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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! After getting my Notice of Computation, I was able to start certifying within a few days. My first payment hit my account about 10 days after my first certification. The key things that helped me: 1) Set up direct deposit immediately (saved me almost a week vs waiting for the debit card), 2) Certified as soon as the option became available in my account, and 3) Made sure all my info was accurate to avoid any holds. Don't stress too much - once the process gets rolling, it's pretty reliable. Just keep checking your account daily for certification opportunities!
This is really helpful, thanks for sharing your timeline! I'm curious - did you have to do anything special to verify your identity, or did everything go smoothly once you started certifying? I keep hearing horror stories about people getting stuck in identity verification limbo for weeks.
I'm in a similar boat right now! Just got my Notice of Computation yesterday and feeling anxious about when things will actually start moving. Your timeline gives me hope - 10 days total doesn't sound too bad. Did you have any issues with the website when you were trying to certify? I've been reading about people having trouble accessing their accounts during peak hours.
Just wanted to share my recent experience to give you some hope! I got my Notice of Computation about 3 weeks ago and was in the same anxious boat as you. Here's my timeline: Got the notice on a Tuesday, was able to certify for my first week that Friday, and my payment hit my account the following Wednesday (so about 8 days total). The key was setting up direct deposit right away - I almost made the mistake of waiting for the debit card but changed my mind after reading posts here. Also, I found that logging into the EDD site around 6 AM worked way better than trying during the day when everyone else is on there. Hang in there, the waiting is brutal but once it starts flowing it's pretty consistent!
Thanks for sharing your timeline! That's really encouraging to hear it only took 8 days total. I'm definitely going to try logging in early morning like you suggested - I've been getting frustrated trying to access the site during normal hours. Quick question: when you set up direct deposit, did you do it through the main UI Online portal or was there a separate section for payment preferences? Want to make sure I don't miss anything that could slow down my first payment.
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I'm so sorry you're dealing with your daughter's health complications again - that must be absolutely terrifying as a parent. Based on everything shared here, it really sounds like you should be eligible for a new 8-week PFL period since your first claim started in March 2024 and we're now past that 12-month mark. I went through something similar with my husband's cancer treatment last year, and the timing confusion nearly gave me a panic attack! What I learned is that the 12-month period is based on when you FIRST applied, not when you finished using benefits. So your June 2024 usage doesn't reset anything - you became eligible for a fresh 8-week cycle this past March. A couple of things that really helped me: - I called EDD and had them walk through my specific situation before applying (definitely try that Claimyr service if you can't get through - it's legit and saved me days of calling) - I made sure to get the DE2501F form filled out very specifically about why my presence was medically necessary for his care - I applied as soon as I had all the paperwork ready rather than waiting until the last minute Also, since your company is large enough for FMLA, definitely get that paperwork started too for job protection. My HR department was actually really helpful in coordinating both applications. Hoping your daughter's surgery goes smoothly and that you can focus on her recovery without the financial stress. You're doing everything right by being there for her! 💙
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your husband's cancer treatment - that must have been incredibly difficult to navigate while dealing with such a serious health situation. It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same timing confusion and figured it out successfully. Your point about the 12-month period being based on when you FIRST applied is exactly what I needed to hear confirmed again. I keep second-guessing myself about whether that June usage somehow affected my eligibility, but hearing it from multiple people who've actually been through this process really helps solidify my understanding. I'm definitely going to follow your approach of calling EDD first to get official confirmation, and I'll try Claimyr if the regular phone lines are impossible. It sounds like having that direct conversation with an EDD representative is worth the effort to get clarity on my specific situation. Your tips about being very specific on the DE2501F form and applying early are also really valuable. I'm meeting with my daughter's pulmonologist this week to go over the form requirements, and I'll make sure they clearly explain why my presence is medically necessary for her recovery process. Thank you for the reminder about coordinating FMLA paperwork too - I'm planning to talk to HR about getting both protections in place. It's such a relief to know that other people have successfully managed these overlapping systems. I really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you during such a challenging time with your husband's treatment. Sending positive thoughts for his continued recovery! 💙
