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After battling to reach EDD for WEEKS about my disability claim, I was at my wits end! Left 12+ voicemails, sent 6 messages through SDI Online (all ignored), and spent hours on hold only to get disconnected. Was about to give up when someone in this group suggested contacting my state rep through https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/. I was skeptical but desperate enough to try ANYTHING. I filled out their contact form explaining my situation (claim filed 8 weeks ago, no updates, medical provider verified everything), and within 24 HOURS their office called me! They sent an inquiry to their EDD liaison, and 2 days later I got a call directly from an SDI specialist who fixed my claim issue on the spot. Just wanted to share this success with anyone else struggling - don't forget this option exists when regular channels fail. My disability payments should start next week finally!
wait guys do you have to live in california to do this? my disability claim is with california but i moved to oregon last month. still cant get my final payments :
Quick update! My payments started processing today, exactly as the SDI rep promised after my legislative office connected us. If anyone else tries the legislative route, just be super polite but persistent with their office. They deal with hundreds of constituent issues and being organized with your information makes everything move faster.
That's awesome! Glad it's finally resolved for you. How long did your whole claim process take from initial filing to getting paid? I'm on week 7 of my stress leave claim and starting to worry something's wrong.
@CosmicCadet Mine took about 10 weeks total from filing to first payment, but 8 of those weeks were just trying to get anyone at EDD to look at my case! Once the legislative office got involved and connected me with the SDI specialist, the actual issue was resolved within 48 hours. Week 7 is definitely getting into "something might be stuck" territory - I'd try the legislative route now rather than waiting longer.
One thing that helped me in a similar situation was getting a letter from my workers' comp doctor specifically stating that I was still under their active care when the pregnancy complications began. This helped establish the timeline and showed there was no gap in my medical treatment/disability status. Also, if you have any email communications with your employer about your return-to-work status or job accommodation requests before the pregnancy complications started, include those too. It shows your clear intent to return to the workforce. The EDD reviewers often don't understand the complexity of overlapping medical conditions - you really have to spell it out for them step by step. Don't assume they'll connect the dots themselves!
I went through almost the exact same situation last year! I was on workers' comp for a back injury, got pregnant during that time, then developed severe hyperemesis gravidarum at 18 weeks that made it impossible to return to my job as a warehouse supervisor. EDD initially denied my SDI claim with the same "left labor force" reasoning. What really helped my successful appeal was getting a detailed timeline letter from my workers' comp case manager showing that I was still actively engaged in return-to-work planning when the pregnancy complications started. I also had my OB write a letter explaining that my pregnancy condition was completely separate from my work injury but equally disabling. The appeal took about 6 weeks to process, but I eventually got approved and received all my back pay. Don't give up - you have a strong case! The key is showing that continuous thread of medical disability without any voluntary departure from employment. Your construction site coordinator role requiring physical activity actually strengthens your case since it's clear the pregnancy complications genuinely prevent you from performing your job duties.
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Guess ill wait a bit longer before I start freaking out lol. Might try that calling service if I get desperate enough.
That's the spirit! Keep calm, and hopefully, you'll get an update soon.
Hey OP, I totally get the anxiety - waiting for disability benefits when you really need them is incredibly stressful. Just went through this myself last year. 3 weeks is still within the normal range, though I know that doesn't make the waiting any easier when bills are piling up. A few things that helped me: First, definitely create an online account if you haven't already - sometimes status updates show up there before you get anything in the mail. Second, gather all your paperwork now so you're ready if they ask for additional documentation (they probably will). And third, if you're really struggling financially while waiting, reach out to local social services - many have emergency assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. The system is frustratingly slow, but hang in there. Most people do eventually get approved, it just takes way longer than it should. Sending good vibes your way! 🤞
This thread is so reassuring! I've been stressing about this exact situation for weeks. I was injured at my new job (only been there 4 months) and my doctor says I need at least 6 weeks off. My previous job paid almost double what I'm making now, and I was terrified I'd only get benefits based on my current low wages. Reading about the base period system and seeing so many success stories from people in similar situations has given me so much hope. I especially appreciate the former EDD worker's explanation - it really helps to understand how the system actually works behind the scenes. I'm definitely going to file my claim this week and not wait any longer. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice!
I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! It's really amazing how many of us have been in this exact same situation - it definitely makes you feel less alone when dealing with something so stressful. The fact that so many people have successfully navigated this process and gotten their full benefits calculated using their previous higher wages is incredibly encouraging. I was in the same boat worrying about benefit amounts, but after reading everyone's experiences here, especially the detailed explanations about how the base period works, I feel so much more confident. Don't wait any longer to file - from everything I've learned here, the sooner you get that process started, the better. Wishing you a smooth recovery and claim process!
I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this entire thread has been a lifesaver! I've been at my current job for just 3 months when I injured my knee and need surgery. My previous employer where I worked for 5 years paid significantly more, so I was really panicking about my potential benefit amount. Reading everyone's experiences, especially the detailed explanation from Rachel about how the base period system works automatically, has completely eased my anxiety. It's incredible how this community comes together to help each other navigate these stressful situations. I'm filing my claim tomorrow and feeling much more confident thanks to all the advice shared here. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar boat - don't let fear hold you back from filing. The system really does seem designed to protect workers who change jobs. Thank you all for sharing your stories!
Welcome to the community, Omar! Your situation sounds almost identical to what I went through - it's such a relief to know you're not alone in this, right? Reading through this thread really opened my eyes to how common these situations are and how well the SDI system actually handles job transitions. The knee surgery recovery can be tough, but at least now you know your benefits should be calculated fairly using your higher previous wages. It's amazing how much stress gets lifted when you understand how the process actually works. Good luck with your filing tomorrow - you've got this! And don't hesitate to come back and share your experience once you get through the process. These real-world stories are so valuable for others who find themselves in similar situations.
Liam Mendez
This might sound weird, but have you checked your bank account? Sometimes the EDD website shows the wrong amount but the correct payment goes through. Happened to me once and I freaked out for nothing lol
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Diego Rojas
•Good thinking! Just checked and unfortunately the bank shows the same lower amount. Worth a shot tho!
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Isabella Ferreira
I went through something similar a few months ago and it turned out to be a quarterly earnings review that triggered an automatic adjustment. EDD sometimes recalculates your benefit amount based on updated wage data from employers, but they're terrible at communicating this. Check if you received any work income in the last quarter that might have been reported late by an employer - even small amounts can trigger a recalculation. Also look for any notices in your UI Online inbox, sometimes they bury important info there. If you can't find anything obvious, definitely follow @Mateo Rodriguez's advice above - his step-by-step approach is solid. Just be patient, it can take weeks to get answers but usually there IS a reason, even if they don't tell you upfront. Keep us posted on what you find out! This stuff affects all of us.
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CosmicCaptain
•This is really helpful info, thanks! I didn't even know about quarterly earnings reviews - EDD really needs to do better at explaining this stuff upfront. I'll definitely check for any late employer reports, that could totally be what's happening here. Really appreciate everyone's advice on this thread, it's way more helpful than anything I could find on EDD's website 😅
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