random question but are u planning to transition to paid family leave after ur pregnancy disability ends? if so start that application early!! i messed up and waited til the last minute and had a gap in my payments

I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved! Your situation sounds almost identical to what I went through a few months ago with my pregnancy disability claim. The stress of waiting with no updates while bills are piling up is absolutely awful, especially when you're already dealing with pregnancy complications. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - I also recommend keeping detailed records of all your communications with both your doctor's office and EDD. I made a simple spreadsheet with dates, who I spoke with, and what was discussed. It really helped when I finally got through to an EDD rep because I could give them exact dates and reference numbers. Also, don't be afraid to ask your doctor's office about their typical processing times for EDD paperwork. Some offices are much faster than others, and knowing their usual timeline can help set realistic expectations. My OB's office told me they typically mail forms within 2-3 business days of completion, which helped me calculate when to start following up. Hope your claim processes smoothly from here and you can focus on taking care of yourself and preparing for your little one!

oof, extending STD is such a headache. sending good vibes your way, OP! 🙏 hope it all works out for you

One thing that really helped me was checking my status online through the EDD portal. If you haven't already, try logging into your account and looking for any updates or messages about your extension request. Sometimes they'll post updates there before they call or send mail. Also, make sure you have your confirmation number from when you submitted the paperwork - that can help when you do get through to someone on the phone. The waiting game is awful but hang in there!

Just to clarify something important: there are actually different numbers depending on what specific SDI issue you have: - General Disability Questions: 1-800-480-3287 - Paid Family Leave: 1-877-238-4373 - SDI Online Technical Support: 1-855-342-3645 Since you're checking on your claim status and doctor certification, the first number is the right one. But keep in mind, many representatives are still working remotely, which has made getting through even harder in 2025 than it was before. If you continue having trouble reaching someone, you can also try sending a secure message through your SDI Online account. Go to "Contact SDI" and select "Claim Questions" as the subject. While it's not as immediate as a phone call, they've been responding within 3-5 business days lately.

I've been dealing with EDD SDI for my own disability claim and found a few additional tips that might help: If you're still having trouble getting through on the main disability line (1-800-480-3287), try calling your local EDD office directly. Many people don't know that some local offices can help with disability questions too, not just unemployment. You can find your local office on the EDD website. Also, I noticed you mentioned your claim just shows "pending" - this is actually normal for the first few weeks after filing, especially if they're waiting for medical documentation. But since it's been over a month since your surgery, definitely keep pushing to speak with someone. One more thing - if your doctor submitted the certification electronically, ask them for the confirmation number or receipt. When you do get through to EDD, having that confirmation number can help them locate your medical forms faster in their system. Hope this helps and you get through soon! The waiting is so stressful when you're already dealing with recovery.

I just used that Claimyr service someone recommended above and IT WORKED!! Got through to EDD in 27 minutes (after trying for 2 days on my own)! They fixed my disqualification too! Thanks everyone for the advice!!!

This is such great news! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - I'm 34 weeks and accidentally answered one of the form questions incorrectly too. Reading your update gives me so much hope! I've been calling for days with no luck getting through. Based on what others have shared here, I think I'm going to try that Claimyr service since the stress of constantly calling and getting busy signals is not good for me or the baby. Thank you for sharing your experience and the specific details about timing and persistence - it really helps to know what to expect!

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I've scheduled an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to get the DE 2501 form completed. Based on your suggestions, I'll file for SDI immediately after getting that certification, and then indicate I'm unable to work on my next UI certification. I'm still nervous about a potential gap in payments, but it sounds like that's just part of the process. I'll update this thread after I go through the transition in case it helps someone else.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow! One small tip that helped me - when your doctor fills out the DE 2501, make sure they're specific about your functional limitations (like the 30-minute sitting/standing restriction you mentioned). The more detailed they are about how your scoliosis affects your ability to work, the smoother your SDI approval tends to go. Also, keep copies of everything - the medical form, your SDI application confirmation, and your final UI certification. Having that paper trail saved me when I had questions about my case later. You're doing the right thing by getting all the info first instead of just winging it!