I'm really glad you were able to get through to EDD and get that official confirmation! This whole situation must have been incredibly stressful, but it sounds like you now have a clear path forward. As someone who's dealt with similar benefit transitions, I wanted to add that it might be worth reaching out to your local workforce development center once you're getting closer to your medical clearance date. They often have programs specifically for people transitioning from disability benefits back into the workforce, and can help with job search strategies, resume updates, and even connecting you with employers who are familiar with hiring people coming off medical leave. Also, since this was a work-related injury and the timing of your layoff seems questionable, you might want to document not just the layoff itself but also any communications you had with your employer about your expected return date. If they were expecting you back in mid-March and then suddenly "restructured" your position away, that could be relevant information for your workers' comp attorney. The fact that you're taking the time to plan ahead and get organized while still focusing on your recovery shows you're handling this really well. Keep taking care of yourself - the administrative stuff will work out, and you'll be in a much stronger position when you're ready to return to work.

I'm so glad this thread worked out well for you and that you got the official confirmation from EDD! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful for me too, as I'm currently dealing with my own SDI situation (though thankfully still employed for now). What really stands out is how this entire conversation demonstrates the value of community knowledge and support. You went from panic about potentially losing benefits to having a comprehensive understanding of your rights and a clear action plan. That's the power of people sharing real experiences rather than just guessing or repeating rumors. The advice about keeping detailed documentation, planning for the SDI-to-unemployment transition, exploring Covered California options, and especially the points about the suspicious timing of your layoff relative to your workers' comp case - all of this creates such a valuable resource for anyone facing similar situations. Your approach of focusing on recovery while systematically organizing the administrative side is exactly right. You've earned these benefits through years of payroll contributions, and the system is designed to support you through exactly this type of situation. Take the time you need to heal properly - rushing back too soon could set you back significantly. This thread should honestly be pinned as a reference guide for SDI continuation during unexpected job loss. Wishing you the smoothest possible recovery and transition back to work when you're ready!

Hey Samuel, I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation hits really close to home. I'm currently on SDI for a neck injury from a car accident, and while I haven't been terminated yet, my employer has been making comments about how long I've been out that are making me nervous about my job security. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational for me too! I had absolutely no idea that SDI benefits continue regardless of employment status - I was living under the same fear that losing my job would automatically end my disability payments. The way everyone explained it as insurance YOU paid into rather than something employer-controlled really makes it click. I'm definitely going to start implementing some of the organizational strategies people mentioned here, especially those calendar reminders and creating dedicated folders for all my medical paperwork. The tip about asking your doctor's office to handle EDD forms on a regular schedule is brilliant - I'm calling them Monday to set that up. Thank you for having the courage to ask this question publicly. Even though it came from a place of stress and uncertainty, you've created such a valuable resource for others facing similar situations. The community response has been amazing, and it's clear you're going to navigate this successfully with all the great advice you've received. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping your legal consultation provides even more clarity!

Hey Samuel, I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out as someone who's been through a very similar situation. I was on SDI for chronic fatigue syndrome last year and got terminated after 4 months when my employer said they couldn't accommodate my extended leave anymore. I was absolutely panicking about my benefits just like you are now! But everyone here is giving you completely accurate information - your SDI benefits will 100% continue as long as your doctor keeps certifying your disability. The termination has zero impact on your claim. I actually stayed on SDI for another 3 months after being fired, and there were no issues whatsoever. The key things that helped me were: 1) reporting the employment change through SDI Online immediately (super straightforward), 2) staying organized with all medical appointments and paperwork, and 3) not letting the job loss stress interfere with my recovery process. One thing I wish I'd done sooner was getting that COBRA vs. Covered California comparison sorted out - the health insurance piece ended up being way more complicated than the actual SDI continuation. Definitely prioritize that! You're being incredibly smart by getting legal consultation. Looking back, I think my employer violated some protections too, but I was too overwhelmed at the time to pursue it. Don't make my mistake! This community has given you such solid advice. Focus on healing that back - the financial safety net you paid into is working exactly as it should. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but facing almost the exact same situation! I'm a CA resident who's been working remotely for a company in North Carolina for about 10 months now. They also refuse to withhold CA SDI, claiming they only handle NC state requirements since that's where their corporate office is located, even though I'm physically working from my home office in Oakland every single day. I've been really worried about this because I'm actually pregnant and will need both disability benefits for recovery and paid family leave for bonding time. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I had no idea about Form DE 2588 or that previous California employment could still help with eligibility! I worked in California for about 5 years before taking this remote position, so based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I might be in a decent position. Luca's success story and Tony's point about both SDI and PFL eligibility really give me hope that this can work out with proper documentation. I'm starting my documentation collection immediately - emails mentioning my home office to HR, utility bills, lease agreement, prenatal appointment receipts showing my CA address, home office setup expenses, and those workspace photos that were suggested. The advice about being proactive rather than scrambling when you actually need the benefits is so important, especially with a baby coming! This community has been such an incredible resource - the real-world experiences and practical guidance here are exactly what you can't find anywhere in official EDD materials. Thank you all for sharing your stories and creating such a supportive space for those of us trying to navigate this confusing remote work SDI maze!