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's ongoing respiratory issues - that must be incredibly stressful for your whole family. Based on everything shared in this thread, it really sounds like you should be eligible for a new 8-week PFL period since your first claim started in March 2024 and we're now well past that 12-month mark. I haven't been through this exact situation myself, but I wanted to add something that might help: when you call EDD to confirm your eligibility (which I definitely recommend doing first), it might be worth asking them to also check that your SDI contributions are showing up correctly in their system. Sometimes there can be delays or errors in how employer contributions get processed, and it's better to catch any issues early rather than after you've submitted your application. Also, since you mentioned your HR department wasn't sure about the rules, you might want to ask them if they have a benefits specialist or someone who deals with leave policies regularly. Larger companies often have someone who's more familiar with how state disability and family leave programs work alongside company policies. The stress of having a sick child plus worrying about finances is just overwhelming, but it sounds like you're asking all the right questions and getting great advice here. Wishing your daughter a successful surgery and smooth recovery! 💙
That's such a smart suggestion about asking EDD to check that my SDI contributions are showing up correctly! I hadn't even thought about the possibility of delays or errors in how those get processed from my employer. That would be a nightmare to discover after submitting everything and then getting denied for something that was completely out of my control. You're also absolutely right about asking HR if they have a benefits specialist. My company is pretty large, so there's probably someone who deals with these state programs more regularly than the general HR person I spoke with initially. It would be so helpful to talk to someone who actually understands how PFL and FMLA work together. I really appreciate you taking the time to offer these practical suggestions even though you haven't been through this specific situation. Sometimes the most helpful advice comes from people who can think of things we might miss when we're stressed and overwhelmed. Thank you for the kind words about my daughter too - this community has been such a source of support during a really scary time! 💙
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I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this entire thread has been such a lifesaver! I was on pregnancy disability from August through November 2024, then transitioned to PFL for baby bonding through February 2025. Like literally everyone else here, I had absolutely no clue about the tax withholding option when I applied - I was just desperately trying to get my benefits approved while dealing with severe morning sickness and then figuring out life with a newborn. Reading through all these experiences has finally made everything click for me. I now understand that I need to report my two 1099-G forms separately (one for SDI pregnancy disability, one for PFL baby bonding) and that both are federally taxable but completely exempt from California state taxes. The 12-18% federal tax estimates everyone's sharing are super helpful for budgeting, even though it's definitely stressful to think about owing that much when we're already adjusting to baby expenses. Based on all the positive feedback here, I'm definitely going with TurboTax since it seems to handle these EDD benefits correctly and walks you through the process step by step. And I'm really hopeful about those tax credits everyone mentioned - knowing that our lower income from extended leave plus having our first baby might qualify us for the Child Tax Credit and possibly EITC gives me some hope that the final tax bill won't be as brutal as I'm imagining. Seriously, thank you to everyone who shared their experiences in this thread! It's honestly infuriating that EDD provides zero guidance about any of these tax implications when you're applying, especially when new parents are already completely overwhelmed. This community has made what felt like an impossible situation actually manageable!
I'm so glad this thread has been as helpful for you as it was for me! Your timeline is almost identical to what I went through, and I completely relate to that feeling of being overwhelmed by the tax implications on top of everything else new parents are dealing with. It really is ridiculous that EDD doesn't provide any clear guidance about withholding or tax consequences when you're applying - like we don't have enough to worry about already! Your plan to use TurboTax sounds perfect based on everyone's positive experiences here. One thing that really helped me feel more confident was having both 1099-G forms ready before I started and just trusting the software to guide me through each step. And definitely don't lose hope about those tax credits - I was pleasantly surprised by how much the Child Tax Credit and lower income benefits actually helped offset the federal taxes owed. You're going into this so much better prepared than most of us were thanks to all the great advice shared here. Wishing you smooth filing!
