Welcome to the community, Omar! The workers comp to SDI transition can definitely be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with pain and medication side effects. You're asking all the right questions though. Regarding your concerns about missing communications from EDD - in addition to having someone help monitor your online account, I'd suggest setting up email notifications if you haven't already. EDD will send alerts when there are updates to your claim status or new messages in your account. For the physical therapy extension, your PT's recommendation should definitely carry weight, but make sure your primary doctor or treating physician is the one who actually completes and submits the DE 2525XX form. EDD typically wants to see the extension paperwork from an MD rather than just a PT, even though PT recommendations are absolutely valid medical justification. One thing that really helped me during my recovery was keeping a simple daily log of my pain levels and functional limitations. If EDD ever questions your extension, having documentation that shows "couldn't walk to mailbox without severe pain" or "unable to lift more than 5 pounds" can be really helpful evidence. It also helps your doctor write more detailed and specific work restrictions. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as you go through this process - everyone here has been super helpful and we all understand how stressful this can be when you're just trying to focus on healing!

Welcome to the community! I'm also navigating the SDI extension process for the first time and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm dealing with chronic pain from a workplace injury and have been really anxious about the whole extension timeline. One thing I learned from reading everyone's experiences is how important it is to be proactive rather than reactive with this process. I just scheduled a follow-up appointment with my doctor specifically to discuss the extension paperwork and timeline, even though my current claim doesn't end until next month. Better to plan ahead than scramble at the last minute! For anyone else going through this - I've been keeping all my medical records, appointment summaries, and any EDD correspondence in a dedicated folder (both physical and digital copies). My brain fog from pain medication makes it hard to remember details, so having everything organized in one place has been a lifesaver. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. It's so reassuring to know there are people here who actually understand what it's like to deal with disability bureaucracy while you're trying to focus on recovery!

Hey OP, any updates? Were you able to get through to someone?

I've been dealing with EDD for years and unfortunately this happens more often than it should. A few things to try while you're waiting to get through on the phone: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try logging in again 2. Try accessing your account from a different device or browser 3. Check if you can still see your claim on the desktop website vs just the mobile app 4. Look for any notices in your EDD inbox online The fact that your doctor sent the note on 8/23 is good - that's within the typical timeframe they require. Don't panic yet, but definitely keep trying to reach them. If the claim truly disappeared from their system (not just a display glitch), they'll need to investigate and potentially have you refile. Document everything and stay persistent!

Just wanted to add that you should also check with your grocery store's HR about any short-term disability benefits they might offer through their employee benefits package. Sometimes these can supplement your SDI benefits or cover the 7-day waiting period. Also, if you're union, they may have additional resources or advocate for you with EDD if you run into issues. Don't forget to factor in that your Social Security retirement benefits will continue uninterrupted during your recovery - that's one less thing to worry about! Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery process.

Hi Miles! I went through almost the exact same situation last year - I'm 65, on Social Security retirement, and work part-time at Target. Had to get knee replacement surgery and was terrified about the finances. The good news is that you absolutely CAN get SDI benefits while receiving Social Security retirement - they're completely separate systems! My advice: Start your SDI application online as soon as your doctor gives you a surgery date. Don't wait until after surgery like I did - I lost almost 3 weeks of benefits because of the processing time. Also, make sure your doctor knows they need to be very specific about your work restrictions and expected recovery time on the medical forms. One thing that helped me was calculating roughly what my SDI benefit would be beforehand using EDD's online calculator, so I could budget accordingly. With part-time wages, it won't replace your full income, but every bit helps during recovery. The whole process was less scary than I thought it would be once I got started. You've got this!

Ive been in the same boat, OP. Took me 3 weeks to get my application corrected. Hang in there!

I just went through this same process last month! In addition to the great advice from @Ravi Malhotra, I'd suggest trying to call during their less busy hours - I had luck around 2-3 PM on weekdays. Also, make sure you have your case number ready when you call, it speeds things up a lot. The whole process took about 10 days for me once I got through to someone. Don't give up, you'll get it sorted! 💪

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I'm brand new to SDI (literally just got approved last week) and haven't even received my first payment yet, but reading through everyone's experiences with holiday delays has been incredibly educational. I had no idea that EDD's payment system worked this way or that delays around holidays were so predictable. The explanations about checking for "paid" status in SDI Online and understanding that it's just a processing delay rather than a claim issue are exactly the kind of practical information I needed. It's clear this community really looks out for each other - the way everyone shared their initial panic and then relief when payments came through really shows we're all in this together. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and follow everyone's advice about budgeting around these expected delays. Thank you all for being so open about your experiences and creating such a supportive environment for newcomers like me!

This entire thread has been such a valuable resource! I'm about 6 months into my SDI claim and have dealt with holiday delays before, but seeing everyone's experiences laid out like this really reinforces how predictable these delays are. What strikes me most is how many of us go through that same cycle - initial panic when the payment doesn't show up, frantic checking of bank accounts, then relief when we realize it's just the normal holiday processing delay. The tip about checking for "paid" status in SDI Online is crucial - that's really the best indicator that everything is fine on your end. I also love the suggestion about setting up bank alerts instead of constantly refreshing your account. For anyone new to SDI reading this, definitely take the advice about budgeting around these predictable delays. Once you know to expect them after federal holidays, it becomes so much more manageable. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world knowledge that makes navigating the SDI system easier for all of us!