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Hey everyone, I need to update my direct deposit info with EDD. Has anyone done this recently? What's the best way to get it done quickly? I'm worried about missing payments while this gets sorted out.
So I'm about to submit a new claim for stress leave from work. My employer knows about it and they use Sedgwick for managing these things. I've already given them a Release of Information form. This is my first time doing this and I'm not really sure what to expect. They told me it would take about 3 days to process everything. Has anyone gone through this before? What should I be prepared for? Any advice would be appreciated!
Sedgwick can be a pain to deal with. Make sure you keep calling them for updates. Don't just sit back and wait or you might get lost in the system.
I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago - first time with both Sedgwick and EDD for stress leave. Here's what I wish I had known: **Timeline expectations:** That "3 days" they mentioned is just for initial processing. The full approval can take 2-3 weeks, especially if they need additional documentation. **Stay organized:** Keep copies of EVERYTHING. I created a simple folder system with dates and it saved me when Sedgwick asked for documents I'd already sent. **Be prepared for follow-up requests:** They'll likely ask for more medical documentation or clarification from your doctor. Don't panic - it's normal. **EDD coordination:** Once Sedgwick approves, you'll need to file separately with EDD for the actual disability payments. They don't automatically communicate with each other. **Your doctor is key:** Make sure they understand you need detailed documentation about how work stress is affecting your ability to perform job duties. Generic notes won't cut it. Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions as you go through the process. The waiting is stressful, but you're taking the right steps to take care of your health! ๐ช
My husband hurt his back pretty badly while working construction last week. His doctor says he needs to take at least 6 weeks off work to recover, maybe longer. We're really worried about how we'll pay rent and bills without his income. His employer pays into SDI (we can see the SDI deduction on his paystubs), but my husband is undocumented. Can he still file for disability benefits? We've heard mixed things from friends - some say yes because he pays into the system, others say no because of his immigration status. Has anyone been through this situation? Really appreciate any advice.
I'm glad you're getting good advice here! Just wanted to add that if you do end up filing for workers' comp (which sounds like the right path based on what others are saying), you can actually file both a workers' comp claim AND potentially get temporary SDI benefits while the workers' comp claim is being processed. Workers' comp claims can sometimes take a while to get approved, and SDI can provide some income in the meantime. Just make sure to be upfront with both agencies about filing for both - they'll coordinate to avoid any overpayments. Also, many areas have free legal clinics that help workers with comp claims, especially if your employer is being difficult about it. The California Department of Industrial Relations website has a list of resources by county. Hope your husband recovers quickly!
As someone new to this community, I've been following this thread and it's been such an incredible learning experience! The way everyone came together to help identify that this is actually a workers' compensation case rather than an SDI issue has been amazing to watch. I wanted to share a resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - the California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) also has self-help resources on their website (wcab.ca.gov) including guides in multiple languages. If there are any disputes with the workers' comp claim down the road, they have information about the appeals process. Also, for documentation purposes, it might be worth having your husband's doctor note in his medical records that this injury is work-related. Sometimes having that clearly documented from the beginning can prevent complications later if there are any questions about the cause of the injury. The transformation of this thread from an SDI question to a comprehensive workers' comp guide has been remarkable. Your husband is so fortunate to have someone advocating for him, and I'm sure this discussion will help many other workers who find themselves in similar situations. California's protections for all workers regardless of immigration status really shine through in everyone's responses here. Wishing your husband a complete recovery and hoping the workers' comp process goes smoothly once you get it properly filed!
Thank you for mentioning the WCAB website - that's another great resource I hadn't heard of before! The suggestion about having the doctor specifically document that this is a work-related injury is really smart too. It sounds like having that clear medical documentation from the start could save a lot of headaches later. As someone who's also new here, I've been blown away by how this thread evolved. It's such a perfect example of collective problem-solving - what started as confusion about SDI eligibility turned into a comprehensive guide for workers' comp claims. I've learned more about California worker protections in this one thread than I knew before! The emphasis throughout this discussion on how California protects ALL workers regardless of immigration status has been really encouraging to see. It's clear that the state takes these protections seriously, and there are so many resources available to help people navigate the system. I hope other people who find themselves in similar situations will be able to benefit from all the expertise and resources that have been shared here. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes a real difference when people are dealing with workplace injuries and trying to understand their rights.
So I've been on California disability since November 2024 for a back injury that happened at work (herniated discs + nerve compression). I was supposed to return to work in mid-March, but yesterday my employer called and basically let me go. They said something about business restructuring and needing to eliminate positions. My doctor still says I can't work for another 6 weeks minimum. Does this affect my SDI benefits? Can I continue receiving disability payments even though I technically don't have a job to return to anymore? My claim is already approved and I've been certifying regularly, but I'm worried they'll cut me off when they find out I was terminated. I can't afford to lose these payments right now since my recovery is taking longer than expected. Has anyone dealt with this situation before?
