UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! You were all right - the single week payment was a standard procedure while they reviewed my case. The agent confirmed my medical exam was approved but said there was a "payment processing delay" affecting the backpay. She manually released all my payments and said I should see the money in 24-48 hours. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Congratulations on getting this resolved! Your experience is really helpful for others going through the same thing. It's frustrating that EDD doesn't explain their post-examination payment process clearly on their website or in their communications. A simple notice saying "partial payment released while case under final review" would save everyone so much stress and confusion. At least now we know the single week payment is actually a positive sign, not something to panic about. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

As someone who's been navigating disability benefits for my own chronic condition, I can't emphasize enough how important it is that you act quickly on filing for SDI. The advice you've gotten here is spot-on - your situation is exactly what SDI was designed for. What strikes me about your case is how perfectly documented everything is in your favor. Your doctor certified your inability to work BEFORE any employment action occurred, which creates an ironclad timeline. When I had to file my own SDI claim, the examiner specifically asked about the sequence of events to make sure my medical condition wasn't somehow related to losing my job - in your case, it's crystal clear that your medical need came first. One thing I'd add to all the excellent advice you've received: when you're filling out the online application, be very detailed about your medical condition and how it prevents you from performing your job duties. Don't just write "back condition" - explain specifically how the pain/mobility issues make it impossible for you to do your work tasks. The more specific you are about the functional limitations, the clearer it is to the examiner why you qualify for benefits. Also, definitely keep copies of everything you submit. I learned this the hard way when EDD lost some of my paperwork and I had to resubmit. You're going to get through this, and honestly, the legal case others have mentioned sounds very promising given the blatant timing of your termination. Focus on your health and recovery - that's what matters most right now.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! Everyone here has given you excellent advice about filing for SDI immediately, which is absolutely the right move. I wanted to add one practical tip that helped me when I filed my own SDI claim - when you're filling out the online application, there's usually a section where you can provide additional context or explanations. Use that space to briefly mention the timeline of events (that you submitted your medical leave request the same day you were terminated) just to create a clear record, but keep the focus on your medical condition and inability to work. Also, I'd recommend setting up online access to your EDD account right away if you haven't already. This will let you track the status of your claim and respond quickly if they need any additional documentation. The online portal is much more reliable than trying to get through by phone. Your situation sounds incredibly frustrating, but you're handling it exactly right by prioritizing your health and getting the benefits you've earned. The legal aspects others have mentioned definitely sound worth pursuing, but getting your SDI secured first is the smart approach. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping your surgery goes well!

Have you tried faxing your documents? Sometimes that gets their attention faster than calling or emailing.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - my payment is 12 days late and I can't get through to anyone either. One thing that's helped me is keeping a detailed log of every time I try to contact them (date, time, method). Also, I found that calling right at 8 AM when they open gives you the best chance of getting through. The wait is still brutal, but at least you're in the queue. Hang in there, you're not alone in this struggle! 💪

pro tip: if u cant get thru on the main line, try calling some of the other edd numbers (like the employer line or tech support). sometimes they can help or at least transfer u to the right person

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! Made the same mistake with the return-to-work date and my payments got stuck for weeks. Here's what worked for me: I called right at 8 AM sharp (like someone mentioned) and got through after about 2 hours on hold. The rep was actually pretty understanding and fixed it on the spot. They told me to keep certifying every two weeks - definitely don't stop doing that or you'll lose your benefits. Also, make sure you have all your medical documentation ready when you call, they might ask for it. It's frustrating but totally fixable! Hang in there! 💪

I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! The key is being super organized with your documentation. Make sure you have multiple forms of ID verification - I ended up sending my driver's license, passport, AND birth certificate. For address verification, I included utility bills from the last 3 months, my lease agreement, and even a bank statement. The wage verification was trickier - I had to contact my previous employers to get official wage statements since my paystubs weren't detailed enough. Also, definitely keep calling them even though it's frustrating. I finally got through after trying the early morning approach others mentioned. Hang in there - it's a pain but you'll get through it! 💪

Another thing that really helped me was creating a checklist and timeline for myself. I made a spreadsheet tracking what documents I sent, when I sent them, confirmation numbers, etc. EDD processes are slow but having everything documented made follow-up calls way more productive. Also, if you have any employment gaps or worked gig jobs (Uber, DoorDash, etc.), make sure you have documentation for those too - they're stricter about verifying all income sources now. The whole process took me about 6 weeks total but staying organized and persistent was key. You got this! 📋✨