


Ask the community...
I used Claimyr last week and got through to EDD in about 45 minutes after trying for days on my own. The rep I spoke with told me they're severely understaffed in the disability department right now because they shifted resources to handle regular unemployment. That's why it's nearly impossible to get through on your own. The rep I talked to was super helpful once I finally got connected.
I'm definitely checking out that Claimyr service tonight. At this point I'll try anything! Did they help you with documentation issues? That's my main concern - I have all these forms that need verification and signatures.
I feel your pain! I went through this exact same nightmare with my SDI claim last year. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the main number at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday using the redial feature on my phone. I set up my phone to automatically redial every 30 seconds while I did other things. After about 2 hours of this, I finally got through to the queue instead of the max capacity message. The key is persistence and timing - avoid Mondays and Fridays at all costs. Also, make sure you have all your paperwork ready before you call because once you get through, you want to handle everything in one call. The wait time was still 1.5 hours once I got in the queue, but at least I was making progress. Don't give up - you've got 10 days which is more time than you think if you're strategic about it!
This is such helpful advice! The auto-redial every 30 seconds is genius - I've been manually calling over and over like a maniac. And you're right about having everything ready beforehand. I learned that lesson the hard way when I finally got through to UI last year and had to put the rep on hold to find my paperwork. Wednesday at 8 AM sharp it is! Thanks for giving me hope that 10 days is actually doable if I'm smart about it.
Quick tip: if you have a smartphone, download a scanner app. You can scan all your docs and save them as PDFs. Makes it way easier to keep track of everything and submit online if that's an option.
Anyone else feel like they're playing a game of bureaucratic bingo? 😂 I swear, every time I think I'm done, BAM! Another form or document needed. At this point, I'm convinced they'll ask for a lock of my hair and my first-born child next.
This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm currently dealing with a potential settlement from a workplace injury (not workers comp since it was a third-party liability issue) and was really worried about how it might affect my UI benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences and seeing the official confirmation from EDD really helps clarify things. It sounds like the key is whether any portion of the settlement is specifically designated as compensation for lost wages versus medical expenses, pain and suffering, or property damage. I'll definitely review my settlement documents carefully when they arrive and consider using that Claimyr service if I need to speak with an EDD rep directly. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences here - this kind of peer support is invaluable when dealing with these confusing situations!
This is exactly the kind of situation where having clear guidance makes all the difference! Workplace injury settlements involving third-party liability can be especially tricky since they're not traditional workers comp. You're smart to wait and carefully review the settlement breakdown when it comes. From what I've learned reading this thread, the critical thing is looking for any language about "lost wages," "income replacement," or "loss of earnings" - those would be the red flags for reportable income. Everything else (medical bills, pain/suffering, etc.) should be in the clear. The Claimyr service that several people mentioned seems like a solid backup plan if you need official confirmation. It's amazing how much anxiety these situations can cause when you're already dealing with unemployment stress!
I'm new to the community but this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently on UI and just received a small settlement from a minor car accident - nothing major, just some bumps and bruises plus car repairs. Reading through everyone's experiences here, especially Yuki's follow-up with the official EDD response, really clarifies things. It seems like the bottom line is that settlements are only reportable if they specifically include compensation for lost wages. Everything else (medical, property damage, pain/suffering) doesn't count as income for UI purposes. This kind of peer knowledge sharing is so valuable - the EDD website and phone system can be so confusing to navigate on your own. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences and made this such a comprehensive resource!
Congrats on winning your appeal! I went through something similar last year. One thing I'd add is to screenshot or save copies of your appeal decision and all related paperwork right now. I made the mistake of only keeping the physical copies and when EDD claimed they couldn't find my case in their system, I had to wait weeks to get duplicate documents mailed to me. Also, if you have the EDD mobile app, check it regularly for any status updates. Sometimes they post notices there before they send anything in the mail. My refund actually showed up on my debit card about 3 days before I got any official notification that it had been processed. Really hoping your case goes smoothly and you get your money back quickly!