I'm currently going through this exact same situation and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I was on pregnancy disability from May through August 2024, then switched to PFL for baby bonding through November. Like everyone else here, I completely missed the tax withholding option when applying - I was so focused on just getting approved while dealing with hyperemesis and then recovery. What's been most eye-opening from reading everyone's experiences is understanding that the two 1099-G forms (one for SDI pregnancy disability, one for PFL baby bonding) need to be entered separately and that both are federally taxable but CA state exempt. The 12-18% federal tax estimates people are sharing really help with planning, even though it's definitely not what any new parent wants to budget for! I'm planning to go with TurboTax based on all the positive feedback about how it handles these EDD benefits correctly and prompts you about the CA exemption. And I'm really encouraged by hearing how the Child Tax Credit and other credits from having lower income during leave actually made a significant difference in reducing people's overall tax liability. One question for those who've already filed - did you notice if TurboTax automatically caught all the credits you were eligible for, or did you need to specifically look for things like EITC? I want to make sure I'm not missing any opportunities to offset the tax bill! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made this whole confusing process so much less intimidating!
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I'm a new CA resident myself (moved here from Nevada about 6 months ago) and haven't had to deal with EDD yet, but wow - this thread has been incredibly educational! Reading through everyone's experiences with the E324 error and all the detailed solutions you've shared is like getting a crash course in navigating California's system. The phantom account theory from SDI withholdings makes so much sense, and having multiple phone numbers (1-800-300-5616 for technical support, 1-866-401-2849 for identity verification) plus the menu shortcuts and timing tips gives you such a comprehensive game plan. It's honestly crazy that accessing benefits you're paying for requires this level of insider knowledge, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share their hard-won experience. Really hoping you get this E324 error resolved quickly before your surgery - you've got an amazing support network here! I'm definitely bookmarking this entire thread for future reference. Best of luck tomorrow! 🍀
Welcome to CA and to this amazing community! As someone who just went through this E324 nightmare myself, I can tell you that this thread really is like finding gold. The collective knowledge everyone has shared here - from the technical support line numbers to the phantom account explanations - would have saved me weeks of frustration if I'd found it earlier. It's wild that we need this much insider info just to access basic services, but that's the reality of dealing with CA bureaucracy. Definitely keep this thread bookmarked - even if you don't need EDD services now, you never know what other CA government systems might throw curveballs your way! This community really shows how much we can help each other navigate these systems. @Amara Adeyemi hope your transition to CA continues to go smoothly! 💙
As someone who's been helping folks navigate EDD issues for years, I'm amazed at how comprehensive this thread has become! You've essentially created the ultimate guide for dealing with E324 errors. Just wanted to add one more resource that might help - EDD also has a live chat feature buried deep in their website (go to "Contact EDD" then "Ask EDD" then look for the chat icon). It's not always available, but when it is, you can sometimes get account issues resolved without the phone wait times. The chat agents can often do the same account merges and conflict resolutions as the phone reps. Worth trying as another option alongside all the excellent phone strategies everyone has shared. Really hope you get this sorted before your surgery - this community has definitely given you every tool possible to succeed! 🙌
Thank you @Mei Wong for adding the live chat option! I had no idea there was a chat feature hidden in their website - that s'definitely worth trying as another avenue. Having multiple ways to reach them phone (lines, chat, etc. really) increases the chances of getting through to someone quickly. This thread has become such an incredible resource - I feel like I went from being completely lost with this E324 error to having a comprehensive toolkit for tackling EDD issues. Between all the phone numbers, menu shortcuts, timing tips, required documents, and now the chat option, I m'feeling much more confident about resolving this before my surgery. This community is absolutely amazing - the way everyone has shared their knowledge and experiences has been a lifesaver. I ll'definitely try the chat feature too and will update everyone on what works! 🙏
Liam O'Sullivan
