I was actually at the Van Nuys office last month for my own SDI issue (not entertainment related) and overheard someone getting the same runaround about freelance work. Seems like they're applying this policy to lots of different types of gig workers. The whole "must have a specific job to return to" thing doesn't match what the actual SDI regulations say at all.

As someone new to this community but dealing with similar issues, this gives me so much hope! I'm a freelance photographer who got injured during a personal shoot (not work-related) and EDD denied my SDI claim saying I don't have "steady employment." It's so frustrating because I've been paying into SDI for years through my 1099 work. I had no idea there was supposedly a memo targeting entertainment workers - that sounds like it could be grounds for a discrimination complaint? Either way, I'm definitely filing an appeal after reading this. Thank you for sharing your victory and giving the rest of us hope that the system can actually work when we fight back!

I had a similar issue last week! What helped me was using an incognito/private browsing window and making sure I wasn't using any browser extensions that might interfere. Also, try submitting during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) when there's less traffic on the site. The EDD system seems to get overwhelmed during busy times. If you're still stuck after trying the technical fixes others mentioned, you might want to visit a local One-Stop Career Center - they sometimes have staff who can help with online applications. Don't give up, you'll get through this! 💪

I've been dealing with EDD issues for months now and I feel your frustration! One thing that helped me was switching to a different internet connection entirely - sometimes it's not just the browser but your ISP that's causing issues. I went to a local library and was able to submit successfully from there. Also, if you have any pop-up blockers or security software running, try temporarily disabling them. The EDD site seems particularly sensitive to these. Keep screenshots of every error you get - if you end up having to call or visit in person, having documentation of your attempts really helps prove you've been trying to file on time. Don't let the system defeat you! 🙌

I'm currently dealing with my first disability extension and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! My doctor submitted the extension paperwork about a week ago, but like so many others here, I had no clue about the DE 2500A continued claim form until reading all these responses. What really strikes me is how many people have had the exact same confusion about this process - it's clear that EDD's communication is severely lacking when it comes to explaining extensions. The fact that the doctor's medical certification and the patient's continued claim form are two separate processes that both need to be completed should be prominently displayed somewhere on their website, but it's basically hidden. I just found and submitted my DE 2500A form after reading everyone's advice here. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've been through multiple extensions, do you find that EDD gets better at processing them after the first one, or is each extension just as much of a bureaucratic maze to navigate? Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences. This community knowledge has probably saved dozens of people from payment gaps and unnecessary stress during an already difficult time!

I'm going through my first disability extension right now and this thread has been such a lifesaver! My doctor just submitted extension paperwork last week but I was completely lost about what I needed to do next. Reading everyone's experiences here has been more helpful than anything I could find on EDD's actual website. Just wanted to add one thing I learned from my research - if you're having trouble finding the DE 2500A form in your SDI Online account, try clearing your browser cache and logging in again. I was looking for it for days and it wasn't showing up, but after clearing my cache it appeared right away in the Forms section. Sometimes EDD's website has technical glitches that prevent forms from displaying properly. Also, I started keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking all my submission dates, confirmation numbers, and certification due dates. Given how unreliable EDD's system can be, having your own records seems really important in case you need to prove you submitted something on time. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've made this stressful process so much more manageable!

As someone who works in workers' compensation and has seen countless SDI cases, I can confirm what everyone here is saying - there are NO regular bi-weekly certifications required for State Disability Insurance like there are for unemployment benefits. The key difference is that SDI is based on medical certification from your doctor, not your ongoing job search activity. Once your physician certifies that you're unable to work for a specific period due to your medical condition, EDD processes payments automatically for that certified period. A few important reminders based on what I see in my work: 1) Make sure your doctor is very specific about your work restrictions and expected recovery timeline on the initial certification 2) Keep copies of ALL medical documentation related to your disability 3) If you return to work earlier than expected, notify EDD immediately to avoid overpayment issues 4) If your recovery takes longer than initially certified, you'll need your doctor to submit an extension The peace of mind of not having to worry about certification deadlines while recovering from surgery is one of the few advantages SDI has over the UI system. Focus on healing - the payments will come automatically as long as everything was filed correctly initially. Good luck with your carpal tunnel surgery! It's a very common procedure with good success rates.

As someone new to this community but unfortunately not new to navigating EDD benefits, I wanted to thank everyone for this incredibly helpful thread! I'm scheduled for carpal tunnel release surgery in May and was having the exact same concerns about certification requirements. I went through unemployment benefits last year after a layoff and the bi-weekly certification process was so stressful - constantly worried about missing deadlines or making mistakes that could jeopardize my benefits. The thought of dealing with that while recovering from hand surgery was honestly making me more anxious than the surgery itself! Reading through all these real experiences has been so much more helpful than anything I found on the EDD website. It's amazing how much clearer things become when people who've actually been through the process share their knowledge. One quick question for those who mentioned the mobile app - is it pretty user-friendly? I'm not the most tech-savvy person and if I'm going to be dealing with limited hand mobility post-surgery, I want to make sure I can actually navigate it if needed. Thanks again to everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion. This community is a lifesaver for people trying to figure out these confusing government systems!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm currently dealing with the exact same situation - my SDI payments for a rotator cuff surgery just switched to "waiting" status after 7 weeks of regular payments. I was completely panicking because I had no idea what was happening and couldn't get through to anyone at EDD. Reading through everyone's experiences about the recertification requirement has been such a relief. I just checked my SDI Online account and sure enough, my original certification period ended this week. My surgeon initially estimated 6-8 weeks but I'm definitely still not ready to return to work - can barely lift my arm above shoulder height. Going to call my doctor's office first thing tomorrow with all this great information about the DE 2525XX form and the provider portal. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD doesn't explain any of this process clearly or send reminders before certification periods expire. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines - knowing that payments typically resume within 4-5 business days after the form is submitted gives me so much hope! This thread has literally saved my sanity.

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm not currently on SDI but I'm scheduled for knee surgery next month and my doctor mentioned I'll probably need 6-8 weeks off work. Reading through everyone's experiences about the recertification process has me taking notes so I don't get blindsided when my initial certification period expires. It's really eye-opening how many people have gone through this exact same "waiting" status panic when payments suddenly stop. The fact that EDD doesn't proactively communicate about recertification requirements seems like a major system flaw - especially when people are already dealing with recovery stress. I'm definitely going to ask my surgeon about the DE 2525XX form ahead of time and make sure their office is familiar with submitting through the SDI Online provider portal. Thanks to everyone who shared such detailed experiences and solutions - this is way more helpful than anything on the official EDD website!