Posted on 02/23/2011 9:02:04 PM PST by TMD
I need suggestions for dealing with the Cal. EDD I was on disability after surgery for a period of time in 2009 and 2010. After I went back to work in 2010 I realized I hadn't gotten my final disability check. I called the EDD and got help straightening it out. I told the woman I didn't think I had gotten my final check from 2009 either (it's a complicated [i.e. stupid] process). The woman said I missed the window to request it ($1600) but I could file a petition. I filed the petition. I received a notice for a hearing. I then received a check for the $1600. I called to cancel the hearing because the dispute was resolved. The woman I spoke to said I couldn't cancel the hearing by phone, I would need to send a letter. I explained that I received a check so the matter was settled and I didn't want to waste people's time with a hearing after the matter was resolved. She still said I needed to cancel it in writing. I sent letter saying the matter had been resolved since I received the final disability check. I then received a letter saying that the case was cancelled due to a no-show on my part. Next thing I know is that 3 months later I receive a notice from the EDD about me owing the EDD $1600 because of an overpayment!!!
Not one bit of information on the form (except my SS #) I intend to send a letter with confirmation from my work for the dates of my disability and asking what exactly the overpayment was. I expect that I'm hosed and will end up paying back the money even though it was money that I was due. (Yes, I've paid disability for the last 30 years.) Naturally the entire system is run in the most screwed up manner imaginable. Every form they send you has your full name, address and SS# on it. They even instructed me to write my SS# on my check when I send it in. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Talk to the Ombudsman at the hospital where you had your surgery. They can help you navigate the system. But what happened is that the system pays when you file the appeal, and the hearing determines if you get to keep it. That’s why you got the check.
‘talbot.smith@edd.ca.gov‘; ‘pam.harris@edd.ca.gov‘; ‘laura.anderson@edd.ca.gov‘
Those are the head honchos. An email to them will have someone calling you within the day. Send to all three - explain you need a live person who can actually assist you, not the first line of customer service who has just made things worse so far, to figure out the problem. Make sure you write down the number on your caller ID when they call you back so you can get back in touch.
Good luck.
Thanks for the info! I always know I’ll get help from FRiends!
Govt employees at any level absolutely abhor bad publicity, especially in the news media, is their worst nightmare.
Call your local TV stations and (alleged) newspaper and tell them of your story.
Also consider writing letters (and emails) to the news people, and sending copies to the EDD.
You can also contact your state assembly person's office. That works quickly, although you have to get through to them.
One other thing, go to the EDD website, and get the contact info. Consider calling people at much higher levels than public info types.
Good luck, and have fun with this.
.
Welcome to the most screwed-up, convoluted system known to man in the civilized world! Perhaps the old Soviet bureaucracy was worse, but not by much. I wrestled with these retards for months a few years ago and finally received my final payment when I notified them that one of their brightest had advised me not to submit interim claims because they were not automated and would just toss any paperwork that wasn’t final! Good luck and retain everything forever!
JC
That doesn’t work...I kept numbers of everyone I had called, but everytime I called back I was shuffled to another gopher-of-the-day in a different city who had a different story and excuse as to why I had been at fault for not receiving my final payment. The only solution is to make it more painful for EDD than they have made it for you (or don’t EVER get sick)!
JC
Tell them you’re a fireman or a policeman ,, they’ll just wink and put you on permanent disability payments (at least that’s how it is here)...
It is just about the stupidest, convoluted system imaginable. I’m a systems engineer and I can see about 100 ways to streamline and improve the process. The frustrating part is the I DID received my final payment, now they want me to pay it back - no reason was given except that it was an “overpayment” even though when I spoke to a human at the EDD she said: “Yes, it shows here that you never received your final check of $1600 so you must file a petition to get it”. It makes me want to scream!!
I sent an e-mail to these three addresses and they were all returned....
<???talbot.smith@edd.ca.xn—gov-po0a>:
No MX or A records for edd.ca.xn—gov-po0a
:(
I straightened out the addresses.....Thanks!
I looked up my assemblymans website and there was a section that said “If you need help navigating the California State bureaucracy or regulations, contact us.” I contacted him and the next day someone from their office called me and the day after that someone from the EDD called. He said my only recourse is to request my original appeal be re-opened, then I can go before a judge and explain the circumstances and see if he rules in my favor.
I’m still probably totally screwed...it just irks me to no end that the State has it on record that they owe you something, they give it to you and then demand repayment....
Thanks for the advice.
You are quite welcome sir.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.