I'm going through the EXACT same thing right now! My SDI benefits stopped 6 days ago and that biweekly certification form just vanished like it never existed. I've been working a few shifts at a local cafe and reported everything honestly, but apparently their system can't handle basic income reporting without having a complete breakdown. The DE 2517-25 notice is absolutely maddening - it's like they hired someone to write the most cryptic instructions possible. "Complete required documentation" but WHAT documentation and WHERE?? No deadline, no specifics, nothing useful at all! After reading through all these comments, I tried the late-night login trick around midnight and found a "claim pending additional review" message that's completely hidden during regular hours. How is that even legal?? Why would they hide critical information when people are most likely to need it during business hours? I'm definitely going to try that employer services transfer strategy - calling their employer line and asking to be transferred to disability claims sounds way more promising than the endless busy signals on the main number. It's both reassuring and infuriating that so many of us are dealing with identical issues. At least we know this is a massive system-wide problem, not something we did wrong by being honest about our income! Thanks for starting this thread OP - sometimes just knowing you're not alone in bureaucratic hell makes it bearable. We've got this! 💪

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! I've been following this thread and it's clear that there's a major system-wide issue affecting tons of people right now. From what I've learned lurking in other EDD groups, here are a few additional strategies that might help: 1. Try the "Ask EDD" feature in your UI Online account if it's available - sometimes this gets faster responses than phone calls or regular messaging. 2. Check if your local One-Stop Career Center offers EDD assistance. Many have staff who specialize in helping people navigate these issues and can sometimes make calls on your behalf. 3. If you have any documentation about your vacation pay (pay stubs, employer letters, etc.), scan and save copies now. When you do get through to someone, having everything ready digitally can speed up the process. 4. Consider filing a complaint with the EDD ombudsman if other methods fail. They're supposed to help resolve complex cases that get stuck in the system. The fact that so many people are reporting identical issues with the certification form disappearing after income changes suggests this is definitely a system glitch, not user error. It's completely unacceptable that we have to become expert problem-solvers just to access benefits we've earned. Hang in there - based on what others have shared, most of these cases do eventually get resolved. The process is just unnecessarily painful. Keep documenting everything and don't give up! 🤞

As someone who just completed this transition last month, I wanted to share a few additional tips that really helped me: **Before your disability ends:** - Screenshot or download all your disability payment records - you might need them for your UI application - Start researching unemployment offices in your area in case you need in-person help - Consider reaching out to former colleagues/network contacts now to let them know you'll be job searching soon **During the transition:** - Apply for UI online early in the morning (6-7 AM) when the system is most stable - Have your employment history for the last 18 months ready - dates, employer addresses, and gross wages - Be prepared for identity verification - EDD has tightened security and may ask for additional documents **Managing the income drop:** - Contact your landlord/mortgage company BEFORE you miss payments to discuss options - Look into local utility assistance programs - many have funds specifically for people transitioning between benefits - Check if your local library offers free career services or computer access for job searching The whole process took about 2 weeks for me from application to first payment, but having everything prepared in advance made it much smoother. The income drop is tough, but temporary. You've got this, Fernanda! Focus on one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful advice! I'm facing a similar situation - my disability benefits end in a few months and I've been really anxious about the transition process. Reading through all these experiences has given me a clear roadmap of what to expect. The timeline everyone mentioned (getting medical clearance before the end date, filing UI the day after disability ends, preparing for the income drop) is incredibly valuable information that I haven't found anywhere else. I'm particularly grateful for the practical tips about documentation, the Claimyr service for reaching EDD, and the suggestion to apply early in the morning when the system is more stable. The mention of additional resources like CalFresh and local workforce development programs is also really helpful. It's reassuring to know that while the financial drop is significant, the transition is definitely doable with proper preparation. This community seems like an amazing resource for people navigating these challenging situations. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and experience!

This thread is absolutely incredible! I've been dealing with my own SDI claim stuck for 2 weeks after my hernia surgery and was going crazy trying to get through on the phone. Like everyone else, I keep getting that awful "call capacity" recording no matter what time I call. The general information line trick sounds like pure genius - I would never have thought to try a different queue to bypass the main disability line! And learning about assembly member offices being able to help is such a revelation. It's crazy that we need these "insider secrets" just to access benefits we've been paying into forever. This community has basically created the ultimate SDI phone survival guide through everyone sharing what actually works. It's both amazing and infuriating that a forum thread is more helpful than the entire official EDD website! Definitely going to try the 8am general info line approach tomorrow morning, and I've already looked up my assembly member's contact info as backup. Will report back with results to keep building this awesome resource. Thanks everyone for sharing real solutions instead of just venting - this gives me actual hope after weeks of frustration!

