benefits soon when I set up the payment plan? Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here, especially Oliver for the technical details about conditional offset waivers. This community is such a lifesaver for navigating EDD's confusing systems!

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Hi Vanessa! Great question about being proactive - that's definitely the smart approach! From what I've seen in this thread and as someone new to navigating EDD myself, I'd recommend calling directly rather than just using the online portal. That way you can specifically ask them to note in your account that you want ONLY the payment plan collections (no automatic offsets from future benefits). Definitely mention that you're expecting SDI benefits soon! That way they can set up your account properly from the start. You might want to use some of the terminology that Oliver shared earlier - ask them to ensure no "benefit offsets" will occur while your payment plan is active. It sounds like the online portal doesn't always communicate properly with their collections system, which is how Keisha ended up with both deductions happening. A phone call gives you the chance to get a confirmation number and make sure everything is set up correctly before your disability payments begin. This community really is amazing for sharing these kinds of insider tips! Good luck with your pregnancy and getting everything sorted out ahead of time! 🤞

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Wow, this entire thread has been such an education! As someone who's completely new to dealing with EDD and disability benefits, I had no idea how complex these overpayment situations could get. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially Keisha's journey from panic to resolution - has been incredibly valuable. The fact that EDD can automatically take money from your disability payments for old unemployment overpayments without clear notice is honestly shocking to me. It seems like such a vulnerable time to be dealing with reduced income, especially during pregnancy or illness. I'm really impressed by how this community came together to help troubleshoot the situation. Oliver's detailed explanations about "conditional offset waivers" and the legal aspects were particularly enlightening - I never would have known that terminology exists or how important it is when calling EDD. The emphasis on documentation that several people mentioned also seems crucial. It's concerning that different EDD departments don't communicate well with each other, but at least knowing that ahead of time helps people prepare. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences here. This thread is going to be such a helpful resource for anyone who finds themselves in similar situations!

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This thread really has been amazing to read through! I'm also completely new to this community and had no idea about any of these EDD complications. What strikes me most is how the system seems designed to automatically take money without clear explanation - like Keisha had no warning that her disability payment would be reduced. That must have been such a shock, especially when you're already dealing with pregnancy and planning for reduced income during maternity leave. It's really reassuring to see how knowledgeable members like Oliver stepped in with specific legal terminology and actionable advice. The whole "conditional offset waiver" thing would have been impossible for me to figure out on my own! I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and hoping I never need it, but feeling much more prepared if I do. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!

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