when i was on disability last year i had the same question lol. the payments just come automatic but sometimes theres random delays. i had one payment that was like 5 days late for no reason and i freaked out but then it just appeared. EDD is weird like that. my doctor had to fill out new paperwork after 6 weeks tho so watch out for that

I'm new to SDI and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I called EDD yesterday about payment timing and the representative told me that while payments are automatic, they're processed in batches throughout the week rather than on specific days. She mentioned that most people see a pattern emerge after a few payments - like consistently getting paid on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - but it's not guaranteed. Also, she emphasized keeping your address updated in the system because missed mail notifications about certification renewals are one of the biggest reasons payments suddenly stop. Hope this helps others who are navigating this system for the first time!

After your examination, EDD typically takes 7-10 business days to process the medical examiner's findings and make a determination about continuing benefits. During this time, your current benefits should continue as normal. If the examiner confirms your disability, you'll simply receive your payments as usual with no interruption. If there are any discrepancies or if additional information is needed, you'll receive a notice explaining what's needed. In the rare case that the examiner doesn't agree with your treating physician's assessment, you would receive a formal notice of determination with appeal rights. This would explain the discrepancy and give you the opportunity to provide additional medical evidence or appeal the decision. As for whether the results are shared with your treating physician - typically no, not automatically. The EDD examiner makes an independent assessment. However, you can request a copy of the examination report for your records and share it with your doctor if needed.

I went through this exact same situation with my lower back injury last year! The independent medical exam was actually less intimidating than I expected. Here's what helped me prepare: 1. Write down all your symptoms and limitations beforehand - when you're nervous, it's easy to forget important details about your pain levels or what activities are difficult. 2. Bring a complete list of all medications you're taking, including dosages and how they affect you (drowsiness, nausea, etc.). 3. If you use any mobility aids (heating pads, back brace, special cushions), bring them or at least mention them during the exam. 4. Be prepared to demonstrate your range of motion limitations - they may ask you to bend, twist, or lift light objects to assess your functional capacity. The doctor was professional and seemed genuinely interested in understanding my condition rather than trying to "catch" me in anything. My benefits continued without any issues after the exam. The key is just being completely honest about both your bad days AND your better days. One tip: if you're driving to the appointment, they might observe how you get in/out of your car, so don't try to hide any difficulty you have with that movement. Good luck!

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!

Update: I called my doctor's office and explained the situation. They apologized for the confusion and agreed to submit the form directly to EDD! The office manager said they've had a new person handling their disability paperwork who wasn't aware of the proper procedure. Thank you all for your help - I would have just mailed it myself and potentially delayed my claim. I'll let you know when my claim gets approved!

That's fantastic news! You made the right call by going back to your doctor's office. It's actually pretty common for medical offices to be unclear on the proper EDD submission procedures, especially when they have new staff handling disability paperwork. Having your doctor submit it directly will definitely help avoid any potential verification delays. Keep us posted on how your claim progresses - it's always helpful for others in similar situations to see how things work out!

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!