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I'm in a similar boat planning surgery abroad for medical reasons! This thread is incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the US Consulate notarization option or that EDD had a specific unit for complex foreign cases. Quick question for those who've been through this: did anyone have issues with their employer being supportive of the foreign surgery aspect? I'm worried my HR department might be hesitant to complete their portion of the DE 2501 if they think the surgery seems "sketchy" for being done outside the US, even though it's for legitimate medical reasons. Also, @Avery Flores - congrats on the amazing weight loss! It's frustrating how the medical system treats the aftermath of such a positive health change as "cosmetic" when you're dealing with real physical problems. Sounds like you're doing all the right research ahead of time though!
Thanks for the congrats! And you're asking a really important question about employer support that I honestly hadn't fully considered. From what I've learned in this thread, it sounds like the key is framing it properly with HR - emphasizing the medical necessity aspect rather than the "foreign surgery" part. I'm planning to approach it as "I'm having a medically necessary procedure to address skin conditions caused by my weight loss, and I'll need X weeks of recovery time" rather than leading with "I'm going to Mexico for surgery." I think bringing documentation from my US doctors about the medical necessity will help show HR this isn't some sketchy medical tourism situation, but legitimate treatment that just happens to be more affordable abroad. Plus having all the proper forms and translations ready should demonstrate that I'm taking it seriously and handling everything professionally. That said, I'm definitely going to have that conversation with HR soon to gauge their reaction and address any concerns they might have. Better to know now if there are going to be issues rather than finding out when I need their signature on the forms! Good luck with your own surgery planning - this community has been such a goldmine of practical advice!
I'm a newcomer here but this thread is incredibly informative! I'm actually considering bariatric surgery myself and hadn't even thought about the potential SDI implications for dealing with excess skin later on. @Avery Flores - first off, huge congratulations on your weight loss journey! 180lbs is absolutely incredible and you should be so proud of that achievement. Reading through everyone's advice, it seems like the key themes are: 1) thorough documentation from US doctors about medical necessity, 2) making sure your Mexican surgeon completes the EDD forms exactly as required, 3) getting certified translations done properly, and 4) contacting EDD's specialized unit beforehand. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone dealt with the situation where you might need follow-up care once you return to the US? Like if there were complications or you needed additional medical attention from a US doctor, would that affect your SDI claim in any way? I'm wondering if it's worth establishing a relationship with a US plastic surgeon beforehand, even if you're not using them for the primary procedure. This community is amazing - so much practical, real-world advice that you just can't get anywhere else. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences!
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I went through this exact same stress just a couple months ago! My claim was approved and I kept checking my mailbox every single day like a crazy person waiting for that card. Here's what I learned: The card definitely comes AFTER your first payment is processed, not when you're approved. You can track this on your SDI Online account - once you see "Payment Issued" status, that's when the 7-10 business day countdown starts for the card to arrive. A few things that would have saved me some panic if I'd known: - The envelope is super plain and says "Bank of America" not "EDD" - You can call BoA at 1-866-692-9374 to confirm they mailed it (they'll give you the date it was sent) - If you're really desperate, apparently you can go to any BoA branch with ID and your SDI account info to do a teller withdrawal before the card arrives I was so worried about rent too, but the card showed up exactly when everyone said it would. The waiting is terrible when you need the money, but it's coming! Just keep checking that SDI Online account for your payment status.
This is such great advice! I'm definitely going to save that Bank of America number for when I inevitably start panicking about my card not arriving fast enough. The tip about being able to do a teller withdrawal at BoA branches is something I keep seeing mentioned but had no idea about - that could really help people who are in urgent financial situations while waiting. It's crazy how much more helpful this community is than the actual EDD website or phone system. All these real experiences and timelines are exactly what someone like me needs to hear when going through this process for the first time!
