Has anyone had luck calling the EDD directly? I've been trying for days and can't get through. It's so frustrating!

Just went through this exact process last month! One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - make sure your doctor's note specifically states that you're "able to return to work" or "no longer disabled" rather than just saying your condition has improved. EDD is really picky about the wording. Also, if you have multiple medical conditions on your claim, the note needs to address all of them. Learned this the hard way when they rejected my first submission because it only mentioned my back injury but not my anxiety disorder. Hope this helps save you some time!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with something similar right now - had knee surgery in February and my doctor submitted everything on time, but I've been back at work for 2 weeks now and still no certification options showing up in my SDI Online account. My claim shows "approved" with a weekly benefit amount of $987, but just like Dylan, there's literally nothing for me to certify for those 4 weeks I was off. I've been dreading having to call EDD but after reading all this, I'm definitely going to ask specifically for the DE 2500A form. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when dealing with EDD's confusing systems!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Filed my SDI claim after ankle surgery in late February, got approved with a $1,156 weekly benefit amount showing in my account, but absolutely no way to certify for the 3 weeks I was disabled. Just like everyone else is saying, I think it's because I returned to work before they finished processing everything on their end. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful - I had no idea about the DE 2500A form or that this was such a common issue. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD doesn't explain any of this when you're going through the claim process. I've been calling for over a week with no luck getting through, so I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that several people mentioned. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread should be pinned somewhere because I bet tons of people run into this problem and just give up!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation. As others have correctly pointed out, SDI only covers your own medical conditions, not caregiving responsibilities. Since you've used your full PFL allocation, here's another angle to consider: contact your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) for comprehensive resource information. They often know about local programs that provide temporary childcare assistance or respite care for families dealing with medical situations. Also, consider reaching out to the hospital where your daughter will have surgery - many hospitals have social workers who can connect families with community resources, financial assistance programs, or even volunteer programs that help with post-surgical care. The Ronald McDonald House organization sometimes has resources beyond just housing that could be helpful. Some churches and community organizations also have emergency assistance funds specifically for situations like yours, even if you're not a member. Document everything with your employer now - your FMLA request, the medical necessity, timeline, etc. This protects you legally even if you can't get paid leave.

I'm a single parent who went through a similar situation with my son's surgery two years ago. Since you've maxed out your PFL, I'd suggest also checking if your state has any temporary caregiver assistance programs outside of EDD - some states have emergency family support funds that aren't well-publicized. Another thing that helped me was negotiating with my employer to use future sick days in advance, essentially borrowing against next year's accrual. Some companies will allow this in documented medical emergencies. Also, if you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you might be able to use those funds to pay for professional caregiving services during your work hours, which could allow you to work at least partial days. Don't forget to keep detailed records of all medical documentation and correspondence with your employer - this could be important if you need to pursue other legal protections or if your situation changes. Wishing you and your daughter the best with her surgery and recovery!

I'm dealing with this EXACT same issue right now at 32 weeks pregnant! Got the "insufficient earnings" denial letter yesterday and I've been working full-time for over 2 years. It's so frustrating because you can literally see all your SDI contributions on every paystub, but somehow their system can't figure it out. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope though - sounds like this is a really common glitch with their base period calculations. I'm going to try the Claimyr service to get through to someone since calling the regular number has been impossible. @Layla Sanders - please keep us updated on how it goes with your correction! We're all rooting for you. The last thing any of us need is this kind of stress when we're already dealing with everything else that comes with being this pregnant. It's honestly ridiculous that so many women are going through this exact same problem. You'd think EDD would have fixed whatever is causing these base period calculation errors by now!

This is so frustrating but unfortunately very common! I went through this exact same denial 6 months ago when I was 35 weeks pregnant. The "insufficient earnings" error is usually because EDD's system is looking at the wrong quarters for your base period calculation. Since you filed in March 2025, your base period should be October 2023 through September 2024. I'd bet money they're either missing one of those quarters or looking at older data. Here's what I learned from my experience: - The reconsideration form (DE 1326C) is definitely faster than a formal appeal - Include pay stubs from ALL quarters in your base period, even if they seem obvious - Send everything certified mail for your records - Keep calling or try that Claimyr service others mentioned - sometimes an agent can fix it immediately The good news is once they identify the error, the correction happens pretty quickly. Mine was resolved within about 10 days total. Try not to stress too much (easier said than done, I know!) - this is clearly a system issue, not anything you did wrong. You've been working and paying into SDI, so you absolutely deserve these benefits! Keep us posted on your progress! 🤞

This happened to me last year. Turns out they needed additional info from my doctor but never bothered to tell me. Might be worth asking if they're missing any documentation.

I went through something similar a few months ago. The delay often happens when there's a gap between your original claim period ending and the extension starting - the system needs time to process the new dates. A few things that helped me: 1) Check if your extension paperwork was submitted correctly by your doctor, 2) Look for any "pending" status in your online account, and 3) If it's been more than 21 days, definitely escalate. In my case, it took about 3 weeks total but I did get backpay for the delayed period. Don't give up!