Pro tip: If you can, try to find out which office is handling your appeal. Sometimes you can get more specific info if you know who to ask.

I'm going through the same thing right now! Filed my appeal about 6 weeks ago and it's been radio silence ever since. The uncertainty is the worst part - like, just give me SOME kind of update, you know? I've been checking my online account obsessively but nothing changes. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines here, it helps to know I'm not alone in this mess. Fingers crossed we all hear back soon! 🤞

I'm scheduled for an IME next week too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Reading everyone's experiences really shows that preparation and honesty are key. I've been dealing with a work-related wrist injury for about 4 months now and I'm terrified they'll say I can go back to my data entry job when I still can't type for more than 10 minutes without severe pain. One thing I'm planning to do based on all the advice here is create that one-page summary everyone mentioned, plus I'm going to practice explaining exactly how my injury prevents me from doing my specific job tasks. It seems like being very concrete about work limitations rather than just describing general pain is what the IME doctors need to understand. For anyone else going through this - it's really reassuring to see that many people do get fair evaluations when they're prepared and honest. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, and Zoe, definitely keep us posted on how your appointment goes! We're all rooting for you.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - scheduled for an IME in two weeks for a workplace shoulder injury that's kept me out of my warehouse job for about 2.5 months. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and honestly a bit of a relief! It sounds like the key themes are: be honest about your limitations, come prepared with organized documentation, and focus on explaining specific work tasks you can't perform rather than just general pain complaints. I really appreciate everyone sharing both positive and negative outcomes - it gives a realistic picture of what to expect. The one-page summary idea that multiple people have mentioned seems brilliant. I'm going to create one that lists my injury date, treatments tried, current restrictions, and specific warehouse duties I can't safely perform (lifting over 20 lbs, reaching overhead, repetitive motions). For those worried about the process being "rigged" - while I'm sure some IME doctors are tougher than others, it's encouraging to see several people here who had fair evaluations and continued their benefits when they had legitimate medical conditions. Zoe and others with upcoming appointments - we've got this! Let's focus on clearly communicating our real limitations and trust that the system can work when we're prepared and honest. Looking forward to hearing how everyone's appointments go!

I'm going through this process right now too! One thing I learned is to make copies of everything before you send it in - apparently documents sometimes get "lost" in their system. Also, if your doctor is slow with paperwork like mine, give them the forms ASAP because that seems to be the biggest bottleneck. Thanks for posting this question, really helpful to see everyone's experiences!

Thanks for asking this Dylan! I'm in the same boat and was wondering about the process. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like the key things are: 1) Don't delay on submitting the forms, 2) Get your doctor to fill out their part ASAP, 3) Make copies of everything, and 4) be prepared to wait a while for a response. @Sofia Perez - when you say "fill out the extension form they sent you," did it come with your notice or do you have to request it separately? Want to make sure I don't miss anything!

I just switched to direct deposit about 6 months ago and it's been a game changer! No more worrying about mail delays or lost checks. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - make sure you keep your old checking account open for at least 2-3 months after making the switch, just in case there are any delays or issues. Also, I found that calling on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings around 8:30 AM gave me the best chance of getting through to someone quickly. The whole process took about 2 weeks to fully take effect for me. Good luck!

Just wanted to share my recent experience - I successfully switched to direct deposit last week using the online method that Isabella mentioned! It was surprisingly straightforward once I found the right section on the website. The key was making sure I had my routing number and account number written down correctly (I double and triple checked). The whole online process took maybe 10 minutes, and I got a confirmation email right away. Now I'm just waiting to see my next payment hit the account directly. For anyone still struggling with phone calls, definitely try the online route first - it saved me so much frustration!

UPDATE: I finally got through to BofA EDD card services! For anyone with the same problem, here's what worked: 1. I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended above - got connected in about 25 minutes instead of endless busy signals 2. Selected option 2 for "lost or stolen card" even though mine was just expired 3. Had to verify my identity (SSN, address, date of birth) 4. They're sending me a new card via expedited shipping (paid $10 for 3-day delivery) 5. Set up direct deposit for future payments so I won't have this problem again The rep confirmed my funds are safe and will be available once I activate the new card. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to see you got it resolved! For future reference to anyone else reading this thread, I want to emphasize that the direct deposit setup is crucial. I've been on SDI for over a year now and switched to direct deposit after my first card expired. It's been so much smoother - payments go straight to my checking account within 1-2 business days of being issued by EDD. Also, keep in mind that if you ever need to update your direct deposit information, you have to do it through the BofA EDD card website, not through EDD directly. The systems don't communicate with each other, which is confusing but important to remember. Hope your situation stays smooth from here on out!