I'm new to this community but dealing with a nearly identical situation! I'm a CA resident who's been working remotely for a company based in Utah for about 14 months now. They also refuse to withhold CA SDI, saying they only handle Utah state taxes since that's where I'm "performing work" according to their payroll department, even though I'm sitting at my home office in Fresno every single day. I've been really stressed about this because I have a chronic autoimmune condition that could flare up and require disability leave at any time. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring - I had absolutely no clue about Form DE 2588 or that my previous California work history might still help with eligibility! I worked in California for about 4.5 years before taking this remote job, so based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like I might still have some viable options. Luca's success story is especially encouraging - knowing someone actually navigated this process and got partial benefits approved makes it feel much more achievable. I'm going to start collecting all my documentation right away - emails where I've mentioned working from my CA home office, utility bills, lease agreement, medical appointments showing my CA address, home office equipment receipts, and maybe even those workspace photos that were suggested. The advice about being proactive instead of waiting until you're in crisis mode really resonates with me given my health situation. This community has been such a valuable find - the real-world experiences and practical tips here are exactly what you can't locate anywhere in the official EDD resources. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and building such a helpful resource for those of us trying to figure out this complex remote work SDI puzzle!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! My SDI claim was approved on 10/17 and I'm also still waiting for my card to arrive. This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea about the old card reuse policy until reading everyone's experiences here. I'm pretty sure I had a UI card from 2023 that I definitely don't have anymore, so based on what everyone's sharing, my disability payment probably got loaded onto that old expired card. It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't communicate this clearly anywhere - like why isn't there a simple notification saying "your benefits have been loaded onto your existing card from [date]" or something? I've been checking my SDI Online account obsessively thinking something was wrong when the money might already be sitting on a card I threw away! Definitely calling Bank of America EDD at 1-866-692-9374 first thing tomorrow morning based on everyone's advice here. This community has provided way better guidance than EDD's official website or their impossible phone system. The direct deposit tip for future payments is also something I'm definitely going to set up once I get this card mess sorted out. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and solutions - it's such a relief to know I'm not the only one dealing with this stressful waiting game!

I'm also dealing with this exact same situation! My claim was approved on 10/16 and I'm still waiting for my card too. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both incredibly helpful and frustrating - it's clear that EDD has a major communication problem when it comes to explaining their card reuse policy. I'm pretty sure I had a PFL card back in 2022 that I definitely don't have anymore, so based on what everyone's sharing here, my disability payment probably got loaded onto that old expired card. It's honestly mind-blowing that they don't send any kind of notification about this - something simple like "Your payment has been loaded onto your existing card ending in XXXX" would save so much stress and confusion! I'm calling Bank of America EDD at 1-866-692-9374 tomorrow morning like everyone recommended. This thread has been way more helpful than anything I could find on EDD's website or through their phone system. The tip about setting up direct deposit for future payments is also something I'm definitely going to do once I get this card mess sorted out. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and advice - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in dealing with this stressful waiting game while bills are piling up!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this process! I see everyone's mentioned the SDI Online account (which is definitely the best first step), but I wanted to add that if you're having trouble accessing it or creating an account, you can also try calling the technical support line at 1-866-401-2849. They helped me reset my login when I was locked out. Also, one thing that really helped me was keeping a simple log of every attempt I made - date, method, confirmation numbers, etc. It made it so much easier when I had to follow up or reference previous attempts. EDD can be frustrating, but with all the great methods everyone's shared here, you'll definitely get your form! This thread is seriously like the DE 2525XX form bible now 😄 Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!

Just wanted to add my experience from last week! I was in the exact same boat as you, Evelyn, and ended up finding success with a combination approach. First, I checked my SDI Online account like everyone suggested (had to create one first), but the form wasn't available there. Then I used the Contact EDD online feature that @CosmosCaptain mentioned - submitted my request on a Tuesday and got an email response by Friday with a secure download link. What I wish I had known earlier: make sure your browser allows pop-ups when you click the download link, and double-check that your printer has enough ink before you start the process! Also, they sent the link to my email at like 6 PM on a Friday, so definitely check your email in the evenings too, not just during business hours. This community is seriously amazing - between everyone's shared experiences, we've basically created the most comprehensive DE 2525XX guide on the internet! Hope this helps, and don't stress too much - one of these methods will definitely work for you! 🤞