I'm going through this exact same situation right now - mailed my SDI claim 10 days ago when my home WiFi went down for emergency repairs and I couldn't get to a library in time before the deadline. The stress has been unreal, especially reading about 4-6 week processing times vs the 1-2 weeks for online! Just tried @Charlie Yang's registration trick and got the dreaded "no existing claim" error too, so mine definitely hasn't been entered into their system yet. But honestly, having a way to actually check the status without calling is such a relief - at least I'm not completely in the dark anymore. I'm planning to call at exactly 8am tomorrow since I'm hitting that sweet spot several people mentioned where it's worth checking on receipt. The waiting is killing me with bills piling up, but reading @Natasha Volkova and @Lincoln Ramiro's success stories gives me hope that the backpay will make up for this awful waiting period. Really wish EDD would be transparent about how much longer paper claims actually take - if their website said "4-6 weeks for mail vs 1-2 weeks online" I definitely would have figured out another way to file electronically! Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences, it's been a lifesaver knowing I'm not alone in this mess.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation! Filed my SDI claim by mail 5 days ago when my internet was out for maintenance, and I've been stressing about it ever since. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea paper claims took 4-6 weeks vs just 1-2 weeks online. EDD's website really doesn't make that difference clear at all! Just tried @Charlie Yang's registration trick and got the "no existing claim" error too, so mine definitely hasn't hit their system yet. That's actually such a helpful way to check without dealing with their phone system - wish I'd known about that sooner! It's both comforting and frustrating to see so many of us in the same boat right now. Seems like technology failures at the worst possible time are more common than we'd think! I'm definitely planning to try the 8am calling strategy once I hit day 10 based on everyone's advice here. Thanks to @Amara Torres for the professional insight about the pandemic backlog still affecting things, and to @Natasha Volkova and @Lincoln Ramiro for sharing your success stories. Knowing the backpay covers everything from the start date helps make this wait feel slightly more manageable. We'll all get through this together!

I'm also an out-of-state worker (Texas resident, CA employer) who successfully got alternate base period for pregnancy SDI last year! Reading through all these responses, everyone is giving solid advice. I wanted to add one more tip that really helped me: When you write your cover letter requesting alternate base period, include a sentence like "I am specifically requesting alternate base period calculation under California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 2708(b) due to insufficient wages in the standard base period." Citing the actual code section shows you know exactly what you're talking about and aren't just making a random request. Also, I'd recommend printing your application packet on slightly heavier paper (like 24lb instead of regular 20lb copy paper) and using a bright colored paper clip or binder clip to attach your cover letter. It sounds silly, but making your packet stand out physically helps ensure it gets the attention it deserves rather than getting lost in the shuffle. My total timeline was 5 weeks from submission to first payment, and I never had to appeal. The key really is being incredibly thorough and professional from the start. You've got great advice in this thread - you're going to do great!

I'm going through this EXACT same situation right now - Nevada resident, 15 weeks pregnant, working remotely for a CA company, and absolutely need alternate base period! This thread has been a goldmine of information. I just wanted to add one more resource that's been helpful: I contacted my state's Department of Labor (Nevada) to confirm that I don't qualify for any pregnancy benefits here, and they gave me a letter stating that. I'm planning to include this with my CA application as additional documentation showing why I need CA SDI benefits. Also, for anyone tracking timelines - I'm due in September so I have a bit more buffer time, but I'm planning to submit everything by mid-May based on all the advice here about 5-6 week processing times. One question for those who've been successful: did any of you have issues with EDD asking for additional medical documentation beyond the normal pregnancy forms since you're out-of-state? I'm wondering if I should get extra letters from my doctor just in case. Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences - you're literally saving my sanity and probably my financial stability during this pregnancy!

Just want to add my recent experience to help others - I submitted my SDI documents about 3 weeks ago and learned a few things that might be useful. First, when you're scanning your ID, make sure the edges aren't cut off even slightly - EDD rejected my first submission because a tiny corner of my license was missing from the scan. Second, if you have an older W2 that's starting to fade, you can sometimes improve the contrast by placing a white sheet of paper behind it when scanning to make the numbers more visible. Finally, I found that naming my files with the date helped me keep track of which version I submitted: "DE1234567_DriversLicense_Front_2025-03-29.pdf". This was super helpful when I had to call EDD to reference my submission. The whole process took about 12 business days from upload to claim approval, so definitely be patient but stay on top of checking your status. Good luck everyone!

