That's such great news! I'm so glad your doctor got the extension paperwork submitted in time. It's really reassuring to hear a success story about this process working smoothly. I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - been on disability for a knee injury and my original return date is coming up but I'm nowhere near ready to go back to my warehouse job. Your post gave me the push I needed to call my doctor's office first thing Monday morning instead of waiting until closer to my deadline. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on getting the extension sorted out!

This thread is so helpful! I'm in a similar boat - been on SDI for a rotator cuff injury since February and my original return date is next month, but I'm still doing PT twice a week and can barely lift 15 pounds. Reading everyone's experiences here made me realize I need to be way more proactive about getting my extension paperwork started. Question for those who've been through this - did EDD ever ask for additional documentation from your physical therapist, or was the doctor's certification enough? My PT has been keeping detailed notes about my progress and limitations, so I'm wondering if I should have those ready just in case.

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago - employer was struggling financially and stopped paying wages but wouldn't do official layoffs. I had to file for SDI due to a knee injury that required surgery. Here's what I learned: EDD absolutely accepts SDI claims even when you're technically still employed. The key is having proper medical documentation, which you already have. When I filed, I just explained my employment situation in the additional comments section and it didn't cause any issues. A few practical tips: - File your claim online if possible - it's faster than mailing - Keep detailed records of all communication with your doctor and employer - Don't worry too much about the partial payment checks - EDD will look at your base period wages anyway - Be prepared for the initial phone interview where they might ask about your employment status My claim was approved in about 2 weeks and I started receiving benefits shortly after. The medical certification from your doctor is really the most important part. Since you have a clear diagnosis and recovery timeline, you should be in good shape. Hope this helps and that your back heals quickly!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My employer has been having cash flow issues for the past two months and while they keep saying paychecks are "coming soon," I developed carpal tunnel syndrome that requires surgery. From what I've researched and been told by others, you're definitely on the right track with SDI rather than unemployment. The fact that your doctor has provided proper medical certification with specific diagnoses (herniated discs) and a clear recovery timeline is exactly what EDD needs to see. One thing I'd add - when you file your claim, there should be a section where you can explain your current work situation. Be completely honest about the non-payment issue but emphasize that your inability to work is due to your medical condition, not the employer's financial problems. Also, I'd recommend filing as soon as possible since there's that 7-day waiting period before benefits can start. Every day you delay is potentially money lost while you're dealing with medical expenses. Have you considered documenting the employer's failure to pay wages? That might be useful information to have on hand, even if it doesn't directly affect your SDI claim. Best of luck with your recovery!

Just to provide additional clarity - according to EDD's SDI guidelines, you only report wages for work performed during your disability period. Your certification form will ask something like "Did you work during the past two weeks?" and "Did you receive any wages?" - both questions are referring to the certification period only. Past wages for work performed before your disability are completely irrelevant to your current claim and certification. Make sure to keep documentation of when this payment was actually earned (any letter from the payroll company) just in case questions ever come up, but you absolutely should not report this on your certification form.

this happend 2 me too but it was unemployment not disability. edd is confusing af!!! i think its different rules for each program

pregnant with my 3rd baby here! trust me file RIGHT AFTER your last day worked. dont wait. the system takes forever especially for pregnancy claims because there are so many. my last claim took 5 weeks to process even tho my dr submitted everything right away!!

One thing I learned from my own pregnancy SDI claim - make sure you keep working right up until your disability start date (2/20 in your case). I made the mistake of taking a few sick days before my official disability period started, and EDD questioned whether I was actually disabled or just using regular sick time. It delayed my claim by weeks while they investigated. Also, if you're planning to use any accrued vacation time after your baby is born, don't mention that in your initial application - it can complicate things. Focus solely on the medical disability period your doctor has certified. Good luck with everything!

anyone else feel like we need a complete overhaul of the unemployment system? this is getting ridiculous

I had this exact same issue a few months ago! What worked for me was logging out completely, clearing my browser cache, and then logging back in. If that doesn't work, try accessing your account from a different device or browser. Sometimes the form takes a while to populate in the system too - mine showed up about 3-4 days after I first needed it. Also make sure you're looking in the right section - it's usually under "Forms" but sometimes it appears under "Documents" instead. Hope this helps!