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I'm a former EDD employee and want to clarify something important that hasn't been mentioned yet. When you file for SDI, make sure to check if your overpayment included any "false statement" penalties. Even if it wasn't classified as fraud, false statement penalties can create a flag in the system that might delay your SDI claim while they verify everything is resolved. You can check this by logging into your UI Online account and looking at the overpayment details - it should show if any penalties were included beyond just the benefit overpayment amount. If there were penalties, make sure you have documentation that ALL penalties were satisfied, not just the base overpayment. This is often overlooked and can cause unnecessary delays. Also, the SDI waiting period is actually a good thing in your case - it gives their system time to process and verify that your UI account is clear before your benefits start.
This is incredibly valuable insider information! I never would have thought to check specifically for false statement penalties versus just the main overpayment amount. I'll definitely log into my UI Online account today and look at the detailed breakdown of what exactly was included in my overpayment. Since mine was for incorrectly reporting earnings, there might have been additional penalties I wasn't aware of. It's also reassuring to hear that the SDI waiting period can actually work in my favor by giving the system time to verify everything is clear. Thank you so much for this insight - having the perspective of someone who actually worked at EDD is really helpful!
I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago! Had a UI overpayment of around $11,000 that was paid off through tax intercepts, and then needed to file for SDI due to surgery recovery. What really helped me was calling EDD about a week after I submitted my SDI application to proactively ask them to verify that my UI overpayment showed as fully satisfied in their system. The rep was able to confirm everything looked good and even made a note in my file. My SDI payments started on time with no issues. One thing I learned is that even though the programs are separate, it's worth that extra phone call just for peace of mind. Also, make sure you keep copies of any tax documents showing the intercepts went to EDD - I had to reference mine once when there was a minor question about timing. You should be fine since you've already paid everything back, but being proactive definitely doesn't hurt!
I'm also going through the extension process right now and this whole thread has been incredibly valuable! One thing I wanted to add that helped me - if you're having trouble accessing your account or the site keeps timing out, try logging in during off-peak hours like early morning (6-7 AM) or late evening (after 9 PM). The system seems way less glitchy then. Also, I've found it helpful to have a dedicated folder on my computer with all my EDD documents so I can quickly access anything they might ask for. The process is definitely stressful but seeing all these success stories and practical tips gives me so much hope. Thanks Lucas for starting this discussion - it's exactly what so many of us needed! Wishing everyone patience and quick approvals! 🙏
This is such great advice about the off-peak hours! I've been trying to access the site during lunch breaks and it's always so slow. Definitely going to try early morning tomorrow. The dedicated folder idea is really smart too - I've been scrambling through different folders on my computer every time I need a document. Thanks for sharing these practical tips and for the encouragement! It's amazing how much this thread has helped reduce my anxiety about the whole process. Good luck with your extension approval! 🤞
I'm also navigating the extension process right now and this thread has been such a lifesaver! Just wanted to share that I called the 1-800-300-5616 number yesterday at exactly 8:01 AM and got through after about 30 minutes - much better than the horror stories I'd heard. The rep was actually really helpful and walked me through checking my eligibility status. One tip she gave me was to make sure your address and phone number are current in your profile before applying, as mismatched info can cause delays. Also learned that if you've moved recently, you might need to verify your new address with additional documentation. The whole conversation took about 15 minutes and now I feel way more confident about submitting my application. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this process! 💙
Dylan, that's fantastic news about your status changing to "paid"! 12 days is actually really encouraging - I've been following this thread closely because I'm in day 6 of waiting after my own successful appeal. I wanted to share something that might help speed things up for anyone else reading this - when I called EDD yesterday just to check on status, the rep mentioned that sometimes there's a separate "payment authorization" step that has to happen even after your account shows "paid." She said if the money doesn't hit your account within 3 business days of the status change, definitely call back because there might be an additional flag that needs manual removal. Also, completely agree with everyone about the bank limits thing. I work at a credit union and we definitely flag large government deposits sometimes, especially if they're significantly higher than the account's normal activity. A quick heads up call can prevent a 1-2 day hold. This thread has been such a lifeline during this stressful process. Really hoping that $7,800 shows up in your account today Dylan! Keep us posted on the final timeline once it actually deposits.
Daniel, thanks for sharing that info about the separate "payment authorization" step! That's really helpful to know - I had no idea there could be additional manual steps even after the status shows "paid." I'll definitely keep that 3 business day timeline in mind and call if nothing happens by then. Day 6 for you sounds like you're still in the normal range based on what everyone's shared here, but the waiting is so nerve-wracking when you need the money. Really appreciate you sharing the insider knowledge from working at a credit union too - gives me even more confidence that calling my bank ahead of time was the right move. This whole community has been amazing for navigating this confusing process!