Thank you everyone for the helpful answers! I was finally able to get through to an EDD representative who confirmed what most of you said - my disability benefits will continue as long as my doctor certifies I'm still unable to work, regardless of my employment status. The rep also mentioned that I should apply for unemployment once my disability ends (and I'm medically cleared to work). She said to make sure I mention in my unemployment application that I was on disability when I lost my job, as this affects how they evaluate my claim. For anyone wondering about the health insurance question - yes, that was a concern too. My employer is offering COBRA coverage, but it's ridiculously expensive. I'm looking into Covered California options now. Thanks again for all the guidance during this stressful time!
I'm glad you were able to get through to EDD and get official confirmation! That's such a relief. For the health insurance situation, definitely check out Covered California - you might qualify for a special enrollment period due to losing your employer coverage. Also, depending on your income while on disability, you might be eligible for premium assistance or even Medi-Cal. The Covered California website has a good calculator to estimate costs and subsidies. It's definitely worth exploring all your options before committing to expensive COBRA coverage. Wishing you a smooth recovery!
So my doctor just extended my disability claim and according to EDD they received the extension paperwork on 7/21. I even got a text confirmation from them saying they received my doctor's form, and when I log into SDI Online it shows my disability period has been extended properly. Great, right? WRONG. It's been over a week and I haven't received any money! When I check under my claim status it says "to continue to receive payments submit a continued claims certification" but there's absolutely nothing in my SDI Online inbox or under my account about this certification form. Nothing in my physical mail either. I'm so confused - where is this continued claim certification supposed to come from? Will it show up in my SDI Online inbox eventually? Get emailed to me? Sent by carrier pigeon?? I've got bills piling up and cannot afford to wait much longer for this payment. Has anyone dealt with this continued certification thing for extensions before? How long does it typically take for them to send this form?
I'm dealing with something very similar right now! My disability extension was approved about 10 days ago and I can see the updated benefit period in my SDI Online account, but no continued claim certification form anywhere. I've been checking daily and nothing shows up in my inbox or under Forms. Reading through these comments, it sounds like calling EDD first thing in the morning is the way to go. I'm going to try the 8am strategy tomorrow and specifically ask about the DE 2502 form that was mentioned. It's so frustrating that this isn't more clearly communicated when they approve the extension - you'd think they'd at least send a notice explaining the next steps! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. At least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with this issue and there are solutions.
I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! My extension was approved 6 days ago, the benefit period shows correctly in SDI Online, but zero certification forms anywhere. I've been stress-checking my account multiple times daily and calling the main number with no luck getting through. Reading all these responses is both helpful and infuriating - helpful because now I know what to ask for (that DE 2502 form), but infuriating because it's clear EDD has a systemic problem with this process. Why don't they automatically explain the certification requirement when they send that initial "extension approved" text? I'm going to set my alarm for 7:55am tomorrow and try the early morning calling strategy. If that doesn't work, I might have to consider that Claimyr service someone mentioned, even though I hate paying for something that should be straightforward government service. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least we're all suffering through this broken system together! ๐
@Oliver Wagner I m'right there with you! Just went through this exact nightmare last week. Set my alarm for 7:55am and called right at 8:00am - actually got through on the second try! Turns out my certification form was stuck in some kind of processing queue due to a system "flag on" my account. The rep cleared it manually and the DE 2502 form appeared in my SDI Online inbox within an hour. Pro tip: when you get through, ask them to check for any pending "actions or" system "flags on" your account. That seems to be a common issue that prevents the certification from generating automatically. Also have your claim number ready - they ll'need it right away. The whole thing is so unnecessarily stressful when you re'already dealing with a disability! But once you get the right person on the phone, they can usually fix it pretty quickly. Good luck tomorrow morning! ๐ค
Lara Woods
pro tip: if u cant get thru on the main line, try calling one of the foreign language lines and then ask to be transfered to an english speaker. sometimes works like a charm ๐
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Adrian Hughes
Isn't that kinda... unethical? ๐ค
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Lara Woods
desperate times call for desperate measures my friend. edd made the rules, we're just playin the game ๐คทโโ๏ธ
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QuantumQuasar
Just went through this process myself last week! Here's what I learned: Make sure you have a voided check or official bank letter with your account details - they're pretty strict about verification. Also, don't close your old account until you see at least one successful deposit to the new one. EDD told me it can take 1-2 payment cycles to fully process, so patience is key. The phone wait was brutal (about 3 hours) but the actual update took less than 5 minutes once I got through. Hang in there!
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