Hey Brooklyn! Congratulations on your upcoming baby! 🎉 As a newcomer here, I just wanted to add my support to all the excellent advice you've already received. I went through a very similar situation earlier this year - working part-time at a local grocery store while also providing IHSS care for my disabled father (about 13 hours/month, roughly $210). I was absolutely petrified about reporting my IHSS income because I thought it might somehow disqualify me or create complications with my SDI claim. But everyone in this thread is 100% correct - you MUST report all income sources, and that small IHSS amount will not hurt your benefits at all! What really helped calm my nerves was when my EDD case worker explained that California processes thousands of claims just like ours every month. She said IHSS providers transitioning to pregnancy disability is incredibly routine, and their system handles these situations seamlessly. Your $170/month is honestly such a minimal amount that it won't raise any red flags. The timing advice everyone's given you is perfect - filing on Feb 1st right after your last day of retail work is exactly what I did and it worked flawlessly. Just make sure you have all your IHSS documentation organized beforehand so you can quickly reference dates and amounts during the application. And yes, you can absolutely continue caring for your son during your pregnancy disability! Since the physical demands are so different from retail work, it makes perfect sense that you'd be unable to do one but capable of the other. You're being so smart by asking these questions ahead of time instead of just winging it. That preparation is going to make everything go much more smoothly than you probably expect. This community has given you amazing guidance - you're all set! You've got this, mama! 💪✨
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Fatima Al-Farsi
•Hi Liam! Welcome to the community! 🎉 Thank you so much for sharing your experience and adding your voice to this incredible thread! It's really comforting to hear from someone who had an even higher IHSS income ($210) and still had no issues with their SDI claim. Your story about being "absolutely petrified" about reporting the IHSS income really hits home - that's exactly how I've been feeling! What your EDD case worker told you about California processing thousands of these exact situations every month is so reassuring. It really helps me understand that what felt like a unique, complicated situation to me is actually just routine business for them. The confirmation that my $170/month won't raise any red flags is exactly what I needed to hear! I'm definitely going to have all my IHSS documentation organized and ready for Feb 1st. This entire thread has been absolutely transformative for my confidence level. I started out completely overwhelmed and anxious, but thanks to everyone's shared experiences and advice, I now feel prepared and actually excited to get this process started. The support from this community has been beyond anything I could have hoped for. As a first-time mom navigating all these unknowns, having so many people take the time to share their experiences and encourage me has meant the world. Thank you for being part of that amazing support system! 💕✨
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Lucy Taylor
Hey Brooklyn! Congratulations on your upcoming little one! 🎉 As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to add my experience since I literally just went through this exact situation last week! I was working part-time at Target (25 hours/week) and also providing IHSS care for my mom (about 8 hours/month, around $130). I was TERRIFIED about reporting my IHSS income because I thought it might complicate everything, but after reading through this amazing thread and going through the process myself, I can 100% confirm what everyone is saying - you absolutely MUST report it, but it won't hurt your benefits at all! When I submitted my SDI application online, there was a really clear section for "other income sources" and I just listed my IHSS wages there. The system handled it completely smoothly - no red flags, no complications, nothing scary at all! My case was processed normally and I actually got my first benefit payment faster than expected. Your timing filing on Feb 1st is absolutely perfect! That's exactly when I filed (the day after my last Target shift) and it worked seamlessly. The key is just having your IHSS pay stubs organized so you can quickly enter the amounts and dates when the application asks for them. The task-specific disability concept everyone mentioned is spot-on too. I've been able to continue my IHSS care for my mom throughout my pregnancy disability because it's so much less physically demanding than retail work. Different job requirements = totally different disability considerations! You're being incredibly smart by planning ahead like this. Having all this information and advice is going to make your process so much smoother than you're probably expecting. This community is absolutely amazing - everyone's guidance has been perfect! You've totally got this, mama! 💪✨
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Sasha Reese
•Hi Lucy! Welcome to the community too! 🎉 Thank you so much for sharing your experience - it's incredible to hear from someone who literally just went through this exact process last week! Your situation sounds almost identical to mine with the part-time retail work plus IHSS income, so your firsthand experience is absolutely perfect timing for me. I love that you mentioned the "other income sources" section being really clear on the application - that takes away so much of my anxiety about figuring out where to report the IHSS wages! And hearing that your case was processed smoothly with no red flags or complications despite reporting the IHSS income is exactly the reassurance I needed. The fact that you got your first benefit payment faster than expected is such encouraging news! I was worried about potential delays, but it sounds like being thorough and transparent actually helps speed things up rather than slow them down. Thank you for confirming the timing too - knowing that you literally just did the exact same thing (filing the day after your last retail shift) and it worked seamlessly gives me so much confidence about my Feb 1st plan. This entire thread has been absolutely life-changing for me as a nervous first-time mom. Everyone's shared experiences have transformed my overwhelming anxiety into genuine confidence about handling this process. I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to help a newcomer feel prepared and supported! 💕✨
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