I'm new to this community but going through something very similar right now. Got injured at my retail job in January and I'm also stuck in this partial disability limbo - working reduced hours due to medical restrictions while getting minimal workers comp. Reading through everyone's advice here has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about the wage replacement differential concept or that initial SDI approvals could indicate partial eligibility. I'm definitely going to look into that Claimyr service too since I've been trying to reach EDD for weeks with no luck. One thing I wanted to add - my union rep mentioned that some people in our situation have had success filing for CalFresh (food stamps) and other assistance programs to bridge the financial gap while fighting the benefits issues. It's not ideal, but it can help with basic expenses while you're waiting for appeals or exploring other options. The system really does seem designed to wear people down rather than help injured workers. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice!

I'm new here but unfortunately dealing with a very similar situation. Got hurt at my manufacturing job back in December and I'm also caught in this workers comp/SDI limbo. Reading through all these responses has been both helpful and frustrating - helpful because there seem to be more options than I realized, frustrating because it confirms how unnecessarily complicated the system is. A few things I've learned from my own research that might help: 1. Make sure you're reporting your workers comp correctly on your SDI certification. I found out I was supposed to report it as "other income" rather than just mentioning it in the comments section. 2. If you're still within the appeal window, consider requesting an "expedited review" due to financial hardship. I'm not sure if it actually speeds things up, but it's worth mentioning your family's situation. 3. Check if your county has any emergency assistance programs for injured workers. Mine has a small fund that can help with utilities while you're waiting for benefits to sort out. The wage gap calculation that @Freya Johansen mentioned sounds promising - definitely going to look into that angle for my own case. It makes sense that SDI should be able to cover the difference when workers comp is clearly inadequate. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It helps knowing we're not alone in this mess!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I see you got your doctor to submit the form - that's great! One thing that really helped me was calling EDD's SDI line (not the UI line) at exactly 8:00 AM when they open. The wait was still long but much shorter than calling later in the day. When you do call to confirm they received your doctor's submission, have your Social Security number, claim number, and that confirmation number from your doctor ready. The rep can tell you immediately if they have the form in their system and what the status is. Also, don't worry if you see a brief gap in your online account where it shows your claim "ended" - this sometimes happens during the processing period before the extension shows up. As long as you keep certifying and they have your doctor's form, you should be fine. The payments might be delayed a few days but they'll backdate them to cover the gap. Good luck with your recovery!

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago and I was just as panicked! Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like everyone has given you really solid guidance. Just wanted to add that when your doctor submits that supplemental certification, make sure they're specific about WHY you need the extension - not just that you do. In my case, my doctor initially wrote something vague like "patient needs more recovery time" and EDD came back asking for more detail. The second submission included specifics about my healing progress and complications, and it went through without any issues. Also, one thing that helped reduce my anxiety was setting up text alerts in my SDI account so I'd get notified immediately when there were any updates to my claim status. That way I wasn't constantly logging in to check. Sounds like you're on the right track with getting your doctor to submit today - that timing should work perfectly to avoid any payment gaps!

I'm going through something similar right now - my doctor just extended my disability period but I'm still waiting for EDD to update my claim. One thing I learned is to screenshot or save any documentation from your doctor showing the extension was submitted, including the date it was sent. If there are any delays or issues with EDD processing it, having that proof can help speed things up when you call. Also, check your SDI Online account daily during this period - sometimes the system updates overnight and you'll see your new claim end date before you get any official notification. The waiting is nerve-wracking but it sounds like you did everything right by getting your doctor to submit the paperwork quickly!

Just wanted to add my experience with SDI extensions - I've been through this process twice and each time was nerve-wracking! One thing that really helped me was creating a little tracking system. I wrote down the date my doctor submitted the extension, called EDD to confirm receipt, and then checked my SDI Online account every morning until I saw the updated end date. The first time I didn't stay on top of it and there was a small gap in payments that stressed me out unnecessarily. Also, if your doctor's office is slow with paperwork (like mine was), don't be afraid to call them daily if needed. They deal with these forms all the time but sometimes don't realize how urgent it is for us financially. It sounds like you're handling this the right way by being proactive!

Ugh, name changes are THE WORST. I'm still dealing with this mess 6 months after getting married. Social Security, DMV, bank accounts, now EDD... it never ends! 😫

I went through this exact same thing! Here's what worked for me: I called the EDD disability line first thing in the morning (around 8am) and explained that I needed my hyphenated married name updated to match my legal documents. They were actually pretty helpful once I got through. Make sure you have your marriage certificate, driver's license, and Social Security card all showing your new name before you call. The rep told me it could take up to 10 business days to update in the system, but mine showed up after about 5 days. Don't worry - it shouldn't affect your claim processing as long as you get it sorted out soon. Good luck!

@RandomPoster Yes, it got me through in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through on my own. I was skeptical at first, but my claim was time-sensitive and I couldn't afford to wait any longer. The EDD rep I spoke with was actually really helpful once I finally got through.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - work injury in April, approved workers comp claim, but still haven't seen a penny after 6 weeks. My adjuster keeps saying "it's being processed" but gives no timeline. One thing that helped me was getting a copy of my workers comp file from the insurance company. They're required to provide it within a certain timeframe (varies by state). Sometimes seeing what's actually in your file can reveal why there are delays - missing forms, medical records they're waiting for, etc. Also, if you do go the SDI route, make sure your treating doctor is aware of both claims. My doctor had to fill out slightly different forms for SDI vs workers comp, and having them coordinate helped avoid any conflicts in the medical documentation. Keep fighting this - the squeaky wheel gets the grease with these insurance companies!