I've been following this thread closely since I'm about to submit my own documents for SDI verification. The collective wisdom here is incredible! One thing I wanted to add that might help future readers - if you're using your smartphone to take photos of documents instead of scanning, make sure to turn off the flash and use natural lighting from a window. I learned this the hard way when my first attempt at photographing my ID created terrible glare that made parts of the text unreadable. Also, for anyone worried about file sizes, most modern phones let you adjust photo quality in camera settings - choosing "high efficiency" or "medium" quality usually keeps files under the 5MB limit while still maintaining good clarity. The multiple submission approach everyone's recommending really does seem like the safest bet. I'm planning to upload tonight during off-peak hours like Diez suggested, then mail certified copies tomorrow morning. This community has turned what seemed like an impossible bureaucratic maze into a manageable step-by-step process. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Just joined this community after spending hours searching for answers about the 4365DI form request. Like you, my doctor already submitted everything electronically weeks ago and I've completed ID.me verification, but I still got that confusing letter asking for the form that I can't even find online. Reading through all these responses has been a huge relief - I was starting to think I had somehow messed up the process, but it's clearly a widespread system issue where EDD's databases aren't communicating properly. The advice about asking for "technical specialists" and specifically requesting them to check "provider portal submissions" is incredibly valuable. I'm planning to call first thing tomorrow morning armed with these strategies. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become experts in EDD's broken internal systems just to get our legitimate benefits, but at least now I know there's a path forward. Thanks for posting this - you've helped more people than you probably realize! 🙏

This thread is incredibly helpful and reassuring! I'm a newcomer here and just went through this exact nightmare myself. Got the 4365DI form request letter last week despite my doctor submitting everything electronically AND completing ID.me verification. I was convinced I had done something wrong until I found this discussion. The detailed advice about asking for "technical specialists" and requesting them to check "provider portal submissions" is pure gold - I never would have known those were specific things to ask for! It's mind-blowing that in 2025 we're dealing with government systems where multiple databases can't communicate with each other properly. I called yesterday morning using these strategies and SUCCESS! The technical specialist found my doctor's electronic submission immediately and cleared the 4365DI requirement on the spot. The whole call took 20 minutes once I got through to the right person. For anyone still struggling with this - these tips really work! Don't give up and don't let them make you redo paperwork that's already been submitted correctly. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions! 🙏

I'm a new mom who just went through this exact situation two months ago! My heart goes out to you because I know how panicked and helpless you feel right now. One thing that really helped me was preparing a "correction packet" before going to my doctor's office. I included: a copy of my baby's birth certificate, hospital discharge summary, a printed blank DE 2501 form, and a simple letter explaining exactly what needed to be corrected and why it was urgent. When I walked into the office with everything organized and ready, they took me much more seriously. I also asked to speak with the office manager rather than just the front desk staff - sometimes you need to go up the chain to get action. The key phrase I used was "this medical error is costing my family thousands of dollars in legally entitled benefits" - that seemed to really drive home the urgency. Also, definitely submit that DE 1000A appeal form as backup protection while you're working on the medical correction. You've got this, mama! Keep advocating for yourself and your family. 💪

I'm a new mom who went through almost the exact same thing 4 months ago with my SDI claim! My doctor wrote my c-section date wrong by one day and my return to work date was off by 6 weeks - it was absolutely terrifying when I realized EDD was going to cut my benefits short by thousands of dollars. Here's what worked for me: I went to my doctor's office first thing in the morning with a "correction folder" containing my hospital discharge papers, baby's birth certificate, and a pre-filled DE 2501 form with the CORRECT dates highlighted. I told them I wasn't leaving until they fixed it and submitted it electronically. The key was being polite but firm - I said "this medical error is jeopardizing my family's financial stability during my recovery." They submitted the correction that day and I got confirmation within 72 hours. Also, make sure you screenshot your current SDI Online account showing the wrong dates as evidence. The whole thing took about a week to fully process once submitted. You're doing everything right by being persistent - don't let them brush you off! This is fixable and you will get your full benefits. Hang in there mama! 💪