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?
22 comments

Paolo Moretti
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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Keisha Jackson
AuthorOmg 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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Amina Diop
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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Paolo Moretti
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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Oliver Weber
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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Keisha Jackson
AuthorThank 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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Natasha Romanova
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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NebulaNinja
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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Keisha Jackson
AuthorThank 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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Javier Gomez
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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Emma Wilson
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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Oliver Weber
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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Keisha Jackson
AuthorThis 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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Amina Diop
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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Keisha Jackson
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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Oliver Weber
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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Emma Wilson
thats awesome! the system is so broken but sometimes it works out if u can actually talk to someone
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Eve Freeman
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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Katherine Shultz
This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through as someone completely new to dealing with EDD! I had no idea that they could automatically deduct from disability payments for old unemployment overpayments - that seems like such a critical piece of information that should be clearly communicated upfront. What really stands out to me is how Keisha's experience shows the importance of this community. Without the specific advice about "conditional offset waivers" and the proper phone numbers to call, she might have continued paying double for months without knowing she had the right to stop it. That $800 deduction during pregnancy would have been devastating for most budgets! I'm taking notes on all the practical advice shared here - calling the Collections Division directly instead of general EDD numbers, using specific terminology like "conditional offset waiver," getting confirmation numbers, and documenting everything. It's concerning that EDD's internal systems don't communicate properly, but at least knowing that helps you prepare. The recommendation about Claimyr also seems really valuable for actually getting through to someone who can help. The regular EDD phone system sounds like a nightmare from what I'm reading. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge, especially Oliver for the detailed technical explanations. This thread is going to help so many people avoid the stress and confusion that Keisha initially went through!
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PixelWarrior
I'm also brand new to this community and this whole thread has been such an education! Reading about Keisha's situation really opened my eyes to how complicated EDD can be, especially during vulnerable times like pregnancy or disability. The fact that they can just automatically take money from your benefits without clear advance warning seems so unfair. What I find most valuable is seeing how the community rallied around with specific, actionable advice. Oliver's expertise with the legal terminology was incredible - I never would have known about "conditional offset waivers" or that you need to specifically request to stop automatic deductions even after setting up a payment plan. That kind of insider knowledge could literally save someone from financial hardship. The emphasis on documentation and calling specific departments rather than general numbers is also really eye-opening. It sounds like EDD's systems are pretty fragmented, which puts the burden on individuals to be their own advocates and keep detailed records. I'm definitely bookmarking this for future reference and will share it with anyone I know who might be dealing with EDD issues. It's amazing how a single thread can contain so much practical wisdom that you'd never find in official documentation. Thank you everyone for creating such a helpful resource!
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Ava Garcia
This entire thread has been such a valuable resource! As someone completely new to navigating EDD, I had no idea that automatic benefit offsets were even possible, let alone that they could happen without clear advance notice. Reading about Keisha's initial shock at discovering the $800 deduction really highlights how unprepared most people are for these situations. What I find most concerning is how the burden falls on individuals to know specific legal terminology like "conditional offset waiver" just to receive fair treatment. It seems like the system is designed to automatically take money first and require people to fight back with insider knowledge to stop it - especially problematic when dealing with vulnerable populations like pregnant women or people with disabilities. The community response here has been incredible though! Oliver's detailed explanations about the legal requirements and proper procedures were game-changing. The fact that EDD legally cannot collect through both payment plans AND benefit offsets unless explicitly agreed to is crucial information that should be much more widely known. I'm definitely saving all the practical tips shared here - the specific phone numbers, the importance of requesting confirmation numbers, and the recommendation about using services like Claimyr to actually get through to someone who can help. It's unfortunate that navigating government benefits requires this level of strategy, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these hard-won insights. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge - this thread is going to help countless people avoid the financial stress and confusion that these automatic deductions can cause!
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Lim Wong
This thread really has been incredible to read through! I'm also completely new to this community and had no idea about any of these EDD complications before finding this discussion. What really strikes me is how Keisha went from panic to resolution just by having access to the right information and terminology - it shows how powerful community knowledge sharing can be. The whole situation really highlights how EDD's systems seem designed to benefit the agency rather than the people who depend on these programs. The fact that automatic deductions can happen without clear warning, especially during pregnancy or disability when people are already financially vulnerable, feels fundamentally wrong to me. I'm so grateful for members like Oliver who clearly have professional expertise and are willing to share specific actionable advice. The "conditional offset waiver" terminology and direct phone numbers could literally be the difference between financial hardship and stability for people in these situations. Reading through everyone's experiences has made me realize how important it is to be proactive and document everything when dealing with government benefits. The advice about calling directly rather than relying on online systems and getting confirmation numbers for every interaction seems crucial given how poorly EDD's different departments seem to communicate with each other. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge here - this thread is going to be such a valuable resource for anyone facing similar overpayment collection issues in the future!
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