How to update name on EDD SDI Benefits account? Need advice!

I found a way to solve EDD name change process difficulties, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JonV8Uf8yIA

I went through this last year. Here's what you need to do: • Call the EDD and let them know you need to update your name • They'll ask for verification - have your SSN and current info ready • They'll tell you what forms to fill out (usually a name change form) • You'll need to provide proof of name change (marriage certificate, court order, etc.) • Submit everything they ask for • Follow up in about 2-3 weeks if you don't hear back The process can be a bit slow, but it's pretty straightforward. Good luck!

Ive been trying to get through to EDD for weeks now. Its impossible to reach a human being. Anyone else having this problem?

make sure u have ALL ur docs ready before u call. they'll ask for everything under the sun lol. and write down the name of who u talk to!

Has anyone tried updating their name online? Is that even possible with EDD or do we HAVE to call?

Quick question - does changing your name affect your current benefits at all? Like, is there any risk of payments being delayed or anything?

ugh why is dealing with government agencies always such a pain in the a**? good luck OP, you're gonna need it 😩

Hey, just a heads up - make sure you update your name with Social Security first if you haven't already. EDD pulls info from them, so it might cause issues if they don't match.

I actually just went through this process a few months ago! Here's what worked for me: Call early in the morning (like right when they open at 8am) - you'll have a better chance of getting through. When you do reach someone, be super polite and patient because they deal with frustrated people all day. They'll walk you through exactly what documents you need. In my case, I needed my marriage certificate, updated Social Security card, and a completed name change form they emailed me. The whole thing took about 6 weeks total, but my benefits weren't interrupted at all. Hang in there - it's tedious but definitely doable!

Thanks for posting this question! I'm in a similar situation and need to update my name after getting married. Reading through all these responses is super helpful - especially the tip about updating with Social Security first. I had no idea that could cause issues if they don't match up. The 8am calling strategy sounds smart too. Going to try that tomorrow morning and see if I can actually get through to someone. Fingers crossed! 🤞

I'm going through the same process right now! One thing I learned is to also have your current EDD account number ready when you call - they ask for it right away to pull up your file. Also, if you're doing this because of marriage, make sure your marriage certificate is certified (not just a regular copy). I made that mistake and had to go back to the county clerk to get the right version. The wait times are brutal, but once you get someone on the phone, they're usually pretty helpful. Just be prepared for multiple calls because sometimes they need additional documentation they didn't mention the first time around. Good luck!

Just wanted to add my experience to this thread! I went through the name change process with EDD about 8 months ago. A few things that really helped me: 1) I called the 1-800-300-5616 number specifically (not the main EDD line) - seemed to have shorter wait times. 2) When they put you on hold, don't hang up even if it's been hours! I made that mistake twice. 3) They actually can email you a checklist of required documents if you ask - super helpful so you don't forget anything. 4) Keep detailed notes of every conversation including the rep's name and reference numbers they give you. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me, but having everything organized made it much smoother. Also seconding what others said about updating SSA first - that's crucial! Hope this helps and good luck to everyone dealing with this! 💪

I'm currently dealing with this exact same issue! Just started the process last week after getting divorced and needing to change my name back. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you should also check if your direct deposit information needs to be updated too - apparently sometimes the bank account name needs to match exactly or it can cause payment delays. Also, if anyone is having trouble getting through on the phone, I found that Tuesday and Wednesday mornings tend to have slightly shorter wait times than Mondays (everyone seems to call on Mondays!). The whole thing is definitely a marathon, not a sprint, but reading everyone's experiences here is making me feel more prepared. Thanks for starting this thread - it's been super informative! 📞

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm about to start this process myself after a recent name change due to marriage. Based on everyone's advice, here's my game plan: 1) Make sure my Social Security update is complete first (still waiting on that), 2) Get a certified marriage certificate from the county clerk, 3) Try calling that 1-800-300-5616 number on Tuesday morning right at 8am, 4) Have my EDD account number, SSN, and all documents ready before I call, and 5) Take detailed notes with rep names and reference numbers. One question - for those who successfully completed this, did you have to mail in physical copies of documents or were they able to accept scanned/digital versions? Thanks again everyone for sharing your experiences - you've probably saved me weeks of frustration! 🙏

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in the exact same situation and need to update my name after getting married. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me a much clearer roadmap. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about updating with Social Security first - that seems like a crucial step that could save a lot of headaches later. The tip about calling that specific 1-800-300-5616 number on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings is gold! I've been dreading this process but seeing that others have successfully navigated it makes me feel more confident. Going to gather all my documents this weekend and try calling next Tuesday. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - you've probably saved me hours of frustration and confusion! 🙌

Just went through this process myself about 3 months ago! Here's what I learned: Call the 1-800-300-5616 number (way better than the main line) between 8-9am on Tuesday or Wednesday. Have EVERYTHING ready: your EDD account number, SSN, certified marriage certificate or court order for name change, and make sure you've already updated with Social Security first (this is crucial!). They'll email you a checklist if you ask, which is super helpful. The rep will walk you through the forms you need to fill out - mostly just a name change request form. You'll have to mail physical copies (no digital accepted), so use certified mail. Took about 4-5 weeks total for me, but my benefits continued without interruption. Write down the rep's name and any reference numbers they give you for follow-ups. One last tip: double-check that your direct deposit info matches your new name or it could delay payments. It's tedious but totally doable - you got this! 💪

This thread has been incredibly valuable! I'm just starting this process and was completely overwhelmed by the thought of dealing with EDD, but seeing everyone's detailed experiences has given me so much confidence. I love how this community supports each other through these bureaucratic nightmares! One quick question for those who've been through this - did anyone have issues if their current EDD account has their maiden name but their Social Security is already updated to their married name? I'm wondering if that mismatch could cause problems when I call, or if that's actually the normal situation they expect when someone is requesting a name change. Also, huge thanks to everyone who shared specific phone numbers and timing strategies. The 1-800-300-5616 number and Tuesday/Wednesday 8am timing seem to be the real MVPs here! Going to try this next week. Wish me luck! 🤞✨

This has been such an informative thread! I'm currently going through this exact process right now - just got married last month and need to update my name with EDD. I've already updated my Social Security (that took 3 weeks), and now I'm gearing up to tackle EDD. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm planning to call that 1-800-300-5616 number on Wednesday morning at 8am sharp with all my documents ready. I've got my certified marriage certificate, updated SS card, and EDD account number all organized. The tip about asking them to email a checklist is brilliant - definitely going to request that! One thing I'm curious about - for those who mailed in documents, did you make photocopies to keep for your records before sending the originals? I'm always paranoid about important documents getting lost in the mail, especially with government agencies. Also wondering if anyone had success following up if they didn't hear back within the expected timeframe? Thanks again to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences. This community is amazing! 🙏