That's such smart advice about keeping digital copies! I just took photos of all my paperwork with my phone after reading your comment. And I'll definitely start checking the mobile app daily - I had no idea they sometimes post updates there first. Thanks for sharing your experience and the congrats! Fingers crossed mine goes as smoothly as yours did.
I'm in a similar situation right now - just won my appeal two weeks ago and still waiting for my refund! Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and nerve-wracking. It sounds like the timeline can really vary depending on your specific case. One thing I noticed from my decision paperwork is that it mentions something about EDD having to "reconcile the account" before issuing refunds. Not sure if that's standard language or if it means additional processing time. Has anyone else seen that phrase in their decision? Also, for those who did get their refunds eventually - did you receive any kind of confirmation or tracking information beforehand, or did the money just show up one day? Trying to figure out what to watch for!
Hey @Sarah Jones! I haven't been through this process myself yet (still waiting on my own refund from my appeal win last week), but from what I've read in this thread, it sounds like the "reconcile the account" language might be standard - @NebulaNinja mentioned earlier that there's a system adjustment step that takes 3-5 days as part of the normal process. As for tracking, @Ava Harris said her money just showed up on her card about 3 days before she got any official notice, so it sounds like you might not get much advance warning. Definitely keep checking your card/account and the mobile app like she suggested! Good luck with your refund - hopefully we both get our money back soon! 🤞
Hassan Khoury
I feel your pain! I went through something similar last year and finally got through using a combination of strategies. Here's what worked for me: 1) Download an auto-redial app on your phone so you don't have to manually keep calling, 2) Try calling the disability line at (800) 480-3287 and ask to be transferred to regular UI - sometimes they can help or the transfer gets you past the initial queue, 3) If you're really desperate, try calling your state senator's office too (not just assembly member) - they often have different EDD contacts. The mass layoff explanation makes total sense for why you're stuck. Don't give up - you WILL get through eventually!
0 coins
Sean Kelly
•Thank you so much for all these suggestions! I hadn't heard of using an auto-redial app - that's genius and would save me from having to sit there hitting redial all morning. I'm going to try the disability line transfer trick tomorrow along with calling my state senator's office if that doesn't work. It's reassuring to hear that others have eventually gotten through, even if it takes weeks. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you!
0 coins
Diego Flores
•Just wanted to add that the auto-redial app suggestion is brilliant! I used one called "Auto Redial" from the app store when I was dealing with EDD issues last year. Set it to redial every 30 seconds and let it run while I did other things. Saved my sanity from having to manually call hundreds of times. Also, Hassan is right about the state senator route - sometimes they have different connections than assembly members. Good luck Joshua, really hope one of these methods gets you through soon!
0 coins
Kelsey Chin
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim in early February after getting laid off and it's been stuck on "pending" ever since. I've probably called 50+ times and either get the busy signal or sit on hold forever just to get disconnected. It's so frustrating because I can see my claim was approved but no payments are being released. I tried the online "Ask EDD" thing but just got a generic response telling me to wait. Has anyone had luck with faxing documentation directly to EDD? I'm wondering if there's some paperwork issue holding up my claim that I don't even know about. This whole system feels broken - how are people supposed to pay bills while waiting months for benefits they're entitled to?
0 coins
AstroAdventurer
•I'm in literally the exact same boat as you! Filed in late February after a mass layoff and have been stuck on pending ever since. The fax route is worth trying - I've heard some people had success faxing their ID verification documents directly to EDD at (916) 319-4434, especially if there might be an identity verification hold on your account. You can also try faxing a letter explaining your situation to your local EDD office. The Sacramento office fax is (916) 464-7000. It's a long shot but at least it's another way to get documentation into their system while we're all trying to get through on the phones. This whole situation is absolutely ridiculous - we shouldn't have to jump through this many hoops just to access benefits we've paid into!
0 coins