I went through something very similar last month! EDD flagged my doctor as "unlicensed" when she's been my treating physician for 3 years. Turns out they had her old license number from before she renewed. What saved me was getting a letter directly from the California Medical Board confirming her current license status - not just from her office, but from the actual licensing board. You can request this online for like $25. Also, when you appeal, make sure to reference the specific DE 2500A form they use for medical certification. Having the exact form number and citing their own policies seemed to help move things along faster. Don't let them wear you down - you've got legitimate benefits coming to you!

This exact same thing happened to me about 6 months ago! EDD sent me a notice saying my doctor wasn't licensed and that I owed back $3,000 in "overpayments." I was absolutely panicking because my doctor has been practicing for over 20 years and obviously has a valid license. What ended up happening was that EDD's system had somehow pulled an old, expired license number instead of his current one. It took me about 6 weeks to get it sorted out, but here's what worked for me: 1. I got a certified letter from my doctor's office with his current license info 2. I also got the official verification from the Medical Board like someone else mentioned (totally worth the fee) 3. I filed the appeal within the 30-day window - super important! 4. I kept calling EDD every few days to check status The most frustrating part was that even after I submitted all the proof, it took them forever to actually process it and restart my payments. But they did eventually fix it AND they paid me all the back benefits I was owed during the time it was suspended. Don't let them intimidate you with the "overpayment" stuff - if your doctor is legitimately licensed (which it sounds like they are), you're entitled to those benefits. Just stay persistent and document everything!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress on top of dealing with your mental health condition. I went through a similar EDD medical exam for my anxiety disorder about 6 months ago, and I understand how terrifying it feels. A few things that helped me prepare: 1. Write down specific examples of how your symptoms affect daily work tasks - like if you have panic attacks during phone calls, can't concentrate during meetings, or need frequent breaks 2. Bring a list of all your medications and side effects (especially if new meds are making you feel worse right now) 3. Ask your psychiatrist to document your current GAF score or similar functional assessment 4. Don't minimize your bad days, but also don't exaggerate - just be completely honest The exam itself was about 45 minutes of questions about my symptoms, treatment history, and daily functioning. The doctor wasn't trying to "catch" me lying, but they did ask detailed questions about what a typical day looks like and how I handle stress. For the payment delays - definitely ask if there are any flags or holds on your account when you call. Sometimes there's a hidden verification issue causing the delays that they don't tell you about upfront. Try to remember that you have legitimate medical documentation from your treating doctors, and that carries significant weight. You're not trying to scam the system - you're genuinely unable to work right now, and that's okay. Take care of yourself through this process.

I just went through this process a few months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. The anticipation was honestly worse than the actual exam. Here are some practical tips: **Before the exam:** - Request your complete medical file from your psychiatrist/therapist to bring with you - Write down how your symptoms specifically impact your job duties (can't handle customer complaints due to anxiety, panic attacks triggered by deadlines, etc.) - List all medications and recent changes - they care a lot about side effects affecting work ability - Get a letter from your doctor explaining your prognosis and expected recovery timeline **During the exam:** - Be honest about both good and bad days - they expect mental health to fluctuate - Focus on functionality, not just feelings ("I can't concentrate for more than 15 minutes" vs "I feel sad") - Mention if you're having medication adjustments that are making things temporarily worse **For payment delays:** This is super common! When you call EDD, ask specifically if there are any "pending issues" or "verification flags" on your account. Sometimes they have internal holds they don't tell you about. The whole process took about 40 minutes for me, and I was approved for another 8 weeks. Mental health claims do get approved when properly documented - don't let the horror stories scare you too much. You're dealing with a legitimate medical condition and deserve support while you recover.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your father - what an incredibly difficult situation to navigate while pregnant and dealing with complications. My heart goes out to you. The community has given you excellent advice! I wanted to add one more resource that might help: many counties in California have Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs that can provide immediate nutritional support while you're waiting for your SDI claim to process. They often have social workers who are familiar with EDD processes and might be able to provide additional guidance or connect you with local emergency assistance programs. Also, if you have any pregnancy-related medical expenses coming up (like monitoring for pre-eclampsia), don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider about payment plans or financial assistance programs. Many hospitals and clinics have programs specifically for situations like yours. You're being incredibly strong advocating for yourself and your baby during such a challenging time. Take care of yourself and don't hesitate to reach out for help - you deserve all the support available to you.

I'm so deeply sorry for the loss of your father - what an unimaginable burden to carry while pregnant and dealing with medical complications. Please know that you're not alone in this struggle. Based on everything shared here, you absolutely should qualify for SDI! The fact that you worked and paid into the system for 2 years before your father's passing means you've likely met all the earnings requirements. California SDI doesn't require current employment - just that you contributed during your base period, which you clearly did. A few things I'd add to the excellent advice already given: 1. When applying online at edd.ca.gov/disability/, be completely honest about your employment gap and the reason (father's death). EDD understands that life circumstances sometimes require people to leave work. 2. Ask your doctor to be very specific about timing on the DE 2501 form. With your high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia concerns at 32 weeks, you may qualify for immediate disability rather than waiting for the standard timeframe. 3. Consider having someone help you with the application process if the stress is overwhelming. A trusted family member or friend can assist with paperwork while you focus on your health. You paid into this system for exactly this type of situation. Don't feel guilty about accessing the support you've earned. Your father would want you and his grandchild to be taken care of. Wishing you strength, health, and a smooth application process. This community is rooting for you! 💙

Quick question - what kind of injury do you have? Some specific injuries might qualify you for other types of assistance.

I'm really sorry you're going through this! Being injured with such little work history is a tough spot. Since you likely won't qualify for SDI with only a month of employment, definitely look into those local assistance programs Lucas mentioned. Also, don't forget about food banks and utility assistance programs - they can help stretch whatever income you might have. Have you checked if your county has a 211 helpline? They usually have info on all the local resources available. Wishing you a speedy recovery! 🙏

Hey OP, any updates? Were you able to get through to someone?

I've been dealing with EDD for years and unfortunately this happens more often than it should. A few things to try while you're waiting to get through on the phone: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try logging in again 2. Try accessing your account from a different device or browser 3. Check if you can still see your claim on the desktop website vs just the mobile app 4. Look for any notices in your EDD inbox online The fact that your doctor sent the note on 8/23 is good - that's within the typical timeframe they require. Don't panic yet, but definitely keep trying to reach them. If the claim truly disappeared from their system (not just a display glitch), they'll need to investigate and potentially have you refile. Document everything and stay persistent!