I'm currently going through this exact situation right now! Filed my SDI claim for a knee injury three weeks ago, got approved, and my first payment processed 6 days ago showing as "paid" in my online account. Still no debit card and I'm getting really anxious about my bills. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really comforting - at least I know I'm not alone and this seems to be unfortunately normal. I've been calling Bank of America but keep getting transferred around. Going to try the 8 AM tip tomorrow morning. It's so stressful when you're already dealing with an injury and then have to worry about accessing your own benefits! EDD really needs to do a better job explaining this delay upfront.

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! My first SDI payment for a work-related back injury processed 5 days ago and I'm still waiting for the debit card. The stress is unreal - I have rent due this weekend and can see the money sitting there but can't access it. I've tried calling both EDD and Bank of America multiple times but either can't get through or get bounced around between departments. It's infuriating that they don't warn you about this delay when you're already in financial distress from being unable to work. Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences - it helps to know this is unfortunately "normal" even though it shouldn't be. Going to try the 8 AM calling strategy and check with my neighbors in case it was misdelivered. This whole system really needs to be redesigned with actual human needs in mind!

For SDI certification, you have two options: 1. Online certification through SDI Online (most convenient) 2. Paper forms (DE 2500A) that are mailed to you I recommend setting up the online option if possible. It's much faster and you don't have to worry about mail delays. Regarding your earlier question about processing times - if you're facing an urgent financial situation while waiting for your SDI claim to process, you might qualify for an expedited payment. You would need to contact EDD directly and explain your hardship situation. This is another reason why getting through to an actual representative can be so important.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this on top of your injuries! I went through something similar after a workplace injury last year. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: **Immediate steps:** 1. DO NOT certify for any UI weeks where you were unable to work due to your injuries - this is crucial 2. File your SDI claim ASAP through SDI Online (edd.ca.gov) 3. Get your doctor to complete the medical certification within 30 days **Important timing detail:** Since your accident was 3 days after filing UI, make sure you're crystal clear about the exact date your disability began when filling out the SDI application. This will help avoid any confusion. **Money-saving tip:** While waiting for SDI to process, check if you qualify for emergency medical coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal due to your income change. Medical bills from car accidents add up fast. One last thing - if the other driver was at fault, their insurance should be covering your medical expenses and lost wages. Don't let SDI be your only option if someone else caused this mess. You might be entitled to much more than what SDI provides. Hope you heal up quickly! This community has your back. 💪

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to try these steps: 1. Talk to my employer tomorrow about filing the correction forms with CA EDD 2. Try calling EDD directly (or use Claimyr if I can't get through) to ask about my specific situation 3. Get documentation ready showing I've been working in California 4. Start my application and explain the situation I'll update this thread once I know more. Really appreciate all the advice!

This is such a common issue with remote work nowadays! I went through something similar when I moved to CA but kept working for my NY-based company. The key thing to remember is that CA employment law generally follows where you physically perform the work, not where your employer is located. A few practical tips from my experience: - Your employer will need to register with CA EDD if they haven't already (since they have a CA employee) - They'll need to file quarterly wage reports retroactively and pay any penalties - Keep detailed records of your work location and hours - you might need to prove you've been working in CA The good news is that once the corrections are made, you should be able to get your PFL benefits. The process might take longer than normal, but it's definitely fixable. Just make sure your employer understands this is their legal obligation, not just a favor to you. Also, since you mentioned you're only working 15-22 hours per week, your benefit amount will be based on your actual wages, but there's no minimum hours requirement for eligibility. You just need to have sufficient wages in your base period once everything gets sorted out. Hang in there - bureaucratic messes like this are frustrating but they do get resolved eventually!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! My SDI claim was also denied and I'm missing forms from the envelope. Reading through all these responses is super helpful - I had no idea you could download the DE 1000A form directly from the EDD website. @Miguel Diaz thanks for that step-by-step breakdown! I'm definitely going to try calling early in the morning like @QuantumQuester suggested. It's frustrating that this seems to be such a common problem with EDD. Has anyone had success with their appeal after going through this process?

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my denial letter yesterday and sure enough - no DE 1000A form in the envelope. This thread is giving me hope that I'm not alone in this mess. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy and download the form from the website like everyone suggested. The fact that this is happening to so many people makes me think there's definitely a systemic issue with how EDD processes these cases. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really helping me figure out my next steps!

I heard they just hired a bunch of new people. Maybe it'll get better soon? 🤞

I've had luck calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - literally have your finger ready to hit redial at 7:59:59. Also try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, seems like Mondays and Fridays are swamped. If you get the automated system, don't hang up right away - sometimes if you stay on the line for a few minutes it'll transfer you to hold for a real person. The wait can be brutal (I've waited 3+ hours before) but at least you're in the queue. Good luck, @Amelia Martinez - I know how stressful this can be when you need help ASAP! 🤞