As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely shocked by how many people have experienced this exact same scam! The pattern is so specific and coordinated - targeting women at 36-40 weeks with vague "disability" language and birth status questions. It's disgusting that these criminals are preying on pregnant women when we're most vulnerable and distracted. Brooklyn, you handled this perfectly by trusting your instincts and hanging up immediately. The fact that they couldn't provide their name, department, or any specific claim details while calling from a blocked number are huge red flags. Legitimate EDD representatives would never need to ask if you've given birth - they get that information when you file your PFL claim! Reading everyone's experiences and advice has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea these scams were so widespread or that EDD calls typically come from Sacramento area codes with proper identification. The advice about documenting everything and reporting to both EDD fraud (1-800-229-6297) and the FTC is invaluable. I'm saving this entire thread to share with other pregnant friends and my prenatal support group. It's terrifying that we need to be on guard for scams during what should be an exciting time, but this community's vigilance is protecting so many women from becoming victims. Thank you everyone for looking out for each other and sharing such detailed, helpful advice! Wishing you a safe delivery and smooth transition to PFL, Brooklyn!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm absolutely appalled reading about how widespread this scam is! The fact that so many pregnant women are getting these identical calls at 36-40 weeks shows this is clearly a coordinated attack targeting us when we're most vulnerable. Brooklyn, you did exactly the right thing trusting your instincts and hanging up. The vague "disability" identification without proper credentials is a dead giveaway - legitimate EDD reps always provide their name, employee ID, and specific claim details. What's particularly disturbing is how precisely they time these calls. They're exploiting our anxiety about the SDI to PFL transition and catching us when we're exhausted and distracted by impending delivery. It's predatory behavior at its worst. I'm currently not pregnant but saving all this information for the future. The advice about EDD fraud reporting (1-800-229-6297) and FTC complaints is invaluable. I'm also sharing this thread with friends who might be at risk. Thank you for posting this warning - your experience is going to protect so many other women from falling victim to these criminals. Wishing you a safe delivery and hoping EDD takes action against this organized scam targeting pregnant women!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who works in HR and has helped employees through the SDI process many times. A few additional things to keep in mind: 1. Make sure your employer has accurate wage information on file with EDD - your SDI benefit amount is calculated based on what they've reported, so any discrepancies could delay your claim. 2. If you're union, check if you have any supplemental disability benefits that could help bridge the gap between your SDI payments and full wages. 3. Some employers have a "disability coordination" policy where they'll pay you the difference between SDI and your full salary for a certain period. It's worth asking about even if it's not in your employee handbook. 4. Keep in mind that SDI benefits are subject to state income tax, so factor that into your budgeting. Also, don't worry too much about the horror stories - in my experience, about 85% of legitimate surgical disability claims get approved on the first try when all the paperwork is complete. The key is making sure your doctor is thorough with the medical certification. Best of luck with your procedure!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you understand exactly what your doctor needs to include on the DE 2501 form. When I had my gallbladder surgery last year, my doctor initially just wrote "post-surgical recovery" which wasn't specific enough for EDD. They sent it back asking for more details about functional limitations and expected recovery timeline. I had to go back to my doctor and ask them to be very specific - things like "unable to lift more than 5 pounds," "cannot sit for extended periods," "requires frequent rest breaks," etc. The second time around it got approved quickly. Also, if your surgery is scheduled for early in the month, you might want to consider timing your SDI application so that your waiting period falls mostly in one month rather than split across two months. It can make tracking your benefits easier, especially if you're using sick time during the waiting period. Hope your procedure goes smoothly and you have a quick recovery!

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation! My SDI payment was marked as "paid" on Friday and I'm still waiting for it to hit my Bank of America account. Reading through everyone's experiences here is so reassuring - it really seems like the 2-3 business day timeline is standard for first payments with the new direct deposit system. I've been checking my account obsessively but I'm going to take the advice about setting up bank alerts instead. It's already stressful enough being out of work for medical reasons without having to worry about when the money will actually show up. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - this thread is exactly what I needed to find today!

I'm in almost the exact same boat right now! My first SDI payment showed as "paid" this past Thursday and I'm still waiting for it to hit my Credit Union account. Been fighting with EDD for months to get my claim processed after a shoulder injury, and now the waiting for the actual money is driving me crazy. Reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief - sounds like 2-3 business days is totally normal for first payments. I'm definitely setting up those bank alerts that people mentioned so I can stop obsessively checking my balance every few hours. The financial stress on top of dealing with recovery is no joke. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines - this community really helps when you're navigating this confusing system for the first time!

UPDATE: I spoke with an EDD representative today (thanks for the Claimyr tip - it actually worked!). They confirmed that I likely won't qualify for UI since my work restrictions would limit my ability to accept suitable employment. They suggested I either appeal my doctor's decision on SDI or file for State Disability with a different doctor who better understands my condition. I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist next week for a second opinion. Fingers crossed they'll understand how debilitating IBS can actually be in a customer service environment where bathroom access is restricted!

Good call on getting a specialist involved! Gastroenterologists definitely understand IBS severity better than primary care docs. When you go to your appointment, I'd suggest keeping a detailed symptom diary for the week leading up to it - track frequency, urgency, pain levels, and specifically how it would interfere with work tasks. Also mention if you've tried any medications or dietary changes that haven't helped. The more documentation you have showing this isn't just "manageable stomach issues," the better your case will be. Really hoping this works out for you - customer service with IBS sounds absolutely brutal with those bathroom restrictions!

I'm dealing with the same situation right now! Sent my doctor's paperwork via fax last week and haven't heard anything back. The uncertainty is killing me because I really need these payments to cover my rent and medical expenses. Has anyone had success with following up via their online portal instead of calling? I've heard mixed things about whether that actually helps speed things up or just creates more confusion in their system.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Faxed my paperwork 10 days ago and still haven't heard anything. The waiting is so stressful, especially when you're counting on that payment. From what I've learned here, it sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal unfortunately. I'm planning to call tomorrow to at least confirm they received it - that seems to be the consensus advice from everyone. Maya, did the agent give you any reference number or anything to help track your paperwork while it's in that backlog? Might be worth asking for that if you call again. We're all in this together! 💪