Just wanted to add my experience to this amazing thread! I'm currently dealing with my own SDI claim that's been pending for 6 weeks after my ACL reconstruction surgery. Like everyone else here, I've been completely unable to get through on the main disability line - that "call capacity reached" message has become my daily frustration ritual! Reading through all these brilliant workarounds has given me so much hope. The general information line trick is absolutely genius - I never would have thought to try a different queue to bypass the main bottleneck! And I had no clue about assembly member and senator offices being able to help with EDD issues. That's such valuable information that should be common knowledge. It's both inspiring and infuriating that this community has had to reverse-engineer all these solutions just to access benefits we've paid into our entire working lives. This thread has honestly become more comprehensive and helpful than anything on the official EDD website, which really highlights how broken the system is. I'm definitely trying the 8am general info line approach first thing tomorrow morning, and I've already looked up my local representatives as backup options. Will absolutely report back with my results to keep building this incredible resource everyone has created together. Thank you all for sharing what actually works - this community support means everything when you're stressed about finances while trying to recover from major surgery!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue! My extension was approved 5 days ago and the benefit period shows correctly in my SDI Online account, but there's no DE 2502 continued claim certification form anywhere. I've been checking my inbox and Forms tab obsessively with no luck. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and maddening - reassuring because I'm clearly not alone in this mess, but maddening because it's obvious EDD has a systematic problem they refuse to acknowledge or fix. The fact that they send an "extension approved" text but don't mention you need another form to actually GET PAID is just cruel when people are already stressed about medical issues and bills. I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow based on all the success stories shared here. I've noted down the key points to ask about: - The DE 2502 form specifically - Any "system flags" or data entry errors on my account - Pending actions that might be blocking the form - Verification of all personal information It's ridiculous that we've all become amateur EDD troubleshooters just to access benefits we've already paid into, but I'm so grateful for this community helping each other navigate their bureaucratic maze. This thread has more useful information than anything EDD has ever provided! Will update tomorrow after my call - hopefully with good news that can help others dealing with this nightmare. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and keeping each other sane through this mess! 💪

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! My extension was approved 9 days ago and I can see the updated benefit period in my SDI Online account, but there's absolutely no continued claim certification form anywhere - not in my inbox, Forms tab, or physical mail. I've been checking multiple times daily and getting more stressed as bills keep coming. This thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea about the DE 2502 form or that extensions required this separate certification step. It's absolutely insane that EDD sends that "extension approved" text but completely fails to mention "oh by the way, you still need to complete another form to actually receive your payments!" Based on everyone's advice here, I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow. I've written down all the key questions to ask: - Specifically mention the DE 2502 Continued Claim Certification form - Ask about any "system flags" or data entry errors on my account - Check for pending actions that might be preventing the form from generating - Verify that all my personal information is entered correctly in their system It's honestly ridiculous that we're all here doing EDD's job for them, troubleshooting their broken system and helping each other navigate what should be a straightforward government process. But this community support has been incredible when you're already dealing with medical issues and financial pressure! @Andre Laurent I really hope you got through and resolved this by now! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this collective knowledge is way more helpful than anything EDD has provided. I'll definitely update after my call tomorrow in case it helps others going through this same bureaucratic mess. We shouldn't have to become EDD system experts just to get our own benefits! 🤞

As someone who went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago, I can tell you that you're absolutely doing the right thing by being proactive with 4 weeks left! Rotator cuff injuries are notorious for taking longer than people expect - my friend had the same surgery and needed about 5 months total recovery time. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here: when you call your orthopedic surgeon tomorrow, ask them if they can submit documentation supporting a 16-20 week timeline right from the start. Sometimes doctors can provide detailed medical justification for longer periods based on the specific type of tear, your age, activity level, etc. This might help you get a more realistic approval period and avoid having to go through multiple extension cycles. Also, don't be surprised if your surgeon's office asks you to come in for a quick evaluation before submitting the extension - some doctors prefer to do a current assessment rather than just extending based on the original diagnosis. It's totally normal and actually strengthens your case. The calendar reminder system really is a game-changer. I wish I had known about it during my claim - would have saved me so much anxiety! This thread should seriously be required reading for anyone starting an SDI claim.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm currently 2 weeks into my SDI claim for anxiety and panic disorder after a mental health crisis at work, and reading through everyone's experiences has been both incredibly helpful and terrifying. I had absolutely no idea about these disappearing certification form issues or the need to track disability period end dates. After reading Andre's original post and all the detailed responses, I immediately went hunting for my approval paperwork. Turns out I was only approved for 8 weeks initially, which means I have about 6 weeks left. My psychiatrist and therapist have both told me that recovery from this level of burnout and anxiety typically takes 3-4 months minimum, so I definitely need to start thinking about extensions. The organizational tips from Norman and others are incredible - I'm setting up the calendar reminder system tonight with multiple alerts. It's honestly shocking that EDD doesn't provide basic notifications for something this important, but this community has clearly figured out how to work around their broken system. One thing I'm wondering about - for mental health conditions, do the extension timelines tend to be different than physical injuries? My therapist mentioned that psychological recovery often happens in waves rather than linear progress, so I'm not sure how to communicate realistic timelines to my psychiatrist when we discuss the extension. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories here - you've probably saved me from a major panic attack (which is the last thing I need right now!). This thread should definitely be pinned as essential reading for new SDI claimants.