EDD SDI Claim Error E324: New CA Resident Unable to File Due to Existing Account Issue

It really is! How long have you been dealing with it?

Going on 3 weeks now. It's been a nightmare. Hang in there!

It's like they make it difficult on purpose to discourage people from applying.

This is actually a great idea. Representatives can sometimes fast-track the process.

I'm positive I haven't filed anything before. Just moved to CA 2.5 years ago for this job. Never needed unemployment or disability until now.

Hmm, that's weird then. Might be a glitch in their system or worse, someone using your info fraudulently. Def need to talk to a rep ASAP.

If someone is using your info, you might want to run a credit report just in case. Better to be safe than sorry.

Pro tip: call right when they open. Set an alarm and start dialing at 7:59 AM. Sometimes you can get through before the queue fills up.

Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a try tomorrow morning.

Have you tried using the online chat feature on their website? Sometimes its easier to get help that way

I've also heard reaching out via social media can sometimes expedite a response. A public post might push them to act faster.

Sounds sketchy. Is it legit? $20 seems steep just to make a phone call.

Yeah, I was skeptical at first too. But it's totally legit. Saved me hours of hold time. Worth every penny IMO.

How long did it take to get through to someone?

It took about 2 hours, but I didn't have to sit there listening to hold music. They called me when an agent was on the line.

I've used Claimyr too, and it was a lifesaver. But it's important to remember that it's not endorsed by the EDD, so use it at your own discretion.

claimyr is legit. worked for me last month when i got an E324

Preach! 🙌 It's 2023 and we're still dealing with this nonsense

lets not get political here. OP just needs help with their claim

While it's frustrating, focusing on immediate solutions would be more beneficial for OP right now.

Thanks for the advice! Any specific things you wish you'd done differently?

Get a good body pillow! It was a lifesaver for getting comfortable. Oh, and download some good podcasts or audiobooks. You'll have a lot of downtime.

Also, consider a grabber tool for picking things up if you can't bend over easily.

Thank you so much for this detailed guide! This is exactly what I needed. I'll follow these steps tomorrow morning.

This is solid advice. I'd add: take notes during the call, including the rep's name and a call reference number if possible.

And remember to ask for a case ID if they offer one. It can really help if you need to follow up later.

LOL if only! At least then I'd have an explanation for this mess 😂

Bruh 💀 EDD so bad it's breaking the space-time continuum now

Honestly, it feels like it's from another time. Maybe that's how they operate, in another dimension.

Honestly, it's not far from reality. So much of their system feels like it's from the 90s.

This is really helpful! I never thought about name variations. I do go by my middle name professionally sometimes, so maybe that's causing the mismatch. I'll try different combinations when I call tomorrow. Thanks for the practical advice!

This is super helpful! I had no idea there was a separate technical support line. The ghost account theory makes a lot of sense - maybe something got created when I started my job here. I'm definitely going to try calling 1-800-300-5616 tomorrow morning. Did you have to provide any specific information to prove you were the account holder when they merged it?

Wow, I didn't know about the separate technical support line either! That's exactly the kind of insider info that could save hours of frustration. @Luca Conti thanks for sharing the specific number - I m'going to bookmark this thread for future reference. It s'crazy how many hidden resources EDD has that they don t'advertise clearly on their main website.

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through on the main line. A technical support line specifically for account issues makes so much sense. I'm definitely calling 1-800-300-5616 first thing tomorrow. The ghost account from my employer submitting tax info sounds very plausible - I never thought about that connection. Really appreciate you sharing your experience and the specific steps that worked!

Thank you so much @Luca Conti! This is incredibly helpful - I had no idea there was a separate technical support line for account issues. The ghost account theory makes perfect sense, especially since my employer would have submitted tax info when I started. I'm definitely calling 1-800-300-5616 first thing tomorrow morning. Did they ask you for any specific documentation to verify your identity when they merged the accounts? I want to make sure I have everything ready. Really appreciate you sharing the exact steps that worked!

This is amazing info! I've been struggling with the same E324 error for weeks. The technical support line at 1-800-300-5616 is a game changer - I had no idea this existed. @Luca Conti you re'a lifesaver! The ghost account from employer tax submissions makes total sense. I m'going to try calling them tomorrow morning. Did they resolve it on the first call or did you have to call back multiple times?

This is exactly what I've been looking for! I've been dealing with the same E324 error for over a week now and getting nowhere with the main customer service line. @Luca Conti thank you for sharing the technical support number - 1-800-300-5616. The ghost account explanation makes perfect sense since my employer definitely would have submitted tax info when I was hired. I m'going to call them first thing tomorrow morning. How long did the whole process take once you got through to them? And did they need any specific documents from you to verify and merge the accounts?

