I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I went through almost the exact same situation last year - was on maternity leave, developed complications, and EDD denied my SDI claim saying I'd "withdrawn from the labor market." It's such a common but completely wrong interpretation on their part. The good news is I won my appeal! The key was showing I was still employed (just on approved leave) when the NEW medical condition developed. Make sure you get a letter from your employer confirming you were an active employee with a planned return date, and have your doctor clearly document that your complications are separate from normal postpartum recovery. During my hearing, I kept emphasizing: "I was employed and planning to return to work when this separate disability prevented me from doing so." The judge understood immediately once I framed it that way. My hearing was only about 25 minutes and I got the favorable decision in under 3 weeks. You absolutely have a strong case here - being on approved leave while still employed is exactly what SDI is supposed to cover when new disabilities arise. Don't let their initial denial discourage you. The appeals process really works when you have your documentation organized. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this incredibly frustrating situation! As someone who just went through a very similar experience, I wanted to share what helped me succeed with my appeal. I was on FMLA leave and then developed complications that prevented my planned return to work. EDD initially denied my SDI claim with almost identical language about "withdrawing from the labor market" - which made absolutely no sense since I was still employed, just on approved leave! What made the difference in my successful appeal: 1. **Clear employer documentation** - I got a detailed letter from HR stating I was an active employee on approved leave with a specific planned return date (not terminated or resigned) 2. **Medical distinction** - My doctor wrote a letter clearly explaining that my condition was a NEW disability separate from my original leave reason 3. **Timeline preparation** - I created a simple chronology: original leave dates → planned return date → when new condition developed → SDI filing date 4. **Focus on employment attachment** - During the hearing, I emphasized that I was still employed and would have returned to work if not for the unexpected medical condition My hearing lasted about 20 minutes and I received a favorable decision in 2 weeks. The judge was very professional and seemed to understand these cases well once I explained that being on approved leave doesn't mean withdrawing from the workforce. You have a strong case here - this is exactly what SDI is designed to cover! Don't let their initial denial discourage you. Stay organized with your documentation and you'll get through this. You've got this!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation in 2023! Moved from Florida to California in January and needed surgery in August that year. The base period calculation really is the key - I ended up qualifying but my weekly benefit was pretty low because I only had about 6 months of CA wages in my base period at the time. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that you can actually request an estimate of your potential SDI benefits from EDD before you file a claim. I called and they were able to run the numbers based on my hypothetical filing date, which really helped me understand how much waiting a few more months would improve my benefit amount. Also, if you do end up filing sooner than ideal, remember that SDI benefits are coordinated with other benefits. So if your employer has short-term disability or if you qualify for any other programs, those can help fill the gap if your SDI amount is lower due to limited CA wage history. The organization tips from the HR person above are gold - I wish I had been that prepared! Keep all those records because EDD will definitely want to see detailed wage information when you file.

As someone who recently went through a similar interstate move (relocated from Oregon to California in late 2024), I can relate to the confusion around SDI eligibility! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea the base period calculation was so complex when I first started researching this. One thing I'd add that might be helpful: if you're working with the same employer across the move, they might be able to provide you with a projection of your California wages for the rest of 2025. This could help you model different surgery timing scenarios more accurately. My HR department was actually really helpful in running these numbers when I explained my situation. Also, since you mentioned Northern California specifically, depending on where you are, some areas have additional local disability resources or advocacy groups that can help navigate EDD if you run into issues. I found a local nonprofit that offers free consultations on disability benefits - might be worth looking into in your area. The consensus here about waiting until you have more CA wages in your base period definitely seems like the smart move if your medical situation allows for it. Thanks for asking this question - the responses have helped me understand my own situation better too!

I'm currently going through this exact same situation! Had surgery in February and was supposed to be out for 8 weeks, but I'm feeling great and want to return next week (3 weeks early). Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the DE 2525XX form or that just stopping certification could lead to overpayment issues later. The stories about people getting hit with fraud penalties months later are terrifying! I'm definitely going to follow the advice here: get my doctor to fax the supplemental form with my exact return date, try to reach EDD (though it sounds like a nightmare), and keep detailed records of everything. It's frustrating that there's no simple online option for something that should be straightforward - early recovery is a good thing! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, this thread is going to save me from making costly mistakes.

