Hey guys, I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Check out this video: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ

Just went through this process myself a few months ago. Here's what really helped me: 1) Get your doctor to be as specific as possible about your limitations - don't just say "can't work," but explain exactly what you can't do (lifting, sitting, standing, etc.). 2) Submit everything at once if possible - piecemeal submissions seem to slow things down. 3) Keep detailed records of every phone call, including date, time, and who you spoke with. 4) If you get denied initially, don't panic! Appeals are super common and often successful if you have good documentation. The whole thing took about 6 weeks for me, but I know that varies a lot. Hang in there - it's definitely worth pushing through the bureaucracy!

One more important thing - if there's any gap between when your current claim ends and when the extension is approved, you can request retroactive payments for that period. Just make sure your doctor certifies that you were still disabled during that time. I had a 2-week gap last year and was able to get those weeks paid after my extension was approved.

I went through something very similar with my anxiety disorder claim last year. The confusion around the DE 2525XX form is so frustrating - I spent weeks thinking I was supposed to automatically receive it in the mail too! What worked for me was calling EDD early in the morning (around 8:05 AM) right when they opened. The wait times were still long but better than later in the day. When I finally got through, the representative was actually helpful and sent me the form immediately. For dealing with your psychiatrist, I'd suggest bringing up the billing code that others mentioned (DI-310). When I told my doctor they could bill EDD for their time, their attitude completely changed. You could also offer to sit in the waiting room while they complete it - sometimes they're more willing when they don't have to mail things back and forth. One thing that really helped reduce my stress was preparing everything in advance. I filled out all the patient information sections myself before bringing it to my doctor, so they only had to complete the medical portions. This made the whole process much smoother. Hang in there - the system is definitely designed to be overwhelming, but once you get the right form and your doctor cooperates, the extension process moves pretty quickly. Your mental health is the priority right now, so don't let the bureaucracy add more stress than necessary!

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!

Anyone else notice that the disability system seems to be getting worse lately? I swear it used to be easier to get answers...

I went through this exact situation last month! Here's what happened with me: I submitted my extension request online and it took about 10 days to get approved. The key thing is to make sure your doctor submitted the updated medical certification directly to EDD - that's usually what holds things up. My payments continued automatically once the extension was processed, but there was about a 1-week gap between my original end date and when the new payments kicked in. Keep checking your account daily and don't panic if you see a brief interruption - that's normal during the transition. If it's been more than 2 weeks with no update, definitely try the calling strategies others mentioned or use the online contact form. Hang in there!

I'm in the same boat, been trying to set up direct deposit for weeks. This whole system is a joke. Why can't they just make it simple? 🤦‍♂️

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! What finally worked for me was bringing all my paperwork (bank info, ID, claim docs) to a local EDD office in person. I know it's a pain to go in person, but the staff there were actually helpful and got it sorted in about 20 minutes. Way better than spending hours on hold! Check if there's an office near you that handles disability claims - some locations are appointment-only now but it's worth it to avoid the phone maze.