I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation! As someone who just went through a very similar experience, I wanted to share what helped me succeed with my appeal. I was on FMLA leave and then developed complications that prevented my planned return to work. EDD initially denied my SDI claim with almost identical language about "withdrawing from the labor market" - which made absolutely no sense since I was still employed, just on approved leave! What made the difference in my successful appeal: 1. **Clear employer documentation** - I got a detailed letter from HR stating I was an active employee on approved leave with a specific planned return date (not terminated or resigned) 2. **Medical distinction** - My doctor wrote a letter clearly explaining that my condition was a NEW disability separate from my original leave reason 3. **Timeline preparation** - I created a simple chronology: original leave dates → planned return date → when new condition developed → SDI filing date 4. **Focus on employment attachment** - During the hearing, I emphasized that I was still employed and would have returned to work if not for the unexpected medical condition My hearing lasted about 20 minutes and I received a favorable decision in 2 weeks. The judge was very professional and seemed to understand these cases well once I explained that being on approved leave doesn't mean withdrawing from the workforce. You have a strong case here - this is exactly what SDI is designed to cover! Don't let their initial denial discourage you. Stay organized with your documentation and you'll get through this. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! I actually went through something very similar in early 2024 - I was on maternity leave and developed severe postpartum complications that made it impossible to return to work as planned. EDD denied my SDI claim with the exact same "withdrew from labor market" reasoning, which was so frustrating since I was still employed and fully intended to return! The good news is I successfully won my appeal! Here's what really helped my case: 1. **Employer verification letter** - I got HR to write a detailed letter confirming I was an active employee on approved leave with a specific planned return-to-work date (this was crucial!) 2. **Medical documentation** - My doctor wrote a clear letter explaining that my postpartum complications were a NEW medical condition separate from normal recovery/childbirth 3. **Timeline organization** - I prepared a simple chronology showing: maternity leave dates → planned return date → when complications developed → SDI claim filing During my hearing, I focused on emphasizing that I was still employed (just temporarily on leave) when this unexpected disability occurred. The judge understood immediately once I explained it wasn't about extending maternity leave - it was a completely separate medical issue that prevented my planned return to work. My hearing took about 25 minutes and I got the favorable decision within 2 weeks. The financial relief was incredible after months of stress! Don't give up - you absolutely have a winnable case here. This is exactly the type of situation SDI is meant to protect. The appeals process really does work when you have your documentation organized properly!

I just wanted to add my experience from going through this process about 6 months ago. One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline in advance - I wrote down my original disability end date, my actual planned return-to-work date, and then tracked each step (when my doctor submitted the DE 2525XX, when I called EDD, etc.). This made it much easier to stay organized and follow up appropriately. Also, if your employer has an HR department, give them a heads up too about your early return date. Some companies need advance notice for scheduling or to reinstate benefits. The whole process took about 10 days total for me - 3 days for my doctor to submit the fax, another week to finally reach someone at EDD, and then the payments stopped correctly. It's definitely more complicated than it should be, but totally manageable if you follow the steps everyone outlined here. Congrats on your faster-than-expected recovery!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm actually in the exact same situation - had a minor procedure in early March and was supposed to be out for 6 weeks, but I'm feeling much better and want to return to work next week (about 2 weeks early). I had absolutely no idea about the DE 2525XX form requirement or that just stopping certification could lead to serious overpayment issues down the road. The stories about fraud penalties and having to pay back thousands of dollars are honestly terrifying! It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't have a simple online option to end benefits early - you'd think they'd want to make it easy for people to return to work when they're ready. I'm definitely going to follow all the advice here: get my doctor to fax the supplemental form with my exact return date, try calling EDD (though it sounds like a total nightmare), and keep detailed documentation of everything. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread is going to save me from making some potentially very expensive mistakes!

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation right now! I filed my first SDI claim in January for a workplace injury, took about 4 weeks off, and went back to work in February. Like you, I was really struggling financially and couldn't wait any longer for my payments to come through. Now it's been about 6 weeks since I returned and my injury is acting up again - my physical therapist thinks I went back too soon and may have re-aggravated it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the DE 2525XX form or that there was even a difference between a supplemental claim and filing brand new. The 60-day rule is definitely something I need to pay attention to since I'm probably right at the edge of that window. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone had experience with workers' comp AND SDI? My original claim was through SDI even though it was a work injury (long story), but I'm worried that filing a supplemental claim might complicate things if I end up needing to deal with workers' comp later. Just want to make sure I'm not creating problems for myself down the road. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread is like a masterclass in navigating EDD! Nia, I really hope your supplemental claim goes smoothly and you get the rest you need to actually heal this time.

