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I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD system can be incredibly confusing and unforgiving. I went through something similar a couple years ago with a different medical condition. Here's what I learned that might help: For the SDI backdating, don't give up after the first rejection. I had to submit THREE separate written requests with increasingly detailed medical documentation before they finally approved my backdate. Make sure your doctor's letter is very specific about when your condition began, how it prevented you from working, and why you couldn't have known to file for SDI initially. For the UI overpayment appeal, focus on these key points: 1) You had no knowledge of the SDI program, 2) You were acting in good faith trying to support yourself, 3) You have medical evidence proving you were genuinely unable to work. I also included a statement from my doctor explaining that my condition affected my cognitive ability to understand complex benefit systems. The appeals process took about 6 months for me, but I ultimately got the overpayment waived and my SDI claim backdated. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights, and honest mistakes happen all the time with these programs. Document EVERYTHING and keep fighting!
This gives me so much hope! Thank you for sharing your experience. I was starting to think I was completely out of luck after the initial rejections. Can I ask what kind of additional medical documentation you included in your second and third requests? I have my initial diagnosis and treatment records, but I'm wondering if there are other types of documentation that might strengthen my case. Also, did you use any specific language or legal references in your written requests that seemed to help? I'm willing to keep fighting this - I just want to make sure I'm approaching it the right way.
Thank you so much for sharing this! It's incredibly encouraging to hear from someone who actually succeeded in getting both issues resolved. I'm definitely not giving up now. For the additional medical documentation, I'm thinking about getting a more detailed letter from my neurologist that specifically addresses the timeline and cognitive impact of my vestibular migraines. Did you find that having multiple doctors weigh in helped, or was one very comprehensive letter sufficient? Also, I'm curious about the 6-month timeline - were you able to get any interim support during that appeals process, or did you just have to tough it out financially? I'm already struggling and wondering how I'll make it through a long appeals process.
I'm really sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - the EDD system is so confusing and they don't make it easy to understand which program you should use. I went through something similar last year when I had surgery and was out of work for months. One thing that might help is documenting exactly when you first learned about SDI vs UI. If you can show that reasonable people in your situation wouldn't have known about the distinction (like getting advice from friends, family, or even EDD representatives who didn't explain the difference), that could strengthen both your backdating request and your overpayment appeal. Also, I'd suggest reaching out to a disability rights organization in your area - many offer free consultations and can help you navigate the appeals process. They often know which specific arguments work best with EDD and can help you frame your case more effectively. Don't let that one commenter get to you about it being "not complicated" - the system IS confusing, especially when you're dealing with a medical condition that affects your ability to process complex information. You're not alone in making this mistake, and there are paths forward even if they're not easy. Keep all your documentation organized and don't give up!
Thank you for the encouragement - it really means a lot right now. You're absolutely right about documenting when I first learned about the difference between programs. I actually have text messages with family members where they advised me to file for unemployment, and I never even knew SDI existed until my disability advocate mentioned it last month. I'm definitely going to include those in my appeals. Do you happen to know of any specific disability rights organizations in California that help with EDD issues? I've been searching online but there are so many different organizations and I'm not sure which ones actually have experience with these kinds of benefit disputes. Also, did your surgery situation get resolved favorably? I'm trying to stay hopeful but some days it feels impossible when you're dealing with both financial stress and health issues at the same time.
I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to EDD appeal delays. I had my hearing 2 weeks ago and already feeling anxious about the wait! Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and concerning - it seems like the timeframes are all over the place. My case is also a voluntary quit vs misconduct situation, so based on what @AstroAdventurer mentioned about complex cases taking longer, I'm preparing myself for at least 6-8 weeks. Andre, I hope you hear something soon! 3+ weeks feels like an eternity when you're waiting for such an important decision. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines - it really helps to know what to expect even if the ranges are so wide. This whole process is incredibly stressful but at least we're not going through it alone!
Welcome to the community, Margot! It's unfortunate we're all here dealing with these appeal delays, but you're absolutely right that it helps to know we're not alone in this frustrating process. The wide range of timelines everyone has shared is both comforting and anxiety-inducing - at least we know there's hope for quicker decisions, but also need to mentally prepare for potentially longer waits. Since you just had your hearing 2 weeks ago, you're still early in the process, but I totally understand the anxiety starting already. The voluntary quit vs misconduct cases do seem to take more time based on what others have shared. Hoping both of us hear something in the coming weeks! This community has been really helpful for managing expectations.
I'm in a very similar situation - had my appeal hearing 5 weeks ago and still no decision! I'm dealing with the same codes (1030/32 and 1256) through a different appeals office. The uncertainty is killing me financially and emotionally. What's really frustrating is how inconsistent the information is - I've called three times and gotten three different timeframe estimates ranging from "any day now" to "up to 12 weeks." Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like 6-8 weeks is more realistic for complex cases like ours. I've been following @AstroAdventurer's advice about calling early to speak with the clerk, and that's helped get more accurate information than the general reps. Also started looking into CalFresh as suggested while I wait - every little bit helps during this stressful period. Hang in there Andre - from what I'm reading, most people do eventually get their decisions and many are favorable when employers don't even show up to the hearing like in your case!
