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I'm currently going through this exact same situation! Had ankle surgery last week and my orthopedic surgeon also insisted on mailing the medical certification instead of submitting electronically. It's been 6 days since they mailed it and I'm already getting anxious seeing my account still stuck on "pending medical certification." Reading through everyone's experiences here is incredibly helpful - I had no idea that 7-14 days was the normal timeframe for mailed forms. It's honestly ridiculous that in 2025 we're still dealing with such slow paper processing when the rest of the world operates digitally. I'm definitely going to call my doctor's office tomorrow to see if they can fax a copy as well. That seems like such a simple solution that could save days of waiting. And I'm bookmarking that Claimyr service too just in case I need to actually get through to someone at EDD. Thanks Aurora for starting this discussion and everyone for sharing your timelines and tips. It really helps to know we're all dealing with the same frustrating process and that it does eventually work out!
I feel your frustration! I went through the exact same thing with my wrist surgery a few months ago. The waiting period is honestly the worst part of the whole SDI process. One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts through the SDI Online portal if you haven't already - at least then you'll get notified immediately when something changes instead of constantly refreshing the page. Also, since you're only 6 days in, you're still well within the normal timeframe based on what everyone here has shared. The fax backup plan is definitely smart. My doctor's office was able to fax mine even though they initially said they "only mail" - turns out they just hadn't done it before but were willing to try. Worth asking! Hope your ankle heals up well and your paperwork gets processed soon!
I'm currently in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! My doctor mailed in my medical certification for carpal tunnel surgery 5 days ago and I've been anxiously checking my SDI account multiple times daily. Seeing that 7-14 days is completely normal for mailed forms really helps calm my nerves. The fax backup option that @JacksonHarris mentioned is brilliant - I had no idea that was even possible! I'm definitely calling my doctor's office first thing tomorrow to see if they can send a fax copy as well. It's frustrating that we're stuck with such slow paper processing in 2025, but at least knowing what to expect timeline-wise makes the waiting more bearable. Also really appreciate the tip about the text alerts through SDI Online - I didn't know that was an option and it would save me from constantly refreshing the page. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and timelines. This community is such a lifesaver during these stressful waiting periods!
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Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble finding your W-2, you can also request a wage and tax statement transcript directly from the IRS! You can do this online at irs.gov or by calling them. It's free and will show all the same info as your W-2, including that Box 18 SDI amount everyone's talking about. Takes about 5-10 business days to get it by mail, or you can view it instantly online if you can verify your identity. This saved me when I couldn't find my physical W-2 last year! 📋
This is such a great tip! I had no idea you could get W-2 info directly from the IRS like that. The online option sounds super convenient too - way better than waiting around for mail. Thanks for sharing this! 🙌
For anyone still struggling with this, I just discovered you can also check your last pay stub from December 2024 - it should have a "year-to-date" section that shows your total SDI deductions for the whole year. Most employers include this breakdown even if you get direct deposit. If you use a pay stub app or portal, the December stub will have all your 2024 totals. This might be quicker than waiting for your W-2 if you need the info sooner! 📊
That's brilliant! I never thought to check my December pay stub for year-to-date totals. This seems like it would be the fastest way to get the info without having to wait for tax documents or deal with calling EDD. Thanks for the heads up! 🚀
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Something else I just thought of - make SURE you certify for your UI correctly for the last period. If your SDI starts mid-week, you need to report that you were unable to work for those days on your UI certification. Don't claim availability for work on days your doctor has certified you as disabled. That's considered misrepresentation and can cause big problems.
Oh wow, that's a really good point! My bedrest started on Wednesday, so I'll make sure to mark that I was unavailable starting that day when I do my final UI certification. Thank you!
Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you file your SDI claim online, there's a section where you can indicate that you were previously receiving other state benefits. Make sure to check that box and specify UI benefits. This creates a paper trail that shows you were transparent about the transition, which can help protect you if there are any questions later. Also, if you're planning to return to work after your pregnancy disability period ends, your UI claim should still be there waiting for you (assuming you still have benefit weeks remaining and meet eligibility requirements). You don't lose your UI claim by switching to SDI temporarily. Good luck with everything, and take care of yourself during this bedrest period! 💜
This is such helpful advice, thank you! I didn't even know there was a section to indicate previous benefits when filing for SDI. That makes me feel so much better knowing I can be transparent about the transition upfront. And it's really reassuring to know that my UI claim will still be there if I need it after my pregnancy disability ends. You all have been amazing - I was so stressed about this but now I feel like I actually know what I'm doing! 🙏
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As a newcomer to this community and SDI benefits, I'm amazed by how helpful this thread has been! I'm currently dealing with my first disability claim after a surgery last month, and like so many others here, I had absolutely no idea about the ongoing certification requirements. The initial paperwork process was confusing enough, but nobody mentioned that I'd need to keep submitting forms every two weeks to continue receiving payments. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a wake-up call - it's clear that EDD's communication about these critical steps is really lacking. I'm definitely going to implement all the advice shared here: checking my SDI Online account weekly, setting up those biweekly certification reminders, and getting direct deposit set up ASAP. The fact that people are discovering these requirements through missed payments or community forums like this instead of clear communication from EDD is really troubling. Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to share their knowledge and experiences - it's going to save newcomers like me from making costly mistakes while we're already dealing with health issues and financial stress.
