Welcome to the community! I'm also relatively new here but have found everyone to be incredibly helpful and supportive. The first time going through the SDI process is definitely stressful - I remember feeling so lost with all the paperwork and waiting periods. One thing I learned that might help while you're waiting for your determination: make sure to keep copies of everything you submit and note down any reference numbers. If you need to follow up later, having all that info organized will save you so much time and stress. This thread is a perfect example of how valuable this community is - seeing real experiences with payment timelines takes away so much of the uncertainty. Hope your claim gets approved quickly and smoothly! Feel free to ask questions along the way - everyone here really does want to help each other navigate this system.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm also waiting on my first SDI payment (authorized yesterday) and the anxiety is real. It's reassuring to see that 3 business days seems to be the standard timeline for most people. One thing I wanted to add that helped me while waiting - I called my bank's customer service line and they were able to confirm my direct deposit information was set up correctly for government payments. It only took 2 minutes and gave me peace of mind that there wouldn't be any routing issues when the payment comes through. Also, for anyone else in this boat - I found it helpful to screenshot the "payment authorized" notification from EDD just in case I need it for reference later. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is such a lifeline when you're navigating SDI for the first time! 🙏

Quick question - does anyone know if theres a difference between calling the main EDD number vs the SDI specific number? I've been trying both with no luck

I've been dealing with this same issue for weeks now! What finally worked for me was calling the SDI-specific number (1-800-480-3287) right at 8 AM when they open. I literally had my phone ready and dialed the second the clock hit 8:00. Still took about 45 minutes to get through, but I finally talked to someone. Also, try pressing 1-2-4 when you get to the menu options - that seemed to get me to the right queue faster. Don't give up, @d0ee615c27d1! The system is broken but persistence does pay off eventually.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact transition in March! My SDI ended on a mid-month date too (March 15th) and I was worried about that final partial payment. It did come through automatically about 4-5 days after my regular payment date, so don't stress if it's not exactly on schedule. For the PFL application, I cannot stress this enough - WAIT until your SDI claim shows "Returned to Work" status before applying! I got impatient and applied 2 days early, thinking it would be fine since my disability period was basically over. Big mistake! It flagged both claims and I had to spend hours on the phone getting it sorted out. The EDD rep told me this happens all the time and their system really doesn't handle overlapping claims well. My advice: Check your SDI status online on August 9th, and once it shows you've returned to work, then submit your PFL application. A day or two gap is SO much better than weeks of delays. Also make sure you select "bonding with new child" and not "caring for family member" when you apply - they're processed differently. Wishing you a smooth transition and congratulations on your new baby!

I'm actually going through a very similar situation right now! My SDI is set to end on August 15th and I'm also planning to transition to PFL for bonding time with my newborn. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially the advice about waiting until the SDI claim shows "Returned to Work" status before applying for PFL. I was originally planning to apply early to avoid any gaps, but it sounds like that could actually cause more delays. One question I have for those who've been through this - how long did it typically take for your SDI status to update to "Returned to Work" after your end date? I'm wondering if it updates automatically on the end date or if there's usually a processing delay. Also, for the PFL application itself, did most of you apply online or did anyone have better luck calling in? I've heard mixed things about the online portal. Thanks for all the detailed experiences everyone has shared - this community is amazing!

Hey OP, quick question - did your doctor backdate the form at all? That can sometimes affect the start date of the claim. Might be worth double-checking with your doc's office.

I went through something similar a few months ago! When you call, definitely ask them to walk you through exactly how they calculated your claim start date. In my case, they were using the wrong date from my doctor's form. Also, ask if you can submit any additional documentation that might support an earlier start date - like appointment records, prescription dates, or even a letter from your doctor clarifying when your condition actually began affecting your ability to work. Don't be afraid to ask for a supervisor if the first person can't give you clear answers. Document everything they tell you too!

guys i just got off the phone with edd after using that claimyr thing. they fixed my pending issue in like 10 minutes! cant believe i waited so long to try it

I've been stuck in this limbo since I filed AUGUST 23. It's impossible to get a hold of anyone, even though I've try several times a day, every day. In the meantime my credit has been trashed because I can't pay CC bills and I've had to borrow money to feed my kids. Now my FMLA is up and I have to consider going back to work even though my husband needs care, because I never heard a thing, and I need to survive. This broken process is shameful, and dangerous