Also, make sure you're certifying for your benefit periods when prompted! Even while you're in the waiting period or waiting for approval, you should see certification weeks become available in your SDI Online account. If you don't complete these certifications, your payments could be delayed even further. You'll need to certify that you're still disabled (still pregnant in your case) and not working during each period.

Hey Mateo! I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 34 weeks pregnant and waiting for my employer to submit their paper form. From what I've learned lurking in these forums, the paper processing really does add about 2-3 weeks to the whole timeline. One thing that helped ease my anxiety was calling my employer's payroll department directly (not just HR) to confirm they had all the info they needed and to get a tracking number when they mailed it. Some companies use certified mail which gives you proof of delivery. Also, I noticed you filed on May 14 - you're still well within the normal processing window even with paper forms. Most people I've seen post here get their first payment 3-4 weeks after filing when employers do paper submission. You should definitely have everything sorted before your due date! Keep checking your account daily like others mentioned. The status changes are really the only way to track progress. Good luck mama, you've got this! 💪

Has anyone else noticed that the payments sometimes take an extra day to process at the end of a claim? My last week of disability took longer to hit my account than the previous payments did. Just something to keep in mind in case you're budgeting really tight.

I just went through this exact situation last month! Yes, you absolutely get paid for the end date - January 23rd is included in your benefit period. I was worried about the same thing because my claim ended on a Wednesday and I wasn't sure if I'd get that final day. But EDD paid me through the end date just like everyone else is saying. Just make sure you complete your final certification correctly and don't indicate that you returned to work on the 23rd if you're actually starting back on the 24th. The daily amount should be your $1,345 divided by 7, so about $192 for that final day. Hope this helps ease your mind!

Update: My card arrived today! It was definitely in a very plain white envelope that looked like junk mail, so I'm glad you all warned me to watch for it. I've activated it and set up the automatic transfer to my regular bank account. Thanks everyone for all your helpful advice!

Congrats on getting approved and receiving your card! Just wanted to add a few tips I learned the hard way: 1) Download the BofA Prepaid mobile app to easily check your balance and transaction history, 2) If you ever need cash, stick to BofA ATMs to avoid fees - other ATMs can charge $2-3 per withdrawal, and 3) Keep the card activation paperwork because it has important phone numbers you might need later. Also, even though you set up automatic transfers, it can take 1-2 business days for the money to show up in your regular account, so plan accordingly for urgent expenses. Glad everything worked out for you!

I'm glad to hear your brother is going to be okay! One last piece of advice: make sure he understands that SDI and workers' compensation are two different programs. Since the accident happened outside of work, he's applying for SDI. If he tells EDD it was a work injury, they'll direct him to workers' comp instead and it will delay everything. Also, once he starts feeling better, if his doctor approves him for modified/light duty but his employer can't accommodate those restrictions, he can still continue receiving SDI benefits until he's cleared for full duty or his benefit period ends.

Just wanted to add that your brother should also make sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING - the application, medical records, correspondence with EDD, etc. I learned this the hard way when EDD lost my paperwork and I had to resubmit everything. Also, if he has a smartphone, he can actually upload documents directly through the SDI Online portal which is way faster than mailing them. The photo upload feature works pretty well for medical forms and paystubs. Hope your brother heals up quickly!

Does anyone know if there's a mobile app for filing claims? The website is so not mobile-friendly, it's ridiculous.

I've been dealing with the same exact issue! What's really helped me is using multiple strategies at once. I keep the EDD site open in one tab and refresh it periodically while also trying the mobile version on my phone. Sometimes one works when the other doesn't. Also, if you haven't already, try logging in through the "UI Online" portal directly instead of going through the main EDD homepage - that sometimes bypasses whatever is causing the crashes. Don't give up, and definitely document every failed attempt with screenshots showing the error messages and timestamps. If you miss the deadline because of their technical issues, that documentation could save you later!