I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was on pregnancy disability from September through November 2024, then transitioned to PFL for baby bonding through January 2025. Like everyone else here, I didn't elect tax withholding when I applied because I had no idea it would be necessary. What's been most helpful from reading everyone's experiences is understanding that: - The two 1099-G forms need to be reported separately (not combined) - Both are federally taxable but CA state tax exempt - I should expect to owe around 12-15% in federal taxes based on what others have shared - With lower income from leave + new baby, I might qualify for additional credits I'm planning to use TurboTax since several people mentioned it handles these EDD benefits well and prompts you about the CA exemption. If I get stuck, I might consult with a tax preparer who has experience with SDI/PFL situations. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made this whole confusing process feel much more manageable! It's amazing how EDD doesn't make any of this clear when you're already dealing with pregnancy, recovery, and a newborn.

I'm currently dealing with this exact same tax situation after having my baby in October 2024! I was on pregnancy disability from September through November, then switched to PFL for baby bonding through February 2025. Like everyone else here, I had no idea about the tax withholding option when I applied - I was so focused on just getting through the application process while dealing with pregnancy complications. Reading through all these responses has been such a relief! I was panicking about how to handle the two different 1099-G forms I received. Now I understand that I need to report them separately and that they're federally taxable but California exempt. The estimates people are sharing about owing 12-15% in federal taxes are actually helpful for planning, even though it's not what any new parent wants to hear. One question for those who've already filed - did you find that the Child Tax Credit and other credits significantly helped offset the tax liability from the benefits? With our income being lower due to the extended leave and having our first baby, I'm hoping we might qualify for credits we wouldn't normally get. I'm leaning toward using TurboTax based on the positive feedback here about how it handles EDD benefits. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's made this whole confusing process feel so much more manageable!

Wow, this thread is incredible! As someone who just moved to CA from Texas last year, I can totally relate to the bureaucratic nightmare. The E324 error seems to be a rite of passage for new residents 😅 I haven't had to deal with disability claims yet, but I did have issues with my unemployment account when I briefly needed it during my job transition. The phantom account theory makes SO much sense - I bet that's exactly what happened when your employer started the SDI deductions. The technical support line at 1-800-300-5616 and the 1-2-4 menu shortcut are game-changing tips! I'm bookmarking this entire thread for future reference. It's amazing how much insider knowledge you need just to navigate basic government services. Hope your call goes smoothly tomorrow and you get this sorted before your surgery. Keep us posted on the outcome - your experience could help so many other people dealing with the same frustrating error! 🤞

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar situation last year! The E324 error is definitely frustrating, but it sounds like you've gotten some excellent advice in this thread. The technical support line at 1-800-300-5616 that others mentioned was a game-changer for me too when I had account issues. One thing I'd add - when you do get through to them, ask if they can put a rush on your claim given the medical urgency. Sometimes they can flag urgent cases for faster processing. Also, once you get your claim number, your doctor's office will need to fill out a DI-398 form to certify your disability. You might want to give them a heads up about the paperwork so they can be ready to submit it quickly once your claim is active. Good luck with both the EDD situation and your surgery! This community has your back! 💪

Any update? Were you able to reach EDD or use that Claimyr service? Curious if you got your payment issue resolved.

Glad to hear you got it resolved! I'm dealing with something similar right now - been waiting 2.5 weeks for my second PFL payment and it's stuck on "pending" too. Did the EDD rep mention anything about preventing this issue in the future? Like exactly when we're supposed to certify during the 2-week period? I want to make sure I don't mess up my next certification.

I just went through this exact same issue last month! The banking verification error when switching from SDI to PFL is SO common - it's ridiculous that EDD hasn't fixed this known glitch yet. What finally worked for me was calling the EDD disability customer service line (1-800-480-3287) right at 8 AM when they open and explaining that I needed the direct deposit "flag" cleared from my previous SDI claim. The agent was able to fix it in about 5 minutes once I got through. I know the hold times are brutal, but it really seems to be the only reliable solution. Don't waste too much time trying the browser/cache clearing tricks - from what I've seen, this is a backend system issue that only they can resolve on their end. Hang in there!

I'm currently going through this same frustrating issue right now! Just finished my pregnancy disability last week and trying to file for PFL, but keep getting that "cannot verify banking information" error even though my direct deposit worked perfectly for SDI. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and infuriating - it's crazy that this is such a widespread known problem that EDD just hasn't bothered to fix. I'm going to try calling that 1-800-480-3287 number that @Carter Holmes mentioned at 8 AM sharp tomorrow. If that doesn't work out, I might have to bite the bullet and use the Claimyr service since sitting on hold for hours with a 2-week-old doesn't sound feasible. Thank you all for sharing your solutions - it's such a relief to know I'm not alone in dealing with this technical nightmare during an already stressful time!

Another thing you can try is faxing a follow-up letter to their PFL department explaining that you missed their call and requesting they contact you again or provide written guidance on next steps. Sometimes written communication gets processed faster than phone calls. The fax number should be on your original application paperwork. Make sure to include your full name, SSN, and case/reference number if you have one. I had to do this once and got a response within a week!

I missed an EDD call too about 6 months ago and was totally panicked! Here's what worked for me: I sent a secure message through my EDD online account explaining that I missed their call and asking what they needed. They responded within 3 business days with exactly what documents were missing from my application. Turned out it was just a clearer copy of my doctor's certification form. Sometimes the missed call is just a routine follow-up, not necessarily a major issue with your case. Also, make sure your voicemail is set up and not full - they might try calling again! Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