This is incredibly helpful! I've been stuck with this E324 error for days now and was starting to panic about my upcoming surgery deadline. @Luca Conti thank you so much for sharing the technical support line number - I had no idea there was a separate queue for account issues. The ghost account from employer tax submissions makes total sense since I started working here 2.5 years ago. I m'definitely calling 1-800-300-5616 tomorrow morning bright and early. Fingers crossed they can sort this out quickly so I can get my claim filed before my surgery date!

This makes so much sense! I never realized that SDI withholdings from my paychecks could create a phantom account in their system. That explains why I'm getting the E324 error even though I've never filed a claim before. @Elijah O'Reilly thanks for breaking down exactly what information to have ready when calling - having my W-2 name format and employer info prepared should definitely help speed things up. I'm feeling much more confident about calling the technical support line tomorrow morning now that I understand what's likely happening behind the scenes. Really appreciate everyone's help in this thread!

This phantom account explanation is a game changer! I've been so confused about why I was getting that E324 error when I know I never filed anything before. The SDI withholding connection makes perfect sense - of course my employer would have created some kind of record when they started taking those deductions from my paycheck 2.5 years ago. @Elijah O'Reilly thanks for the heads up about mentioning the medical urgency when I call. I'm definitely going to emphasize that I have surgery scheduled and need to get this resolved ASAP for my doctors to certify the disability. Having the W-2 name format and employer info ready is great advice too. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I went from feeling totally lost to having a clear action plan. Calling 1-800-300-5616 first thing tomorrow!

Welcome to the community! I'm so glad you found this thread helpful. It's exactly why I love this group - people really step up to help each other navigate these frustrating government systems. The technical support line tip is gold, and the phantom account explanation finally makes sense of what seems like random errors. Definitely update us on how your call goes tomorrow - your experience could help the next person dealing with E324. Wishing you the best with getting this resolved quickly before your surgery! 🤞

This is such helpful advice! The 1-2-4 menu shortcut is genius - I've been struggling to even navigate their phone system properly. Having the paystub with SDI deduction amounts ready is a great tip too. It's reassuring to hear from someone else who moved from out of state and dealt with the same E324 issue. The 10-minute resolution time gives me hope that this might actually be fixable quickly once I reach the right department. @Jamal Harris thanks for sharing the specific steps that worked for you! I m'definitely trying the 8 AM call with the 1-2-4 shortcut tomorrow.

The 1-2-4 shortcut is brilliant! I've been sitting through that entire automated menu every time I call. And having the paystub with SDI amounts ready makes total sense - they'll probably want to verify the employment connection to the phantom account. @Jamal Harris it s'so reassuring to hear from someone who had the exact same situation moving from out of state. 10 minutes to resolve once you got the right person gives me so much hope! I m'definitely calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow with the shortcut and all my docs ready. This thread has been a lifesaver! 🙏

Totally agree - this thread has been a goldmine of information! I'm also a relatively new CA resident (moved here about 3 years ago) and had no idea about these insider tips. The phantom account explanation finally makes sense of why so many new residents run into this E324 wall. It's crazy that something as routine as SDI deductions can create these invisible barriers in their system. @Miguel Alvarez you re'so right about needing insider knowledge just for basic services - it shouldn t'be this complicated! I m'definitely saving this thread too. Really hoping tomorrow s'call with the technical support line works out. This community is amazing for sharing these hard-won solutions! 💪

Yes, this thread is absolutely amazing! As another newcomer to CA (just moved here 6 months ago from Oregon), I'm so grateful for all the detailed advice everyone has shared. The technical support line number and menu shortcuts are exactly the kind of insider info that makes all the difference. I haven't had to deal with EDD yet but I'm definitely saving all these tips for future reference. @Miguel Alvarez you re'spot on about it being a rite of passage - seems like every new CA resident has to battle through at least one bureaucratic nightmare! Really hoping OP gets this resolved quickly tomorrow. This is what community support should look like! 🙌

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I just moved to CA from Florida 8 months ago and had no idea about any of these EDD insider tricks. The technical support line at 1-800-300-5616 and the 1-2-4 menu shortcut are going straight into my bookmarks. @Miguel Alvarez you re'absolutely right about needing a PhD in bureaucracy just to access basic services here! The phantom account explanation from SDI deductions finally makes this whole E324 mystery make sense. I haven t'needed to file any claims yet but I feel so much more prepared now thanks to everyone sharing their hard-earned knowledge. Really rooting for OP to get this sorted out tomorrow - wishing you the best with your surgery! 🍀