I went through something similar a few months ago! What really helped me was preparing a list beforehand with all my employer details (company name, address, phone, dates of employment, and wages). When I called, I specifically asked them to "recalculate my benefit amount based on the updated wage information" and requested they backdate any adjustments to when my claim started. Don't let them tell you they can only fix it going forward - you're entitled to the correct amount from day one. Also, ask for the case number for your update request so you can reference it if you need to call back. Hope this helps!

This exact thing happened to me last year! The key is being persistent and knowing exactly what to ask for. When you call, tell them you need to "update your base period wages" and that your current employer's W-2 information was missing from your claim. Ask them to pull your wage records again and recalculate from the beginning of your claim period. I had to call three times before I got someone who actually knew how to do this properly, so don't give up if the first person seems confused. Also, if they try to tell you the adjustment will only apply going forward, politely but firmly tell them that's incorrect - you're entitled to the proper benefit amount from when your claim started. It took about 10 days for my backpay to show up once they finally made the correction. Hang in there!

After reading all these comments, it sounds like you have several potential issues that could be causing the delay: 1. The general backlog (most likely) 2. A possible incomplete physician certification 3. Your previous UI claim potentially complicating benefit calculations 4. Possible missing identity verification The fastest way to resolve this is definitely getting through to an actual claims specialist who can look at your file. They can tell you exactly what's happening and often fix issues on the spot. The standard phone lines are virtually impossible right now, so either try the Claimyr service I mentioned, contact your assembly member, or try calling the alternate number (833-978-2511) which sometimes has shorter wait times. Once you get your claim approved, the good news is that you'll receive all back payments from your disability start date (minus the 7-day waiting period). So even though it's incredibly stressful waiting, you will eventually get the full amount you're entitled to.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting for disability benefits while dealing with medical issues and financial strain is absolutely brutal. I went through something similar last year and it took 7 weeks to get my first payment. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of all my call attempts, including dates, times, and how long I was on hold before getting disconnected. This documentation was useful when I finally got through to someone and also when I contacted my state representative's office for help. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to certify for benefits every two weeks even though you haven't been paid yet. Sometimes people miss this step thinking they need to wait for approval first, but you actually need to keep certifying to avoid additional delays once your claim is processed. The system is completely broken right now, but hang in there - you will eventually get your benefits including all the back pay. In the meantime, see if there are any local emergency assistance programs that might help with rent or prescription costs while you're waiting.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! My chronic pain condition flared up after trying to return to work for just 5 days. Reading through everyone's advice here has been a lifesaver - I had no idea about the 90-day rule or that specific wording on the DE 2501 form could make such a difference. The distinction between "failed work attempt" vs just going back on disability is something EDD really should explain better on their website. I'm planning to use all the terminology mentioned here when I call them: "recurrence of original disability after failed work attempt." It's so reassuring to see that this is actually a common situation that the system is designed to handle, even though they make it unnecessarily confusing. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's making what felt like an impossible situation seem manageable!

I went through almost the exact same thing with a herniated disc last fall - returned to work after 7 weeks on SDI but had to stop after just 6 days when the pain became unbearable. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of everything: the dates I worked, when the pain flared up, and all my doctor visits. When I called EDD (finally got through using that callback feature others mentioned), I told them it was a "failed work attempt due to recurrence of disability" and they immediately understood. The rep actually thanked me for being so clear about the situation! One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - make sure your doctor notes not just that it's a recurrence, but also documents that your symptoms worsened compared to your baseline. This helped show EDD that my attempt to return wasn't premature but that my condition genuinely deteriorated. Also, don't stress too much about the 8 days you worked - EDD sees this all the time and as long as you're honest on your certification, they handle it routinely. The whole process took about 2 weeks from submitting the new medical form to getting my first payment, and they backpaid everything I was owed. You're definitely on the right track!

I'm dealing with this exact issue right now too! Been on direct deposit for months with no problems, then suddenly last week I got a paper check instead. Checked my UI Online account and everything looks correct - same bank info, same routing number. It's so frustrating because I rely on that money being available immediately through DD. Has anyone noticed if this is happening more frequently lately? Like maybe EDD is having system-wide issues? I'm wondering if I should just wait it out for a week or two to see if it fixes itself, or if I need to jump through all the hoops of calling them. The thought of spending half my day on hold just to fix something that was working fine is making me want to pull my hair out! 😤 Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - at least I know I'm not alone in this madness!

I'm in the exact same boat! Set up direct deposit when I first applied but I'm still getting paper checks three months later. What's really frustrating is that I called about this issue back in December and the rep said it was "fixed" but obviously it wasn't. Now I'm seeing all these posts about it being a widespread problem and I'm wondering if there's some kind of system bug they're not telling us about. I'm definitely going to try the bank verification suggestion from @GalaxyGazer before calling EDD again - that's such a smart angle I hadn't considered! And the local office idea sounds promising too if I can find one nearby that's actually open for walk-ins. For everyone dealing with this - maybe we should all start documenting when we call, who we talk to, and what they tell us? Seems like there's no consistency in the solutions they're offering, and having a record might help if we need to escalate this issue higher up the chain. This shouldn't be this complicated! 🤦‍♀️

Have you tried faxing them? I know it sounds ancient, but sometimes old school methods work best with these outdated systems.

I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! The key is to be super persistent and don't let them brush you off. Here's what worked for me: 1. Get your documentation ready - any texts, emails, or notes about when you actually returned to work 2. When you do get through to someone, ask to speak with a supervisor if the first person can't help 3. File an appeal if they deny your claim - sometimes that's the only way to get a real review 4. Keep certifying for benefits while you're fighting it, even if there's a discrepancy The whole process took me about 6 weeks but I eventually got it sorted and received all my back pay. Don't give up! The system is broken but if you stay on top of it, you can get through this. 💪