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I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult situation. The 52-week limit is truly one of the most frustrating aspects of the SDI system, especially when your condition has actually worsened rather than improved. From reading through all the excellent advice you've received here, it sounds like you have a clear action plan forming. I wanted to add one more resource that might help - many counties have disability advocacy organizations that offer free assistance with benefit applications and appeals. They often have staff who specialize in navigating the complex interactions between different programs (SSI, LTD, county assistance) and can help ensure you don't miss any deadlines or overlook potential benefits you might qualify for. Also, since you mentioned your condition has developed complications that weren't part of your original diagnosis, it might be worth asking your doctor to provide specific documentation about how these new symptoms represent a progression or change from your initial condition. Even if it doesn't qualify for a new SDI claim, this kind of detailed medical documentation will be crucial for any other benefit applications you pursue. The timeline pressure is real, but you're being incredibly proactive by planning ahead rather than waiting until the last minute. That gives you a much better chance of securing some kind of bridge coverage before your SDI ends in June. You've got this, even though it feels overwhelming right now.
@Fatima Al-Suwaidi Thank you so much for mentioning the county disability advocacy organizations - that s'another resource I had no idea existed! It sounds like having someone who specializes in navigating these overlapping benefit systems could be incredibly valuable, especially since I m'feeling pretty overwhelmed trying to figure out all the deadlines and requirements on my own. I ll'definitely look into what s'available in my county. Your point about getting specific documentation on how my symptoms have progressed is really important too. I think I need to be more strategic about how I m'presenting my medical situation - focusing on the deterioration and new complications rather than just describing my current state. Reading through all the advice in this thread has been such a reality check about how much I need to get moving on these applications. It s'scary but also reassuring to know there are actually multiple programs and resources I can pursue rather than just being stuck when SDI ends. Thank you for the encouragement - it really helps to hear that being proactive now gives me a better shot at avoiding a coverage gap.
I'm really sorry you're facing this situation - the stress of approaching that 52-week limit while dealing with a worsening condition is incredibly difficult. Reading through all the excellent advice here, I wanted to add something that might help with your immediate timeline concerns. Since you mentioned June is coming up fast, consider creating a simple spreadsheet or checklist to track all the different applications and deadlines people have mentioned. Include things like SSI application date, LTD policy deadline check, county assistance applications, and any medical documentation requests. Having it all in one place can help prevent anything from falling through the cracks during what's already an overwhelming time. Also, when you're gathering medical documentation, ask your doctor's office if they can prioritize any letters or forms you need for benefit applications. Many medical offices will expedite disability-related paperwork if you explain the urgency and deadlines involved. The system really is frustrating when you're dealing with chronic conditions that don't fit the "temporary disability" model, but you're asking all the right questions and getting solid advice here. Starting these applications now rather than waiting gives you the best chance of securing some kind of bridge coverage. You've got more options than it might feel like right now.
@Jibriel Kohn That s'such practical advice about creating a spreadsheet to track everything! I m'definitely feeling overwhelmed by all the different applications and deadlines, so having it organized in one place would really help me stay on top of everything. I hadn t'thought about asking my doctor s'office to expedite the paperwork either - that s'a great tip since timing is so crucial right now. It s'been really eye-opening reading through this whole thread and realizing how many different programs and resources are available that I had no idea about. Even though the situation feels scary, it s'reassuring to know there are actually multiple paths I can pursue rather than just hitting a dead end when SDI stops. Thank you for the encouragement - it helps to hear that I have more options than I initially thought!
One more important thing: make sure you're entering the correct "date disability began" on your application. For pregnancy disability, that date should be your first day OFF work (so 12/30 in your case), not your last day AT work. Getting this wrong can cause payment delays.
I'm also currently pregnant and planning to go on disability leave soon. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) File AFTER your last day worked (not before like HR suggested), 2) Make sure your doctor submits the medical certification electronically OR upload your copy when filing, and 3) Double-check that your "date disability began" matches your first day off work. Thanks everyone for clearing up the confusion - it's so frustrating when different sources give conflicting information about something this important!
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Yes, you've got it exactly right - those are the key points. I went through this same confusion when I was pregnant and it's so stressful when you're already dealing with everything else that comes with preparing for a baby. One thing I'd add is to also make sure you understand the difference between SDI (what you're filing for pregnancy disability) and PFL (what you'll file later for bonding time with baby) since a lot of people mix those up too. The timing rules are different for each program. Good luck with your leave planning!
Just went through this exact situation last month! The waiting period definitely applies regardless of how long your claim processing took - it's based on your actual disability start date. Since you mentioned your disability started on June 2nd, you've already completed the waiting period. One thing I learned the hard way: even after setting up direct deposit, sometimes the first payment still goes to the card if it was already in processing. But don't panic if that happens - you can instantly transfer from the card to your bank account through the Money Network app (despite all the complaints about it, the transfer feature actually works pretty well). After that first payment, everything should go straight to your bank account. Hope you see that payment soon! The financial stress while waiting is honestly the worst part of the whole process.
