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I went through this whole process last year and the most important thing is DOCUMENTATION!!! Save screenshots of EVERYTHING. When you call to end UI, write down date, time, confirmation #, rep name. When you submit SDI, print confirmation. My claim got messed up and I had to prove I did everything right - thank god I had all my paperwork!
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand how your part-time earnings will affect your SDI benefit calculation. Since you've been working reduced hours while on UI, your SDI benefits will be based on your earnings history from your base period (not your current reduced income). Also, if you have any unused sick leave or vacation time from your employer, you might want to clarify with HR whether using those benefits could affect your SDI eligibility timing. Some people don't realize that paid time off can sometimes complicate disability claims. Good luck with everything - pregnancy disability navigation is so stressful but you're asking all the right questions!
This is such valuable information, thank you! I hadn't even thought about how my sick leave might impact things. I have about 2 weeks of accrued sick time that I was planning to use, but now I'm wondering if I should clarify with HR first. Do you know if using sick leave before going on SDI could delay the start of my disability claim? I want to make sure I don't accidentally mess up the timeline my doctor gave me (Feb 13th).
Pro tip: if you have Twitter, try tweeting at their official account. Sometimes they respond faster there.
I've been dealing with this same nightmare for over a month now. What finally worked for me was calling the technical support line (1-800-300-5616) instead of the main number - they're less busy and can sometimes transfer you to claims. Also try calling between 12-2pm when call volume is supposedly lower. The whole system is broken but don't give up! You'll eventually get through.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 4 months waiting and counting! One thing that helped me get some movement was submitting a formal complaint through the California Department of Social Services website. It takes a few extra steps but it creates a paper trail and they have to respond within a certain timeframe. Also, if you're really struggling with bills, check if you qualify for emergency assistance through 211 - they can sometimes help bridge the gap while you're waiting. Don't lose hope, we're all in this together! 💪
UPDATE: Payment finally hit my account this morning! So it took about 3 days instead of the usual 1-2. Definitely was just the holiday delay like most of you mentioned. Thanks everyone for the help and advice - really appreciate it! Will be more mindful of holidays for future certifications.
Congrats on getting your payment! This is such a helpful thread for newcomers like me. I'm about to start my first SDI claim and had no idea about the holiday delays. Bookmarking this for future reference - seems like Thursday/Friday certification timing is the way to go to avoid these delays. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
Welcome to the community! You're smart to research this stuff ahead of time. I wish I had known about the holiday delays when I started my claim - would have saved me a lot of stress. Also helpful to know that you can check your payment status online through the EDD portal even if you use direct deposit. The folks here are really knowledgeable and willing to help when you have questions!
Chloe Zhang
I feel your pain, OP. I was in the same boat last month. Hang in there!
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Tristan Carpenter
•Thanks for the support! How did you end up resolving your issue?
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Chloe Zhang
•Honestly? A lot of patience and a bit of luck. I kept calling and eventually got through to someone who could help. It's a grind, but don't give up!
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Amina Diallo
Hey Tristan! I went through something similar a few months ago. Before you go the refund route, I'd suggest trying what Sofia mentioned about using a different browser first - that actually worked for me when I was getting constant error messages. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might be interfering (ad blockers, etc.). If you're still stuck after trying the technical fixes, calling really is your best bet. I know it's a pain, but I had success calling right at 8am when they open - got through on my third try. The refund process can take weeks and then you're basically starting from scratch, so it's usually faster to just troubleshoot the current application. Good luck! 🤞
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