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.

UPDATE: The money just showed up on my old unemployment card! It took exactly 2 business days after the payment was issued according to the SDI Online portal. No new card needed! Thanks everyone for your help, this community is amazing!

That's awesome news! Thanks for updating us - this is exactly the kind of info that helps other people in similar situations. It's great to know that for someone who had UI end in 2021, the old card still worked for SDI payments in 2025. This thread is going to be super helpful for future reference!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - postpartum depression is incredibly difficult and you're brave for seeking help. I went through something similar with my second child. Just wanted to add a couple things that helped me navigate the process: 1. When filing online, take screenshots of each step as you complete it. The system sometimes glitches and you don't want to lose your progress. 2. If your doctor isn't familiar with EDD forms, you might want to give them a heads up about what specific information EDD needs. Some providers haven't dealt with SDI claims before and might need guidance on the medical certification requirements. 3. Consider asking your doctor's office to submit the medical portion electronically if they can - it's usually faster than mailing paper forms. The waiting period and paperwork stress is real, but focus on getting the treatment you need. Your mental health is the priority here. Sending you support during this tough time! 💙

I'm going through something very similar right now - had my baby in October and thought I was doing fine until about 6 weeks ago when the depression really hit hard. Just wanted to share that I filed my new SDI claim last week and it was approved within 5 days! The key things that helped me were: 1) My doctor was very specific about it being postpartum depression related to my pregnancy (used the F53.0 code that others mentioned), 2) I filed everything online through SDI Online which was much faster, and 3) I made sure to indicate it was pregnancy-related when filling out the application. The hardest part for me was the 7-day waiting period when you're already struggling financially, but hang in there - it does get processed pretty quickly once you have all the right documentation. Also, don't feel guilty about needing this time - postpartum depression is a real medical condition and you deserve support. Wishing you all the best! ❤️

Just a heads up - if you're also getting any other benefits (like workers comp), make sure to report that. It can affect your SDI amount and you don't want to deal with overpayment issues later!

Thanks for starting this thread! I'm in the same boat - just got my Notice of Computation yesterday and it's like reading a foreign language. The amount they calculated seems way different from what I was expecting based on my previous earnings. From what I can tell, they're using some quarters from way back when I was making less money instead of my recent higher-paying job. Is that normal? I thought they'd use the most recent quarters where I was earning more. Really hoping someone here can shed some light on how they actually pick which quarters to use for the calculation! 🤞

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful advice! I've made a plan of action: 1. Talk to my doctor next week about completing the SDI extension paperwork with detailed functional limitations 2. Look into vocational rehabilitation services through EDD 3. Apply for CalFresh since my income will be dropping 4. If I need to call EDD and can't get through, I'll try that Claimyr service 5. File for UI as a backup plan, being clear I'm seeking work in a new field within my restrictions This community has been amazing - I was feeling pretty hopeless yesterday but now I see I have several options to explore. I'll update once I get some results!

Great plan Maya! One more thing to add - when you talk to your doctor about the SDI extension, ask them to be very specific about your functional capacity. Instead of just "can't lift heavy objects," ask for exact weight limits like "cannot lift more than 10 pounds" or "cannot stand for more than 30 minutes at a time." EDD loves specific measurable limitations rather than general statements. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. I learned this the hard way when EDD claimed they never received my extension paperwork (even though I had proof of delivery). Having your own records saved me months of back-and-forth. You've got this - it sounds like you're being really proactive about exploring all your options!