I went through something similar in 2022 when my company downsized while I was on disability. Here's what I learned: Start preparing NOW, not later. Get your medical release documentation ready at least a week before your disability ends - don't wait until the last minute. Also, when you apply for UI, be very clear that your job was eliminated due to restructuring, not because of your disability. EDD will likely ask detailed questions about the timeline to make sure there's no discrimination involved. The good news is that California law protects you from being terminated because of disability, so if your position is truly being eliminated for business reasons, you should qualify for UI. Just make sure all your paperwork tells the same story!

Going through the SDI to UI transition right now and wanted to share a few additional tips that helped me avoid delays: 1. Check your SDI claim status online regularly as you approach your end date - sometimes the system updates before you get official notice 2. Save screenshots of your final SDI payment and claim end date for your records 3. When filing for UI, have your employer's federal EIN number ready (not just company name) - this speeds up the process 4. If your employer offers any kind of severance or final paycheck, make sure you understand how that affects your UI start date The timing between SDI ending and UI starting can be nerve-wracking, but if you have all your documentation ready and file immediately, the transition should be smooth. The 1-week waiting period for UI is standard, so budget for that gap. Good luck with everything!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! My doctor also went the paper route (said something about being able to include more comprehensive medical details), and I mailed my forms last Monday. The waiting without being able to check online is torture! Based on everyone's responses here, I'm planning to call EDD next Monday (will be my 2-week mark) to confirm they have my paperwork in the system. The stories about lost claims are scary but it sounds like most people do eventually get through the process. Really hoping we both get our debit cards in the next few weeks - the backpay should help make up for this stressful waiting period! Thanks for posting this, it's so comforting to know others are dealing with the same paper form delays.

I'm currently going through this same paper form process and the anxiety is real! My doctor also insisted on paper forms (seems to be a common theme here), and I mailed mine about a week and a half ago. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both helpful and nerve-wracking - the 3-4 week timeline seems consistent, but those stories about lost paperwork are terrifying! I'm definitely going to follow the advice about calling at the 2-week mark to confirm they have my claim. It's frustrating that we can't check status online like people who file digitally, but at least the backpay from the disability start date should help make up for the wait. Thanks for posting this question - it's so reassuring to know others are dealing with the same paper form delays and uncertainty!

@OP - Just wanted to follow up - did you get this sorted out? One other thing to keep in mind is that if you paid SDI taxes through your paycheck (most CA employees do), then part of your benefits aren't taxable because you already paid tax on that money. It's only the employer portion and any amount exceeding what you contributed that's federally taxable. That's another thing an EDD rep can help clarify if you can get through to one.

There is a lot of misinformation in the comments. California SDI is generally NOT federally taxable. One exception is if you were receiving unemployment income and then became disabled and began receiving disability income -- in that case the income is a substitute for unemployment income and is federally taxable. This is all explained on the EDD web site. https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/sdi_faq_for_1099g

I just switched to direct deposit about 6 months ago and it's been a game changer! No more worrying about mail delays or lost checks. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - make sure you keep your old checking account open for at least 2-3 months after making the switch, just in case there are any delays or issues. Also, I found that calling on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings around 8:30 AM gave me the best chance of getting through to someone quickly. The whole process took about 2 weeks to fully take effect for me. Good luck!

Just wanted to share my recent experience - I successfully switched to direct deposit last week using the online method that Isabella mentioned! It was surprisingly straightforward once I found the right section on the website. The key was making sure I had my routing number and account number written down correctly (I double and triple checked). The whole online process took maybe 10 minutes, and I got a confirmation email right away. Now I'm just waiting to see my next payment hit the account directly. For anyone still struggling with phone calls, definitely try the online route first - it saved me so much frustration!

I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant and working two part-time jobs - one as a medical receptionist and another doing bookkeeping for a small accounting firm. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I was initially stressed about how to handle the multiple employer situation, but everyone's detailed experiences have really clarified the process for me. I wanted to share something I learned from my medical receptionist job that might help others - since I work in healthcare, I've seen a lot of disability claims come through our office. One thing I've noticed is that patients who bring a detailed list of their work duties and physical requirements to their doctor appointments tend to get much more comprehensive medical certifications. I'm planning to write up a summary of both my jobs' physical demands (standing, computer work, lifting patient files vs sitting at a desk doing data entry) to give to my doctor when it's time for the medical certification. Also, for anyone worried about the financial timing, I've been setting aside a portion of my pay from both jobs since I found out I was pregnant. Even just $50-100 per week adds up quickly and will really help during that waiting period everyone mentioned. The peace of mind of being financially prepared has made this whole process feel much more manageable!

I'm currently 14 weeks pregnant and have been following this thread closely since I'm in a very similar situation - I work two part-time W2 jobs (one at a dental office 20 hrs/week and another doing virtual assistant work 15 hrs/week). Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring! One thing I wanted to add based on my research is to make sure you understand the base period calculation timing. The EDD looks at wages from 5-18 months before your claim start date, so if you're planning ahead like I am, it's worth checking that both of your jobs fall within that timeframe and that you've been paying into SDI long enough to qualify. I actually called EDD (took forever to get through!) and they confirmed that as long as I've earned at least $300 in wages subject to SDI withholding during my base period from ALL employers combined, I'll meet the minimum requirement. Also, I've started keeping a simple spreadsheet with both employers' information - full company names, addresses, phone numbers, my start dates, supervisor names, and even my employee ID numbers. Having everything organized in one place has made me feel so much more prepared for when I actually need to file. The stress of coordinating two jobs for pregnancy leave is real, but this community has made it feel so much more manageable!