Hey Javier! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I returned from my disability leave. You'll definitely get paid through September 28th (the day before your return date). The system is designed to pay you for every day you're certified as disabled, right up until you go back to work. A couple of things that might help with your budgeting: - Your final payment will be prorated based on how many days you're claiming in that final certification period - The payment might take 1-2 extra days to process since it's a partial certification - Make absolutely sure you DON'T certify for September 29th or any days after - that would create an overpayment situation I'd also recommend taking screenshots of your final certification submission and keeping records of your doctor's return-to-work date documentation, just in case there are any questions later. The transition back to work is stressful enough without worrying about benefit payments! Congratulations on your recovery and return to work tomorrow! 🎉

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this process! You'll definitely get paid through September 28th - EDD SDI pays you for every day you're certified disabled up until your return-to-work date. A few things that helped me when I was in your exact situation: - Set up text alerts in your EDD account so you know immediately when your final payment is processed - Your final payment will be calculated as your daily benefit rate times the number of days you're claiming in that final period - Don't stress if the final payment takes an extra day or two - partial certifications sometimes process a bit slower than full weeks The transition back to work after being on disability for months can feel overwhelming, but you've got this! Make sure you have all your paperwork saved and don't hesitate to reach out to EDD if anything seems off with your final payment. Best of luck tomorrow! 💪

Pro tip: if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try calling right when they open in the morning. I usually have better luck then.

I'm going through something similar right now! When you say they need more information, did they specify what kind of documents they're looking for? Sometimes they want updated medical records or a new doctor's statement even if you think you already provided everything. Also, have you checked if there's a specific deadline mentioned in the notice? EDD is notorious for having tight deadlines that aren't always obvious. Don't lose hope - I know it's super stressful but you'll get through this! 💪

That's such great news! Thanks for updating us with what actually worked. This is really helpful information for others who might face the same situation. It's frustrating that the notices aren't clearer about the ADA accommodation options, but at least now we know the process. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and you get your benefits sorted out without any more delays!

This thread is incredibly helpful! As someone who works with disabled individuals navigating government benefits, I see this exact situation way too often. The fact that EDD doesn't clearly communicate the ADA accommodation options on their notices is a real problem - it forces people who are already dealing with medical issues to jump through unnecessary hoops. For anyone else reading this, here are a few additional tips: 1) Always ask for confirmation numbers when you speak with reps about accommodations, 2) Keep detailed notes of who you spoke with and when, and 3) If possible, have someone help you with the calls since being on pain medication or dealing with medical stress can make it hard to advocate for yourself effectively. Really glad this worked out for you, Zoe! Your persistence and the community's help here probably saved others from going through the same struggle.

