I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Got my IME letter yesterday but I'm also planning to return to work next week. From what I've been reading here and researching online, it sounds like the key is being proactive with EDD communication. One thing I wanted to add - if you do end up having to schedule the IME even though you're returning to work, some of the IME doctors are more flexible with scheduling than others. When I called the office listed on my letter, they actually had evening appointments available which would work better if I do go back to work. Also, has anyone here dealt with the situation where your employer wants you to get medical clearance before returning? My HR department is asking for a doctor's note saying I'm fit to return to work, which seems like it might conflict with having to do an IME that's checking if I'm still disabled. Just wondering if that creates any complications with EDD. Thanks for all the helpful responses everyone - this community is so much more useful than trying to navigate EDD's website!

As someone who went through this exact situation a few months ago, I can share what worked for me. The key is to handle both the IME requirement AND your return to work properly with EDD. Here's what I recommend: 1. **Certify tomorrow as planned** - You were legitimately disabled during that period, so certify normally. 2. **Contact EDD first thing Monday** when you return to work. File your return-to-work notice and explain the IME timing conflict. Ask them to note in your file that you received the IME letter after you had already recovered and planned your return. 3. **Still try to contact the IME doctor's office** - Even though their system doesn't show your paperwork yet, explain your situation. Sometimes they can expedite or work with you on timing. 4. **Document everything** - Keep records of all your calls, when you received the letter, your planned return date, etc. Regarding payments: Yes, EDD typically pays up to 7 days from the IME letter mail date (so through 11/27 in your case). Since you're certifying tomorrow (which should be within that window), you should receive payment for the time you were actually disabled. The good news is that returning to work usually resolves the IME requirement, but you need to communicate this properly to EDD rather than just ignoring the letter. Don't let the bureaucracy stress you out too much - you're doing the right thing by going back to work when you're ready!

Update: I certified for UI this Sunday and reported that I was unable to work Wednesday through Saturday due to my injury. The system prompted me with some additional questions about my medical situation. I've also started my SDI application online and my doctor has the medical certification form. Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll post again if I run into any issues with the transition.

Great to hear you got everything sorted out! That's exactly how the process is supposed to work. One thing to keep in mind - make sure your doctor submits that medical certification form as quickly as possible since the 49-day deadline starts from when your disability began (Wednesday in your case). The sooner EDD gets the medical docs, the faster your SDI claim will be processed. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I've been through the EDD appeal process twice, and honestly, it's not as scary as it seems at first. The key is being organized and patient. When you call, be straightforward about the date error - they see this kind of mistake all the time. Make sure you have your correct return-to-work date ready, along with any proof like pay stubs or an email from your employer. The rep will likely walk you through filing an appeal right over the phone, and they'll send you forms to complete. One thing that really helped me was keeping a log of every conversation - date, time, rep's name, and what was discussed. The whole process took about 6-8 weeks for me, but it was worth it to get everything sorted out. Don't let the bureaucracy intimidate you - you're fixing an honest mistake, not trying to game the system. Stay calm, be polite to whoever you talk to (they really are just doing their job), and follow up if you don't hear back within the timeframe they give you. You'll get through this! 🙂

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Made a typo on my return-to-work date and got disqualified. Here's what worked for me: Call right at 8 AM when they open (seriously, set an alarm), have your correct date and any proof ready, and just be upfront about the mistake. The rep I talked to was actually really understanding and said date errors are super common. They walked me through the appeal process over the phone and sent me the forms to fill out. The whole thing took about 5 weeks to resolve, but I got all my back pay once it was sorted. Don't overthink it - you're not the first person to make this mistake and you won't be the last. Stay patient and persistent, and you'll get it fixed!

Hey OP, just a heads up - make sure you're super clear about which address is which when you talk to them. I made the mistake of assuming they'd understand and ended up with even more confusion. Be explicit!

I went through something similar a few months ago! The key is to act fast before it creates bigger issues down the line. What worked for me was sending a written statement via their online portal (if available) or fax explaining exactly what happened - that you accidentally provided your PO box as residential address when it should have been your actual home address. Include both addresses clearly labeled and attach copies of documents that verify your real residential address like a lease or utility bill. Also, if you have any confirmation numbers from when you submitted the original form, include those too. EDD actually deals with this kind of mix-up pretty regularly, so don't stress too much - just get ahead of it!

This thread has been a lifesaver! I just got approved for SDI three weeks ago and have been waiting for my Money Network card to arrive. Based on all the info shared here, I'm definitely going to set up automatic transfers to my regular bank account right away to avoid the ATM fee confusion. One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if there's a minimum amount required for bank transfers? I'm worried about smaller payments (like partial weeks) and whether those would transfer automatically or if there's a threshold where it won't process. Also, for anyone still dealing with the transition confusion - I found that calling EDD's main line and specifically asking to speak with someone about "Money Network card activation and payment issues" seemed to get me transferred faster than just saying "disability payments." Might save others some time navigating their phone system! Thanks again to everyone sharing their real-world experiences. This is exactly the kind of practical info that should have been included in the official materials from EDD!

This is incredibly helpful information! I just received my Money Network card yesterday after being approved for SDI and was completely confused about the fee structure. The materials EDD sent were so vague - just mentioned "new payment method" without any real details about how it works differently from the old BofA cards. Reading through all these comments has been a huge relief. I was especially worried about getting hit with unexpected ATM fees since I rely on cash for most of my expenses. Knowing about the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks is a game changer - I already found two fee-free ATMs within walking distance using the app! The automatic transfer feature sounds perfect for my situation. I prefer having my money in my regular checking account anyway, so I'm definitely going to set that up once I activate the card. Thanks to everyone who shared the step-by-step process for verification - that would have taken me forever to figure out on my own. One thing that's been stressing me out is timing - my next SDI payment should hit this week but I wasn't sure if there would be any delays with the new card. Has anyone experienced payment delays during the transition, or do they typically arrive on schedule once the card is activated? Really grateful for this community and everyone taking the time to share their experiences! This is exactly what people going through the disability process need - real practical advice from people who've been there.