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I'm currently dealing with almost the same situation! What I learned (after many frustrating calls to EDD) is that the base periods used for calculating SDI and UI can be different too, which affects your benefit amount. SDI looks at a different earnings period than UI might when they calculate your benefit. Also, I don't know if this applies to you, but when I talked to the disability office, they mentioned that if you're receiving any severance pay from your employer, it can affect your UI eligibility. Might be worth checking if you're getting any severance as part of your layoff package.
That's really good to know about the severance! They did mention I'll be getting a small severance package, but I had no idea it could affect unemployment. I'll definitely need to look into that. This is all getting so complicated... feels like I need a degree just to navigate these benefits! Thanks for the heads up.
I'm really sorry you're going through this - getting laid off while recovering from surgery is incredibly stressful. I went through a similar transition about 6 months ago and can share what I learned. Unfortunately, everyone here is right that your UI benefits will be significantly lower than your SDI. In my case, I went from about $1100/week on disability to $520/week on unemployment. The calculation methods are completely different, and UI has much lower caps. A few things that might help: - Apply for UI about a week before your SDI ends to minimize gaps - Keep all your layoff paperwork showing it's due to "restructuring" not performance - Ask HR if they're offering any COBRA subsidies or other benefits during the transition - Look into local food banks or assistance programs to help bridge the income gap Also, definitely explore what @Caleb Bell mentioned about potentially extending your disability if your doctor thinks you're not ready to return to work. With back surgery complications, that might be worth considering. Hang in there - this is a tough situation but you'll get through it!
anyone else think its wild that in 2023 we still gotta jump through all these hoops just to get our benefits? smh
Hey Zainab! I went through something similar last year. For the direct deposit setup, make sure you have your routing and account numbers ready - sometimes the online system glitches out if you don't enter them perfectly the first time. Also, when you apply for PFL/baby bonding, you'll need your doctor to fill out the medical certification form (DE 2501). Start that process early because doctors can take forever to get paperwork back to you! Congrats on the upcoming baby! 🍼
good luck!! i had 2 go through the whole appeal thing last year and finally got approved. just make sure u turn it in on time!!
Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully appealed my SDI denial last fall and the date issue definitely tripped me up at first too! Like everyone else confirmed, you absolutely need the "date mailed" from your determination notice. But here's something that might help: when you submit your appeal, consider sending it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. EDD has to receive it within 30 days of that mailed date, not just postmarked. I almost missed my deadline because I assumed regular mail would be fine. Also, if you're close to the deadline like you are, you can actually submit the appeal online through EDD's website which gives you immediate confirmation. Good luck with your appeal - the process is stressful but don't give up!
This is really helpful advice about the certified mail and online submission options! I didn't know you could submit appeals through their website - that sounds much safer than regular mail especially when you're cutting it close to the deadline. Thanks for sharing your successful appeal experience, it gives me hope that this will work out. I'm definitely going to look into the online option since I'm already stressed about timing.
I've been dealing with similar issues too! What I found helpful was clearing my browser cache and cookies before trying to update online - sometimes that fixes weird glitches. Also, if you're getting error messages, try screenshotting them. When I finally got through to a rep, having those screenshots helped them identify the specific issue faster. The whole system definitely needs an overhaul, but hang in there! 🤞
QuantumQuest
I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm a new mom (baby born 3 weeks ago) and just starting my SDI claim process. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful - especially knowing that the timing can be unpredictable but the payments do come through eventually. @Taylor Chen, congratulations on your little one and thank you for sharing your journey! It's such a relief to see real experiences from other moms who've been through this. The tip about checking the SDI Online account for "Paid" status is something I'll definitely remember. This community is amazing for navigating all the EDD confusion!
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StarSeeker
•Welcome to the community and congratulations on your new baby! As someone who's been lurking here for a while but just starting my own SDI journey (my baby is due next month), this thread has been incredibly informative. It's so reassuring to see experienced moms like @Taylor Chen sharing their real-world timelines and tips. The advice about checking the SDI Online account status seems like such a game-changer - I had no idea you could track it that way! Thanks to everyone who s'shared their experiences here. It makes navigating this whole process feel much less overwhelming when you know what to expect.
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Mei-Ling Chen
As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently 36 weeks pregnant and planning to apply for SDI maternity leave soon, so reading through everyone's real experiences with payment timing has been invaluable. @Taylor Chen, congratulations on your baby and thank you for being so detailed about your timeline - it really helps set realistic expectations. The tip about checking the SDI Online account for "Paid" status is something I never would have known to do! It's also reassuring (though frustrating) to hear that delays are normal with EDD. I'll definitely be bookmarking this thread for when I'm in the same situation in a few weeks. This community seems like such a supportive place for navigating these government systems!
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Keisha Taylor
•Welcome to the community and best of luck with your upcoming arrival! As another newcomer who's been following this thread closely, I completely agree about how valuable these real-world experiences are. I'm actually dealing with a different disability claim (non-pregnancy related) and even though the circumstances are different, the payment timing insights from @Taylor Chen and others have been so helpful for understanding what to expect from EDD s'processing. It s'comforting to know there s'a community here where people share honest experiences about the delays and unpredictability, rather than just the official timelines that don t'always match reality. Thanks to everyone for being so open about their journeys - it makes navigating this system feel much less isolating!
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