I just wanted to add my experience from going through this process about 6 months ago. One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline in advance - I wrote down my original disability end date, my actual planned return-to-work date, and then tracked each step (when my doctor submitted the DE 2525XX, when I called EDD, etc.). This made it much easier to stay organized and follow up appropriately. Also, if your employer has an HR department, give them a heads up too about your early return date. Some companies need advance notice for scheduling or to reinstate benefits. The whole process took about 10 days total for me - 3 days for my doctor to submit the fax, another week to finally reach someone at EDD, and then the payments stopped correctly. It's definitely more complicated than it should be, but totally manageable if you follow the steps everyone outlined here. Congrats on your faster-than-expected recovery!

I've been lurking in this community for a while and finally had to create an account to respond to this thread! I went through almost the exact same situation last summer - had my first SDI claim approved in June, rushed back to work after 2.5 weeks because of financial pressure, then had to file a supplemental claim about a month later when my condition flared up again. Everyone's advice here about the DE 2525XX form and 60-day rule is 100% correct. What I want to add is that when you're talking to your doctor about the supplemental certification, be really honest about how work has been affecting your recovery. I made the mistake of downplaying my struggles when I first returned to work, and it almost bit me when my doctor was hesitant to certify that I needed more time off. Also, once you submit everything, call EDD after about 5 business days to confirm they received both your online submission AND your doctor's form. Don't wait for them to contact you if something's missing - be proactive about following up. My supplemental claim was processed in about 10 days once they had all the paperwork, which was SO much faster than my original 6-week wait. You've got this! And definitely don't feel guilty about needing more time - your health has to come first.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation right now! I filed my first SDI claim in January for a workplace injury, took about 4 weeks off, and went back to work in February. Like you, I was really struggling financially and couldn't wait any longer for my payments to come through. Now it's been about 6 weeks since I returned and my injury is acting up again - my physical therapist thinks I went back too soon and may have re-aggravated it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the DE 2525XX form or that there was even a difference between a supplemental claim and filing brand new. The 60-day rule is definitely something I need to pay attention to since I'm probably right at the edge of that window. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone had experience with workers' comp AND SDI? My original claim was through SDI even though it was a work injury (long story), but I'm worried that filing a supplemental claim might complicate things if I end up needing to deal with workers' comp later. Just want to make sure I'm not creating problems for myself down the road. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread is like a masterclass in navigating EDD! Nia, I really hope your supplemental claim goes smoothly and you get the rest you need to actually heal this time.

This is absolutely devastating and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare while trying to recover from your back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm honestly shocked by how many people have shared similar experiences - it really shows there are serious systemic issues with EDD's security. A few additional thoughts that might help as you prepare for your office visit: 1. Bring a printed timeline showing your actual employment dates vs. the fraudulent benefit period - visual documentation can be really powerful 2. Ask if they can place an immediate "fraud alert" on your SSN in their system to prevent any future unauthorized claims 3. Request the reference number for the fraudulent case so you can track its investigation separately from your legitimate claim It's infuriating that someone was able to steal nearly $28,000 in benefits using your identity for over a year without any red flags being raised. The fact that you were actively working and paying into the system during this time should have been an obvious indicator that something was wrong. I really hope your in-person visit tomorrow gets you the help you need and deserve. This community has provided such incredible support and practical advice - it's clear you're much better prepared now than when you first discovered this fraud. Please keep us updated on your progress, and I'm sending positive thoughts for both resolving this mess quickly and for your recovery from your injury!

This is absolutely terrible and I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare while dealing with your back injury! As a newcomer to this community, I'm honestly appalled by how common these EDD fraud cases seem to be based on all the responses here. I wanted to add one more suggestion that might help - when you go to the EDD office tomorrow, consider asking them to provide you with a written statement that includes: 1. Acknowledgment that fraud occurred on your account 2. The specific dates the fraudulent benefits were paid 3. Confirmation that you were employed during that period 4. A case number for the fraud investigation Having this documentation in writing could be crucial if you need to provide proof to other agencies, your employer, or if any tax issues arise later. Also, ask them about their process for recovering the fraudulent payments - while it's not your responsibility to pay it back, understanding their recovery process might give you insight into how thorough their investigation will be. The fact that nearly $28,000 was paid out in your name for 14 months while you were actively working shows a massive failure in their verification systems. You shouldn't have to fight this hard just to access benefits you legitimately need and have earned. Everyone here has given you such amazing advice - you're going to be so well-prepared for tomorrow! Please keep us updated on how it goes. Wishing you strength in dealing with this bureaucratic mess and a speedy recovery from your injury!