Ugh, I feel for you. I'm in the same boat and it's so stressful. Hang in there!

I went through the exact same thing last year - filed and heard absolutely nothing for over a month. What finally worked for me was sending a certified letter to their main office with copies of all my documents and a timeline of when I filed. I also contacted my local assemblyperson's office (they have caseworkers who specifically help with EDD issues). The assemblyperson's office was able to get someone at EDD to actually look at my case within a week. Don't give up - you ARE entitled to these benefits and sometimes you just need to make enough noise to get their attention. Keep detailed records of every attempt you make to contact them too.

I went through this exact situation with my mom last year! The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're watching benefits about to expire. Here's what helped us get through it: First, don't panic about the 2-week timeline - that's actually pretty normal for mail submissions. The DE2525XX forms seem to sit in their mail processing queue for weeks before showing any online status updates. A few practical tips that worked for us: - Set up alerts on his SDI Online account to get email notifications the moment anything changes - Document everything - keep copies of the mailed form, tracking info if you used certified mail, dates of doctor visits, etc. - If his benefits do lapse before the extension processes, start gathering documentation for any financial hardship this causes (medical bills, pharmacy receipts, etc.) since they sometimes offer expedited processing for genuine hardship cases The good news is that once approved, they backdate the payments to cover any gap period. We ended up getting a lump sum payment that covered the 3 weeks we were without income. Your dad is lucky to have you helping him navigate this system - it's overwhelming even when you're not dealing with recovery from surgery. Hang in there, and definitely try that early morning calling strategy others mentioned. It really does make a difference!

I'm going through something very similar with my uncle right now - his DE2525XX form was submitted 3 weeks ago and we just heard back yesterday! The processing really is taking longer than usual this year. One thing that might help ease your dad's stress is knowing that EDD has been pretty consistent about backdating payments once extensions are approved, even if there's a gap. My uncle was worried sick about his mortgage payment, but when the approval finally came through, he got all the missed weeks in one lump sum. Also, if you do end up calling, try the 1-800-480-3287 number right at 8:00 AM sharp - not 8:01, but exactly at 8:00. I've noticed they seem to have better availability in that first 10-minute window. And definitely have your dad add you as an authorized representative if he hasn't already - it makes the whole process so much easier when you're helping him navigate this. The waiting is the worst part, but based on what I've seen in this community, most people do get their extensions processed, it just takes way longer than it should. Hang in there!

Anyone else feel like they're playing disability claim bingo? 🎰 I swear, every time I call it's a new rule or requirement 😅

Hey Sofia! I went through something similar last year. You'll definitely need to file a new claim for intermittent leave - they don't let you reuse old ones unfortunately. A few things that really helped me: - Get your doctor to be super specific about WHY you need intermittent leave (not just that you have a condition) - Have exact dates ready for when you think you'll need time off - Ask about the "episodic" vs "chronic" distinction - it matters for how they process your claim Also, be prepared for them to ask A LOT of questions about your work duties and how your condition specifically prevents you from doing them. The more detailed you can be, the better. Good luck! 🤞

idk if this helps, but I had a similar issue and it turned out there was a flag on my account for potential fraud. Had to verify my identity again. Might be worth asking about that when you finally get through to someone.

This is so frustrating! I'm going through the exact same thing right now - got the notification that payment was issued 5 days ago but nothing in my account. I've been calling nonstop but just get that automated message saying call volume is too high. Has anyone had success getting through early in the morning? I'm thinking of trying to call right when they open at 8am. Really hoping this gets sorted out soon because rent is due! 😰

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I feel much better about my situation now. To summarize what I understand: 1. Since my UI ended in December 2023 and my disability began in January 2025 (with over a year gap between them), there's no overlap period where I was claiming both benefits. 2. Having a medical condition while on UI wasn't necessarily a problem as long as I was still able to work during that time (which I was - it only became disabling later). 3. The key is making sure my doctor clearly certified January 2025 as when my disability began (meaning when I became unable to work). 4. EDD won't reduce my SDI benefits because of previous UI payments since they're separate programs with different calculation periods. I'll try to contact EDD to confirm all this for my specific situation. If I can't get through on my own, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned. I'll update this thread once I hear back about my claim! Thanks again everyone!

You've got a great understanding of your situation! One additional tip - when you do get through to EDD (or use Claimyr), ask them to make a note in your file about the timeline discussion. Sometimes having that documentation can help if any questions come up later during processing. Also, keep copies of everything - your UI certification history, your medical certification form, and any correspondence. The fact that you have such a clear timeline with over a year between benefits should make this pretty straightforward. Good luck with your SDI claim!