Just joining this community as a newcomer dealing with my own EDD nightmare! This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I'm currently on day 8 of waiting for my SDI payment after certification and was starting to think I was the only one experiencing this. Reading about @Aisha Khan's experience with the random eligibility review that EDD never bothered to notify her about is both reassuring and infuriating. It's 2025 and we're dealing with a system that operates like it's stuck in the stone age! The fact that 5% of claims get randomly selected for review with zero communication to claimants is just unacceptable. I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy that worked for @Aisha Khan. To all the other newcomers dealing with similar delays (@CosmicVoyager @Amara Okafor @Vince Eh @Malik Johnson @Fatima Al-Qasimi @Nick Kravitz) - it's oddly comforting to know we're not alone in this broken system! Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and creating this supportive community. It's honestly more helpful than anything I've found on EDD's official website. Will definitely update once I manage to get through to them!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful and eye-opening this entire thread has been! I'm currently dealing with my first SDI claim (filed 2 weeks ago for a wrist injury) and had absolutely no idea about these random payment reviews or the complete lack of communication from EDD. Reading through @Aisha Khan's experience - going through 2 weeks of stress and anxiety only to discover it was just a random eligibility review that EDD never bothered to notify her about - is both relieving and absolutely maddening. The fact that 5% of claims get flagged for these reviews with ZERO notification to claimants in 2025 is just inexcusable. It's honestly shocking how many people here have similar stories of unexplained payment delays. @Carmen Lopez's experience of needing 27 calls over 2 days just to reach someone, @Andre Dupont dealing with doctor paperwork issues that EDD never communicated, and now all these other newcomers (@CosmicVoyager @Jade O'Malley @Kai Santiago and others) facing the same broken system - it really shows how widespread this problem is. I'm definitely bookmarking the 8am calling strategy for when I inevitably need it. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences and creating this supportive space where we can actually get useful information that EDD fails to provide. This community is already proving more valuable than their entire official website!

I actually had to do this last year when I got divorced and went back to my maiden name. One thing I wish someone had told me - make sure you update your name with Social Security FIRST before calling SDI. They cross-reference everything and if there's a mismatch, it can delay the process. Also, if you're changing back to a previous name (like maiden name), they might ask for additional documentation showing the connection. The rep I spoke to was actually pretty helpful once I got through - she walked me through everything step by step. Hang in there, it's not as scary as it seems! 💪

One thing that helped me was calling multiple numbers if the main SDI line was busy. Sometimes the general EDD number can transfer you to disability services and the wait times can be shorter. Also, if you have to mail documents, I'd recommend using certified mail with tracking so you have proof they received everything. The peace of mind is worth the extra few dollars! And definitely keep calling back if you don't hear anything within their promised timeframe - sometimes things get lost in their system and a follow-up call can get things moving again.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I just went through something very similar and wanted to share what finally worked for me. My doctor also made a date error on my disability form, and after mailing the correction via certified mail, it took 19 days from delivery for it to actually show up in my account. The stress was unbearable - especially when you can prove they physically have it but it's just sitting in some processing limbo. Here's what I wish I had known from day one: **What finally worked:** 1. **Assembly member intervention** - This was the game changer! I called my local assembly member's office (you can find yours on the CA legislature website) and explained the situation. They have dedicated EDD liaisons and got my documents processed within 48 hours of contacting them. 2. **Early morning calls with specific language** - When I called at 8:00 AM sharp and said "I need to speak to someone about expediting processing for financial hardship - I have certified mail proof of delivery from [date]", I got transferred to someone who could actually help. 3. **Doctor follow-up** - Even though my doctor initially refused to do anything but mail, when I explained the processing delays were causing financial crisis, she was willing to call EDD's physician line to confirm the correction was submitted. You're at 10 days, so you're still in the "normal" (but awful) processing window. Don't lose hope! The certified mail receipt proves you did everything right. I know it feels hopeless right now, but there are people who can help move this along faster. Hang in there - you're going to get through this! 💪