I just went through this exact situation last month! My disability claim was approved on a Wednesday, first payment processed the following Monday, and my card arrived exactly 8 business days later. Here's what really helped me during the wait: - Download the Bank of America mobile app once your card arrives - you can check your balance and transaction history instantly - The card activation process is super quick (can do it online or by phone) - Don't worry about the April 15th thing - that's definitely not related to disability cards One thing I wish I'd known: if you're really strapped for cash while waiting, some grocery stores and pharmacies will let you get cash back even with a debit card that hasn't been activated yet (as long as the funds are loaded). Just need to use it as credit instead of debit. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when bills are due, but based on everyone's experiences here, your card should arrive within the next week or so. Keep checking that plain white envelope from Bank of America - it really does look like junk mail!
Wait, you can use the card for cash back before it's activated? That's something I've never heard before! Are you sure about that? I thought debit cards had to be activated before any transactions would work, even credit transactions. That would be amazing if true since I'm really tight on money right now waiting for my card. Do you remember which stores let you do this, or is it just hit or miss depending on the cashier?
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This thread is exactly what I needed to read! I'm a benefits coordinator at a mid-size company and I see this confusion ALL the time. Employees constantly think that filing with Sedgwick automatically handles everything, when in reality Sedgwick is just our third-party administrator for FMLA and company leave policies. What I always tell our employees is: Think of it as two completely different buckets - Sedgwick protects your job and tracks your time off, while EDD SDI replaces a portion of your lost wages. They don't talk to each other AT ALL. For anyone reading this who might face this situation in the future, I'd also recommend asking your HR department for a clear breakdown of what benefits are available to you BEFORE you need them. Some companies offer supplemental short-term disability that pays more than state SDI, while others rely entirely on the state program. Knowing this ahead of time can save you stress and confusion when you're already dealing with a medical issue. Miguel, your sister is so fortunate to have you advocating for her. The number of employees who miss out on benefits simply because no one explained the system properly is honestly heartbreaking.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective as a benefits coordinator! It's really validating to hear from someone who sees this confusion regularly - it makes me feel less frustrated about how unclear this whole process has been. Your "two buckets" analogy is perfect and I'm definitely going to use that when explaining it to my sister. The fact that you see this confusion ALL the time really highlights how poorly this system is communicated to employees. I think the proactive approach you mentioned about asking HR for a benefits breakdown before you need them is brilliant advice that everyone should follow. It's just unfortunate that most people (like us) only learn about these distinctions when they're already in the middle of a medical situation and stressed about other things. Your point about employees missing out on benefits due to poor explanation is exactly what we were worried about happening to my sister. Thank you for the work you do in helping employees navigate these systems - it clearly makes a huge difference!
This has been such an educational thread! I'm actually going through something similar right now - my wife is about to start a 4-week medical leave for a procedure, and our HR department gave us the same vague "contact Sedgwick" advice without mentioning EDD at all. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear that we need to be much more proactive about filing separately with both systems. I'm curious - for those who have been through this process, how long did it typically take to get approved and start receiving SDI benefits after filing? My wife is the primary breadwinner in our household, so timing is pretty important for us. Also, did anyone have issues with their doctor being unfamiliar with the EDD medical certification forms? Her surgeon is part of a large medical group, so I'm hoping they deal with these forms regularly, but I want to be prepared in case we need to provide additional guidance to their office. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to save us from making the same mistakes that so many others have made!
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As someone who's navigated the EDD disability system multiple times, I can confirm what others have said - you're handling this correctly! The key thing to remember is that your supplemental certification is just closing out your existing claim, not starting anything new. Since your disability legitimately ended on 4/10 as your doctor certified, and you returned to work on 4/11 (just with a different employer), you're in compliance. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - if your new job offers better accommodations for your chronic condition, you might want to document this transition in case you ever need to apply for disability benefits again in the future. Having a clear record of why you changed jobs (health-related accommodations) could be helpful context for any future claims. Also, don't stress too much about EDD contacting your new employer. They're primarily focused on ensuring you weren't working while claiming benefits, which clearly wasn't the case since your disability ended before you started the new job. Complete that supplemental form accurately by 5/1 and you should be all set!
