


Ask the community...
Hey OP, just a heads up - there was a system update last month that's been causing some delays. Might be why your claim is taking longer than usual. Hang in there!
I'm going through something similar right now! Filed my SDI claim about 5 weeks ago and still waiting. What I've found helpful is logging into the EDD online portal every few days to check for status updates - sometimes there are requests for additional documentation that don't get mailed out right away. Also, if you have an old claim to close, you can usually do that through the online system too under "Manage Claims." It's frustrating but from what I've read here and other places, 6-8 weeks seems to be the new normal unfortunately. Stay strong! 💪
Just wanted to say hang in there, OP. We're all in the same boat. This system is broken, but don't give up. You'll get your money eventually!
Thanks for the encouragement. It helps to know I'm not alone in this struggle.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - applied 5 weeks ago and still waiting for my first payment. What's really helped me is setting up email alerts in my online account so I know immediately if they need any additional documents. Also, I've been calling the 1-800-480-3287 number every morning at exactly 8 AM when they open. It took me about 8 tries over two weeks, but I finally got through and they were able to tell me my claim was in the "medical review" stage. At least now I know what's happening instead of just wondering. Stay strong, we'll get through this eventually!
I'm going through this process right now too! One thing I learned is to make copies of everything before you send it in - apparently documents sometimes get "lost" in their system. Also, if your doctor is slow with paperwork like mine, give them the forms ASAP because that seems to be the biggest bottleneck. Thanks for posting this question, really helpful to see everyone's experiences!
@Benjamin Kim Great advice about making copies! I learned that the hard way on my first claim. Also totally agree about the doctor bottleneck - mine took forever to fill out the forms. Do you know if there s'a specific timeframe doctors are supposed to complete the paperwork by? Just curious if I can nudge mine along if needed 😅
Thanks for asking this Dylan! I'm in the same boat and was wondering about the process. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like the key things are: 1) Don't delay on submitting the forms, 2) Get your doctor to fill out their part ASAP, 3) Make copies of everything, and 4) be prepared to wait a while for a response. @Sofia Perez - when you say "fill out the extension form they sent you," did it come with your notice or do you have to request it separately? Want to make sure I don't miss anything!
Pro tip: if you can, submit everything online. It usually processes faster than paper forms.
I'm dealing with the same issue right now - filed my SDI claim about 6 weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back. It's really stressful when you're already dealing with health issues and then have to worry about finances too. I've been checking my online account daily but the status hasn't changed from "pending review." Has anyone had success with visiting a local EDD office in person instead of just calling? I'm wondering if showing up might get better results than the phone runaround.
Alina Rosenthal
I'm so glad I found this thread! As a newcomer to both this community and the SDI process, reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly educational. Leo, your situation with the white-out and wrong disability date really highlights how critical accuracy is with these forms - I had no idea EDD was so strict about these details. What really stands out to me is how quickly and supportively everyone jumped in to help, sharing both personal experiences and practical advice. The tips about online submission, keeping detailed records, and being specific about medical documentation are exactly the kind of insider knowledge that can make the difference between a smooth process and months of delays. I'm currently preparing my own application and feel so much more prepared now thanks to all the wisdom shared here. It's clear this community is an amazing resource for navigating these complex government processes. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge - it's going to help so many people avoid costly mistakes!
0 coins
Emma Thompson
•Welcome to the community! I'm also new here and this whole discussion has been such an eye-opener. Reading about Leo's experience really drove home how important it is to get these forms right the first time. I never would have thought that something like white-out could cause a claim rejection - it seems so minor but clearly EDD takes these details very seriously. The collective knowledge everyone has shared here is invaluable, from the technical requirements to the practical tips about submission methods. It's reassuring to know there's such a supportive community to help navigate these processes, especially when dealing with the stress of being unable to work. Thanks to everyone for making newcomers feel welcome and sharing such detailed, helpful advice!
0 coins
Javier Cruz
As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to thank everyone for such an informative discussion! I'm currently dealing with my own potential SDI claim and had no idea about these strict requirements. Leo, your experience really highlights how important it is to double-check every detail on these forms before submission. The advice about getting a completely new form rather than risking rejection has been particularly valuable - I can see how easy it would be to think "it's just a small correction" but clearly EDD doesn't see it that way. The point about the disability start date affecting benefit calculations is something I definitely need to keep in mind when I meet with my doctor. This thread has given me a much better understanding of what to expect and how to avoid common pitfalls. It's amazing how one person's question can generate so much helpful information for the entire community. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and experience!
0 coins
Morgan Washington
•Welcome to the community, Javier! I'm also new here and have been amazed at how much I've learned from this single thread. Your point about "it's just a small correction" really resonates with me - I think that's exactly the mindset that gets people into trouble with EDD forms. Before reading this discussion, I probably would have thought the same thing about white-out or a date error. It's eye-opening to see how strict they actually are about form accuracy. The collective wisdom everyone has shared here about getting clean forms, proper documentation, and submission tips is going to save so many of us from costly delays. Thanks for adding your perspective as another newcomer - it's helpful to know others are learning alongside me!
0 coins