Have you considered getting a lawyer? Some specialize in SDI appeals and might be able to help. Many offer free consultations.

I went through something similar last year! The key is to act fast - definitely file that appeal within 30 days like others mentioned. When I had my denial, I wrote a detailed timeline showing exactly when I received the denial vs. when the form was due, and that helped my case. Also, if you can get your doctor's office to write a letter explaining any delays on their end, that can be really helpful. The appeals process took about 6 weeks for me, but I did eventually get approved. Don't lose hope - the initial denial doesn't mean it's over!

I had a similar issue last year with my disability payments! In my case, it turned out the EDD had an address mismatch in their system that was causing deposits to get rejected by my bank, but neither side was communicating this properly. I had to call EDD directly and verify all my banking information was correct in their system. It took about a week to resolve, but once they updated everything, the missing deposit showed up along with the current one. Definitely check with EDD to make sure they have the right account details on file - sometimes the issue isn't with your bank at all!

This exact thing happened to me about 6 months ago! Turned out my bank had updated their ACH processing system and some deposits were getting stuck in a queue without any notification. The frustrating part was that the first customer service rep I talked to didn't know about the system issues, so they just told me there was no record. I had to call back three times before I got someone who actually looked deeper into it. My advice would be to call your bank again and specifically ask them to check for any ACH holds, pending transactions, or system delays - don't just accept "no record" as the final answer. Also, if it's an EDD payment, they sometimes batch process on different days than expected, especially around holidays. Hang in there, it'll likely show up in the next day or two! 🤞

One more important thing - make sure your doctor is very specific about your disability being due to pregnancy complications (high blood pressure and swelling) rather than just a normal pregnancy. Standard pregnancy disability usually only starts 4 weeks before your due date, but with complications properly documented, you can start earlier. Ask your doctor to be very clear about why you can't work now, otherwise EDD might deny your claim or only approve it starting at the standard 36-week mark.

I went through this same transition last year! Just wanted to add a few things that helped me avoid issues: 1. Keep ALL your paperwork from both UI and SDI - I had to reference my UI claim dates when there was a question about my SDI timeline 2. Take screenshots of your last UI certification and the date you stop certifying - this saved me when EDD questioned whether I had properly ended my UI claim 3. Ask your doctor to put the START DATE of your disability on the medical form, not just sign it - mine initially just signed without specifying when my disability began and it caused a delay 4. If you have any saved sick/vacation time from your old job, that might affect your SDI calculation, so mention it when you file The pregnancy-induced hypertension should definitely qualify you for early disability before the standard 36-week mark. Wishing you a healthy rest of your pregnancy and hoping your claim goes smoothly! The EDD process is stressful enough without pregnancy complications on top of it.

Thank you, these are excellent suggestions. I'll email HR tomorrow to get written clarification of what my manager told me verbally. And I'll definitely ask my doctor to be very specific about my restrictions at my next appointment. The 19-day timeline is helpful to know - I'll make sure I have some emergency savings set aside to cover that gap.

This is such a tough situation, and I really feel for you! I went through something similar when my employer "restructured" while I was on medical leave for anxiety/depression. A few things that helped me navigate this: 1. Contact your union if you have one - they can often provide guidance on disability rights and job protection that HR won't tell you about. 2. Keep ALL medical documentation organized. When I transitioned from SDI to UI, they asked for proof that I was able to work but had no job to return to. 3. Start looking for new jobs NOW while you're still on disability. Even if your current employer has to take you back, having backup options reduces stress and gives you leverage. 4. Consider contacting a disability rights attorney for a free consultation. Many work on contingency, so you don't pay unless you win. Even if you don't sue, they can often write a letter to your employer that gets them to take your rights more seriously. The whole system is frustrating, but you have more options than you think. Don't let them push you around just because you've been on medical leave. You deserve to be treated fairly after everything you've been through with your back injury!

Hey OP, when you do get through to someone, make sure to get their name and ID number. It helps if you need to follow up later.

@Nadia Zaldivar I went through the exact same thing a few months ago! The wage continuation error is super common. Here's what worked for me: When you call (and yes, you'll need to call), be very clear that you made an error on the initial form and need to correct the wage continuation question. They can actually update this in their system without you having to file a whole new claim. Also, if you have any documentation from your employer showing you didn't receive continued wages (like a final paystub or termination letter), have that ready. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me once I got through to someone. Don't give up - you've got this! 💪