I'm new here but wanted to chime in since I literally just dealt with this exact situation two weeks ago! My primary care doctor said the same thing about not being able to extend another doctor's claim for my postpartum anxiety. What worked for me was printing out the EDD Disability Insurance handbook section that specifically talks about physician changes during a claim. There's a clear statement that says "You may receive treatment from different physicians during your disability period without affecting your claim." I highlighted that part along with the section explaining the DE 2525XX form. When I showed this to my doctor, she immediately understood and said "Oh! I thought you were asking me to take over someone else's medical decisions, but you just need me to assess your current condition." The whole thing was resolved in about 5 minutes once she realized what was actually being asked. Your doctor is definitely wrong about needing a new claim - you'd only file a new claim if you had completely recovered and then developed a different condition later. Since you're continuing treatment for the same PPD, it's absolutely just an extension. Don't let them talk you into losing that week of benefits! You've got enough to deal with without unnecessary bureaucratic hassles.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since it sounds exactly like what you're going through! I just dealt with this same situation about a month ago when my therapist left her practice in the middle of my disability claim for postpartum anxiety. My new therapist initially said the exact same thing - that she couldn't extend someone else's claim and I'd need to file fresh. But I called EDD directly and they confirmed that's completely wrong. They explained that for the same ongoing medical condition, ANY licensed physician can complete the DE 2525XX extension form using your existing claim number. What finally convinced my therapist was when I brought a printed copy of the DE 2525XX form along with the EDD webpage that explains physician changes during claims. I also explained it as "I need medical certification that my condition is ongoing" rather than asking her to "extend a claim" - the framing made a huge difference because it focused on the medical assessment (which she's comfortable with) rather than the bureaucratic process. The whole thing ended up taking maybe 10 minutes once she understood what was actually being requested, and my benefits continued without any interruption or waiting period. You're absolutely right to push back on this - don't let them talk you into filing a new claim and losing a week of benefits! Your doctor can definitely do the extension, they just need the right information. Bring that DE 2525XX form and you should be all set! 💙

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My SDI payment for a shoulder injury showed as "issued" two days ago but my Money Network card still shows zero balance. Reading through all these experiences is so reassuring - I was starting to think something went wrong with my claim. It's really frustrating that EDD doesn't warn you about this delay when you're already stressed about being out of work and needing the money. I've been checking the app obsessively every few hours! Going to try to be patient and wait it out based on everyone's advice here. This community is so helpful for getting real answers that you can't find anywhere on the official websites.

I'm currently dealing with this exact same situation! My first SDI payment for a wrist injury showed as "issued" yesterday afternoon but my Money Network card balance is still showing $0. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - I was starting to panic that something went wrong with my application. It's really frustrating that EDD doesn't clearly communicate these processing delays when you first get approved. When you're already stressed about being unable to work and counting on these benefits, the uncertainty is just brutal. I'm going to try to be patient and wait the 24-48 hours like everyone suggests, but I wish there was better transparency about these timelines. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real-world experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical information you need but can never find on the official EDD website!

I had this exact same issue a few months ago! The upload feature is really poorly designed. What finally worked for me was accessing it through the mobile app instead of the website. For some reason, the upload button showed up there when it wouldn't appear on desktop. If you don't have the app, you can also try accessing the mobile version of the site through your phone's browser. Also, make sure your form is saved as a PDF - I think they're picky about file formats. Hope this helps!

I just went through this nightmare last month! Here's what I discovered after way too much trial and error: the upload feature is tied to your case status. If your disability claim is still in "initial review" status, the upload option won't show up at all. You have to wait until they move you to "pending additional documentation" status, which can take 2-3 weeks. It's incredibly frustrating because nowhere on the site does it explain this! I only found out when I finally got through to someone on the phone. You can check your case status under "Claim History" - if it's still in initial review, that's why you can't upload anything yet. Super backwards system if you ask me.

Congratulations on your twins! 🎉 As a newcomer to this community, I've been learning so much from threads like this. From everything I've read here and researched on the EDD website, it definitely sounds like you should file now with that doctor's note! The 49-day early filing window exists exactly for situations like yours. I'm really impressed by how proactive you're being - getting your specialist's documentation early and asking the right questions before you need the benefits. From all the experiences shared here, it seems like filing early gives you the best chance of avoiding payment delays and having time to address any potential paperwork issues. Your high-risk twin pregnancy should make for a very straightforward approval process. One small tip I picked up from reading other posts - when you do file online, make sure to save screenshots of every confirmation page and your claim number in multiple places. It sounds like you'll need those reference numbers throughout the process. This thread has been incredibly educational for me too as someone who might face a similar situation in the future. Thank you for asking such thoughtful questions and allowing the community to share their knowledge! Wishing you a smooth filing process and healthy babies! 💙

Congratulations on your twins! 🎊 As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through posts to better understand the SDI process, and your thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on all the advice shared here, it definitely sounds like filing now is the smart move. The 49-day early filing rule seems perfect for your situation with the doctor's note already in hand. I'm really impressed by how organized and proactive you're being - having that specialist documentation ready and asking the right questions upfront will probably save you so much stress later. One thing that stood out to me from reading everyone's experiences is how important it is to stay on top of the process once you file. It sounds like checking your SDI Online account regularly and following up with your doctor about submitting their portion quickly are key to avoiding delays. Your high-risk twin pregnancy should make for a straightforward approval, and it's reassuring to see so many community members who've successfully navigated this process sharing their tips. This thread is definitely going into my bookmarks for future reference! Wishing you a smooth filing process and healthy babies! Thank you for sharing your questions - it's helping newcomers like me learn so much about the system! 💙

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my PFL claim about 5 weeks ago and it's been stuck on "pending" ever since. The phone system is absolutely ridiculous - I've probably spent 20+ hours on hold just to get disconnected. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like contacting my assembly member might be the way to go. Has anyone had luck with specific assembly offices being more responsive than others? Also really considering that Claimyr service that @Sofia Peña mentioned, even though $20 feels steep just to talk to someone who should be accessible for free 😤 Thanks for starting this thread - at least we know we're not alone in this nightmare!

Same boat here! Filed my PFL claim about 4 weeks ago and it's been a total nightmare. The "pending" status is driving me crazy and I've basically given up on the phone system after getting hung up on multiple times. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and tips here. The assembly member suggestion keeps coming up so I'm definitely going to try that route. @Giovanni Martello thanks for those detailed steps - having a game plan helps a lot! Also seeing mixed reactions about Claimyr but honestly at this point I might just bite the bullet and pay the $20 if it actually works. This whole situation is so frustrating when you're already dealing with family stuff and need the financial support. Will report back if I have any success with the assembly member route. Hang in there everyone! 💪