Hey, quick question - did you get any kind of confirmation when your doctor submitted the original form? Might be worth double-checking that it actually made it to EDD.

I went through something similar a few months ago! Here's what worked for me: I called my doctor's office and asked them to call EDD directly to confirm they were expecting the form. Turns out EDD had the wrong fax number on file. Once my doc's office got the correct info, the form came through within 2 days. Also, if you're running out of time, you can request an extension through your online EDD account - there's usually a "request extension" option under the claim details. Don't panic, there are ways to fix this! 🙏

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the main line, try calling your local assemblymember's office. They often have direct lines to EDD and can help push things through faster.

I had this exact same problem a few months ago! The wrong start date delayed my payments by almost 3 weeks. What worked for me was sending a fax with all my medical records showing the correct disability start date, then following up with multiple calls until I got through. Make sure you have your doctor's note with the exact date you became disabled - that's the key document they need. Also, keep detailed records of every call you make and every document you send. The whole process took about 2 weeks once I got someone on the phone who actually knew what they were doing. Don't give up, it will get fixed!

Not to be that guy, but are you SURE you sent it to the right address? I made that mistake and lost weeks because of it.

I'm going through something similar right now - sent my appeal documents three weeks ago and when I finally got through to someone, they had no record of it. What's really frustrating is that there's no tracking system or even a simple confirmation that they received your paperwork. I ended up having to resend everything via certified mail like others suggested. Also keeping copies of EVERYTHING now because this seems to be a common issue. The whole process feels like throwing documents into a black hole and hoping for the best 😤

Yes, standard SDI benefits can last up to 52 weeks if medically necessary (and certified by your doctor). However, the benefit amount is based on your past wages during your base period. After SDI, you can transition to PFL for additional time if needed. The process requires a new application and medical certification, but it uses the same benefit calculation as your SDI claim. Something else to consider: if your treatment extends beyond 12 months and you're unable to return to work, you might want to explore long-term disability options either through Social Security (SSDI) or any private insurance you might have through a previous employer. These take longer to process but provide benefits for extended disabilities. I hope your treatment goes well and your recovery is smooth!

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis, Nia. Cancer treatment is overwhelming enough without having to navigate EDD bureaucracy. I went through a similar transition last year when I had to switch from UI to SDI for surgery. Here's what worked for me: I called the UI phone line (1-800-300-5616) and spoke to a rep who put a note on my account that I was transitioning to disability due to medical reasons. This wasn't required, but it created a paper trail that helped later when SDI asked about my UI claim. The most important thing is making sure there's NO overlap in benefit periods. If your last UI payment covered through a specific date, your SDI should start the day after. The systems do eventually cross-reference, and any overlap will result in an overpayment that you'll have to repay. For your medical certification, make sure your oncologist is very specific about your functional limitations. Don't let them just write "patient has cancer" - they need to explain exactly why lymphoma treatment prevents you from performing your usual work duties (fatigue, immune suppression, treatment schedule, etc.). One last tip: consider applying online late at night or early morning when the system is less busy. The SDI online portal sometimes crashes during peak hours. Sending you strength for your treatment journey. You've got this! 💙

Update us on what happens! I'm sure many others will face similar situations and your experience could help them navigate the process.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare situation! I went through something similar when my mother was in the ICU for three months. Here's what finally worked for us: Contact the hospital's "Utilization Review" department - they're different from case managers and specifically handle insurance/disability coordination. They have more authority to get doctors to sign paperwork because it affects the hospital's discharge planning. Also, if your dad has a social worker assigned through the hospital (most do for long-term patients), they can often facilitate getting the attending physician to complete the forms. The key is explaining that his discharge is being delayed by the disability paperwork issue. One more tip - if he's being transferred to a long-term care facility, call them NOW and ask them to assign a physician before he even arrives. That way you'll have someone lined up to handle future extensions without the runaround. Hang in there - the system is absolutely broken but there are people within it who will help once you find the right ones!