This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - just had knee surgery and my doctor also only does paper forms. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm definitely going to follow the advice about making copies and getting tracking. One question though - when you're filling out Part A, did you have any issues with the employment history section? My employer uses a temp agency for payroll so I'm not sure if I should put down the temp agency or my actual workplace. Anyone dealt with this before?

Just want to add one more tip from my recent experience - if you're dealing with a back surgery like OP mentioned, make sure your doctor includes specific functional limitations in Part B (like "cannot lift more than 10 lbs" or "cannot sit for more than 30 minutes"). I initially got a vague medical certification that just said "post-surgical recovery" and EDD requested additional documentation. My doctor had to submit a more detailed form explaining exactly what I couldn't do work-wise. This delayed my claim by about 10 days, so definitely discuss this with your doctor upfront to avoid the back-and-forth!

I'm in the same boat. Been waiting on a payment for 3 weeks now. This whole system is a dumpster fire 🔥

I had this exact same issue a few months ago! When it shows "qualification" after being sent, it usually means they're doing an additional review of your claim. In my case, it was because I had recently started some part-time work and they needed to verify my earnings. The payment was held up for about 10 days while they reviewed everything. Check if you've had any changes in your employment status or income recently - that could trigger the review. The good news is that once they clear it, you should get the payment. Stay on top of checking your account and definitely follow the advice about calling early in the morning!

As a newcomer to both SDI and this community, I'm really impressed by how thorough and helpful everyone's responses have been! Reading through all these experiences has given me a much clearer picture of what to expect if I need to return to work early from my own disability leave. The recurring theme seems to be that EDD's system has significant gaps - it won't automatically adjust your benefits when you return early, which creates a lot of potential for overpayment issues if you're not extremely proactive about notification. I'm taking notes on all the practical strategies mentioned here: using multiple notification methods (phone, SDI Online, even mail as backup), getting confirmation numbers from representatives, trying services like Claimyr when phone lines are jammed, and most importantly - stopping certification immediately after your actual return date. The distinction between what EDD requires versus what employers require for medical clearance is also really helpful to understand. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences, both the successes and the horror stories about overpayments. This kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is invaluable for navigating such a complex system. It's clear this community really looks out for each other!

As someone who's new to this community and currently navigating my first SDI claim, I want to echo what others have said about how incredibly helpful this thread has been! The level of detailed, practical advice here is amazing - it's exactly the kind of real-world guidance you can't find on the official EDD website. What really strikes me is the consistent pattern everyone is describing: EDD's system seems designed to keep paying you until your original end date regardless of when you actually return, which puts all the burden on claimants to proactively report changes. The overpayment stories are genuinely scary and highlight why documentation is so critical. I'm particularly grateful for the specific tips about getting confirmation numbers, using multiple notification methods, and services like Claimyr for when the phone lines are impossible. As a newcomer, it's reassuring to see such a supportive community where people share both their successes and mistakes to help others avoid the same pitfalls. One question for those who've been through this - do you recommend sending a follow-up message through SDI Online even if you successfully reach someone by phone, just to have that written record? It seems like having multiple forms of documentation might be worth the extra effort given how complex EDD's system can be.

Congratulations on your approval, Isabella! I completely understand that anxious feeling of constantly checking your account - I was doing the exact same thing when I got approved for SDI after my knee surgery last year. Since you opted for the debit card, here's what you can realistically expect: EDD typically processes and loads your payment within 3-5 business days of approval, but you won't be able to access those funds until your physical debit card arrives (which usually takes 7-10 business days). I know that timeline feels stressful when rent is due next week! The good news is that your first payment will include ALL your backdated benefits from when your waiting period ended around March 19th, so it should be a substantial amount to help cover rent and those medical bills. Here's what really helped me during that nerve-wracking wait: I called my landlord and explained that I'd been approved for disability benefits but was waiting for the payment card to arrive. Most landlords are surprisingly understanding about medical situations if you communicate proactively rather than waiting until rent is late. Also, you can track your payment status through your SDI Online account under "Payment Details" to see when it's been processed. Once you get your card, definitely download their mobile app right away for instant payment notifications - it'll save you from the constant account checking! The approval was honestly the hardest part. Now you just need a little more patience, but the money is definitely on its way. Hang in there! 💪

Congrats on your approval Isabella! I totally get the anxiety about waiting for payment - I was in the same boat after my shoulder surgery last summer. Since you chose the debit card option, expect 3-5 business days for EDD to process the payment, but you'll need to wait 7-10 business days for the physical card to arrive before you can access the funds. The silver lining is your first payment will include all backdated weeks from March 19th (after waiting period), so it should be substantial! Definitely call your landlord to explain - most are understanding about disability situations. You can track payment status in SDI Online under "Payment Details" too. The approval was the hardest part - you're almost there! 💪

I just want to say how helpful this entire thread has been! As someone who's new to dealing with EDD and disability claims, I was really stressed when I realized I'd made a date error on my application. But seeing so many people share their experiences and successful outcomes has been incredibly reassuring. It's clear that this mistake is way more common than I initially thought, and the solutions everyone has shared (calling at 8am, having your claim number ready, being clear about what needs to be corrected) are really practical and doable. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their stories - this community support makes navigating these bureaucratic challenges so much less overwhelming! 🙏

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's also been through this exact situation! I made a date mistake on my SDI claim about 4 months ago (put July instead of June) and was absolutely terrified I'd mess up my whole claim. But after reading through all these helpful responses and making the call myself, I can confirm it's really as straightforward as everyone says. The EDD rep I spoke with was super understanding and fixed it in literally 2 minutes - she said these date corrections are probably the most common calls they get! I called right at 8am and got through in about 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad. For anyone still feeling anxious about this: you're going to be totally fine. Have your claim number ready, know exactly what date you need it changed to, and don't be afraid to ask for confirmation that the change was made. The hardest part is just working up the courage to make that first call, but once you do, you'll wonder why you were so worried about it! 😊