I'm new to this whole process and just submitted my first certification yesterday, so this thread is super reassuring! I was literally panicking thinking I did something wrong when I didn't see an immediate update. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me feel so much better - sounds like 3-5 days is totally normal and I just need to be patient. Emma, we're in the same boat! I also triple-checked everything before submitting because I was so nervous about messing it up. Fingers crossed we both get quick approvals! Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines and tips - this community is amazing 🙏

I just wanted to chime in with my recent experience! I certified last Thursday and got approved yesterday (Tuesday), so it took about 4 business days which seems pretty typical based on what everyone's saying here. Emma, I totally understand the anxiety - I was checking my account obsessively too! What helped me was setting a reminder to only check once per day in the evening. That way I wasn't constantly stressing about it throughout the day. One thing I noticed is that they seem to process certifications in batches, so sometimes you'll see a bunch of activity on certain days and nothing on others. Don't read too much into the timing - as long as you filled everything out correctly (which it sounds like you did!), you should be good to go. The fact that you triple-checked everything before submitting shows you're being super careful, which is exactly what you want to do. Try to relax and trust the process - easier said than done, I know! Keep us updated when you hear back! 😊

I'm so sorry everyone is going through these ID.me verification nightmares! I just went through this exact same issue last month for my fibromyalgia disability claim and it was absolutely brutal. What finally worked for me was a combination of several tips I'm seeing mentioned here: I used my laptop instead of my phone, cleared all browser data first, used Chrome in incognito mode, and most importantly - when the automated system failed the second time, I immediately went for the Trusted Referee video call option instead of banging my head against the wall trying to make the broken automated system work. The wait was about 45 minutes but the person was actually helpful and understanding about the technical issues. The whole thing is such a cruel irony - making disabled people who are already struggling jump through these impossible technical hoops just to access benefits we need to survive. Stay strong everyone, and don't let this broken system defeat you!

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I'm currently stuck in the same ID.me verification nightmare for my disability claim due to chronic fatigue syndrome. Been trying for 4 days now and keep getting error messages or system crashes right when I think I'm making progress. The worst part is having to start completely over each time because nothing saves! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about using incognito mode or switching devices, and I definitely didn't know about the Trusted Referee option. It's both comforting and infuriating to see how widespread this problem is. The fact that people with disabilities have to fight through such a broken system just to access benefits we desperately need is honestly cruel. I'm going to try the tablet + incognito mode combo tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work I'll go straight to the Trusted Referee like so many of you successfully did. Thank you Owen for the detailed update showing there's light at the end of this tunnel, and thanks to everyone else for sharing your solutions. This community support means everything when dealing with such a frustrating process!

I just went through this process a few months ago for my shoulder injury claim! The independent medical exam really isn't as scary as it seems. Here's what I wish someone had told me beforehand: The doctor will likely spend time reviewing all your medical records before examining you, so make sure everything is organized and complete. They asked me detailed questions about how my injury affects my work duties specifically - like can I lift, reach overhead, type for extended periods, etc. One thing that surprised me was they asked about my sleep quality and how pain affects my rest. Apparently that's a big factor in determining functional capacity for work. Also be prepared for questions about what household tasks you can/can't do - cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. The physical exam was thorough but respectful of my limitations. They tested strength, range of motion, and watched how I moved naturally. The whole appointment took about 45 minutes. Most importantly - if you're legitimately injured and following your doctor's treatment plan, you have nothing to worry about. These exams are really just to verify that your disability is ongoing and that you're not able to perform your job duties. My benefits continued without any interruption, and the process actually gave me peace of mind knowing everything was properly documented. Stay calm and just be honest about your limitations. You've got this!

I went through this same process for my herniated disc claim about 6 months ago, so I totally understand your anxiety! The fact that EDD is requesting an IME isn't necessarily a red flag - it's actually pretty standard for back injury claims that extend beyond the initial timeframe, especially when surgery is being considered. A few things that helped me prepare: - Bring photos or videos of any mobility aids you use at home (grab bars, special pillows, etc.) even if you don't bring the actual items - Write down specific examples of work tasks you can't perform - for me it was prolonged sitting, lifting patient files, and standing for rounds - Be prepared to explain how your pain medications affect your ability to work safely (drowsiness, cognitive effects, etc.) The examiner asked me a lot about "good days vs bad days" - they understand that back injuries fluctuate, so don't worry about explaining that some days are more manageable than others. They're looking for an honest picture of your overall functional capacity. My exam took about 30 minutes and my benefits continued without interruption. The decision came through about a week later with no changes to my claim. The doctor was actually pretty sympathetic and seemed to understand the complexity of herniated disc recovery. Try not to stress too much - if your orthopedist supports your claim and you're actively pursuing treatment, you should be fine. Just be honest about your limitations and you'll get through this!

As someone who's completely new to both this community and the entire SDI process, this thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm just starting my own disability claim and honestly had no clue about any of these complexities around medical form submissions. Keisha's experience really shows how important it is to trust your instincts when something doesn't feel right - even when medical professionals seem confident about their approach. What's particularly eye-opening is learning how common it seems to be for healthcare offices to not fully understand EDD's submission requirements, especially with new staff handling these forms. This makes me realize I need to have a very thorough conversation with my doctor about the proper procedures before we even start the paperwork process. I'm definitely taking notes on all the practical advice shared here about certified mail, documentation, and follow-up steps. Thank you to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world experiences - both the successes and the challenges. Having access to this kind of knowledge makes navigating these government processes feel so much less intimidating for newcomers like me!

As someone completely new to the SDI process, this entire thread has been incredibly valuable! I'm just beginning my own disability claim journey and had no idea about all these complexities around medical certification submissions. Keisha's story really demonstrates the importance of questioning things when they don't seem right and advocating for yourself, even when medical professionals appear confident. What's particularly concerning is learning how common it seems to be for healthcare offices to not fully understand EDD submission requirements - it makes me realize I need to have a very detailed discussion with my doctor about the proper procedures before we even complete any forms. I'm definitely taking notes on all the practical advice shared here about certified mail, keeping copies, and following up with EDD. The range of experiences from successful self-submissions to month-long delays really shows why getting this right the first time is so important. Thank you to everyone for sharing both your successes and challenges - having access to these real-world experiences makes navigating the SDI process feel much less overwhelming for newcomers like me!

Pro tip: if you're having trouble getting your payment, try reaching out to your local assembly member's office. They can sometimes expedite things with EDD. Worked for me!

Hey @Mei Lin, I went through something similar last month. First thing I'd recommend is logging into your UI Online account and checking if there are any "pending issues" or flags on your claim. Sometimes they put a hold without sending proper notification. Also check if you have any outstanding certification weeks - that's a common cause of delays. If everything looks clear on your end, definitely try the assembly member route that @Connor O'Neill mentioned. It's free and actually works faster than trying to get through to EDD directly. Hang in there, these payment hiccups usually resolve within 1-2 weeks once you get the right person to look at your case!