pro tip: if u cant get thru on the main line, try calling some of the other edd numbers (like the employer line or tech support). sometimes they can help or at least transfer u to the right person

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! Made the same mistake with the return-to-work date and my payments got stuck for weeks. Here's what worked for me: I called right at 8 AM sharp (like someone mentioned) and got through after about 2 hours on hold. The rep was actually pretty understanding and fixed it on the spot. They told me to keep certifying every two weeks - definitely don't stop doing that or you'll lose your benefits. Also, make sure you have all your medical documentation ready when you call, they might ask for it. It's frustrating but totally fixable! Hang in there! 💪

As someone who's been through the SDI process for work-related injuries, I wanted to add a few practical tips for your situation: 1. When you're filling out your application, be very specific about your job duties. Don't just put "line cook" - describe that you need to grip knives for extended periods, lift heavy pots/pans, and perform repetitive chopping motions. This helps EDD understand why you can't work during recovery. 2. Keep copies of ALL your medical records related to the carpal tunnel diagnosis, not just the surgery forms. Sometimes they ask for additional documentation showing the progression of your condition. 3. If your restaurant uses a payroll service like ADP, give them a heads up that EDD might contact them for wage verification. This can speed up the process. 4. Since you mentioned a cyst removal too, make sure your surgeon includes both procedures on the medical certification - don't let them forget the "minor" procedure since it all affects your recovery time. You've got this! The fact that you're planning ahead puts you way ahead of most people. With 3+ years of steady employment and a legitimate medical need, you should have no issues qualifying.

I went through SDI for carpal tunnel surgery about 6 months ago and wanted to share a few things that really helped me navigate the process smoothly: First, when you talk to your surgeon about the medical certification, ask them to schedule a follow-up appointment about 2 weeks post-surgery. This gives them a chance to reassess your actual recovery progress and adjust the timeline if needed - way better than guessing at the initial appointment. Second, since you're in food service, make sure to mention to EDD that you'll likely need both hands fully functional before returning. Unlike office workers who might be able to work with one hand in a brace, kitchen work requires bilateral hand strength and coordination for safety reasons. Also, a heads up - your first certification form will arrive about 10 days after your claim is processed, and then you'll get them every 2 weeks after that. Set reminders on your phone because late submissions can delay payments. One last thing: if your restaurant has workers comp insurance, double-check that this isn't considered a work-related injury. If it is, you might need to file through workers comp instead of SDI, which could actually get you better benefits. Just something to consider! Good luck with your surgery - you're being smart by planning ahead!

guys. GUYS. i literaly just got off the phone with them after 2 months of trying. heres the secret: call the spanish line and press 2 for english. way less wait time. your welcome 😎

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 5 weeks and counting in "pending" status. It's so stressful not knowing when (or if) it'll get resolved. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips, especially @Chloe Taylor for that comprehensive breakdown. I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy and also look into contacting my state rep. This whole situation really highlights how broken the system is. Hoping we all get through this soon! 🤞

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I was in almost the exact same situation! I had a pregnancy disability claim approved in October and was worried because I couldn't find my old EDD card from 2020. You'll definitely get a new card - Bank of America automatically sends one for each new claim period. Mine arrived about 8 days after my first payment was processed. The card came with a sticker showing the last 4 digits so you know it's the new one. One tip: I actually called Bank of America's EDD line (1-866-692-9374) proactively to report my old card as lost, just to make sure there wouldn't be any confusion. The rep was really helpful and confirmed that the new card would be completely separate from the old one. Good luck with your pregnancy and don't stress too much about the payment logistics - it sounds like you're being proactive by filing early!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! I had lost my EDD card from a previous claim in 2019 and was panicking about my pregnancy disability payments. You'll definitely get a brand new card - Bank of America automatically issues a fresh EDD debit card for every new claim period, even if you had one before. Mine took about 10 days to arrive after my first payment was processed. One thing that really helped me was logging into my SDI Online account and triple-checking that my mailing address was 100% correct, including apartment numbers, spelling, etc. I also took the advice from another member here and called Bank of America's EDD customer service (1-866-692-9374) to proactively report my old lost card. The rep was super helpful and put a note on my account. Honestly, after reading all the experiences here, I'm thinking direct deposit might be the way to go for future claims - seems more reliable than waiting for physical cards. But for your current situation, you should be totally fine with the debit card option you selected. The system is designed to handle lost/old cards from previous claims. Best of luck with your pregnancy and don't stress too much about the payment logistics - you're being really proactive by filing early!

Ive been in your shoes and it SUCKS. heres what worked for me: 1. Call right when they open 2. Have all your docs ready 3. Be super nice to the rep (even tho you wanna scream) 4. Ask for a supervisor if the first person cant help 5. Follow up EVERY WEEK until its resolved Stay strong, you got this! 💪

I went through something similar when I was self-employed as a freelance graphic designer. The key is documentation! Here's what saved me: 1. **Tax documents**: Get copies of your Schedule C from your tax returns - this shows your business income/expenses 2. **1099s**: Collect all 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC forms from clients 3. **Bank statements**: Print statements showing deposits from real estate commissions 4. **Business records**: Any invoices, contracts, or commission statements you have 5. **Quarterly tax payments**: If you made estimated tax payments, include those records The appeal process is worth it - don't let them dismiss your case! When you submit your appeal, include a cover letter explaining that as a real estate agent, your income is commission-based and fluctuates. Attach everything above as proof of your actual earnings. Also, make sure you're applying based on your highest earning quarter in the base period (usually 12-18 months before your claim). Good luck! 🤞