Just to provide additional clarity - according to EDD's SDI guidelines, you only report wages for work performed during your disability period. Your certification form will ask something like "Did you work during the past two weeks?" and "Did you receive any wages?" - both questions are referring to the certification period only. Past wages for work performed before your disability are completely irrelevant to your current claim and certification. Make sure to keep documentation of when this payment was actually earned (any letter from the payroll company) just in case questions ever come up, but you absolutely should not report this on your certification form.

this happend 2 me too but it was unemployment not disability. edd is confusing af!!! i think its different rules for each program

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while trying to recover! As someone new to this community but unfortunately familiar with employer intimidation tactics, I wanted to add that you might also want to consider reaching out to a disability rights organization or employment attorney for a free consultation. Many offer initial consultations at no charge and can give you specific advice about California law. From what I'm reading, everyone here is absolutely right - what they're calling "job abandonment" is actually you following proper medical protocol and maintaining communication. That's literally the opposite of abandonment! The fact that they're using this specific terminology suggests they're trying to create a paper trail to fight any future unemployment claim. One thing that might help is to ask your doctor to include in their documentation not just your return date, but also a statement about the risks of returning early or performing duties outside your restrictions. Having medical evidence that their "accommodation" could cause further injury strengthens your position significantly. Stay strong and trust your medical team's timeline. Your health is more important than their convenience, and you have more legal protections than they want you to believe!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to employer retaliation during disability claims. What you're experiencing is textbook intimidation designed to pressure you into returning before you're medically ready. The "job abandonment" label is particularly concerning because it's legally inaccurate and seems calculated to harm your future unemployment eligibility. A few things to consider that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. File a formal complaint with the California Labor Commissioner's office - they investigate retaliation against employees exercising their rights under disability laws 2. Check if your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that might include legal consultation services 3. Consider having your doctor write a letter stating that returning early could worsen your condition and result in a longer recovery period 4. Document the financial pressure they're putting on you - this could be relevant for a constructive dismissal claim You're following your doctor's orders and maintaining communication - that's the definition of being a responsible employee, not abandonment. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking otherwise. Your recovery timeline is based on medical expertise, not their staffing convenience. Stay strong and trust your medical team. Many of us here have been through similar situations and can tell you that standing firm on your medical restrictions is always the right choice, even when employers try to make you feel otherwise.

That's such great news! I'm so glad your doctor got the extension paperwork submitted in time. It's really reassuring to hear a success story about this process working smoothly. I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - been on disability for a knee injury and my original return date is coming up but I'm nowhere near ready to go back to my warehouse job. Your post gave me the push I needed to call my doctor's office first thing Monday morning instead of waiting until closer to my deadline. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on getting the extension sorted out!

This thread is so helpful! I'm in a similar boat - been on SDI for a rotator cuff injury since February and my original return date is next month, but I'm still doing PT twice a week and can barely lift 15 pounds. Reading everyone's experiences here made me realize I need to be way more proactive about getting my extension paperwork started. Question for those who've been through this - did EDD ever ask for additional documentation from your physical therapist, or was the doctor's certification enough? My PT has been keeping detailed notes about my progress and limitations, so I'm wondering if I should have those ready just in case.

pregnant with my 3rd baby here! trust me file RIGHT AFTER your last day worked. dont wait. the system takes forever especially for pregnancy claims because there are so many. my last claim took 5 weeks to process even tho my dr submitted everything right away!!

One thing I learned from my own pregnancy SDI claim - make sure you keep working right up until your disability start date (2/20 in your case). I made the mistake of taking a few sick days before my official disability period started, and EDD questioned whether I was actually disabled or just using regular sick time. It delayed my claim by weeks while they investigated. Also, if you're planning to use any accrued vacation time after your baby is born, don't mention that in your initial application - it can complicate things. Focus solely on the medical disability period your doctor has certified. Good luck with everything!

anyone else feel like we need a complete overhaul of the unemployment system? this is getting ridiculous

I had this exact same issue a few months ago! What worked for me was logging out completely, clearing my browser cache, and then logging back in. If that doesn't work, try accessing your account from a different device or browser. Sometimes the form takes a while to populate in the system too - mine showed up about 3-4 days after I first needed it. Also make sure you're looking in the right section - it's usually under "Forms" but sometimes it appears under "Documents" instead. Hope this helps!