On November 30, 2012, a representative of the California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported to me that the state has a backlog of 20,000 short term disability (SDI) claims. The representative refused to give me her name, but stated that the California EDD is 8 weeks behind in the processing of claims. She was unable to give a reason for the backlog and offered no date that the problem would be resolved. In fact, "Miss Unnamed State Worker" hung up on me when I questioned her further. In the meantime, 20,000 sick people are waiting for overdue payments. What are they living on? How are they surviving? Pamela Harris, the current director of California's Employment Development Department has some explaining to do! Ms. Harris runs the office that handles all claims in the state for unemployment, as well as all claims for temporary disability. Those who are no longer getting a regular paycheck from work depend on this to live and payments are not forthcoming. This includes anyone in the state who is out of work on FMLA, such as new mothers, or anyone seriously ill.
In October, Ms. Harris was accused of having a backlog in the processing of unemployment claims and was accused of providing false unemployment numbers to the government. She denied that accusation vehemently, but unemployment checks WERE delayed. Now this? How will Ms. Harris try to spin this, when her own state employees are telling claimants, "Too bad, so sad that you have nothing to live on; nothing for medications, food, rent, doctors. There is nothing we can do to speed it up!"
SDI (State Disability Insurance) is the program in California that replaces up to 52% of a worker's income when they become temporarily disabled and are unable to work. The benefit ranges from a minimum of $50.00 to a maximum of $1011.00 per week. California workers see a deduction from every paycheck which goes towards this insurance policy, and right now, disabled workers in California are NOT getting payments in a timely manner because of this backlog.
Eight weeks is a very long time with no money. It is even longer when you are sick, Ms. Harris!
As for unemployment claims in the state, it should come as no surprise that it has also been reported to me that California is running behind in the processing of those claims, as well.
What say you, Ms. Harris?
