I went through this exact same transition about 8 months ago when my arthritis got so bad I couldn't type or sit for long periods. Here's what worked for me: I called EDD first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) and got through to close my UI claim properly. The rep was actually really helpful and walked me through the process. My rheumatologist filled out the DE 2501 form with very specific details about my joint pain, range of motion limitations, and how many hours per day I could realistically work (which was basically zero on bad days). The key was having objective medical evidence - X-rays showing joint damage, lab results, medication records, etc. Not just "patient reports pain." I got approved in about 12 days and they backdated it to the date my doctor said I became disabled. The weekly amount was actually slightly higher than my UI benefits because I had good earnings in 2024. Just make sure there's no overlap between your last UI payment and your disability start date, or you might have to pay some back like others mentioned. The hardest part was honestly the anxiety of having no income for those two weeks while waiting for approval, but it all worked out. Hang in there!

I'm going through something similar right now with chronic back pain that's made it impossible to work at a desk job. From what I've learned researching this, the most important thing is timing - you absolutely cannot collect both UI and SDI at the same time, even for a single day. What's helped me prepare is creating a timeline with my doctor showing exactly when my condition became severe enough that I couldn't work anymore. We're documenting not just the pain levels, but specifically how it prevents me from performing essential job functions like sitting for extended periods, lifting, concentrating through pain, etc. One tip I got from a friend who went through this: when you call EDD to close your UI claim, ask them to note in your file that you're closing due to a medical condition that prevents you from working. This creates a clear paper trail that shows you're not just giving up on job searching, but legitimately unable to work. The financial gap is scary, but it sounds like if you have solid medical documentation and follow the process correctly, most people are getting decisions within 2-3 weeks. I'm planning to have some savings set aside to cover that waiting period. Good luck with your doctor appointment next week!

I've been through this exact situation! For permanent disability certifications, you absolutely need to include your doctor's information even if your last visit was months ago. Put down your doctor's name, contact info, and the actual February date when you last saw them. What helped me was calling my doctor's office to explain that I need periodic "disability maintenance" appointments - not for treatment, but just to maintain the medical record for EDD purposes. Most doctors understand this requirement. I schedule these about every 5-6 months, and they're usually quick 15-minute visits where the doctor just confirms my condition status. The key thing is that EDD needs to see an ongoing doctor-patient relationship documented, even for permanent conditions. Your original paperwork establishing the permanent status is important, but the ongoing certifications still require current medical supervision on file. Don't stress too much about the February date being "old" - just make sure to get a follow-up appointment scheduled soon to keep everything current going forward.

I went through something very similar when I started my permanent disability claim last year! The confusion around doctor visits for permanent conditions is so common. What I learned is that you should definitely include your doctor's information from February - EDD expects that even for permanent disabilities. One thing that really helped me was understanding that "permanent" in EDD's system doesn't mean you never need medical oversight again. It just means your condition isn't expected to improve. I now do brief check-ins with my doctor every 6 months or so - not for new treatment, but just to maintain that medical relationship that EDD requires. Also, for future certifications, consider adding a brief note in any comments section explaining that your condition is permanent/stable per your physician's original documentation. This can help prevent confusion if there are gaps between appointments. The key is showing EDD that you're still under medical supervision even if you're not actively being treated.

As someone who just went through the SDI application process last month, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help others navigating this system: First, I discovered that EDD actually sends out email notifications about 24-48 hours before your payment is processed if you have email alerts enabled in your account. This was a game-changer for me in terms of budgeting and planning. Second, if you're ever concerned about a delayed payment, there's a specific form (DE 2515) you can submit through your online account to request a payment inquiry. It doesn't speed things up, but it creates a paper trail and sometimes helps identify if there's an issue with your claim. Lastly, I learned the hard way that bank holidays can affect deposit timing even if EDD processes the payment on schedule. My bank observes some holidays that EDD doesn't, so I had a 3-day delay once when a payment was processed on a Friday before a Monday bank holiday. Hope this helps anyone dealing with similar timing uncertainties! The SDI system definitely has its quirks, but once you learn the patterns it becomes much more manageable.

I just wanted to add one more tip that's helped me immensely during my SDI claim - if you're using direct deposit, consider setting up a separate "disability payments" savings account specifically for your EDD deposits. I have mine set up so that as soon as the payment hits, I immediately transfer what I need for bills and essentials to my checking account, and leave a small buffer in the disability account. This has been a lifesaver during those times when payments come 15-16 days instead of exactly 14 days. Having that little cushion means I'm not stressed about timing, and I can actually focus on my recovery instead of constantly checking my bank balance. Plus, if there's ever a processing delay or system issue, I have a few extra days of breathing room. For anyone dealing with irregular payment timing, this approach has given me so much peace of mind. The EDD system may be unpredictable, but at least I can control how I manage the money when it does arrive!

I'm in a similar situation right now - my disability started in February but EDD took until May to approve my claim. I'm really worried about hitting that 52-week mark from my disability onset date even though I haven't received a full year of payments yet. Reading through everyone's responses, it sounds like the surgical complications might be your best bet for an extension. I'd definitely recommend getting that paperwork submitted as soon as possible. From what I've heard, EDD is pretty strict about deadlines. Has anyone else here successfully gotten an extension approved? I'm curious what kind of documentation they actually accepted and how long the approval process took.

I went through something very similar last year with my back surgery. My original disability claim was approved for spinal fusion, but then I developed a serious infection at the surgical site that required two additional surgeries and months of IV antibiotics. EDD initially cut me off at the 52-week mark, but my surgeon submitted detailed documentation about the infection complications - including culture results, surgical notes, and a detailed treatment plan. The key was that my doctor explicitly stated this was an "unforeseen complication that significantly altered the expected recovery timeline" and provided specific medical evidence of why I needed an additional 16 weeks of recovery. It took about 5 weeks to get approved, but they did grant the extension. Make sure your surgeon uses very clinical language and includes specific dates, test results, and medical reasoning. Don't let them just say "needs more time" - they need to explain WHY the complications changed your original prognosis. Good luck with your extension request! The paperwork is annoying but definitely worth pursuing if you have legitimate surgical complications.

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually worked - got connected to a rep in about 20 minutes. Turns out there was a problem with my medical certification. My doctor submitted it, but they used an older version of the form that didn't have all the required information. The EDD rep said they sent a request for updated info to my doctor's office TWO WEEKS AGO but nobody told me! I immediately called my doctor and they're submitting the correct form today. The rep said once they receive it, I should get paid within 2-3 business days. Fingers crossed! For anyone else waiting on payments - definitely try to get through to someone on the phone. There might be an issue you don't know about.

This is such a common issue unfortunately! I went through something similar last year and the stress of waiting for that first payment while bills pile up is absolutely awful. One thing that helped me was documenting everything - keep records of when you certified, when you called, what your doctor's office told you, etc. Sometimes EDD will ask for this information later. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're checking your SDI Online account daily. Sometimes they'll post messages or requests for additional information that aren't obvious at first glance. Look under any "Messages" or "Correspondence" sections. Really glad you got through and found out what the actual problem was! It's so frustrating that they don't proactively notify you when there are issues with your claim. Hope you get paid soon!