Yes, they absolutely do verify disabilities. While they may not always call your doctor, they review the medical certification form and can request additional medical records if they have questions. They can also require independent medical examinations if they suspect fraud. Disability fraud is taken very seriously and can result in penalties, repayment requirements, and even criminal charges in serious cases. Only apply if you have a legitimate disability certified by a doctor.

Good luck with your application, Maya! One more tip - once you submit your SDI claim, you'll get a confirmation number. Keep that handy because you'll need it if you have to call EDD about your claim status. Also, make sure to check your mail regularly because they'll send important notices about your claim approval/denial and payment information. The whole process can take 2-3 weeks from submission to first payment if everything goes smoothly. Hope your back heals up soon!

ok but what about the disability?? u said u just went back from SDI? make SURE u report that properly because they will check if the dates overlap and if u mess that up they will come after u for FRAUD. happened to my sister and they made her pay back thousands!!!!!

I'm going through something similar right now - just started working as an IHSS provider and the whole system is so confusing! Reading through everyone's advice here is really helpful. I had no idea about the Public Authority earnings statements or that you could select "Laid Off" for losing a client. One question - for those of you who've been through this process, how long did it typically take from filing your partial unemployment claim to actually receiving benefits? I'm worried about the gap between losing income and getting any assistance, especially since it sounds like EDD might need multiple follow-ups to get everything sorted correctly. Also, does anyone know if there are any advocacy organizations that help IHSS workers navigate these kinds of benefit issues? It seems like we face unique challenges that the standard EDD system isn't really designed for.

Classic EDD nonsense 🙄 Their system is always messing up. I swear they make it hard on purpose to discourage people from applying.

I had a similar issue with mismatched addresses on my documents. What worked for me was getting a certified copy of my most recent utility bill or bank statement that matches one of the addresses, then calling EDD to explain the discrepancy. They were able to manually verify my identity once I provided the additional proof of residence. It took about 2 weeks to resolve, but it's definitely fixable. Make sure to have all your documents ready when you call - they'll want to see everything at once.

Just wanted to follow up - did you end up submitting your SDI claim? How did it go? I'm curious because the information about how UI penalties affect SDI eligibility seems really mixed based on the responses here. It would be helpful for others to know your outcome.

Hope your recovery goes smoothly! I went through a similar situation a few months ago - had to switch from UI to SDI after a work injury while I had some compliance issues with my UI claim. The good news is that everyone here giving you reassurance is right - they really are separate systems with different eligibility criteria. One thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of all my communications and submissions. I took screenshots of my online application, saved confirmation emails, and kept copies of all medical paperwork. When I had questions, I found calling first thing in the morning (around 8 AM) gave me the best chance of getting through without waiting hours. Your situation sounds straightforward since you have clear medical documentation for a legitimate medical condition. The fact that you're being proactive and asking questions shows you're handling this the right way. Wishing you a speedy recovery and hoping your claim processes quickly!