What's the current EDD SDI phone number and menu options to reach a human? Can't find my paperwork

The main EDD SDI number is 1-800-480-3287. They're open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. When you call, press 1 for English (or 2 for Spanish), then press 1 for questions about an existing disability claim, then either 1 for general questions or 2 for specific claim status questions. But honestly, getting through is nearly impossible - I spent three days trying last month before I finally reached someone.

thx for asking this, i need to call them too. my payment is late and the website just says pending with no explanation ugh

Call first thing in the morning when they open at 8am sharp. That's your best chance to get in the queue before it fills up. Also, don't hang up even if they say the wait time is long - if you call back later, you'll just be at the back of the line again. I've had to call them multiple times for my pregnancy disability claim and early morning always works best.

After struggling for WEEKS to get through to EDD for my SDI claim issues, I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Basically, they call EDD for you and navigate the phone tree, then call you when they get through to an agent. Saved me from the constant redial nightmare. Just sharing because it literally saved my sanity after trying for days on my own.

Call volume is ALWAYS highest on Mondays and Fridays, so try Tuesday-Thursday if possible. Also, the number is technically different if you're calling about Paid Family Leave (1-877-238-4373) vs. regular SDI (1-800-480-3287), so make sure you're calling the right department for your specific claim type. When you do get through, ask them to note in your file exactly what you discussed - it'll help if you need to call back again and get a different representative.

Just FYI they NEVER answer!!! I've been trying for two weeks and the automated system just keeps hanging up on me saying "we're experiencing high call volume" then it disconnects! THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!

My sister works for EDD (not in disability though) and she said they're still super understaffed since the pandemic. The worst thing is when you FINALLY get through after waiting for an hour and then they transfer you and you get disconnected. Make sure you have your claim ID number, last 4 of SSN, and the date you filed ready before you call so you don't waste time once you get through.

One more tip - when you do reach someone, ask them specific questions about your claim status like: 1) Has my medical certification been received and processed? 2) Is there any missing information holding up my claim? 3) When can I expect my first payment? Get names and ID numbers of who you speak with too. I learned this the hard way after getting different answers from different reps.

As someone who just went through this nightmare last month, I feel your pain! The phone number everyone's giving you (1-800-480-3287) is correct, but here's what actually worked for me: Call at exactly 8:00 AM and immediately press 1-1-2 for claim status. Don't hesitate between prompts or you'll get kicked out. I also found that if you get the "high call volume" disconnect message, wait exactly 3 minutes and try again - something about their system cycle. It took me 47 attempts over 5 days, but I finally got through. Also, have your Social Security card handy because they'll ask for weird verification questions beyond just the last 4 digits. The medication brain fog is real - I had to write everything down during my call because I couldn't remember half of what they told me afterwards. Good luck!

One thing I learned from my own EDD disability experience - if you're dealing with medication side effects affecting your memory, consider having a family member or friend sit with you during the call to take notes. The representatives speak pretty fast and cover a lot of ground, and with brain fog it's easy to miss important details. Also, if your doctor submitted the medical certification 2 weeks ago, that's actually within their normal processing timeframe (they say 2-4 weeks), so try not to stress too much about that part. The phone system is definitely the hardest part of the whole process. One last tip: if you do get disconnected after waiting on hold, call back immediately - sometimes you can get back in the queue faster than waiting and trying later. Hang in there, the system is frustrating but you'll get through eventually!

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago when my anxiety medication was making me super scattered and I lost all my EDD paperwork. Here's what finally worked for me: Download the EDD mobile app if you haven't already - you can check your claim status there without having to call, and it shows if they've received your doctor's medical certification. For the phone calls, I had the most success calling right at 7:59 AM and hitting redial repeatedly until I got past the initial busy signal. Once you're in the system, write down the menu sequence (1 for English, 1 for existing claim, 2 for claim status) on a sticky note so you don't have to think about it while dealing with medication brain fog. Also, if you have your SDI claim number from any old paperwork or emails, that speeds up the verification process significantly. The waiting is brutal but don't give up - it took me 8 days of calling but I eventually got through and resolved everything. You've got this!