This is such helpful advice, thank you! I was worried about that exact scenario where the first payment might still go to the card even after setting up direct deposit. Good to know the transfer feature works well - I was dreading having to deal with that card at all. The financial stress really is the absolute worst part of this whole process. Just knowing there are people who've been through the same thing and made it out the other side helps so much!
Hey Olivia! Congrats on getting approved - that's such a relief after 3 weeks of waiting! I just went through this same process a few months ago. Since your disability started June 2nd, you've definitely already served your waiting period, so payment should come through pretty soon now that you're approved. Smart move setting up direct deposit! I made that switch right after approval too and it was seamless. One heads up though - sometimes the system is a bit slow to update, so if your first payment does end up going to the Money Network card, don't stress. You can transfer it to your bank instantly through their app (despite all the horror stories, the transfer feature actually works fine). The whole financial uncertainty while waiting is honestly the hardest part. You're so close to the finish line now! Keep us posted when that first payment hits - we're all rooting for you! 🤞
Thank you so much Aidan! This whole community has been incredibly supportive and helpful. It's such a relief to hear from people who've actually been through this process recently. The waiting and uncertainty really does take such a toll mentally on top of dealing with whatever health issue caused the disability in the first place. I'll definitely keep everyone posted when that first payment comes through - hopefully it'll be soon! Your encouragement means a lot! 💙
This is so relatable! I've been getting these phantom calls for about 3 weeks now - usually 1-2 per day from different numbers that look official but then just dead silence when I answer. The timing is really suspicious because it started right after I submitted my disability application. I've been keeping a note in my phone with all the numbers and times they called, and there's definitely a pattern - they seem to call most often between 10am-2pm on weekdays. What's really messing with my head is not knowing if I accidentally missed a real EDD worker due to a bad connection. I even called EDD's main line to ask if they had been trying to reach me and got told there were no outbound calls noted on my account. At this point I'm convinced these are either scammers who somehow know we've filed claims, or EDD's phone system is just completely broken. Either way, it's adding so much unnecessary stress to an already difficult process.
Wow, the 10am-2pm pattern is really interesting - I've noticed the same timing on my calls! That actually makes me think it might be legitimate EDD calls with technical issues rather than scammers, since that's typical business hours for government agencies. The fact that you called to check and they said no outbound calls were noted is concerning though. Maybe their system isn't logging failed connection attempts? I'm starting to think we should all document these calls with screenshots and report them as a group to EDD's technical support. If enough of us are experiencing the same issue during the same time window, it might force them to actually investigate and fix whatever's causing these phantom calls.
I've been getting these exact same phantom calls! Started about a week after I filed my SDI claim - phone rings from what looks like an official number, I answer hoping it's news about my case, but then just complete silence before they hang up. It's so frustrating because you're already on edge waiting for any updates about your payments. I've been letting unknown numbers go to voicemail now, but then I obsess over whether I missed something important. The anxiety is real when you're dealing with a disability and need those benefits to survive. Has anyone figured out a reliable way to tell if these are legitimate EDD calls with technical problems or if they're scammers targeting people who recently filed claims? The timing seems too coincidental to be random.
I feel you on this! The timing is definitely suspicious - seems like these calls start almost immediately after filing. I've been getting them too and the silence is so eerie. What I've started doing is answering with "Hello, this is [my name] regarding my EDD claim" to see if it prompts any response. Still mostly silence, but at least I feel like I'm being proactive in case it's a real person with connection issues. The anxiety of potentially missing important information is honestly worse than the calls themselves.
StormChaser
Anyone know if theres a way to check the status of your claim online? I've been waiting for weeks and haven't heard anything back 😫
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Dmitry Petrov
•You can check on the EDD website, but tbh it's not always up to date. Calling is usually faster if you can get through.
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Ellie Simpson
Just went through this same situation last month! I also had supplemental pay from my employer during my PFL. Here's what I learned: 1. **Definitely report the supplemental pay** - I selected "Other" for the pay type and wrote "Employer Supplemental Pay" in the description field 2. **Keep all your pay stubs** - EDD may request documentation later 3. **For workers' comp** - only answer "Yes" if you're actually receiving workers' comp benefits for a work injury. If you're just on regular PFL for bonding/family care, answer "No" 4. **The supplemental pay didn't reduce my benefits** - but every case is different The key is being transparent and accurate. Good luck with your claim! The process is definitely confusing but you'll get through it 💪
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Ravi Malhotra
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you for sharing your experience @Ellie Simpson - it s'so reassuring to know that the supplemental pay didn t'reduce your benefits. I was worried about that part. Did you have any issues with EDD asking for additional documentation, or was the process pretty smooth once you submitted everything correctly?
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