Pro tip: Set a reminder for yourself a few weeks before your benefit year is set to end. That way you can start preparing to either find work or file a new claim if needed. Don't wait until the last minute!

Anyone else notice that the rules seem to change every other week? I swear I need a law degree just to understand whats going on with my claim sometimes lol

UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what happened. I submitted my recurrence claim online and got my doctor to submit the new certification right away. It took about 10 days, but my claim was approved! Since it was within the 14-day period, I didn't have to serve another waiting period. Thank you all for your help - especially the detailed steps from the HR person. You saved me so much stress during an already painful time!

So glad to see this worked out for you! Your experience is really helpful for others who might face the same situation. It's encouraging to know that EDD can actually process these recurrence claims efficiently when all the documentation is submitted properly. Hope your back heals completely this time - warehouse work is tough on the body, and it's important to listen to your doctor's timeline rather than rushing back. Thanks for taking the time to update us with the outcome!

dont forget to factor in any other income sources you might have. sometimes that can affect your benefit amount

Hey Malik! I went through this process last year and it can definitely be overwhelming at first. One thing that really helped me was calling the disability office directly to ask about my specific situation - they were actually pretty helpful once I got through to someone. Also, don't forget to submit your claim as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period before benefits kick in. The sooner you file, the sooner that clock starts ticking. Good luck with everything! 🤞

Pro tip: if you have a complex case, try asking for a tier 2 specialist when you finally get through. They're usually more knowledgeable and can actually make decisions on claims.

I've been struggling with the same thing for weeks! One thing that worked for me was using the callback feature on their website - you have to dig around a bit to find it, but it's under the "Contact EDD" section. I scheduled a callback for 8am and actually got a call back within 2 days. Way better than sitting on hold for hours. Also, try calling the disability line directly at 1-800-480-3287 instead of the main number - sometimes it's less busy. Good luck everyone! 🤞

wait i just reread ur post - ur still on pregnancy disability? not baby bonding leave yet? make sure u know the difference cuz i got confused and it caused problems with my claim!

I went through almost the exact same situation when I was on pregnancy disability last year! My employer also automatically applied sick time during my waiting period without asking, and I got hit with a $900 overpayment notice. What helped me was documenting everything - I found the email where I specifically told HR I wanted to save my sick days, and I also had them put in writing that their policy wasn't clearly communicated to employees. I did appeal, and while it took about 6 weeks, they actually reduced the overpayment amount by about 40% because I could prove I wasn't properly informed about their automatic sick leave policy. For your bonus, definitely report it ASAP through the SDI Online portal. I had a similar situation with a year-end bonus and the key is reporting it quickly to avoid any issues. The system will automatically calculate how it affects that week's benefit. One tip that really helped me - document EVERYTHING going forward. Take screenshots of your communications with both your employer and EDD, and keep copies of all notices. If anything else comes up during your PFL period, you'll be prepared!