Just wanted to add a few more tips that helped me get through to EDD disability after dealing with this for weeks. First, if you're calling from a cell phone, try calling from a landline instead - I read somewhere that their system prioritizes landline calls, though I'm not sure if that's actually true. Second, when you do get through to someone, ask them to send you a replacement copy of all your claim paperwork to your mailing address - they can do this and it'll help you avoid this situation in the future. Third, if you're dealing with memory issues from medication, consider using your phone's voice recorder app during the call (after asking permission) so you can replay important information later. The brain fog is so real when you're on new meds and dealing with disability stuff at the same time. Also, don't feel bad about losing your paperwork - it happens to more people than you'd think, especially when dealing with health issues. The representatives are usually understanding about it. Keep trying and you'll eventually get through!

I feel for you with the medication brain fog - went through the same thing when I started a new antidepressant while dealing with my SDI claim. Here's what saved me: create a "call script" with all your info written down before you dial. Include your full name, SSN, address, doctor's name, approximate filing date, and any questions you want to ask. I literally had it all on one sheet of paper because I couldn't trust my memory. Also, if you get through but they need to transfer you to another department, ask for a direct callback number for that department before they transfer - sometimes the transfer fails and you lose your place in line. The 1-800-480-3287 number is correct, and the 1-1-2 menu sequence others mentioned works. One more thing - if you're getting the "high call volume" message repeatedly, try calling from a different phone number. Sometimes their system blocks repeat calls from the same number for a certain period. Hang in there, the combination of disability stress plus medication side effects is rough but you'll get through this!

Hey, I just went through this exact same situation last month! The memory issues from new medications while trying to handle disability paperwork is honestly the worst timing ever. Everyone here has given you great advice on the phone number (1-800-480-3287) and calling strategies. I wanted to add that if you're struggling with the brain fog like I was, try setting up your calling "station" the night before - write down all your info, have water ready, charge your phone, and even set out a pen and paper for notes. The mental preparation really helped me feel less scattered when I finally got through. Also, don't be hard on yourself about losing the paperwork - I did the same thing and felt so guilty, but the EDD rep told me it happens ALL the time, especially with people dealing with health issues and medication changes. They're used to helping people get back on track. One more thing - if you get that awful "we're experiencing high call volume" message, I found that switching between calling from my cell phone and my work phone sometimes helped break through whatever blocking they have for repeat calls. The system is definitely broken but you WILL eventually get through. Sending good vibes your way!

I'm new to dealing with EDD disability and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where I need to contact them about my claim status but have been dreading the phone call process after hearing how difficult it is to get through. Reading everyone's experiences and specific strategies - like the 1-1-2 menu sequence, calling right at 8am, and having all your info written down beforehand - gives me a much better game plan. The brain fog from medications is so real and it's validating to see others mention dealing with that while trying to navigate this system. I'm going to try the mobile app first to check my claim status, then use all these phone tips if I need to call. Thanks to everyone for sharing what worked for you - this community support makes such a difference when dealing with these bureaucratic nightmares!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been dealing with EDD disability claims for my chronic illness - all the advice here is spot on! The 1-800-480-3287 number and early morning calling strategy really are your best bets. I've had success with the 8am sharp approach too. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you do get through but need to call back later for any reason, ask the rep for your "customer service request number" - it's like a reference number that can help speed up future calls since they can see your previous contact history. Also, @Dmitry, I totally feel you on the medication brain fog making everything harder. I started keeping a dedicated notebook just for all my EDD-related info and conversations because I couldn't trust my memory either. The system is definitely frustrating but persistence really does pay off. You've got tons of great advice in this thread now - you're going to get through to them!