Responding to EDD Document Requests

EDD may request additional documentation during claim processing. Respond within 48-72 hours — delays extend your processing time dollar-for-dollar.

Types of Requests

Wage Verification

What They Want:

• Pay stubs from a specific quarter or period
• W-2 forms
• Employer verification of wages

Why They Need It:

• Your reported wages don't match FedEx's submission to EDD
• Pilot pay varies monthly (hours flown, trip rigs, per diem) — EDD's system often flags this as inconsistent
• Needed to calculate your weekly benefit amount

How to Respond:

1. Gather the exact documents for the period specified in the letter
2. Include a brief cover note explaining that airline pilot pay varies monthly based on flight hours, trip rigs, and per diem — not a fixed salary
3. Write your claim number on every page
4. Submit via the method specified; online upload is fastest

Medical Certification

What They Want:

• Completed DE 2501 Part B (doctor's certification)
• Additional medical details or updated prognosis

Why They Need It:

• Part B not received or not linked to your claim
• Certification is incomplete (common issue: missing California medical license number)
• EDD needs an updated prognosis for extended disabilities

How to Respond:

1. Call your doctor's office the same day — don't wait for them to notice
2. Confirm they have your Claim Receipt Number and know to use their California medical license number (not DEA or NPI alone)
3. Ask for estimated completion and follow up in 48 hours if not done
4. If faxing, use certified fax or confirm receipt with EDD

Identity Verification

What They Want:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security verification
• ID.me online verification

How to Respond:

1. If EDD requests ID.me verification, complete it online at idme.com before submitting anything by mail
2. For documents: use secure upload in SDI Online, fax, or in-person — never email a Social Security card
3. Keep a copy of every document submitted with the submission date noted

Employment Verification

What They Want:

• Employment dates
• Wage confirmation
• Separation reason (if applicable)

How to Respond:

1. Provide the information yourself from your pay stubs if possible — don't wait for FedEx
2. If EDD needs FedEx to respond directly, contact the FedEx PAC (Pilot Administration Center) — they have access to payroll data and are more responsive than general payroll departments
3. Give the PAC your EDD claim number and the specific dates/amounts requested
4. Follow up with both the PAC and EDD within 5 business days to confirm submission

Response Best Practices

• Respond within 48-72 hours of receiving the request
• Write your claim number on every page of every document
• Include all pages of multi-page documents — an incomplete response resets the clock
• Send a brief cover note explaining pilot pay structure whenever submitting wage documents (EDD examiners are not familiar with hourly-variable airline pay)
• Keep a log: date sent, method, documents included, any confirmation number

Response Methods

Online Upload

Best for most submissions. Log into your SDI Online account, navigate to document upload, and confirm the upload completes successfully. Use PDF or clear JPEG; verify documents are legible after upload.

Fax

Best for time-sensitive medical documents. Use the fax number on your specific request letter — there is no single EDD fax number. Keep the fax confirmation page.

Mail

Use certified mail with return receipt. Allow 5-7 business days for delivery and add that to any deadline calculation.

In-Person

Best for complex wage disputes or anything requiring explanation. Bring originals and copies; ask for a written receipt.

Common Requests and Responses

"Provide Wage Documentation"

Send:

• Pay stubs for the period specified
• W-2 from the requested year(s)

Include Cover Note:

RE: Claim #[Your Number]

I am responding to your wage documentation request
dated [date of their letter].

Attached please find:
- Pay stubs from [dates]
- W-2 from [year]

As an airline pilot, my pay varies monthly based on
flight hours. Please contact me if you have questions
about my pay structure.

[Your contact information]

"Medical Certification Incomplete"

1. Contact your doctor immediately and ask what field is missing
2. Confirm they are using their California medical license number
3. Request completion within 48 hours and follow up

Send:

• Completed DE 2501 Part B
• Brief note identifying what was corrected

"Identity Verification Required"

• Complete ID.me verification online if that option is offered — it is faster than mailing documents
• For mailed documents: clear copy of requested ID via secure upload or fax

"Additional Information Needed"

Read the request carefully — respond to each question asked, in order. Use this format:

RE: Claim #[Your Number]
Response to Additional Information Request dated [date]

Question 1: [their question]
Answer: [your answer]

Question 2: [their question]
Answer: [your answer]

Attached documents:
- [List what you're including]

Please contact me at [phone] if you need anything else.

If You Don't Understand the Request

Call EDD (1-800-480-3287) to clarify before responding. Sending the wrong documents resets the clock; 5 minutes on the phone is faster than a second document cycle.

Deadlines

Most requests give you 10-14 days to respond — check the letter for the specific date. If you need more time, call EDD before the deadline to request an extension; do not just let it pass.

Missed Deadline

If you miss a deadline, respond immediately anyway and call EDD to explain. A missed deadline can result in denial — you may need to appeal under If Denied.

Next Steps

• If Denied - What to do if denied
• Tracking Your Claim - Continue monitoring
• Checklist - Track your progress