So glad to hear you got through @Carmen! That gives me hope. I'm dealing with a similar situation but for regular unemployment benefits - lost access to my account after changing phones and can't remember my security questions. Has anyone had success using that same SDI number (1-800-480-3287) for regular UI issues, or do I need to stick with the main unemployment line? I've been trying the main number for over a week with no luck.

If you're still having trouble getting through by phone, another option is to contact your local Assembly or Senate representative's office. They often have dedicated EDD liaisons who can help with urgent cases like yours. I had to do this for my mom when she couldn't get through for her disability claim. Just call their district office and explain it's an urgent SDI filing issue - they usually respond within 1-2 business days and can sometimes get things resolved faster than going through the normal channels. You can find your representatives at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov. Worth trying if the direct calling doesn't work out!

Hi everyone, just made a video about how to call the EDD and reach a live human agent: https://youtu.be/-R4SqP7_JUA

This message typically appears when EDD's automated systems have flagged something in your account that requires manual review. Even though you've already verified your identity, there could be other factors triggering this - like discrepancies in work history, wage information, or even just a routine audit. I'd recommend calling EDD directly to get specific details about what exactly they need to verify. In the meantime, make sure all your information is consistent across all documents you've submitted. The waiting can be frustrating, but hang in there!

I'm in a very similar situation - just got laid off last week and my attorney is handling severance negotiations too. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring! The consensus seems crystal clear: file your EDD claim immediately and indicate that severance is pending negotiations. Don't wait around losing out on benefits you're entitled to while lawyers hash out the details. What really stands out to me from all these stories is how understanding EDD actually is about this situation once you explain it properly. Multiple people mentioned that reps told them this is common and the system is designed to handle it. The key seems to be being proactive about reporting the severance amount as soon as you know it, rather than trying to hide it or hoping they won't notice. I'm curious though - has anyone dealt with a situation where the severance package was structured as "salary continuation" rather than a lump sum? My company mentioned they might do it that way to help with taxes, but I'm wondering if EDD treats that differently than a traditional severance payment. I don't want to assume it's the same reporting process if the payment structure is different. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been way more helpful than hours of trying to navigate EDD's confusing website!

I'm also dealing with this situation right now - got laid off three days ago and my attorney is negotiating severance. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm convinced that filing immediately is the right move. What really helped me understand the process was seeing how many people successfully navigated this exact scenario. The pattern is clear: file now, indicate severance is pending, keep certifying normally, then report the actual amount when you know it. One thing I'm planning to do based on the advice here is document everything thoroughly - screenshots of my application showing I noted pending severance, keeping track of all my certifications, and saving any correspondence about the negotiations. It sounds like having this paper trail really helps when you eventually need to call EDD to report the final severance amount. For anyone else in this boat: don't let the uncertainty paralyze you. The system is designed to handle these situations, and from what I'm reading, EDD reps are actually pretty understanding about severance negotiations taking time. The worst thing you can do is wait and miss out on weeks of benefits you're entitled to while lawyers work out the details. Filing my claim today - thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I found it useful to set up text alerts in my EDD account so I get notified immediately when there are any updates. Also, if you're still working part-time while claiming benefits, make sure you report those earnings accurately during the extension process - any discrepancies can really slow things down. The documentation requirements can seem overwhelming at first, but once you get organized it's definitely manageable. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it makes this whole process feel less intimidating knowing others have successfully navigated it! 🙂

I'm currently in week 2 of waiting for my extension approval and wanted to share a few things I learned that might help others. First, I discovered that the EDD website actually has a "case status" page that's separate from your main account dashboard - you can find it under "Contact EDD" then "Check Status." It gives more detailed info about where your application stands. Also, I started keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking all my interactions (dates, reference numbers, etc.) which has been super helpful. One more tip - if you have to upload documents, make sure they're under 5MB and in PDF format, otherwise they might not go through properly. The waiting is definitely stressful but reading everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring. Hang in there everyone - we've got this! 💪

I went through something similar last year when I accidentally marked "Yes" to the work search question when I meant "No". The stress was unreal! Here's what I learned: First, don't panic - this happens more often than you'd think. I ended up calling EDD (took forever to get through) and the rep was actually really helpful. She explained that they see these kinds of honest mistakes all the time and can usually fix them quickly once you explain what happened. The key is being proactive about it. When I finally got through to someone, I explained exactly what happened - that I realized the mistake immediately after marking it - and she made a note in my file. My payment went through normally the next week. One tip that worked for me with UI Online: try logging in at different times of day. I had the same "cannot access account" error during peak hours (mornings and evenings), but it worked fine when I tried around 2-3 PM on a weekday. The system gets overloaded during busy times. Also seconding what others said about Claimyr - wish I had known about that service when I was dealing with my issue! Would have saved me hours of redialing. Your boyfriend will get through this! The mistake is fixable, just don't wait too long to contact them.

I had a similar panic moment when I accidentally marked the wrong box on question #6 about earnings. Here's what worked for me - I used the EDD Contact page on their website to submit an "Ask EDD" message explaining the mistake. I got a response within 3 business days and they fixed it without any payment delays or interviews. The online message system is sometimes faster than calling, especially for simple corrections like this. Just log into your UI Online account (once you get it working), go to Contact Us, and select "Certification Questions" as the topic. Be specific about which question you answered incorrectly and what the correct answer should be. If he still can't access UI Online, definitely try that password reset first like the admin suggested. Sometimes the account gets temporarily locked after failed login attempts and a reset clears it right up. Don't stress too much - EDD knows people make honest mistakes on these forms and they have processes in place to handle corrections. The fact that he caught it right away shows it wasn't intentional.