I'm new to this community but wanted to add my voice to everyone saying this should definitely be a workers' comp claim! I went through something similar with my brother who injured his shoulder at his warehouse job. One thing I learned that might help - when you request the DWC-1 form from the employer, send it via email so you have a record of when you asked. If they don't respond within a few days, that documentation can be helpful when you file directly with the state. Also, make sure your husband doesn't sign anything from his employer about "light duty" or "modified work" without understanding what it means. Sometimes employers try to get injured workers back to work too early to avoid paying full workers' comp benefits. The medical documentation is absolutely crucial - his doctor needs to be very specific about work restrictions and why he can't perform his normal job duties. Vague statements like "take it easy" won't be sufficient for a strong claim. You're doing the right thing by advocating for him! California really does protect all workers in these situations, and it sounds like you now have all the resources you need to move forward with the workers' comp claim. Hope his recovery goes well!

I'm new to this community but have been following this thread with great interest. As someone who works with immigrant communities, I wanted to emphasize how valuable this discussion has been for highlighting the difference between workers' compensation and SDI. One additional resource that might be helpful - many community health centers and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) have patient advocates who can help navigate workers' comp claims. They're often familiar with the challenges undocumented workers face and can provide guidance in multiple languages. Also, I wanted to reinforce what others have said about California's strong worker protections. The state's "sanctuary" policies extend to workplace safety and benefits - agencies like EDD and the Division of Workers' Compensation are specifically prohibited from sharing information with immigration enforcement. This means your husband can pursue his rightful benefits without fear. It's clear from everyone's responses that your situation is definitely a workers' comp case, not SDI. Don't let the employer's reluctance discourage you - they're legally required to carry workers' comp insurance precisely for situations like this. Your husband contributed to the system through his work and deserves full protection under California law. Wishing your family the best as you navigate this process and hoping for your husband's speedy recovery!

I'm really glad you were able to get through to EDD and get that official confirmation! This whole situation must have been incredibly stressful, but it sounds like you now have a clear path forward. As someone who's dealt with similar benefit transitions, I wanted to add that it might be worth reaching out to your local workforce development center once you're getting closer to your medical clearance date. They often have programs specifically for people transitioning from disability benefits back into the workforce, and can help with job search strategies, resume updates, and even connecting you with employers who are familiar with hiring people coming off medical leave. Also, since this was a work-related injury and the timing of your layoff seems questionable, you might want to document not just the layoff itself but also any communications you had with your employer about your expected return date. If they were expecting you back in mid-March and then suddenly "restructured" your position away, that could be relevant information for your workers' comp attorney. The fact that you're taking the time to plan ahead and get organized while still focusing on your recovery shows you're handling this really well. Keep taking care of yourself - the administrative stuff will work out, and you'll be in a much stronger position when you're ready to return to work.

I'm so glad this thread worked out well for you and that you got the official confirmation from EDD! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful for me too, as I'm currently dealing with my own SDI situation (though thankfully still employed for now). What really stands out is how this entire conversation demonstrates the value of community knowledge and support. You went from panic about potentially losing benefits to having a comprehensive understanding of your rights and a clear action plan. That's the power of people sharing real experiences rather than just guessing or repeating rumors. The advice about keeping detailed documentation, planning for the SDI-to-unemployment transition, exploring Covered California options, and especially the points about the suspicious timing of your layoff relative to your workers' comp case - all of this creates such a valuable resource for anyone facing similar situations. Your approach of focusing on recovery while systematically organizing the administrative side is exactly right. You've earned these benefits through years of payroll contributions, and the system is designed to support you through exactly this type of situation. Take the time you need to heal properly - rushing back too soon could set you back significantly. This thread should honestly be pinned as a reference guide for SDI continuation during unexpected job loss. Wishing you the smoothest possible recovery and transition back to work when you're ready!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue! My extension was approved 5 days ago and the benefit period shows correctly in my SDI Online account, but there's no DE 2502 continued claim certification form anywhere. I've been checking my inbox and Forms tab obsessively with no luck. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and maddening - reassuring because I'm clearly not alone in this mess, but maddening because it's obvious EDD has a systematic problem they refuse to acknowledge or fix. The fact that they send an "extension approved" text but don't mention you need another form to actually GET PAID is just cruel when people are already stressed about medical issues and bills. I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow based on all the success stories shared here. I've noted down the key points to ask about: - The DE 2502 form specifically - Any "system flags" or data entry errors on my account - Pending actions that might be blocking the form - Verification of all personal information It's ridiculous that we've all become amateur EDD troubleshooters just to access benefits we've already paid into, but I'm so grateful for this community helping each other navigate their bureaucratic maze. This thread has more useful information than anything EDD has ever provided! Will update tomorrow after my call - hopefully with good news that can help others dealing with this nightmare. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and keeping each other sane through this mess! 💪

