Update: My claim was just approved this morning! The status in the portal changed to "Claim Established" and shows my weekly benefit amount. No email notification, but I did get a text message. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance during the wait!

Congratulations on getting your claim approved! This is such a helpful thread for others going through the same process. It's reassuring to see that even though the waiting period can be stressful, EDD does come through. Your experience really shows how important it is to keep checking that portal regularly since the notification methods can be inconsistent. Best wishes for a smooth delivery and recovery period!

Not to be that guy, but... welcome to the wonderful world of government bureaucracy! 🎉 Where everything moves at the speed of a three-toed sloth on tranquilizers. Buckle up, it's gonna be a long ride. 🐌

I'm in a similar boat - filed my SDI claim about 5 weeks ago and the waiting is driving me crazy! From what I've gathered lurking in this community, it seems like the timeline really varies. Some folks get updates in 4-6 weeks, others are waiting months. One thing that helped ease my anxiety a bit was setting up text alerts through the EDD website so I get notified of any status changes. Also been checking my online account religiously (probably too much lol). The hardest part is not knowing if everything is processing normally or if something got stuck. Hope we both hear something soon! 🤞

Great news! Glad you got through and got some clarity. The UI/SDI confusion happens fairly often since they're both EDD programs but completely separate systems. Thanks for updating us!

That's such a relief! I'm glad you were able to get through and get answers. The UI/SDI system overlap causing confusion makes total sense - I bet that trips up a lot of people. It sounds like you should be able to make your rent after all if the funds come through early next week. Definitely keep us posted on how it goes, and I hope your back injury heals up quickly too. Construction work is tough enough without dealing with EDD bureaucracy on top of it!

UPDATE: I finally got through to BofA EDD card services! For anyone with the same problem, here's what worked: 1. I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended above - got connected in about 25 minutes instead of endless busy signals 2. Selected option 2 for "lost or stolen card" even though mine was just expired 3. Had to verify my identity (SSN, address, date of birth) 4. They're sending me a new card via expedited shipping (paid $10 for 3-day delivery) 5. Set up direct deposit for future payments so I won't have this problem again The rep confirmed my funds are safe and will be available once I activate the new card. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to see you got it resolved! For future reference to anyone else reading this thread, I want to emphasize that the direct deposit setup is crucial. I've been on SDI for over a year now and switched to direct deposit after my first card expired. It's been so much smoother - payments go straight to my checking account within 1-2 business days of being issued by EDD. Also, keep in mind that if you ever need to update your direct deposit information, you have to do it through the BofA EDD card website, not through EDD directly. The systems don't communicate with each other, which is confusing but important to remember. Hope your situation stays smooth from here on out!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while trying to recover! As someone new to this community but unfortunately familiar with employer intimidation tactics, I wanted to add that you might also want to consider reaching out to a disability rights organization or employment attorney for a free consultation. Many offer initial consultations at no charge and can give you specific advice about California law. From what I'm reading, everyone here is absolutely right - what they're calling "job abandonment" is actually you following proper medical protocol and maintaining communication. That's literally the opposite of abandonment! The fact that they're using this specific terminology suggests they're trying to create a paper trail to fight any future unemployment claim. One thing that might help is to ask your doctor to include in their documentation not just your return date, but also a statement about the risks of returning early or performing duties outside your restrictions. Having medical evidence that their "accommodation" could cause further injury strengthens your position significantly. Stay strong and trust your medical team's timeline. Your health is more important than their convenience, and you have more legal protections than they want you to believe!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to employer retaliation during disability claims. What you're experiencing is textbook intimidation designed to pressure you into returning before you're medically ready. The "job abandonment" label is particularly concerning because it's legally inaccurate and seems calculated to harm your future unemployment eligibility. A few things to consider that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. File a formal complaint with the California Labor Commissioner's office - they investigate retaliation against employees exercising their rights under disability laws 2. Check if your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that might include legal consultation services 3. Consider having your doctor write a letter stating that returning early could worsen your condition and result in a longer recovery period 4. Document the financial pressure they're putting on you - this could be relevant for a constructive dismissal claim You're following your doctor's orders and maintaining communication - that's the definition of being a responsible employee, not abandonment. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking otherwise. Your recovery timeline is based on medical expertise, not their staffing convenience. Stay strong and trust your medical team. Many of us here have been through similar situations and can tell you that standing firm on your medical restrictions is always the right choice, even when employers try to make you feel otherwise.