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!

guys i just got approved after 5 months of waiting!!! don't give up hope!

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! 💪

OP, whatever you do, don't give up. I know it feels hopeless, but persistence is key. Took me 5 months to get my issue resolved, but it finally happened. Sending good vibes your way! ✨

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed for extension months ago and radio silence since then. One thing that helped me was sending a certified letter to their main office with copies of all my documentation. At least that way you have proof they received it and a timeline. Also, try logging into your online account daily - sometimes status updates appear there before you get any mail. I know it's exhausting, but don't lose hope. The system is broken but your claim is still valid. Keep fighting for what you're owed! 💪

This might sound crazy, but have you tried going to their office in person? I did that last year when I was having issues and actually got help pretty quick.

I went through something similar last month! Two things that helped me: 1) I contacted my state assembly member's office - they have caseworkers who can actually get through to EDD and check on your case status. It's free and they got back to me within a few days. 2) Make sure you're checking your EDD inbox online regularly - sometimes they send requests for additional info that you might miss. Also, if your doctor submitted electronically, double-check that it went through properly on their end. The whole system is a mess right now, but don't give up! Keep us posted on how it goes.

One more important thing: make sure your doctor understands how to properly complete the medical certification form. Some doctors don't fill these out regularly and might put incorrect information. The specific date they list as the beginning of your disability is CRUCIAL. If you're planning to apply for SDI after your UI ends, make sure they put a date that's after your last UI payment. Also, your weekly benefit amount might be slightly different between UI and SDI because they use different calculation periods.

I went through this exact situation 3 years ago! The transition is definitely possible but timing is everything. Here's what worked for me: I let my UI benefits run out completely first (didn't want any overlap issues), then immediately applied for SDI once my doctor certified my pregnancy complications made me unable to work. The gap was about 10 days total including the SDI waiting period, which was tough financially but avoided any fraud concerns. My SDI weekly amount ended up being about $50 less than my UI because of the different base period calculation, but it was still substantial help. Make sure your doctor is very specific about your disability start date on the DE 2501 form - mine had to resubmit because they initially put a date that was too vague. Also keep all your UI correspondence showing your last payment date as proof there was no overlap. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to first SDI payment. Hang in there - it's stressful but totally doable!