To summarize for anyone else finding this thread with a similar question: 1. What you're describing is called a claim reactivation (not "collecting a balance") 2. It's only available if: - You're disabled again with the same or related condition - You're within 90 days of your previous claim's end date - You didn't use all your maximum benefits during the initial claim 3. You need a Supplemental Certificate (DE 2525XX) from your doctor 4. Be proactive about getting this form - call if it doesn't appear in your SDI Online account 5. This is different from an extension (which is when you've used all benefits but still can't work) Hope you get this resolved quickly!

Glad to hear you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - make sure your doctor fills out the DE 2525XX form completely and accurately. I've seen cases where forms get rejected because doctors accidentally check the wrong boxes or don't provide enough detail about how the condition prevents you from working. It's worth having a quick conversation with your doctor about what EDD is looking for before they submit it. Also keep copies of everything for your records!

I'm on week 6 of waiting. This is ridiculous. How are we supposed to pay bills?

I'm sorry to hear you're going through this Diego. Payment delays are unfortunately common with SDI. Here are a few things that helped me when I was in a similar situation: 1. Check your mail carefully - sometimes important notices get mixed in with junk mail or delivered to the wrong address 2. Log into your SDI online account and look under "Inbox" or "Messages" - there might be a request for additional information that's easy to miss 3. Try calling the SDI customer service line at 1-800-480-3287. Best times are right when they open at 8am or around lunch time 4. If you suspect there might be an issue with your claim, you can also try visiting your local SDI office in person The whole process can be incredibly stressful when you're depending on those payments. Hang in there and keep pushing for answers. Most delays are just administrative backlogs, but it's important to stay on top of it. Let us know how it goes!

Thank you, these are excellent suggestions. I'll email HR tomorrow to get written clarification of what my manager told me verbally. And I'll definitely ask my doctor to be very specific about my restrictions at my next appointment. The 19-day timeline is helpful to know - I'll make sure I have some emergency savings set aside to cover that gap.

This is such a tough situation, and I really feel for you! I went through something similar when my employer "restructured" while I was on medical leave for anxiety/depression. A few things that helped me navigate this: 1. Contact your union if you have one - they can often provide guidance on disability rights and job protection that HR won't tell you about. 2. Keep ALL medical documentation organized. When I transitioned from SDI to UI, they asked for proof that I was able to work but had no job to return to. 3. Start looking for new jobs NOW while you're still on disability. Even if your current employer has to take you back, having backup options reduces stress and gives you leverage. 4. Consider contacting a disability rights attorney for a free consultation. Many work on contingency, so you don't pay unless you win. Even if you don't sue, they can often write a letter to your employer that gets them to take your rights more seriously. The whole system is frustrating, but you have more options than you think. Don't let them push you around just because you've been on medical leave. You deserve to be treated fairly after everything you've been through with your back injury!

Update: I FINALLY got through to someone at EDD this morning! Called right at 8:00am and only had to try 3 times. The agent confirmed they received my doctor's certification but said it's still in the processing queue. She said they're currently working on claims from about 2.5 weeks ago, so mine should be reviewed in the next few days. She also checked that there weren't any obvious issues with my paperwork. Such a relief to at least know what's happening! Thanks everyone for your advice.

Congratulations on finally getting through! Your experience really highlights how important timing is with EDD calls. For anyone else still struggling to reach them, I'd recommend keeping a log of when you call and what happens - sometimes there are patterns to when the lines are less busy. Also, if you do get disconnected while waiting, try calling back immediately as sometimes you can get back into the queue faster. The 8am strategy seems to work for a lot of people based on what I've seen in this community.

I went through something similar last year and it was incredibly stressful. Here's what helped me get through it: First, definitely keep trying to call - early morning right when they open (usually 8 AM) tends to have shorter wait times. I also had luck calling during lunch hours when fewer people might be calling. Second, if you have any local disability advocacy groups or legal aid societies in your area, they often have direct contacts or know the best ways to navigate the system. Some even offer free assistance. Third, document everything - dates you called, reference numbers, who you spoke with. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you need to escalate. Lastly, don't hesitate to contact your state assemblymember or senator's office. They have caseworkers specifically for situations like this and can sometimes get answers when individual calls don't work. I know it's frustrating when you're depending on these payments. Hang in there - most of these delays do get resolved, it just takes persistence. Let us know how it goes!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - payment delays are incredibly stressful when you're counting on that income. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like there might be a few different issues that could be causing the delay. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking if your supplemental certificate was actually received and processed. Sometimes documents get lost in the mail or there are processing backlogs that aren't immediately obvious. If you submitted it by mail, you might want to call and specifically ask them to confirm they have your supplemental certificate on file and when it was processed. Also, I'd recommend keeping a close eye on your online account (if you have one) - sometimes there are messages or requests for additional information that you might miss if you're only checking occasionally. The advice about calling early in the morning is solid, but I'd also suggest trying to call on different days of the week. Mondays and Fridays tend to be busier, so Tuesday-Thursday might give you better luck getting through. Keep pushing and don't give up. These situations are frustrating but they do get resolved. Wishing you the best of luck!