One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure to keep detailed records of everything during this transition! I learned this the hard way when I switched from UI to SDI for my own medical situation. Keep screenshots of your final UI certification, save confirmation numbers from your SDI application, and get copies of all the medical forms your doctor submits. EDD systems don't always talk to each other perfectly, and having your own documentation can save you hours on the phone if there are any discrepancies. Also, once you're approved for SDI, set up the EDD online account specifically for disability if you haven't already - it's separate from the UI portal. You'll need it for your bi-weekly certifications and to check payment status. The transition sounds overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions. With your doctor appointment tomorrow, you should be able to get this sorted out well before your UI runs out in 3 weeks. Wishing you a smooth surgery and quick recovery!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on UI since last fall and just got news that I need gallbladder surgery next month. One thing I wanted to add that might help - when you talk to your doctor tomorrow, ask them specifically about the "unable to perform regular work duties" language. My doctor explained that for SDI approval, they need to certify not just that you have a medical condition, but that the condition prevents you from doing your specific job functions. Since you're dealing with back problems and warehouse work involves heavy lifting, that should be a pretty clear connection. Also, I've been keeping a pain diary since my symptoms started getting worse - documenting bad days, limitations on activities, etc. My doctor said this kind of documentation really helps them write a stronger medical certification because it shows the progression and impact of the condition. The timing advice everyone's given is spot-on. I'm planning to follow the same strategy of stopping UI certification right before my surgery date and having my doctor date the disability to start immediately after. Fingers crossed it goes as smoothly for both of us as it did for others here! Best of luck with your appointment tomorrow and your surgery. It sounds like you're getting great advice here to make this transition work.

Just wanted to share my recent experience to give you all some hope! I was in the exact same situation 2 months ago - submitted my SDI extension for chronic pain management and it sat in "processing" for 5.5 weeks. I was absolutely panicking because my bills were piling up and I had no savings left. What finally worked was calling EDD at exactly 7:30 AM on a Wednesday morning - got through after only 15 minutes on hold! The rep told me my extension had actually been approved 3 days earlier but the system hadn't updated yet. She manually pushed it through and I received my first payment within 48 hours, plus all the backpay for the gap weeks. The key things that helped: 1) Keep certifying every week even during the gap, 2) Call early morning mid-week, 3) Don't panic - they do process them, just very slowly. Hang in there everyone, it will get resolved!

I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare right now! Filed my extension 5 weeks ago for recovery from ankle surgery and it's STILL showing "processing" - my current claim literally ends in 3 days and I'm freaking out about having zero income. I've been calling EDD every single day for the past 2 weeks and either get disconnected or sit on hold for hours before giving up. The financial stress is making my recovery so much worse. Really considering trying that Claimyr service at this point since nothing else is working. It's honestly ridiculous that disabled people have to jump through these hoops while we're supposed to be focusing on healing. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines - at least I know I'm not alone in this mess!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I just called my doctor's office to make sure they know I'll be filing for SDI right after surgery and they said they're familiar with the process. I'm going to look into whether I've been properly paying into the DIEC program for my self-employment income - I honestly thought regular self-employment tax covered it, but now I'm not sure. I'll also gather all my income documentation now so I have it ready. And I'm definitely going to try that calculator to get an estimate for budgeting purposes. One more question - when I do file after surgery, is there anything I should be careful about when completing the application to make sure it goes smoothly?

Hey Raj! Just wanted to add one more tip that saved me a lot of headaches - when you file your claim, make absolutely sure you list ALL your employers and income sources in the application. Even if you're not 100% certain whether your self-employment income qualifies for SDI, list it anyway. It's better to provide too much information than to leave something out and have to amend your claim later. Also, if you have any pay stubs from the last 18 months (especially from your highest-earning quarters), scan those and keep them handy. EDD sometimes asks for them to verify your reported wages, and having them ready can speed up the process significantly. One last thing - set up direct deposit if you haven't already! Paper checks can get delayed in the mail, and when you're recovering from surgery and dealing with reduced income, you want your benefits to arrive as quickly as possible.

Have you tried turning it off and on again? 🤣 jk jk... but seriously, sometimes logging out and back in can help. Worth a shot!

I had this exact same issue a few weeks ago! What finally worked for me was switching to Edge browser and making sure I wasn't using any browser extensions or ad blockers. Also, try filling out the form in sections - don't do it all at once. Save your progress frequently if the system lets you. The EDD website seems to timeout or glitch if you stay on one page too long. Hope this helps and congrats on your upcoming little one! 💕

btw i think the confusion is cuz workers comp, ssi and private disability insurance all have diff tax rules than SDI. google "publication 15a" from irs it explains all this tax stuff. most ppl dont realize state disability is taxed federally

I'm really sorry you're going through this surprise tax situation! As a newcomer here, I wanted to share that I just went through something similar. I also received SDI benefits last year and was shocked when I got the 1099G. What helped me was using a tax calculator online to estimate what I'd owe before filing, so I could prepare mentally and financially. Also, if you're using tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, they usually walk you through setting up payment plans right during the filing process, which saves you from dealing with IRS notices later. The community here seems really knowledgeable about these SDI tax issues - I wish I'd found this group earlier in my disability journey!