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I went through the exact same thing last year - filed and heard absolutely nothing for over a month. What finally worked for me was sending a certified letter to their main office with copies of all my documents and a timeline of when I filed. I also contacted my local assemblyperson's office (they have caseworkers who specifically help with EDD issues). The assemblyperson's office was able to get someone at EDD to actually look at my case within a week. Don't give up - you ARE entitled to these benefits and sometimes you just need to make enough noise to get their attention. Keep detailed records of every attempt you make to contact them too.
I went through this exact situation with my mom last year! The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're watching benefits about to expire. Here's what helped us get through it: First, don't panic about the 2-week timeline - that's actually pretty normal for mail submissions. The DE2525XX forms seem to sit in their mail processing queue for weeks before showing any online status updates. A few practical tips that worked for us: - Set up alerts on his SDI Online account to get email notifications the moment anything changes - Document everything - keep copies of the mailed form, tracking info if you used certified mail, dates of doctor visits, etc. - If his benefits do lapse before the extension processes, start gathering documentation for any financial hardship this causes (medical bills, pharmacy receipts, etc.) since they sometimes offer expedited processing for genuine hardship cases The good news is that once approved, they backdate the payments to cover any gap period. We ended up getting a lump sum payment that covered the 3 weeks we were without income. Your dad is lucky to have you helping him navigate this system - it's overwhelming even when you're not dealing with recovery from surgery. Hang in there, and definitely try that early morning calling strategy others mentioned. It really does make a difference!
Thank you so much for this reassuring response! It really helps to hear from someone who went through the exact same situation. I'm definitely going to set up those email alerts on his account - I didn't even know that was an option. The documentation tip is great too, we've been keeping everything but I should probably organize it better in case we need to reference specific dates. The fact that they backdate the payments is such a relief to know. How long did it take for your mom to receive that lump sum payment after the extension was approved?
I'm going through something very similar with my uncle right now - his DE2525XX form was submitted 3 weeks ago and we just heard back yesterday! The processing really is taking longer than usual this year. One thing that might help ease your dad's stress is knowing that EDD has been pretty consistent about backdating payments once extensions are approved, even if there's a gap. My uncle was worried sick about his mortgage payment, but when the approval finally came through, he got all the missed weeks in one lump sum. Also, if you do end up calling, try the 1-800-480-3287 number right at 8:00 AM sharp - not 8:01, but exactly at 8:00. I've noticed they seem to have better availability in that first 10-minute window. And definitely have your dad add you as an authorized representative if he hasn't already - it makes the whole process so much easier when you're helping him navigate this. The waiting is the worst part, but based on what I've seen in this community, most people do get their extensions processed, it just takes way longer than it should. Hang in there!
Thank you for sharing your uncle's experience! It's such a relief to hear that his extension went through after 3 weeks - that gives me hope that we're getting close to hearing something about my dad's case. The mortgage worry is so relatable too; my dad keeps stressing about his bills even though I keep telling him we'll figure it out. I'm definitely going to try that 8:00 AM sharp calling strategy - I had no idea the timing could be that specific! And yes, I really need to get that authorized representative paperwork sorted out. Thanks for the encouragement, this community has been such a lifesaver during this stressful time.
Guys, I'm telling you, writing to your local representative can actually help. I did it last month and they got EDD to sort out my issue within a week. Worth a shot!
So glad to see you got it resolved, Omar! That "flag on your account" thing is such a common issue - it's like EDD has these hidden tripwires that nobody tells you about. For anyone else dealing with this, it's a good reminder that sometimes the problem isn't on your end at all. The system has all these weird glitches and account flags that can mess things up. Definitely document everything when you call so you have a record of what they tell you. Hope your benefits get back on track soon! 🙏
wait i'm confusted... is SDI the same as disability? or is that something else? i thought those were diffrent things??
SDI stands for State Disability Insurance, which is California's short-term disability program. When people talk about "disability" in California, they're usually referring to SDI. It's different from the federal SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) program, which is for long-term or permanent disabilities. SDI is for temporary disabilities lasting up to 52 weeks. Hope that clears things up!
Update: I tried the Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to EDD this morning! The representative explained that I needed to formally close my UI claim before SDI could process my claim. They helped me file the appropriate forms and said I should submit a new SDI application with updated medical documentation. They also put notes in my file about the situation. They said I should still file an appeal for the denial just to be safe, but that the new application with the UI claim properly closed should go through more smoothly. Thank you everyone for your help! Will update when I hear more.
So glad Claimyr worked for you! I was skeptical about using a third-party service at first, but sometimes you just need to get through to an actual person who can fix these system issues. The fact that they put notes in your file is huge - that should help prevent future confusion between departments. Definitely keep that appeal filed though, just in case there are any hiccups with the new application. Fingers crossed this gets resolved quickly for you!
@Sophie Duck They gave me a completely new claim number for the fresh application. The rep said it should process within 14-21 days since my UI claim is now properly closed and they have notes about the situation in the system. She emphasized that having the updated medical certification with clear disability start dates is crucial. I m'keeping my fingers crossed but feeling much more optimistic now that the systems are talking to each other properly!
Collins Angel
Ugh, this is so relatable! The exact same thing happened to me last month. I sent everything in certified mail with tracking, and then got another verification letter like they never received anything. When I called, they said there was a "processing delay" and my documents were "still being reviewed" even though it had been weeks. It's like they have no communication between departments. Definitely call them and be persistent - sometimes you have to explain the same thing to 3 different people before someone actually looks at your file properly. So frustrating when you're already dealing with being unable to work! 😔
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Javier Mendoza
•The lack of interdepartmental communication is mind-boggling! It's like each department operates in its own little bubble. Hope you finally got through to someone who could actually help resolve it.
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Isabella Santos
This is so frustrating but unfortunately super common! I went through something similar last year. Here's what I learned: when you call, ask them to check if your documents were scanned into their system properly. Sometimes they receive them but there's a scanning error or they get misfiled. Also ask for the specific reason code for why verification is needed again - sometimes it's just an automated letter that went out by mistake. If they truly don't have your docs, definitely send them again but consider using both certified mail AND their online portal if available. Keep copies of everything and document every phone call (date, time, agent name, what they told you). The whole system is a mess but persistence usually pays off eventually. Hang in there! 💪
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