I've been following this thread closely as someone who works as a disability advocate, and I wanted to add a few important points that might help you and others in similar situations: 1. **Document your work struggles**: Keep a daily log of how your symptoms affect your work performance - this creates a paper trail showing you genuinely tried to return but weren't ready. 2. **Get your timeline straight**: The 60-day window is from your last paid disability day, not your return-to-work date. Make sure you calculate this correctly when filing. 3. **Consider a "partial disability" approach**: If your doctor thinks you might benefit from a gradual return, ask about reduced hours or modified duties rather than full disability. Sometimes this can be easier to get approved and provides some income while you recover. 4. **Request expedited processing**: When you submit your supplemental claim, you can request expedited review due to financial hardship. Include documentation of overdue bills if possible. The fact that you're asking these questions and getting proper advice before filing puts you way ahead of where most people start. Don't let financial pressure rush your recovery again - the supplemental claim process, while not perfect, is designed exactly for situations like yours where the original timeline wasn't sufficient. Best of luck, and remember that taking care of your health IS taking care of your finances in the long run!

This is absolutely terrible and I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare while dealing with your back injury! As a newcomer to this community, I'm honestly appalled by how common these EDD fraud cases seem to be based on all the responses here. I wanted to add one more suggestion that might help - when you go to the EDD office tomorrow, consider asking them to provide you with a written statement that includes: 1. Acknowledgment that fraud occurred on your account 2. The specific dates the fraudulent benefits were paid 3. Confirmation that you were employed during that period 4. A case number for the fraud investigation Having this documentation in writing could be crucial if you need to provide proof to other agencies, your employer, or if any tax issues arise later. Also, ask them about their process for recovering the fraudulent payments - while it's not your responsibility to pay it back, understanding their recovery process might give you insight into how thorough their investigation will be. The fact that nearly $28,000 was paid out in your name for 14 months while you were actively working shows a massive failure in their verification systems. You shouldn't have to fight this hard just to access benefits you legitimately need and have earned. Everyone here has given you such amazing advice - you're going to be so well-prepared for tomorrow! Please keep us updated on how it goes. Wishing you strength in dealing with this bureaucratic mess and a speedy recovery from your injury!

This is absolutely horrifying and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this while trying to recover from your injury! As someone new to this community, I'm shocked by how many people have shared similar experiences - it really highlights serious vulnerabilities in EDD's systems. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is contacting the California Attorney General's office - they have a specific division that handles identity theft cases and can sometimes intervene with state agencies like EDD when fraud victims are having trouble getting resolution. Their website has a form specifically for reporting identity theft that goes directly to their investigators. Also, since you mentioned the fraudster changed your contact information, you might want to check if they also attempted to change your direct deposit information with other accounts (bank accounts, credit cards, etc.) using the personal information they had access to. Sometimes these criminals cast a wide net once they have someone's details. The fact that someone was able to collect benefits in your name for over a year while you were actively working really shows how broken their verification processes are. You've gotten such amazing advice from everyone here - you're going to be incredibly well-prepared for that office visit tomorrow! Sending positive thoughts for both a quick resolution to this mess and for your back injury recovery. Please keep us updated on how everything goes!

I'm currently on SDI for a rotator cuff injury and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just last week I received an unexpected referral bonus from my previous employer for a client I brought in back in August (months before I went on disability in January). I was completely stressed about whether to report it since I'd never dealt with anything like this before. Reading through everyone's experiences here has made it so clear that the key factor is WHEN the work was performed, not when you receive payment. Since my referral work happened well before my disability period, I won't be reporting it on my certifications. It's amazing how this community breaks down these confusing EDD rules in ways that actually make sense! Thank you to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - it's made what felt like an impossible decision much more straightforward.

I'm currently navigating my first SDI claim after a workplace accident and this entire discussion has been absolutely eye-opening! I had no idea about the distinction between work performance dates versus payment receipt dates - it's such a crucial concept that really isn't explained clearly anywhere in the official EDD documentation. Reading through everyone's real experiences with bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing, and referral payments has given me so much confidence about how to handle these situations. What strikes me most is how consistent everyone's experiences have been - whether it was a holiday bonus, year-end performance payment, or commission check, the key factor is always when the actual work was performed, not when the money arrives. This community knowledge is invaluable for those of us trying to navigate these complex rules without making costly mistakes. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories - you're helping so many people feel less anxious about these confusing situations!