Hey Victoria, I feel for you - being self-employed and dealing with an injury is so stressful! While you're checking on your SDI eligibility, don't forget to look into your local resources too. Many cities have emergency rental assistance programs, especially if you have a medical reason for lost income. Also, if you rent your booth space, talk to your shop owner - some are willing to work with you on payment plans during medical leave. And definitely reach out to any barber or cosmetology associations you might belong to - many have emergency funds specifically for situations like yours. Take care of yourself and don't let the stress make your recovery harder!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the uncertainty about finances while dealing with a painful injury is incredibly stressful. From what others have shared here, it sounds like checking your DIEC enrollment status should be your first priority. Even if you haven't enrolled, I'd still recommend calling EDD directly to confirm your situation since tax situations can be complex and you might have coverage you're not aware of. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to local food banks and community resources - there's no shame in getting help when you need it, especially when you're dealing with a medical issue that's preventing you from working. I hope your physical therapy goes well and you can get back to doing what you love soon. Your health has to come first, and the financial stress will work itself out with time and the right resources.

Hey OP, hang in there! I know it feels hopeless, but you'll get through this. Sending good vibes your way! ❤️

I went through something similar last year and it was incredibly frustrating! One thing that helped me was sending everything certified mail with return receipt requested - that way you have proof they received your documents. Also, try reaching out to your state assembly member's office. I was shocked at how quickly they were able to get someone from EDD to actually look at my case. Most people don't know that their representatives have staff specifically for helping constituents with government agency issues. It's free and they know exactly who to contact at EDD. Good luck - don't let them wear you down! 💪

Quick update on the conditional payment - they typically process on the date promised, but it can take 2-3 banking days to actually appear in your account or on your EDD debit card. So don't panic if it's not there immediately on the processing date they gave you. Also, be sure to keep certifying for your benefits as normal during this review period. Sometimes people stop certifying because they think the review puts everything on hold, but you need to keep submitting those certifications.

I went through this exact situation last month! The "review required" notice is scary but it's usually just a standard verification process when there's a mailing issue. A few things that helped me: 1) Screenshot everything in your SDI Online account right now - dates, amounts, notices, everything. 2) When you get the interview call, they'll likely just verify your identity and ask about your address change. Have your ID and proof of current address ready. 3) My conditional payment came exactly when they said it would, but like others mentioned, give it 2-3 business days to actually hit your account. The interview was honestly pretty straightforward - they just wanted to confirm I was who I said I was and that I lived where I said I lived. Don't stress too much, this seems to be a common hiccup in their system!

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.