I'm in a similar situation right now - filed my SDI claim on March 10th after shoulder surgery and it's been stuck on "waiting period" for over two weeks too. Reading through this thread gives me hope that it might just be a system glitch or documentation issue. I'm going to try calling my HR department first to make sure they submitted everything on their end, and then look into that Claimyr service if I still can't get through to EDD directly. It's so frustrating when you're already dealing with recovery and then have to stress about whether your benefits will come through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my SDI claim on March 15th after carpal tunnel surgery and it's been stuck on "waiting period" for almost 2 weeks. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there could be so many hidden issues that don't show up in the online portal. Based on what everyone's shared, I'm going to: 1. Call my HR department tomorrow to verify they submitted their portion 2. Contact my doctor's office to double-check they didn't mark any uncertain boxes about return-to-work dates 3. Try that Claimyr service if I can't get through to EDD directly It's so reassuring to know this is a widespread issue and not something I did wrong. The stress of not knowing what's happening while you're already dealing with recovery and medical bills is just awful. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community is a lifesaver!

Pro tip: Next time, apply online. It's way faster and you get a confirmation number right away. But for now, yeah, you gotta call them. Brace yourself for some hold music 🎵

Hey Michael! I was in a similar situation last year - mailed my SDI application and felt completely lost without a reference number. Here's what worked for me: Call the SDI customer service line at 1-800-480-3287 first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp). Have your Social Security number and the approximate date you mailed your application ready. Even without a reference number, they should be able to look up your application by SSN. Also, if you have a copy of your mailed application or any receipts from certified mail, keep those handy. The wait times are brutal, but don't give up - persistence is key with EDD! You got this! 💪

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: If you're currently on SDI for pregnancy and plan to transition to PFL, be aware that the benefit calculation might change slightly. Both use the same base period wages for calculation, but if your SDI claim was filed in a different quarter than your PFL claim will be, there could be a small difference in your weekly benefit amount. This isn't common, but it can happen if your claims cross quarter boundaries.

I just went through this transition in late 2024 and wanted to share my experience! I was on SDI for pregnancy complications starting at 30 weeks, then transitioned to PFL after birth. Here's what actually happened: I filed my PFL claim about 10 days before my SDI was set to end, just like everyone recommended. There was about a 9-day gap where I didn't receive any payments while EDD processed the new claim, but then I got a lump sum payment that covered those missing days plus my regular PFL amount. The key thing that saved me stress was that I set aside money from my SDI payments specifically for this potential gap period. Even though the money was eventually backdated, having that cushion meant I wasn't scrambling to pay bills during the processing time. Also, make sure you have all your documentation ready when you file the PFL claim - birth certificate or hospital discharge papers showing you as the parent. I uploaded mine through the SDI Online portal and it was pretty straightforward. One last tip: if you're planning to take the full 8 weeks of PFL for bonding, make sure your doctor's certification for your SDI recovery period ends exactly when you want your PFL to start. My doctor initially put my recovery period longer than I wanted, which would have delayed my bonding leave, so I had to get it adjusted.

Quick tip about the BofA EDD cards: Make sure you update your address with EDD if you've moved since your last claim. The cards are not forwarded by USPS due to security policies. This is one of the most common reasons people experience delays receiving their cards.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who's been through this process twice. While the BofA debit card system isn't ideal, I've found a few workarounds that made it more manageable: 1. Download the BofA Prepaid app - it's actually pretty decent for checking balances and doing quick transfers 2. You can get cash back at most grocery stores without fees (up to $100 I think) 3. If you have a credit union, many will do shared branching where you can deposit cash from ATM withdrawals without fees The automatic transfer feature mentioned earlier is definitely the way to go if you want everything in your regular account. Takes about 1-2 business days once set up. Good luck with your surgery and recovery! The payment system is clunky but at least the benefits themselves are reliable once you're approved.

I'm in a similar situation (67, on SS, working part-time) and considering knee replacement too. Please keep us updated on how your claim goes! I'm worried about the same things you are.

Just wanted to add that you should also check with your grocery store's HR about any short-term disability benefits they might offer through their employee benefits package. Sometimes these can supplement your SDI benefits or cover the 7-day waiting period. Also, if you're union, they may have additional resources or advocate for you with EDD if you run into issues. Don't forget to factor in that your Social Security retirement benefits will continue uninterrupted during your recovery - that's one less thing to worry about! Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery process.