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! My extension was approved 9 days ago and I can see the updated benefit period in my SDI Online account, but there's absolutely no continued claim certification form anywhere - not in my inbox, Forms tab, or physical mail. I've been checking multiple times daily and getting more stressed as bills keep coming. This thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea about the DE 2502 form or that extensions required this separate certification step. It's absolutely insane that EDD sends that "extension approved" text but completely fails to mention "oh by the way, you still need to complete another form to actually receive your payments!" Based on everyone's advice here, I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow. I've written down all the key questions to ask: - Specifically mention the DE 2502 Continued Claim Certification form - Ask about any "system flags" or data entry errors on my account - Check for pending actions that might be preventing the form from generating - Verify that all my personal information is entered correctly in their system It's honestly ridiculous that we're all here doing EDD's job for them, troubleshooting their broken system and helping each other navigate what should be a straightforward government process. But this community support has been incredible when you're already dealing with medical issues and financial pressure! @Andre Laurent I really hope you got through and resolved this by now! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this collective knowledge is way more helpful than anything EDD has provided. I'll definitely update after my call tomorrow in case it helps others going through this same bureaucratic mess. We shouldn't have to become EDD system experts just to get our own benefits! 🤞

Hey Samuel, I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation hits really close to home. I'm currently on SDI for a neck injury from a car accident, and while I haven't been terminated yet, my employer has been making comments about how long I've been out that are making me nervous about my job security. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational for me too! I had absolutely no idea that SDI benefits continue regardless of employment status - I was living under the same fear that losing my job would automatically end my disability payments. The way everyone explained it as insurance YOU paid into rather than something employer-controlled really makes it click. I'm definitely going to start implementing some of the organizational strategies people mentioned here, especially those calendar reminders and creating dedicated folders for all my medical paperwork. The tip about asking your doctor's office to handle EDD forms on a regular schedule is brilliant - I'm calling them Monday to set that up. Thank you for having the courage to ask this question publicly. Even though it came from a place of stress and uncertainty, you've created such a valuable resource for others facing similar situations. The community response has been amazing, and it's clear you're going to navigate this successfully with all the great advice you've received. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping your legal consultation provides even more clarity!

Hey Samuel, I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out as someone who's been through a very similar situation. I was on SDI for chronic fatigue syndrome last year and got terminated after 4 months when my employer said they couldn't accommodate my extended leave anymore. I was absolutely panicking about my benefits just like you are now! But everyone here is giving you completely accurate information - your SDI benefits will 100% continue as long as your doctor keeps certifying your disability. The termination has zero impact on your claim. I actually stayed on SDI for another 3 months after being fired, and there were no issues whatsoever. The key things that helped me were: 1) reporting the employment change through SDI Online immediately (super straightforward), 2) staying organized with all medical appointments and paperwork, and 3) not letting the job loss stress interfere with my recovery process. One thing I wish I'd done sooner was getting that COBRA vs. Covered California comparison sorted out - the health insurance piece ended up being way more complicated than the actual SDI continuation. Definitely prioritize that! You're being incredibly smart by getting legal consultation. Looking back, I think my employer violated some protections too, but I was too overwhelmed at the time to pursue it. Don't make my mistake! This community has given you such solid advice. Focus on healing that back - the financial safety net you paid into is working exactly as it should. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but facing almost the exact same situation! I'm a CA resident who's been working remotely for a company in North Carolina for about 10 months now. They also refuse to withhold CA SDI, claiming they only handle NC state requirements since that's where their corporate office is located, even though I'm physically working from my home office in Oakland every single day. I've been really worried about this because I'm actually pregnant and will need both disability benefits for recovery and paid family leave for bonding time. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I had no idea about Form DE 2588 or that previous California employment could still help with eligibility! I worked in California for about 5 years before taking this remote position, so based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I might be in a decent position. Luca's success story and Tony's point about both SDI and PFL eligibility really give me hope that this can work out with proper documentation. I'm starting my documentation collection immediately - emails mentioning my home office to HR, utility bills, lease agreement, prenatal appointment receipts showing my CA address, home office setup expenses, and those workspace photos that were suggested. The advice about being proactive rather than scrambling when you actually need the benefits is so important, especially with a baby coming! This community has been such an incredible resource - the real-world experiences and practical guidance here are exactly what you can't find anywhere in official EDD materials. Thank you all for sharing your stories and creating such a supportive space for those of us trying to navigate this confusing remote work SDI maze!

I'm new to this community but dealing with a nearly identical situation! I'm a CA resident who's been working remotely for a company based in Utah for about 14 months now. They also refuse to withhold CA SDI, saying they only handle Utah state taxes since that's where I'm "performing work" according to their payroll department, even though I'm sitting at my home office in Fresno every single day. I've been really stressed about this because I have a chronic autoimmune condition that could flare up and require disability leave at any time. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring - I had absolutely no clue about Form DE 2588 or that my previous California work history might still help with eligibility! I worked in California for about 4.5 years before taking this remote job, so based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like I might still have some viable options. Luca's success story is especially encouraging - knowing someone actually navigated this process and got partial benefits approved makes it feel much more achievable. I'm going to start collecting all my documentation right away - emails where I've mentioned working from my CA home office, utility bills, lease agreement, medical appointments showing my CA address, home office equipment receipts, and maybe even those workspace photos that were suggested. The advice about being proactive instead of waiting until you're in crisis mode really resonates with me given my health situation. This community has been such a valuable find - the real-world experiences and practical tips here are exactly what you can't locate anywhere in the official EDD resources. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and building such a helpful resource for those of us trying to figure out this complex remote work SDI puzzle!