Dylan, huge congratulations on winning your appeal and getting to "paid" status! This entire thread has been incredibly informative - I've bookmarked it because the timeline and tips everyone shared are so valuable. I'm currently waiting for my own appeal hearing (scheduled for next week) and reading through everyone's experiences has really helped me prepare mentally for what comes after. The 12-day timeline to status change gives me realistic expectations, and all the practical advice about bank limits, certification history, and potential manual flags is stuff I never would have known to look out for. One question for you or anyone else who's been through this - did you have to provide any additional documentation between winning the appeal and getting the "paid" status? Or was it pretty much just waiting for EDD to process everything on their end? Really hoping that deposit hits your account soon! You've been so helpful sharing your journey with everyone here. This community makes such a stressful process feel much more manageable when you know others have successfully made it through to the other side.
Avery, great question! I didn't have to provide any additional documentation after winning the appeal - it was all just waiting for EDD to process everything on their end. Once I got that decision letter in the mail, it was basically just a matter of waiting for their system to catch up and remove the disqualification flag. The appeal decision itself seemed to have all the authority they needed to release the payments. Good luck with your hearing next week! Make sure you have all your documents organized and ready to reference during the hearing. The actual hearing part honestly wasn't too bad - it was just this waiting afterward that tested my patience. Hope your timeline goes even smoother than mine did!
Just a warning - when I transitioned from disability back to work, EDD CONTINUED sending me payments I wasn't entitled to for THREE WEEKS after I reported returning to work!!! Then 6 months later they sent me an OVERPAYMENT NOTICE demanding I pay back $2,800!! Their system is COMPLETELY BROKEN. Make sure you document EVERYTHING and call to confirm they processed your return to work when that time comes.
This is important advice. When you're ready to return to work, don't just stop certifying (like with UI). With SDI, you need to actively notify them of your return-to-work date. The best method is to report it through your SDI Online account AND call to confirm they've processed it. Keep records of when you reported it and who you spoke with. It's unfortunate, but documentation is your best protection against administrative errors.
Just wanted to add from my recent experience - I was on SDI for 7 months after knee surgery and the process was actually smoother than I expected. My orthopedic surgeon was really familiar with the EDD forms and made sure to be conservative with the initial certification (6 weeks) then proactive with extensions. The key was staying in regular contact with my doctor's office about 2 weeks before each certification period ended. They have a system for handling these extensions since they deal with them frequently. Also, make sure your surgeon's office knows you're planning to file for SDI BEFORE your surgery - some doctors prefer to have the paperwork ready to go rather than scrambling after the fact. The 7-day waiting period starts from when you stop working, not when you apply, so get that application in as soon as possible after your surgery date.
This is really reassuring to hear! I'm scheduled for surgery next month and was getting overwhelmed by all the different information. Your tip about talking to the surgeon's office beforehand is gold - I hadn't thought about that. Did you have to do anything special to coordinate the timing between when you stopped working and when you applied? I'm trying to figure out if I should take some vacation days first or go straight from work to surgery to SDI.
Daniel White
I'm new to this community and currently going through my first unemployment experience. This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly a huge relief! I had no idea that EDD does these random eligibility reviews - it's both frustrating that it can happen to anyone at any time, but also reassuring to see so many people go through it and come out fine on the other end. The way @2ff2c9d98ae1 documented their entire journey from panic to resolution really helped me understand what to expect if this happens to me. I'm definitely taking all the advice here to heart about keeping super detailed work search records, saving screenshots of job postings, and continuing to certify even if payments go pending. I'm also bookmarking that Claimyr service just in case - the regular EDD phone lines seem impossible to get through to. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences so openly - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable for navigating such a confusing system!
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Jason Brewer
•@c4c493369e86 Welcome to the community! I'm also fairly new here and this thread has been such a lifesaver. When I first saw my payments go to pending last week, I had no idea what was happening and honestly thought I was the only one dealing with this. Seeing @2ff2c9d98ae1's complete journey from the initial panic to getting it resolved really put things in perspective - these random reviews seem to be way more common than I realized. What really struck me is how many different people in this thread have gone through the exact same thing, which shows it's just part of how EDD operates rather than something specific we did wrong. I'm taking all the documentation advice seriously too - better to be over-prepared than caught off guard during one of these reviews. It's reassuring to know there are resources like Claimyr when the regular phone system fails us. This community really is amazing for sharing real-world experiences!
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Beth Ford
I'm brand new to both this community and the unemployment system, and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I just started my claim last month and had no clue that EDD does these random eligibility reviews - it's honestly terrifying that it can happen without warning, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated through it is really encouraging. What impressed me most was how @2ff2c9d98ae1 kept everyone updated throughout the whole process and shared the solution that worked. I'm definitely going to start keeping much more detailed records of my job search activities after reading all the advice here. I'm also saving the Claimyr information just in case I need it in the future since it seems like the regular phone system is nearly impossible. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's amazing how this community helps newcomers like me understand what we might face and how to handle it!
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