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As someone who's been navigating disability benefits for my own chronic condition, I can't emphasize enough how important it is that you act quickly on filing for SDI. The advice you've gotten here is spot-on - your situation is exactly what SDI was designed for. What strikes me about your case is how perfectly documented everything is in your favor. Your doctor certified your inability to work BEFORE any employment action occurred, which creates an ironclad timeline. When I had to file my own SDI claim, the examiner specifically asked about the sequence of events to make sure my medical condition wasn't somehow related to losing my job - in your case, it's crystal clear that your medical need came first. One thing I'd add to all the excellent advice you've received: when you're filling out the online application, be very detailed about your medical condition and how it prevents you from performing your job duties. Don't just write "back condition" - explain specifically how the pain/mobility issues make it impossible for you to do your work tasks. The more specific you are about the functional limitations, the clearer it is to the examiner why you qualify for benefits. Also, definitely keep copies of everything you submit. I learned this the hard way when EDD lost some of my paperwork and I had to resubmit. You're going to get through this, and honestly, the legal case others have mentioned sounds very promising given the blatant timing of your termination. Focus on your health and recovery - that's what matters most right now.
Thank you so much for this detailed advice from someone who's actually been through the SDI process! Your point about being very specific regarding functional limitations is really helpful - I wouldn't have thought to go into that level of detail about how my back condition prevents me from doing my actual job tasks. I'll make sure to explain how the pain and mobility issues make it impossible for me to lift, bend, and stand for extended periods that my job requires. It's also good to know about keeping copies of everything - I definitely don't want to deal with lost paperwork on top of everything else. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and encouragement. Reading everyone's responses has completely shifted my mindset from panic to having a clear action plan. I'm about to submit my SDI application right now with all the great advice from this thread. Thank you again!
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! Everyone here has given you excellent advice about filing for SDI immediately, which is absolutely the right move. I wanted to add one practical tip that helped me when I filed my own SDI claim - when you're filling out the online application, there's usually a section where you can provide additional context or explanations. Use that space to briefly mention the timeline of events (that you submitted your medical leave request the same day you were terminated) just to create a clear record, but keep the focus on your medical condition and inability to work. Also, I'd recommend setting up online access to your EDD account right away if you haven't already. This will let you track the status of your claim and respond quickly if they need any additional documentation. The online portal is much more reliable than trying to get through by phone. Your situation sounds incredibly frustrating, but you're handling it exactly right by prioritizing your health and getting the benefits you've earned. The legal aspects others have mentioned definitely sound worth pursuing, but getting your SDI secured first is the smart approach. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping your surgery goes well!
I had this exact same issue a few months ago! The upload feature is really poorly designed. What finally worked for me was accessing it through the mobile app instead of the website. For some reason, the upload button showed up there when it wouldn't appear on desktop. If you don't have the app, you can also try accessing the mobile version of the site through your phone's browser. Also, make sure your form is saved as a PDF - I think they're picky about file formats. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the mobile app tip! I never would have thought to try that. It's so weird how the same system can work differently on different platforms. I'm definitely going to download the app and give it a shot. And good call on the PDF format - I was actually trying to upload it as a JPEG screenshot 🤦♀️
I just went through this nightmare last month! Here's what I discovered after way too much trial and error: the upload feature is tied to your case status. If your disability claim is still in "initial review" status, the upload option won't show up at all. You have to wait until they move you to "pending additional documentation" status, which can take 2-3 weeks. It's incredibly frustrating because nowhere on the site does it explain this! I only found out when I finally got through to someone on the phone. You can check your case status under "Claim History" - if it's still in initial review, that's why you can't upload anything yet. Super backwards system if you ask me.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Had my baby via C-section 5 days ago and my SDI payments stopped immediately after delivery. I submitted the birth information through the online portal yesterday morning and have been obsessively checking my account ever since. Reading through all these experiences has been such a huge relief - I was starting to panic that something was wrong with my claim! It's so helpful to know that 5-7 business days seems to be the standard processing time right now. The timing really couldn't be worse though - I have my mortgage payment due next week and was counting on this SDI payment. I'm definitely going to take everyone's advice here and call my mortgage company tomorrow to explain the EDD delay situation. @Amina Bah thanks for starting this thread! It's oddly comforting to know so many of us are dealing with this exact same bureaucratic nightmare at such an overwhelming time. The fact that this is so common really shows how broken the system is for new parents. Fingers crossed we all get our payments processed soon! And congratulations on your little one! 💕
@Charity Cohan I m'so glad this thread is helping you too! It s'amazing how many of us are going through the exact same thing right now. The mortgage payment stress is so real - I have the same worry about my bills next week. Definitely call your mortgage company - from what others have shared, most lenders are familiar with EDD delays and willing to work with you. It really is frustrating that this routine process causes so much financial anxiety for new parents when we re'already dealing with so much! But seeing everyone s'timelines here gives me hope that we should all see movement by early next week. Hang in there and congratulations on your new baby! We ve'got this! 💪