This is such valuable advice, especially about documenting the transition for future reference! I hadn't thought about how this job change might be relevant for any future disability claims. You're absolutely right that having a clear record of seeking better accommodations could provide important context later. I feel much more confident now about completing the supplemental form - it's clear that as long as I'm accurate with the dates and my disability genuinely ended when certified, I should be fine. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!
Just wanted to add my experience since I went through something very similar last year! I was on SDI for a back injury and my original return-to-work date was supposed to be with my warehouse job, but I realized I couldn't handle the physical demands anymore. I found an office job that started two days after my disability period ended. I was really worried about the same thing - whether switching employers would complicate my supplemental certification. But like everyone else has said, it was totally fine! I just filled out the form with my actual disability end date and my actual return-to-work date. EDD didn't question it at all because the timeline made sense and matched what my doctor had certified. The only extra thing I did was include a brief note on the form explaining that I found employment better suited to my medical limitations. Not sure if it was necessary, but it gave me peace of mind. Your situation sounds even more straightforward since you only had a one-day gap between jobs. You've got this!
Madison Allen
I'm so relieved to find this thread! I just started my SDI claim last month and have been getting same-day payments, but after reading everyone's experiences I'm now dreading what's going to happen when I hit that 4-month mark. It sounds like this delay issue is pretty much guaranteed once you've been on disability for a while. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and taking notes on everyone's advice - especially about calling right at 8am, asking specifically for a supervisor, and requesting that "payment processing override note." It's crazy that EDD doesn't warn people about these policy changes or explain why payments suddenly start taking longer. For those who successfully got the override note added to their accounts - are your payments back to processing same-day, or are they still taking longer than before just not as long as the 4-6 day delays? Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. This community is a lifesaver when dealing with EDD's confusing system!
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Brianna Muhammad
•You're smart to be prepared! I wish I had known about this when I started my claim. From what I've experienced after getting the override note added, my payments are back to processing within 24-48 hours instead of the awful 4-6 day delays. Not quite as fast as the same-day payments I got in the beginning, but SO much better than waiting almost a week every time. One thing I'd recommend is keeping detailed records of your certification dates and payment dates from the start. That way when you do hit the 4-month mark and need to call EDD, you can show the supervisor the exact pattern of when delays started. It really helped my case when I could tell them "I certified on X date and didn't get paid until Y date, but before that my payments were always next-day." Also, don't wait until you're desperate like some of us did - call as soon as you notice the first delayed payment rather than hoping it's just a one-time thing. The sooner you get that override note, the less stress you'll have to deal with!
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Fatima Al-Maktoum
I'm experiencing the exact same delays! Started my SDI claim in December and was getting payments deposited within hours of certifying for the first 3 months. Then suddenly in March, every certification started taking 5-6 days with zero explanation from EDD. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear this is a systematic issue with their fraud detection system kicking in after 4+ months. I had no idea this was even a thing - EDD should really inform claimants about these policy changes instead of leaving us wondering what went wrong. I'm definitely going to try calling first thing Monday morning at 8am and specifically ask for a supervisor to add that "payment processing override note" to my account. @Lucas Parker - thanks for sharing that specific terminology! Did the agent mention if there are any other triggers besides the 4-month mark that cause these delays? I'm trying to figure out if there's anything else I should avoid to keep payments processing smoothly. This thread has been incredibly helpful. It's so frustrating that we have to crowdsource solutions to deal with EDD's broken system, but at least we're helping each other navigate it!
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Ellie Simpson
•I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just hit my 4-month mark in February and boom - went from same-day payments to waiting almost a week every time. It's such a relief to find this thread and realize it's not just me or something I did wrong. I tried calling EDD multiple times this week but kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold for hours. Definitely going to try the 8am strategy and ask specifically for a supervisor about that payment processing override note. @Lucas Parker mentioned the agent was helpful once they got through - gives me hope that there s'actually a solution! One thing I m'wondering is whether anyone knows if this enhanced review process affects the amount we receive or just the timing? My payments have been the correct amount, just delayed, but want to make sure I m'not missing anything important. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is seriously a lifesaver when dealing with EDD s'mess of a system!
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