This thread is a goldmine! 🏆 As someone who's been lurking in EDD hell for months, I'm blown away by all the actionable advice here. I had no clue about the separate SDI number (1-800-480-3287) or that you could download the DE 1000A directly from their website - I've been sitting here waiting for them to mail it like a chump! 🤦‍♀️ The "Ask EDD" online form tip is genius too. It's wild that we've basically created our own EDD survival guide in the comments section because their actual system is so useless. Definitely trying the SDI line first thing Monday morning. Thank you all for sharing your battle-tested strategies - this community is literally saving people's sanity and potentially their appeals! 💪

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been through the EDD appeals process recently! All the advice here is spot on - definitely call that SDI-specific number (1-800-480-3287) that someone mentioned earlier, and don't wait for them to send you the form! I made that mistake initially and almost missed my deadline. One thing I'd add: when you do get the DE 1000A form (whether downloaded or mailed), make sure to read the instructions super carefully. I almost messed up my appeal by not including all the required documentation. Also, consider sending it both certified mail AND fax if possible - I've heard mixed stories about things getting "lost" in their system. The fact that we need a whole support group just to navigate basic government services is ridiculous, but I'm so glad this community exists! Rooting for you OP - don't give up! 🤞

Has anyone else noticed that the EDD website is down like, all the time? How are we supposed to submit stuff online if their system is always busted? 🤦‍♂️

Hey Donna! I just went through this same process a few months ago and totally understand the confusion. Here's what worked for me: First, download the DE 2501 from the EDD website (when it's actually working lol). Fill it out completely - don't leave any sections blank, even if they seem irrelevant. For the DE 2525XX, call your doctor's office ahead of time and let them know you'll need this form filled out. Some offices are familiar with it, others aren't, so giving them a heads up helps. Also, I'd recommend submitting everything via certified mail so you have proof they received it. The whole process took about 3-4 weeks for me once I submitted everything correctly. You got this! 💪

I'm in a very similar situation right now - left my job due to worsening depression and panic attacks, got denied UI, and now considering SDI. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope that there might be another option. My therapist has been documenting my condition but I'm worried it won't be seen as "serious enough" compared to physical disabilities. Has anyone here successfully gotten SDI approved for mental health conditions like anxiety/depression? I know you mentioned severe anxiety in your post - did your doctor emphasize how it physically prevents you from working?

I want to add something important that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you keep detailed records of everything throughout this process! I learned this the hard way when EDD requested additional documentation weeks after I submitted my initial claim. Keep copies of all your medical records, pay stubs, the completed medical certification form, and any correspondence with EDD. Also, if you need to contact EDD about your disability claim, their disability phone line (1-800-480-3287) tends to have shorter wait times than the unemployment line, though it's still not great. One last tip: if your claim gets delayed or denied, don't give up - you have appeal rights and many initial denials are overturned on appeal, especially when you have strong medical documentation like it sounds you do. The fact that your doctor is willing to complete the certification forms is a really good sign!

I'm new to this community but facing a very similar situation! I have a rotator cuff tear that requires surgery in about 6 weeks, and I left my job about 3 weeks ago for completely unrelated reasons. Reading through all these detailed experiences has been so helpful and honestly gives me hope that I might be able to qualify for SDI during my recovery period. What really strikes me from everyone's stories is how important it is to get your doctor to document current limitations before the surgery, not just wait for the procedure date. My shoulder condition has definitely been getting worse - I'm already having trouble lifting anything over 10 pounds and can't sleep on that side anymore, which would definitely impact most jobs I'm qualified for. The success stories from @Joshua Hellan, @Asher Levin, and others show that it's possible to navigate this even when unemployed at the time of disability. I'm planning to call my orthopedist tomorrow to schedule an appointment specifically to discuss documenting my current functional limitations. The recovery timeline my surgeon mentioned is about 3-4 months, so I really need to get this right. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread has been incredibly valuable for understanding how to approach this complex situation!

I'm new to this community but also facing a very similar situation with upcoming surgery while unemployed! I have a herniated disc that requires surgery in about 8 weeks, and I left my job last month for unrelated reasons. Reading through all these detailed experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - especially seeing that so many people have successfully navigated SDI approval even without current employment. What really stands out from everyone's stories is how crucial it is to establish your disability start date based on when your doctor determines you're unable to work, not just the surgery date. My back pain has definitely been progressively worsening over the past few months, making it difficult to sit for extended periods or lift anything heavy. Based on all the advice shared here, I'm planning to schedule an appointment with my surgeon this week to document these current limitations and establish when my condition became disabling. The success stories from @Joshua Hellan, @Asher Levin, and others give me confidence that this can work out with proper documentation and timing. Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences - this thread has been invaluable for understanding how to approach this complex situation! I'll definitely update once I go through the process.

I had this exact same issue a few weeks ago! Here's what ended up working for me: Go to your UI Online account and click on "Claim History" instead of looking in your inbox. Sometimes the certification form shows up there even when it's not in your messages. Also, try using a different browser or device - I found mine when I switched from my phone to my laptop. If all else fails, you can actually certify over the phone by calling the EDD phone number (1-866-333-4606) and using their automated system. It's not ideal, but it works if you're running out of time before your deadline. Don't panic - there are ways to get this sorted! 🙏

I had this happen to me twice! First thing - check if you're looking at the right benefit year. Sometimes people accidentally look at an old claim that's expired. Also, try accessing your account during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) - the system is less glitchy then. If you still can't find it, there's actually a "Contact EDD" form you can submit through your UI Online account explaining the missing certification. They usually respond within 2-3 business days and can manually send you the form or fix whatever glitch is preventing it from showing up. Don't stress too much - as long as you're actively trying to resolve it before your deadline, they're usually understanding about technical issues on their end. Keep screenshots of your attempts to access it too, just in case! 📸