What documents count as proof of SSN for EDD SDI income verification? Multiple W-2s needed?

For proof of SSN, EDD will accept: your social security card, a W-2 form (it has your SSN on it), a 1099 form, or even a paystub that displays your full SSN. Regarding multiple employers - yes, you need to submit W-2s from all employers during your base period (usually 12-18 months before your claim). The EDD uses these to calculate your benefit amount based on your highest-earning quarter. Missing W-2s could result in a lower benefit payment or even claim denial if they can't verify your income.

had same issue last year. just send everythng. better 2 send too much than not enough. they will deny ur claim if u dont send enough proof and then ul be in appeals hell 4 months!!!

I spent SEVEN WEEKS trying to get through to EDD about this exact verification issue! They kept rejecting my documents saying they "couldn't verify" my income even though I sent EVERYTHING they asked for. Every time I called, I was on hold for 3+ hours and then got disconnected. The system is BROKEN and they make it impossible to reach a real person who can actually help! I eventually had to hire an advocate to help me because I was about to lose my apartment. This is NOT how disability is supposed to work!!

my disability was for my back surgery and edd asked for all this too. i just sent them copies of everything - all 3 w2s, copy of my drivers license, and a copy of my ss card. got approved in like 10 days after that.

Here's a bit of clarification that might help you: The base period for SDI claims in 2025 looks at your earnings from 5-18 months before your disability started. So if you became disabled in June 2025, they're looking at all your earnings from January-December 2024. You absolutely need W-2s from every employer during that period, as your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on the highest-earning quarter. Missing even one W-2 could significantly reduce your benefit amount. For the SSN verification - a W-2 works perfectly as it serves dual purpose (income + SSN). If you can't find a document with your SSN, you can request a replacement Social Security card online at ssa.gov, though that might take too long given your timeline.

So this income verification thing is actually kinda random? I'm on my second SDI claim in 3 years and never got asked for income verification the first time, but did the second time. Anyone know why some claims get flagged for verification and others don't?

good luck getting paid before ur trip! edd is SLOW this year!! took me 6 weeks to get my first payment after all my paperwork was in!

One important thing to remember when submitting multiple W-2s: make sure you organize them clearly with a cover letter explaining your employment situation. Number the W-2s and create a simple list showing each employer, the dates you worked there, and total earnings. This makes it much easier for the EDD claims examiner to process your verification quickly. I've worked in the gig economy for years and this approach has saved me countless headaches with my SDI claims. Also, send your documents via certified mail or fax with a confirmation sheet so you have proof they received everything. Taking these extra steps can prevent weeks of delays.

Just a warning - make sure you're sending this to the RIGHT ADDRESS! EDD has like 5 different mailing addresses and if you send your income verification to the wrong department, they'll just sit on it for weeks before either forwarding it or sending you a letter saying you sent it to the wrong place. Double-check the address on your verification request letter!

Just to follow up - if you manage to get your income verification documents submitted properly, the typical processing time in 2025 has been about 10-14 business days. While that's the official timeline, I've seen it take anywhere from 7 days to 4+ weeks depending on their current backlog. If it's been more than 14 business days since submission, that's when you should start trying to contact them directly about the status of your verification.

Pro tip from someone who's been through this multiple times with irregular income: When you're gathering all those W-2s, also grab any 1099s you might have received. Film industry workers often get both W-2s AND 1099s depending on how different productions classified you (employee vs contractor). EDD wants to see ALL income sources during your base period, not just W-2 income. I learned this the hard way when they initially denied my claim because I only sent W-2s but had significant 1099 income that pushed me into a higher benefit tier. Also, if any of your employers went out of business or you can't locate a W-2, you can use your final paystub from that job - it shows your year-to-date earnings and SSN. Good luck with getting this sorted before your trip!