I've been through this process twice with different injuries and want to emphasize something that might not be obvious - when you call your doctor's office tomorrow, be very specific about the financial urgency. Don't just say you need the form submitted "soon" - tell them exactly: "My disability benefits stop on May 22nd and I won't have any income if this isn't submitted before then." I learned this the hard way when my first extension got delayed because the office staff didn't realize it was time-sensitive. Once I explained the financial impact clearly, they completely changed how they prioritized my case. Also, since you mentioned trying to call EDD for 2 hours - don't waste any more time on that. Focus all your energy on working with your doctor's office to get the DE 2525XX submitted before your deadline. EDD's phone system is notoriously terrible, but the good news is you don't actually need to talk to them if your doctor submits the extension properly. One more thing - if your doctor asks what dates to put on the extension, don't feel like you have to commit to a specific return date right now. They can certify you as unable to work for a reasonable period (like 4-6 weeks) and you can always do another extension later if needed. The most important thing is avoiding that payment gap this week. You've got great advice in this thread - follow the action plan everyone laid out and you should be fine!

I've been in your exact situation with a workplace back injury! Here's what I wish I had known: **Call your doctor's office TOMORROW morning** - don't wait for your appointment on the 21st. Explain that your SDI payments will literally stop on May 22nd if the DE 2525XX (Supplemental Certificate) isn't submitted before then. **Key steps that saved me:** 1. Asked for an "urgent paperwork appointment" - most offices will squeeze you in for 10-15 minutes when you explain the financial urgency 2. Downloaded the DE 2525XX form from EDD's website ahead of time and pre-filled all my personal info 3. Made a list of my specific job duties and how my back injury prevents me from doing each one (this helps your doctor complete the form accurately) 4. Asked them to submit it electronically or fax it same-day with confirmation **If they can't see you before the 22nd:** Ask if your doctor can complete the extension based on your recent visits and medical records - many will do this for ongoing conditions they've been actively treating. **Important:** Keep certifying for benefits even if there's a small processing gap. You'll get backpay once approved, but only if you've been consistently certifying. Don't feel pressured to rush back before you're fully healed - I made that mistake and ended up reinjuring myself, which meant needing even MORE time off. Back injuries need proper recovery time. Your supervisor sounds supportive, which is great! Just remember that SDI extensions are purely medical decisions between you, your doctor, and EDD. You've got this! The key is acting fast and being clear about the urgency with your doctor's office. 💪

This thread is absolutely gold for anyone navigating the SDI system! I'm dealing with my first disability claim and was completely lost until I found this discussion. Adrian, your situation is almost identical to mine - I also had internet issues and ended up submitting paper forms last week, then immediately regretted it when I heard how much slower the processing is. The advice from everyone here has been incredibly reassuring, especially Marcus's step-by-step approach and the confirmation that you can create the online account without causing duplicates. I had no idea that was even possible! And wow, the Claimyr service sounds like a complete game-changer - I've been putting off calling EDD because I've heard such horror stories about the wait times, but 10-15 minutes to actually speak with someone? That's incredible. It's honestly frustrating that we need third-party services to access our own benefits, but I'm just grateful there are solutions that work. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance you can't get anywhere else. Definitely bookmarking this thread and the Claimyr link for when I need to check on my own claim status!

Just wanted to chime in as another newcomer who's been silently following this thread - it's been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently waiting on my first SDI claim (also submitted on paper due to website issues) and was getting really anxious about the timeline until I read Adrian's update. The 18-20 business day confirmation from EDD is actually much more reasonable than I expected based on some of the horror stories floating around online. What really impressed me about this discussion is how everyone came together to provide practical solutions rather than just complaining about the system (though those complaints are totally valid!). The Claimyr recommendation is brilliant - I had no idea services like that existed, and it's honestly ridiculous that we need third-party help to reach our own government agencies, but I'm grateful for any tool that works. For anyone else in our situation: this thread basically has everything you need to know about handling the paper application dilemma. Don't submit duplicates, create your online account anyway, use Claimyr to actually get through to EDD if needed, and expect about 3-4 weeks for processing. Thanks everyone for sharing your real-world experiences - it makes such a difference to hear from people who've actually navigated this system successfully!

This entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm currently dealing with a complex autoimmune condition and was feeling completely lost about the DE 2501 process until I found all these detailed experiences. A few things I'd add based on what I'm learning: if you're dealing with an invisible illness (chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, etc.), it's especially important to help your doctor understand how your condition affects your work capacity on a daily basis. I created a symptom diary for two weeks before my appointment showing my energy levels, pain scores, and specific limitations each day - my rheumatologist said this was incredibly helpful for completing the form accurately. Also, don't be afraid to advocate for yourself if your doctor seems to underestimate your limitations. Some physicians aren't familiar with how debilitating certain conditions can be in a work environment. The amount of support and practical advice in this community is truly amazing - thank you everyone for sharing your hard-earned wisdom! 💙

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who just started the SDI process myself, I was feeling completely overwhelmed until I found all these detailed experiences and practical tips. The amount of knowledge everyone has shared here is amazing - from the basics like making copies of everything and ensuring you have the current DE 2501 form, to more nuanced advice about working with specialists, documenting cognitive limitations, and even keeping symptom diaries for invisible illnesses. I'm particularly grateful for the tips about calling at 8am, using black/blue ink, and making sure doctors address ALL conditions rather than just the primary one. It's clear this system is designed to be confusing and frustrating, but seeing how this community comes together to help each other navigate it gives me so much hope. Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your hard-won wisdom - you're literally making this impossible process manageable for people like me and Alberto! 🙏✨

As a newcomer to this community who's currently battling my own ID.me verification issues for an SDI claim, I just want to say how incredibly helpful and comprehensive this entire thread has been! Reading through Hassan's original struggle, all the detailed solutions everyone shared, and especially his success update has given me both hope and a clear roadmap forward. The combination of technical fixes (cache clearing, incognito mode, document lighting tips) and strategic approaches (the specific phone numbers, timing recommendations, and alternative services like Claimyr) is exactly what I needed. It's frustrating that accessing benefits we've paid into requires becoming tech support experts, but seeing this community come together to help each other navigate these broken systems is truly inspiring. This thread has become more valuable than any official EDD resource - thank you all for creating such a supportive environment where people share real solutions that actually work!

As someone who just discovered this community while desperately searching for solutions to my own ID.me verification nightmare, I have to say this thread is absolutely phenomenal! I've been stuck for over a week trying to file my SDI claim after a surgery, and reading through Hassan's journey from frustration to success, along with everyone's incredibly detailed solutions, has been such a relief. The way this community has collectively created the most comprehensive troubleshooting guide I've seen anywhere - covering everything from basic browser fixes to strategic calling approaches - is truly amazing. I'm planning to try the technical solutions tonight (clearing cache, incognito mode, proper document lighting) and have that (800) 480-3287 number ready for first thing tomorrow morning. It's honestly infuriating that we need to become verification system experts just to access benefits we've earned, but seeing how everyone here supports each other through these bureaucratic nightmares gives me so much hope. Hassan, thank you for coming back with your success story - that follow-through is what real community support looks like! This thread should definitely be featured as a resource for anyone dealing with EDD issues.

I'm currently going through this exact transition and wanted to share what I learned from my EDD caseworker last week. She confirmed that you absolutely need to file a new SDI claim after PFL ends - there's no way to "reactivate" your previous claim. However, she emphasized something that hasn't been mentioned much here: make sure your doctor dates the new medical certification to start the day AFTER your PFL ends, not before. If there's any overlap in dates, it can cause processing delays. Also, I'd recommend calling EDD's technical support line (not the regular claims line) at 1-800-300-5616 to verify your claim was received. This line typically has shorter wait times and they can confirm your application is in the system without discussing claim details. One last tip - if you have any pregnancy-related medical appointments or treatments scheduled during your PFL period, make sure those are documented in your medical records. It helps establish the ongoing nature of your condition when you file the new disability claim. Good luck with your recovery and the application process!

Just went through this exact transition two months ago and wanted to share my experience! Like everyone else said, you definitely need to file a new SDI claim - they won't reactivate your old one. Here's what worked for me: I filed my new claim exactly 7 days before my PFL ended and made sure my doctor's certification was SUPER detailed about how my postpartum complications had persisted and actually gotten worse during PFL. I also wrote a brief personal statement explaining that I had switched to PFL thinking I'd recover, but my condition deteriorated. The waiting period was waived since it was within 60 days and related to my original pregnancy disability. I got my first payment about 2.5 weeks after filing, so there was only a small gap. One thing I wish someone had told me - keep checking your EDD account online obsessively because sometimes they need additional info and the notifications don't always work properly. I almost missed a request for more medical documentation that would have delayed everything. Stay strong mama, the process is stressful but you'll get through it! Your health comes first. 💪