One other thing - if you have health insurance through your former employer, switching to SDI won't affect your COBRA eligibility or timeline. That was something I was worried about when I went through this. Your right to continue health coverage is separate from which benefit program you're on.

I went through this transition about 2 years ago and want to emphasize something important - keep detailed records of everything! Save screenshots of your last UI certification, your SDI application submission confirmation, and any correspondence from EDD. I also recommend taking a photo of the medical form your doctor completes before they submit it electronically. Having this documentation saved me when there was a discrepancy in my file months later. The transition itself is straightforward like everyone said (just stop UI when SDI starts), but having proof of dates and what was submitted gives you peace of mind. Also, don't panic if your first SDI payment seems delayed - mine took about 2-3 weeks to arrive even though I did everything correctly. Good luck with your pregnancy and the benefit transition!

lol welcome to the club 🎉 EDD: Extremely Disappointing Department

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! My payment has been stuck on pending for over a week and it's causing so much stress. I've been reading through all these comments and it sounds like this is unfortunately really common. I'm going to try calling first thing in the morning when they open like someone suggested, and maybe also reach out to my assembly member's office. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get the support we're entitled to. Hang in there @Aisha Jackson - hopefully we'll both get our payments sorted out soon! 🤞

Serious question - has anyone successfully appealed a late submission? What was the process like?

Hey there! I went through something similar a few months ago. Don't give up hope just yet! Here's what worked for me: I called the SDI office and explained that my doctor had technical difficulties with the online system (which seems to be a common issue). The rep I spoke with was actually pretty understanding and allowed me to submit the form late. They said as long as you have a valid reason for the delay and can document it, they usually work with you. Make sure to mention that it was due to system issues on their end, not just procrastination. Also, if you have any emails or notes from your doctor's office about the technical problems, keep those handy when you call. Good luck! 🍀

Struck out with EDD too many times. System's broken af. Time to throw in the towel and find other options tbh

Don't give up yet! I know it's incredibly frustrating, but you have rights here. Document everything - pay stubs showing the 30%, any communication with your employer about the arrangement, and keep records of all EDD interactions. Consider filing a complaint with your state assembly representative too - they often have caseworkers who can intervene with EDD on your behalf. Also look into local legal aid organizations that might help with disability appeals for free. In the meantime, see if you qualify for any emergency assistance programs in your county. Food banks, utility assistance, etc. can help bridge the gap while you fight this. You've got 7 weeks invested already - don't let EDD's incompetence win!

Just wanted to share my recent experience to add to all the helpful advice here! I was in the exact same boat last month - doctor took 10 days to complete my extension form and only does paper. I followed the upload method through Contact EDD that everyone mentioned and it worked flawlessly! A couple things I learned: 1) Make sure your scan is in PDF format, not just a photo - EDD's system processes PDFs faster. 2) Include your SSN in the message along with your claim number for extra verification. 3) If your doctor wrote anything in margins or used different colored ink, mention that in your submission message so they know it's intentional, not a scanning error. My extension was approved in just 3 business days and I never had to mail anything. The relief was incredible! For anyone still worried - this upload method is definitely legitimate and much faster than traditional mail. Just be thorough with your documentation and you should be golden.

I just wanted to follow up and share that I successfully uploaded my extension form using the Contact EDD portal method everyone recommended! Following all the detailed advice from this thread - especially Mateo's tip about including specific claim information and Fatima's suggestion about logging into SDI Online first - made the process so smooth. I scanned the form as a high-quality PDF, included my claim number and SSN in the message, and used the subject line format "Extension Form Submission - Claim #[number]". Got the confirmation email within 24 hours and my extension was processed in just 3 days! I'm so grateful for everyone who shared their experiences here - it saved me weeks of worry and potential delays from mailing. This community is amazing for helping each other navigate these confusing processes!