Welcome to the community, @Brian Downey! I'm also new here and going through my first SDI experience after a recent medical procedure. This thread has been absolutely incredible for learning about all the things EDD doesn't tell you upfront. Like you, I was completely blindsided by the biweekly certification requirements - it seems like such a crucial piece of information that should be front and center during the application process, not something we have to discover through trial and error or community forums. I'm so grateful for everyone who's shared their hard-won knowledge here. The weekly account checks and biweekly reminder system that people have mentioned sounds like it's going to be essential for staying on top of everything. It's honestly concerning how many people have missed payments simply because they weren't aware of these ongoing requirements. Wishing you a smooth recovery from your surgery and hoping your claim process goes much more smoothly now that you're armed with all this valuable information from the community!
As a newcomer to this community and the SDI system, I'm blown away by how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently in the early stages of my first disability claim after an unexpected medical situation, and honestly, I was feeling completely lost about how any of this works. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and advice has been like getting a crash course in navigating EDD that I never received from the actual agency. The fact that so many people discovered critical requirements like biweekly certifications through missed payments or community forums instead of clear official communication is really eye-opening. I'm definitely implementing all the strategies mentioned here - weekly account checks, biweekly certification reminders, immediate direct deposit setup, and keeping detailed records. It's reassuring to see how supportive this community is in helping newcomers understand a system that seems deliberately confusing. Thank you to everyone who's shared their knowledge and experiences - you're literally helping people avoid financial hardship during already difficult times. @Joshua Wood, I hope your recovery has been going well and that your payment situation is all sorted out now!
Welcome to the community, @Anastasia Kozlov! I'm also completely new to both this forum and the SDI process, and like you, I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed by how complex everything seems. This thread has been such a goldmine of practical information that I never would have found anywhere else. It's honestly shocking how many critical details about the ongoing certification requirements aren't clearly explained during the initial application - it feels like EDD expects people to just figure it out as they go, which is really unfair when you're already dealing with health issues and financial stress. I'm taking detailed notes on all the advice here too, especially about those weekly online account checks and setting up biweekly reminders. The direct deposit tip seems crucial for getting payments faster. It's so reassuring to find a community where people actually take the time to help newcomers navigate this confusing system. Thanks for adding your voice to this discussion - it helps to know there are others of us learning together!
Miranda Singer
Welcome to the community! Just wanted to add one more helpful tip that saved me a lot of stress - after your husband files his SDI claim online, he'll get a confirmation number. Write that down immediately and take a screenshot! I lost mine the first time and had no way to track my claim status until I got the paperwork in the mail. Also, once he gets his Money Network card, download the app right away. You can check benefit deposits, set up direct deposit to your bank account (which is faster than using the card), and get notifications when payments are loaded. The app is way more convenient than calling the customer service line. Good luck with everything - sounds like you've got a solid plan thanks to all the great advice from everyone here!
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Emma Johnson
•Thank you so much for the warm welcome and the excellent tips! I definitely wouldn't have thought about screenshotting the confirmation number - that's such a practical detail. And the direct deposit option through the Money Network app sounds like a game-changer. I really appreciate how helpful everyone in this community has been. It's honestly overwhelming trying to navigate all of this, but you've all made it so much clearer. I'll make sure to follow up once we get through the process in case our experience can help the next person!
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Fernanda Marquez
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process recently! One thing that really helped me was setting up text notifications through SDI Online. You can enable alerts for when your claim status changes, when payments are issued, etc. It saved me from constantly checking the website for updates. Also, regarding the Money Network card - if your husband ends up needing to use it at ATMs, stick to the MoneyPass network ATMs to avoid fees. There's a locator on their website. But honestly, the direct deposit option that Miranda mentioned is the way to go once you get the card. One last thing - keep detailed records of everything! Dates you submitted forms, confirmation numbers, phone calls made, etc. If any issues come up later, having that timeline documented can really help when speaking with EDD representatives. You're doing great advocating for your husband through this process. The mixed paper/digital system is confusing but totally manageable once you know the steps!
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