I'm currently going through this same situation! Had my baby 2 weeks ago and submitted the birth info through the online portal 3 days ago. The financial stress is so real when you have bills due and payments just suddenly stop. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like 5-7 business days is pretty typical for processing right now. I've started calling my utility companies and credit card companies to explain the EDD delay, and most have been surprisingly understanding about extending due dates. One thing I learned from my sister who went through this last year - she said to keep checking both your SDI online account AND your bank account, because sometimes the payment shows up before the online portal updates. Also, she recommended taking screenshots of everything you submit in the future, which I wish I had thought of! The whole system really seems designed to stress out new parents at the worst possible time, but it's comforting to know this is just a routine processing delay and not an actual problem with our claims. Hang in there everyone - sounds like we should all hopefully see movement early next week! 💕
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just got the supplemental certificate request this morning even though my doctor already submitted medical updates last week. It's so frustrating when you think you've done everything correctly and then they hit you with another requirement. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea the DE 2525XX form was separate from the regular medical update. It seems like such an unnecessary distinction when they're basically asking for the same medical information! I'm definitely going to call my doctor's office tomorrow and specifically mention the DE 2525XX form so there's no confusion about what EDD actually needs. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and step-by-step advice - it really helps to know there's a clear path through this bureaucratic maze and that I'm not the only one dealing with this confusing process. Hopefully we can all get our claims sorted out soon! This whole EDD experience has been such a headache. 😅
I'm going through the exact same thing too! Just got my supplemental certificate request yesterday after thinking everything was sorted out with the medical update I submitted two weeks ago. This whole thread has been such a game changer - I never would have known about the DE 2525XX form being separate from regular medical updates. It's honestly baffling how EDD manages to make what should be a straightforward process so unnecessarily complicated! I'm planning to call my doctor's office tomorrow morning too and make sure to specifically mention that form number. It's such a relief to find this community and realize we're all dealing with the same bureaucratic chaos. Thanks for sharing your experience - knowing I'm not alone in this mess really helps! 🙏
I'm going through this exact same frustrating situation right now! Got the supplemental certificate request yesterday even though my doctor already submitted updated medical info two weeks ago. I was so confused until I found this thread - the explanation about the DE 2525XX form being separate from regular medical updates is a total game changer! It's absolutely ridiculous that EDD treats these as completely different requirements when they're asking for basically the same medical information. Like, why can't they just use what was already submitted? The bureaucracy is mind-boggling! I'm definitely calling my doctor's office first thing tomorrow morning and specifically asking for the DE 2525XX form. Thanks to everyone who shared their step-by-step experiences - it really helps to know there's actually a path forward through this administrative nightmare. Sometimes you just need confirmation that this system really is as poorly designed as it seems and you're not losing your mind! Fingers crossed we can all get our claims resolved soon. This whole EDD process has been absolutely exhausting! 😤
I'm in the exact same boat! Just received my supplemental certificate request this morning despite already having my doctor submit medical updates three weeks ago. This whole thread has been such a lifesaver - I had absolutely no clue about the DE 2525XX form being a completely separate requirement from the regular medical documentation. It's honestly mind-blowing how EDD has managed to create such a convoluted system where they need multiple forms for essentially the same medical information! I'm calling my doctor's office tomorrow too and will definitely mention that specific form number. It's such a relief to find this community and realize we're all navigating the same bureaucratic labyrinth together. Thanks for sharing your frustration - it really validates that this process is genuinely as confusing and poorly organized as it feels! Hopefully we can all get through this administrative chaos soon! 🤞
Tom Maxon
To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Disability. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Olivia Kay
I've been through this exact situation before! The "Notice of Return to Certification Payment" is frustrating because it's so vague. In my experience, they're usually looking for one of three things: updated medical records from your doctor, the DE 2593 continuing eligibility form, or sometimes they want a new DE 2500A even if you think yours is current. Since your stopped, I'd recommend calling the SDI number first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) - that's when I've had the most luck getting through. Also, log into your online account and check if there's a specific document request that might not have been mailed to you. The system sometimes shows pending requirements that don't make it to the mail. Good luck!
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•This is really helpful advice! I'm new to dealing with disability claims and this whole process seems so confusing. @Olivia Kay, when you say to check the online account for pending requirements - is that under a specific section? I've been trying to navigate their website but it's not very user-friendly. Also, has anyone had success with faxing documents instead of mailing them? I'm worried about things getting lost in the mail since this seems to be such a common issue.
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