I completely understand how overwhelming this situation can be - being injured, dealing with financial stress, and trying to navigate multiple systems at once is incredibly difficult. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like you have a solid plan forming. A few additional tips from someone who's helped others through similar situations: 1) When you apply for SDI online, save screenshots of every page as you complete it. Sometimes the system glitches and you'll want proof of what you submitted. 2) Ask your doctor's office to give you a copy of the medical certification they submit to EDD. This way you can see exactly what they wrote and follow up if needed. 3) Consider setting up direct deposit for your SDI benefits if possible - it's faster than waiting for checks in the mail. 4) Keep a simple calendar marking when you applied, when your doctor submitted paperwork, and any other key dates. This helps if you need to call EDD later. The fact that you already have an attorney for the workers comp case puts you ahead of many people in this situation. They should be able to coordinate the eventual repayment to EDD once your workers comp is resolved. Hang in there - this process is tough but you're taking all the right steps!

I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago - warehouse injury, workers comp stalling, desperate for income. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: Apply for SDI immediately, don't wait any longer. The 7-day waiting period starts from when your disability began (your injury date), not when you apply. So you're already past that hurdle. When I applied, EDD asked a few standard questions about the workers comp case: the claim number, insurance company name, date of injury, and whether benefits had been paid or denied. Just answer honestly - they're used to this situation. One thing that helped me was calling my doctor's office before applying to make sure they could submit the medical certification within 24-48 hours. Some offices are really slow with this, and it can delay your whole claim. Also, when workers comp finally did approve my case 4 months later, the repayment process to EDD was actually pretty straightforward. My attorney handled most of it, and I just had to sign some paperwork. The key is that you get to keep any difference if your workers comp benefit is less than what SDI paid you. You're doing everything right by getting an attorney and exploring SDI. Don't let the workers comp company's delays keep you from getting the help you need right now. Good luck!

Good luck with your surgery! Hope recovery goes smoothly. Take care!

Just wanted to add that you should also consider the timing of when to file your SDI claim. I'd recommend filing it about a week before your surgery date so there's time for initial processing. The 7-day waiting period starts from when your doctor certifies you as disabled (usually the surgery date), not when you file the claim. Also, keep copies of everything you submit - the medical certification, your application, any correspondence. If there are any issues or delays, having your own records makes it much easier to resolve problems. I learned this the hard way when my claim got stuck in processing for weeks and I had to re-submit documents that supposedly got "lost in the system.

I just went through this last month! Your money is definitely still being deposited - the expired card just blocks your access to it. I called the BofA EDD number (1-866-692-9374) and they sent a replacement card right away. One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts through the BofA prepaid website before my card fully expired. Even though I couldn't use the physical card, I could still see when deposits hit my account, which gave me peace of mind while waiting for the new card. The whole process took about a week with regular shipping, but like others mentioned, you can pay for expedited delivery if you need it faster. Just make sure to activate your new card as soon as it arrives - that part is super important! Congrats on getting approved for SDI! The hardest part is behind you now.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now! My card expired in February and I was so worried when I saw my first payment marked as "paid" but couldn't access it. Called the BofA EDD number this morning and they confirmed the funds are safe in my account - just need to wait for the replacement card. The rep told me it's happening a lot lately because so many people are returning to disability claims after cards from 2022-2023 have expired. She said they're processing tons of replacement card requests right now. One helpful thing she mentioned - if you're really desperate for access to funds while waiting for the new card, you can sometimes get a temporary debit card issued at certain BofA branches, though not all locations offer this for EDD accounts. Might be worth calling ahead to ask if your local branch can help. Hope this helps ease some anxiety - sounds like we're all in the same boat with expired cards! The money is definitely there waiting for us.

my brother got a letter from irs asking bout his disability $ bc he never reported it on his taxes but it turned out the irs was wrong and he had to send proof it was state disability not unemployment. such a hassle. make sure u keep records just in case!

Hope your rotator cuff is healing well! I went through a similar situation a couple years ago with a work injury. Just wanted to add - if you used any medical expenses related to your injury for tax deductions, make sure those align with the period you were actually working vs on disability. My accountant caught that I had some PT expenses that overlapped with my disability period and it helped maximize my deductions. Also, if you had any employer-provided short-term disability that kicked in before SDI, that might be taxable (but sounds like you went straight to state disability). Good luck with your taxes!

Just want to add one more important tip - when your doctor fills out the supplemental form, make sure they include specific details about your lifting restrictions (like "no lifting over 10 pounds" or "no repetitive bending"). Generic statements like "light duty" can sometimes cause delays or requests for clarification from EDD. Also, if your restrictions change again during recovery, you'll need another supplemental form each time. I learned this the hard way when my restrictions kept changing during my recovery from rotator cuff surgery. The more specific your doctor is about what you can and cannot do, the smoother the process will be!

I went through this exact same process after my hernia surgery last year! The transition from total disability to light duty restrictions can be confusing, but you're on the right track. Like others mentioned, you definitely stay on your current SDI claim - no need to file a new one. When you certify this weekend, be honest about your status change and EDD will automatically trigger the supplemental certification process. One thing I'd add is to give your doctor's office a heads up about the DE 2525XX form before you even certify. I called mine and explained the situation, and they were prepared when EDD sent the request. This helped avoid any delays. Also, if your doctor's office is tech-savvy, they can submit it electronically through SDI Online which is usually faster than mailing the paper form. The key thing EDD needs to see is that while you're medically cleared for some work, your specific job requirements (heavy lifting in your case) exceed your medical restrictions. As long as that's documented properly, your benefits should continue without interruption. Good luck with your recovery!