EDD system rejecting my SSN - keeps saying 'invalid' when filing new claim

omg this happened to me back in January!! the system kept rejecting my ssn too. so frustrating!!

This typically happens for one of three reasons: 1. There might be a discrepancy between your name as it appears on your Social Security card and how you're entering it in the system (including hyphens, middle initials, etc.) 2. Your employer might have reported your SSN incorrectly to EDD on your wage records 3. There could be a technical issue with your specific account in the EDD database The fastest solution is to speak directly with an EDD representative who can verify your information in their system and make corrections. Unfortunately, as you've discovered, getting through to someone is extremely challenging right now.

the EDD system is complete garbage!! i had the same issue and had to wait 6 WEEKS before someone fixed it. by that time i was so behind on bills i almost got evicted. the whole thing is designed to stop people from getting benefits they deserve!!!!

I had this exact issue in February. After trying to call for two weeks, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that basically calls EDD repeatedly for you and then connects you when they get through. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I got connected to an EDD rep, it turned out there was a typo in my birthdate in their system that was causing the SSN validation to fail. The rep fixed it on the spot and I was able to file my claim immediately afterward. Saved me weeks of frustration.

Have you checked your credit report recently? Not trying to scare you, but sometimes SSN rejection can happen if someone else is using your SSN fraudulently. Might be worth checking just to be safe. You can get free reports at annualcreditreport.com

When I had this problem in 2025, I found out it was because I had previously filed for disability (SDI) and there was some weird flag on my account. The regular unemployment reps couldn't even see the issue but when I finally got transferred to a tier 2 specialist they found and fixed it. Make sure you ask for a tier 2 rep when you get through!

I work in HR and sometimes see this issue with our former employees. Often it's because there's a name mismatch - like if you got married/divorced and your name changed on your SSN records but the EDD still has your old name. Or vice versa. Worth checking!

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning using that Claimyr service someone suggested. It actually worked! The rep found that somehow my birthdate was entered incorrectly in their system (off by one digit in the year). She fixed it and I was able to file my claim immediately afterward. For anyone else with this issue, definitely try to speak with an actual representative because it seems like these SSN problems are usually data entry errors in their system that only they can fix. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

So glad you got this resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people not to give up when they hit these weird technical errors with EDD. Your experience is a perfect example of how these "invalid SSN" errors are almost never actually about your SSN being wrong - it's usually some tiny data entry mistake on their end that only a live rep can spot and fix. Hopefully your story will help other people who run into the same issue know that it's worth pushing through to get a human on the phone!

I'm so relieved to see this thread because I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! I've been trying to file for three weeks and getting the same "invalid SSN" error. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like these are almost always data entry mistakes on EDD's end rather than actual problems with our information. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that @Aria Park mentioned - seems like getting through to a live rep is really the only way to get these weird technical issues resolved. Thanks for sharing your solution @Ava Kim, it gives me hope that this nightmare will eventually end!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar SSN validation issue right now and it's reassuring to see that so many people have gotten through this. I've been banging my head against the wall for two weeks thinking I was doing something wrong, but now I realize it's likely just another EDD system glitch. Going to try the Claimyr service today - seems like that's the key to actually reaching a human who can fix these database errors. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with these frustrating technical issues!

This entire thread is such a lifesaver! I've been dealing with this exact SSN rejection issue for over a week now and was starting to panic that I'd never be able to file my claim. Seeing that @Ava Kim got it resolved and that it was just a simple data entry error gives me so much hope. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service first thing tomorrow morning. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD's system has so many of these validation bugs, but at least now I know it's not actually my fault and there IS a solution. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support makes dealing with EDD's broken system so much more bearable!

This thread has been incredibly educational! As someone who works in tech support, I see similar validation issues all the time - they're almost always caused by small discrepancies in data formatting or entry errors in the backend system. The fact that so many people here experienced the same "invalid SSN" error that turned out to be typos in birthdates, names, or other personal info really highlights how common these database inconsistencies are at EDD. For anyone still dealing with this issue, I'd also suggest when you do get through to a rep, ask them to read back ALL of your personal information in their system (full name spelling, birthdate, address, etc.) and verify it matches your documents exactly. Sometimes the error isn't obvious and you need to go through each field systematically. These validation systems are usually very literal and even a missing middle initial or extra space can cause rejections. Great work @Ava Kim on getting it resolved and thanks for updating the thread - success stories like yours give people the motivation to keep pushing through these frustrating technical barriers!