How to Appeal an IME Decision Successfully: Appealing an Independent Medical Examination (IME) decision can be challenging, but many have been successful by following these strategies: 1. Get a Second Opinion from Your Treating Physician: A strong strategy is to get a detailed medical report from your own doctor that directly counters the IME findings. Ensure your doctor explains why they disagree with the IME and provides evidence from your medical history, diagnostic tests, and treatment plans to support your claim. Doctors who have treated you for a long time may have a better understanding of your condition than an IME doctor who only sees you once. 2. Gather Comprehensive Medical Records: Collect all of your relevant medical documentation, including test results, treatment records, and reports from specialists. These documents can be crucial in showing the extent of your disability. Provide any new medical evidence or records that have come up since the IME decision, to help reinforce that your condition is real and continuing. 3. Challenge the IME’s Credibility: If you suspect bias, you can challenge the credibility of the IME doctor. Research if the IME doctor regularly works for insurance companies and whether their assessments often favor insurers. This can be useful to highlight possible biases in the decision. Look for discrepancies or factual errors in the IME report and point these out in your appeal. 4. Check IME Results Timeline: Typically, after your IME, the doctor submits their results to SDI. You may not be told the result at the exam itself. Many people have reported seeing updates in their SDI online portal about 10 days after the IME. Others receive a decision letter in the mail within 2 weeks. SDI doesn’t always notify your original doctor about the IME results, so it’s important to stay proactive and keep track of the status by calling SDI or checking your account online. 5. Hire an Attorney (If Necessary): If you’re unsure how to navigate the appeal process, consulting a lawyer who specializes in disability claims can help. An attorney will know how to challenge an IME decision and can assist with gathering medical evidence or getting expert testimony. 6. Present Expert Testimony: If you can, submit testimony from a medical expert, especially one who specializes in your condition. Their insight can help strengthen your appeal and challenge the IME findings effectively. 7. Write a Detailed Appeal Letter: Your appeal should include a comprehensive letter that clearly explains why the IME decision is incorrect. Make sure to back it up with all relevant medical records, reports from your treating physician, and any other evidence. Specifically address how the IME’s conclusions are wrong, incomplete, or inconsistent with your medical history. 8. Monitor Your SDI Status: SDI Portal: Regularly check your SDI portal for updates on your claim or decision. If you see that your benefits have been denied or that there’s no update after your IME, it’s crucial to follow up directly with SDI. Mail Notification: You should also receive a letter in the mail with the decision from the IME, which will outline if you’re cleared to continue receiving benefits or not. 9. Follow the Appeals Process Closely: Once you receive the IME decision, you have the option to appeal if you’re disqualified. Make sure to follow the appeals process closely, adhere to deadlines, and submit the required documentation. 10. Stay Proactive: As mentioned in the discussion, your treating doctor won’t be notified of the IME results, so it’s up to you to stay on top of the process. Many have found that you need to call SDI regularly, as their system is often overwhelmed. It’s important to take charge of tracking the status of your claim or appeal. Success Stories: Many people have had success by: Obtaining strong rebuttals from their treating physician. Ensuring they provide clear, well-documented medical records. Hiring attorneys when necessary, especially in complex cases. Some have reported being able to see updates on their SDI account within 10 days after the IME, while others received letters in the mail. --- Additional Information: When to Expect Results: After your IME, it usually takes around 10 days to see an update on your SDI portal or receive a decision letter. However, processing times can vary depending on your specific case and the volume of claims at SDI. Proactive Monitoring: Since your doctor won’t be notified of the IME results, you should stay in regular contact with SDI by checking your online account or calling them directly. --- Final Thoughts: If you feel the IME decision was unfair, appealing it successfully will require careful preparation, detailed medical documentation, and persistence. Stay proactive in checking your SDI status and seek legal help if necessary to give your appeal the best chance of success.

Here's the dialing shortcut to get a live person at SDI (EDD State Disability office) -- there's also a tool at the end of the video that guarantees you speak with an agent without any hold time: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ

Hey Sofia! I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago - payment was 4 days late and I was panicking. Turns out EDD was doing some backend maintenance that wasn't announced anywhere. The payment showed up eventually, but the stress was real! One thing that helped me was logging into the EDD portal and checking if there were any pending issues or flags on my account. Sometimes they'll put a hold if they need additional documentation or if there's a discrepancy they're reviewing. Also, if you have direct deposit, double-check that your banking info is still correct in your profile. I know someone whose payment got delayed because their bank changed routing numbers and they didn't update it. Sending you good vibes that it gets sorted out soon! The waiting is the worst part. 💙

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I had a similar scare a few months back where my payment was 5 days late. It turned out that EDD had flagged my account for a routine review - nothing wrong on my end, just their random audit process. The scary part was that there was NO notification about it anywhere in my online account. What finally helped was when I managed to get through on the phone (took like 30 tries over 2 days), the rep told me that sometimes payments get held up in their fraud prevention system and they have to manually release them. Super annoying but it happens more often than they admit. Have you tried logging in at different times of day? Sometimes their system shows different info depending on when you check. I know it sounds weird but I swear the portal was showing different status messages when I logged in at night vs morning. Also, if you're really stuck and can't get through by phone, try reaching out to your local state assembly member's office. They have caseworkers who can contact EDD directly on your behalf. It's free and they're usually pretty responsive. I had to do this once for a friend and they got results within 48 hours. Hang in there - the money will come through! The system is frustrating but they don't just lose payments. 🤞