I'm dealing with the exact same issue! Filed my continuous claim form 16 days ago and still nothing. What's really frustrating is that my previous payments always came through within 3-4 days. I've been checking my UI Online account obsessively but there's literally no status update - it just shows "pending" with no explanation. Has anyone noticed if this is affecting people who filed around mid-December specifically? I'm wondering if there's some kind of system issue or if they're just overwhelmed with holiday processing. Really hope we all get some movement on our claims soon! 🤞

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting for unemployment payments is awful, especially during the holidays. I've been dealing with EDD delays myself and here's what's helped me: First, definitely try calling early in the morning right when they open (8am). The wait times are usually shorter then. Also, when you do get through, ask specifically if there are any "pending issues" or "stop payments" on your account that might not be showing up in your online portal. Another thing - have you tried logging into your UI Online account from a different browser or device? Sometimes there are technical glitches that prevent status updates from displaying properly. If calling doesn't work, you can also try faxing them directly or sending a message through the "Contact Us" feature in your online account. Document everything with dates and reference numbers. Hang in there - I know it's incredibly frustrating but most of these delays do get resolved eventually. Sending you positive vibes that your payment comes through soon! 💙

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my SDI claim about 6 weeks ago and it's been radio silence ever since. The uncertainty is the worst part - like, I need to know if I should be looking for other options or just keep waiting. I've tried calling but gave up after being on hold for 2+ hours multiple times. Really hoping some of these tips from everyone help speed things up. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops when we're already dealing with health issues.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the waiting and uncertainty is truly the worst part when you're already dealing with health issues. I'm relatively new to this community but have been following along and learning so much from everyone's experiences. From what I've gathered, it seems like the system is just completely overwhelmed right now, which doesn't make it any less frustrating for those of us stuck in limbo. A few things that stood out to me from reading through all the advice here: calling right when they open (around 8am, especially on Tuesdays), checking the online portal regularly since sometimes updates appear there first, and keeping detailed records of all your attempts to contact them. I also hadn't considered reaching out to my local representative's office before seeing it mentioned here - apparently they can sometimes help expedite cases. The fact that we have to become experts in navigating bureaucracy when we should be focusing on our health is really disheartening, but it sounds like persistence and using multiple approaches is key. Hang in there - from all the stories I've read, it seems like things do eventually move forward, even if the timeline is way longer than it should be. We're all rooting for each other here! 💙

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been on SDI twice in the past few years. The first time around in 2022, I had no idea about the federal tax situation and got absolutely slammed with a $800 tax bill that April. Learned my lesson the hard way! When I had to go on SDI again last year for a different injury, I immediately submitted the DE 4P form through my online account and had 12% federal taxes withheld from each payment. Made such a huge difference - actually got a small refund instead of owing money. For all you newcomers asking about this, here's what I wish someone had told me: even though SDI payments are lower than your regular salary, you can still owe a decent chunk in federal taxes depending on your total income for the year. The 10-15% withholding range that others mentioned is pretty spot on. Also, don't forget that if you have other income during the year (like working part of the year before your injury), that all gets combined when calculating your tax liability. Really hope EDD starts making this federal tax requirement more obvious in their application materials - way too many people are getting caught off guard by this!

Just found this community and this thread is exactly what I needed! I'm brand new to SDI and just submitted my claim yesterday for a workplace shoulder injury. Like literally everyone else here, I had absolutely no clue that there was a difference between federal and state taxes for disability benefits - I honestly thought they weren't taxable at all! Reading through all these experiences has been both incredibly helpful and a bit scary seeing how many people got blindsided by federal tax bills. I'm definitely going to submit that DE 4P form for federal tax withholding as soon as my claim gets approved - seems like the smart move based on everyone's advice here. It's really frustrating that EDD doesn't make this crucial information more obvious during the application process, but I'm so grateful to have found this community to help navigate all these confusing rules. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and hard-learned lessons - you're saving us newcomers from some expensive mistakes!

I just went through this exact same process about 3 weeks ago! The DE 429D notice definitely looks intimidating at first, but it's actually just EDD showing you how they calculated your weekly benefit amount. The "additional approvals" part is pretty standard now - they're just being extra careful with verification due to all the fraud issues they've dealt with. In my case, they needed me to verify my identity through ID.me and provide some additional wage documentation from my previous employer. The whole thing took about 5 weeks, but I got all my retroactive payments once everything was approved, which was a huge relief! My biggest piece of advice: check your UI Online account every single day. I set up a reminder on my phone for 7:30am and it saved me from missing a document request with a tight deadline. Also, when you upload any documents, make sure they're crystal clear - I had to resubmit one because the photo was too blurry. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, but try not to stress too much. From what I've seen in this community, the vast majority of people get through the approval process successfully. It's just EDD's way of making sure everything is legit before releasing payments. You're going to be fine! 👍

I went through the exact same thing about 2 months ago! The DE 429D notice with "additional approvals" had me panicking at first, but it turned out to be way more routine than I expected. In my case, they just needed me to verify my identity through ID.me and submit some additional pay stubs from a previous employer that I had initially forgotten to include. The whole process took about 4-5 weeks, but the good news is I received ALL my back payments once everything was approved - so you won't lose any benefits during this waiting period! Here's what really helped me get through it smoothly: • Set up a daily reminder to check your UI Online account (I did 8am every day) • Respond to ANY requests within 24 hours - don't wait! • Upload documents as clear PDFs, not blurry phone photos • Keep copies of everything you submit I know the waiting is super stressful, but based on what I've seen in this community, most people successfully get through the approval process. It's just EDD being extra cautious with verification these days. Try not to stress too much - you've got this! The hardest part is just being patient while they work through everything. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions as you go through the process! 💪

hey did u try calling the different office locations? sometimes the local offices pick up faster than the main number. google edd disability offices near me and you might find a direct number

Any update on your situation? Were you able to get through to anyone? I'm curious because I'm about to file my claim next week for surgery and I'm getting nervous after reading all these stories...