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! My doctor had to correct an error on my disability form and I sent it certified mail about 2 weeks ago. It was delivered but still hasn't shown up in my account when I check online. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the assembly member option or that there were specific strategies for getting through to EDD on the phone. The fact that so many people are experiencing 2-3+ week delays for mail processing really shows this is a systemic problem with their system. @Yuki Tanaka - I know how stressful this waiting period is when you're already struggling financially. Based on what everyone is saying here, it sounds like you still have some good options to try: 1. The assembly member route seems to be the most effective based on multiple people's experiences 2. The 8 AM calling strategy with specific language about financial hardship 3. Checking if there's an EDD office near you with a drop box for in-person delivery Hang in there! From the timeline people are sharing, you're probably getting close to when it should start showing up in your account. The certified mail receipt proves you did everything right - it's just their processing that's incredibly slow. Sending you good vibes that this gets resolved soon! 💙

I'm an employment attorney who handles UI appeals. A few important things you should know: 1. Benefits exclusivity: You can't receive UI and SDI for the same period. That's firm. 2. Time frames: If you win your appeal, you can receive UI benefits for periods when you were able and available for work (before your disability). 3. Documentation needs: Bring crystal clear documentation to your hearing showing: - When you became disabled (medical certification date) - Your first SDI payment date - Any work search efforts during the UI claim period 4. After disability: You'll need to reopen your UI claim after your disability ends. Do this immediately when your doctor releases you to work. The most common mistake I see is poor preparation for the appeal hearing. Be organized with your dates and documentation. Speaking with an EDD representative before your hearing can help clarify exactly what you need to bring.

I went through something very similar recently! The key thing to understand is that you can absolutely get backpay for the UI weeks before your disability started - those are completely separate time periods. When I had my appeal hearing, I made a timeline showing exactly when I filed UI, when I was denied, when my disability began, and which weeks I was requesting payment for. The judge appreciated having everything laid out clearly. One thing that helped me was calling EDD a few days before my hearing to confirm they had received my SDI start date information. I also brought printed screenshots from my UI Online account showing my certification history up until my disability began. The transition back to UI after disability can be tricky - make sure to call them the day your doctor clears you to return to work. Don't wait! I learned that the hard way and had a gap in benefits while they reactivated my claim. Good luck with your appeal! It sounds like you have a solid case since you were properly unemployed and looking for work before your health issues began.

Once your doctor submits the medical certification for your SDI claim, you should check your SDI Online account daily. If there are any issues, they'll show up in your account before you get a letter in the mail. Watch for status changes from "pending" to either "processing" or "additional information needed." Also, one technical detail: make sure you properly end your UI claim when you start SDI. There's a specific process for this. You need to stop certifying for UI benefits once your disability begins. If you continue certifying for UI while on SDI, the system will flag it as potential fraud, even if you're not actually receiving UI payments due to the appeal. Your SDI benefits will be based on the same base period as your UI claim was, so your weekly amount should be similar to what your UI would have been (though calculated slightly differently).

I went through something very similar when I was pregnant with my second child. The good news is that you can absolutely file for SDI while your UI appeal is pending - they're handled by different departments within EDD and won't interfere with each other. A few practical tips from my experience: - When filling out the SDI application online, there's a section asking about other EDD claims. Be completely honest about your pending UI appeal. - Make sure your OB-GYN is very specific about your disability start date on the DE 2501 form. With high-risk pregnancy complications like yours, they should have clear documentation. - Consider asking your doctor to include a note about your work restrictions (like no lifting, need for frequent breaks, etc.) to strengthen your case. The processing time for SDI can be 2-4 weeks, but pregnancy disability claims often move faster than other types. Since you need income ASAP and your doctor says you need to be on disability immediately, don't wait - apply today if possible. Your health and your baby's health are the priority here. Keep all your documentation organized because EDD might ask for clarification about the timeline between your job loss and when your disability began. Good luck!