Thank you for sharing your experience, Kai! It's both reassuring and frustrating to know I'm not alone in this situation. 5 weeks is even longer than where I'm at, so I can only imagine how stressful that must be for you. The inconsistent information from EDD reps is maddening - it's like they're just making up timeframes on the spot! I'm definitely going to try calling early tomorrow to speak with a clerk as @AstroAdventurer suggested. And you're right about looking into other assistance programs - I hadn't thought about CalFresh but that could really help bridge the gap while we wait. I'm trying to stay optimistic about my employer not showing up, but with EDD you never know how they'll interpret things. Really hoping we both hear something positive soon - this limbo is exhausting! Keep me posted on how your case progresses. We've got this! 💪
Great news that you got through! Make sure to fill out that form completely and provide all documentation they request. The 4-6 week timeframe is fairly accurate in my experience, though sometimes they can resolve it faster if your case is straightforward. One more tip - after you mail in your reconsideration form, keep checking your SDI Online account for updates. Sometimes they'll post status changes there before sending official mail notifications. And don't hesitate to follow up if you haven't heard anything after 3-4 weeks. Good luck, and I hope your physical recovery goes smoothly as well!
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this while trying to recover from SPD - that condition is absolutely brutal! I went through something similar with wage miscalculation on my SDI claim last year. One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every call attempt, message sent, and any reference numbers they gave me. When I finally got through to a representative, having all those details made the conversation much more productive and they could see I'd been trying to resolve it for weeks. Also, regarding your SPD recovery - have you looked into whether you might qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits for bonding time once your baby arrives? It's a separate program from SDI with its own benefit period, so even if your SDI is maxed out, you might have additional weeks available under PFL. Just something to keep in mind for planning ahead. I really hope the reconsideration process goes smoothly for you and you get that backpay quickly. The stress of financial uncertainty while dealing with pregnancy complications is just awful. Hang in there!
I'm going through this exact same situation right now - got my IME letter yesterday for a shoulder injury claim and immediately started panicking! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful. It sounds like this really is just standard procedure rather than them singling out my claim. I've been on SDI for about 9 weeks now, so the timing matches what others have mentioned about the 8-10 week review period. The advice about keeping a pain journal and writing down specific limitations is gold - I'm definitely going to start doing that this week before my appointment. My biggest worry was that they'd catch me on a good day and think I'm faking, but it sounds like being honest about the fluctuating nature of the condition is actually the right approach. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories, especially those who came back with updates after their exams. It really helps to know that most people get through this without issues when they have legitimate medical documentation. Still nervous, but way less stressed than I was this morning!
I'm so glad this thread helped ease your anxiety! I was in the exact same boat when I got my IME letter - immediately went into panic mode thinking they were going to cut me off. But you're absolutely right that it's just standard procedure. The 9-week timing is spot on for triggering these reviews. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here is to also bring a list of your current medications and dosages if you're taking anything for pain management. The IME doctor asked me about that and I was glad I had it written down. Also, don't be surprised if they ask about your sleep patterns and how the injury affects your daily routine beyond just work tasks. You've got this - the fact that you have legitimate medical documentation and are being proactive about preparing puts you in a great position!
I went through an IME about 3 months ago for a nerve injury in my hand, and I totally understand the stress you're feeling! Like others have mentioned, it really is standard procedure - my claim was also right around the 9-10 week mark when they scheduled it. One thing that helped me prepare was actually calling the medical office directly (not EDD) a day or two before to confirm the appointment time and ask about parking. The office staff was really helpful and even gave me a heads up about what to bring. Also, if you're taking any muscle relaxers or pain medication, try to time it so you're not overly drowsy during the exam - I made that mistake and felt like I wasn't able to communicate my limitations clearly. The doctor I saw was actually really understanding about the variability of symptoms. I told him straight up that some days are much worse than others, and he said that's completely normal for back injuries. He even asked me to describe both my worst days and my better days, which helped give him a complete picture. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much - the vast majority of these exams go smoothly when you're honest and have proper documentation. Sounds like you're well-prepared and have everything in order. Good luck with your appointment and your gradual return to work!
StardustSeeker
I went through this exact same nightmare a couple weeks ago! What finally worked for me was a combination of things: First, I had to completely log out of my EDD account on ALL devices (including my phone), then clear not just my browser cache but also cookies and stored passwords for the EDD site specifically. After that, I waited about 2 hours before trying to log back in. Turns out my account had some kind of session conflict that was preventing new logins. Also, double-check that you're using the correct URL - there are some phishing sites that look identical to the real EDD login page. The real one should be edd.ca.gov. If none of that works, definitely mention to the agent that you've tried multiple browsers and cleared cache - they have some backend tools they can use to reset your account status that regular users can't access. Good luck and let us know how the call goes!
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Nina Fitzgerald
•This is such solid advice! The session conflict thing makes total sense - I bet that's what's happening to me too. I never thought about logging out of ALL devices first, that's really smart. And you're absolutely right about double-checking the URL, I've heard horror stories about people accidentally using fake EDD sites. I'm definitely going to try your step-by-step approach before my call tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your experience and for mentioning what to tell the agent about their backend tools - that could save me a lot of time on the phone! 🤞
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Giovanni Rossi
I just went through this exact same thing last month! One thing that helped me was checking if there were any pending security verifications on my account. Sometimes EDD will require additional verification (like confirming your identity or updating your contact info) but they don't always send clear notifications about it. When I called, the agent told me my account was in a "pending verification" status that was blocking logins, even though I never received any emails or messages about it. They were able to clear it right away once I confirmed my identity over the phone. Also, if you're using any browser extensions (ad blockers, privacy tools, etc.), try disabling them temporarily - some of them can interfere with EDD's login process. Hope this helps and that your call goes smoothly!
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