I'm dealing with a back injury that's forcing me to take a one-month unpaid medical leave starting next week. My doctor says I shouldn't be working during recovery, but my employer doesn't offer paid leave since I've only been there for 4 months. I'm totally confused about whether I should apply for disability or unemployment during this time. My HR person wasn't very helpful and just gave me a pamphlet with general info. Can I qualify for EDD disability even though it's just a month? Or should I file for unemployment instead? I'm worried about making rent if I have no income coming in. Does anyone know which one I'm eligible for in this situation? Also, how long does it take to get approved and actually receive benefits? I'm stressing out!!!

I just got a job offer today (wasn't expecting it so soon) and I'm currently on SDI until November 1st. My doctor is willing to release me early to start this new position on October 15th, but I'm super worried about the overpayment situation. Do I need to notify EDD before I start working? Is there a specific form I need to fill out? What happens with the benefit payments that are already scheduled? I've heard horror stories about people getting hit with overpayment notices months later and having to pay back thousands. Anyone been through this process of ending disability early for work? I really don't want to mess this up and end up owing EDD a bunch of money I won't have after starting a new job.

I'm setting up my direct deposit for my SDI benefits and just got redirected to this page with both Money Network and 'My Banking Direct' yellow logos when trying to enter my banking info. Has anyone else gone through this? Is this actually legit or some kind of phishing scam? I'm super paranoid after hearing about all the EDD fraud happening lately. The whole process has me confused with all these different websites, apps, and portals just to get my disability money transferred. Anyone who's recently set up direct deposit through Money Network - did you also see this My Banking Direct page? Really don't want to enter my bank details into some fake site. Thanks for any guidance!

I'm in a weird situation with EDD and don't know how to proceed. Last year I had a disability claim that EDD later decided was an overpayment (about $3200). I immediately filed an appeal because I believed their decision was wrong - I had all the proper medical documentation and followed every rule. While waiting for the appeal decision, I ended up on disability again about 8 months later for a different medical condition. Without warning, EDD took approximately $2800 from my new disability payments saying it was to recover the previous "overpayment." I just received notice that my appeal was successful and I did NOT owe that original overpayment after all! Great news, except now I'm wondering - how do I get back the $2800 they already took from my second claim? Do they automatically refund it? Do I have to file some special form? Call someone specific? The documentation doesn't explain what happens in this situation, and I really need that money for medical bills that piled up during my recovery. Has anyone been through this bizarre situation before? Thanks in advance for any advice!

I'm at my wit's end with EDD and desperately need advice! Back in October 2024, I developed severe carpal tunnel syndrome during my pregnancy (32 weeks now). My doctor recommended reduced typing/computer work, so I asked my employer for accommodations. They initially agreed to modified duties but then suddenly cut my hours by 60% without explanation. After 3 weeks of this, my doctor suggested I file for State Disability Insurance for the reduced hours. Here's where things got complicated - I filed the partial SDI claim in November, but it was denied because my employer contested it, claiming they had offered "reasonable accommodations" (they hadn't). I appealed the decision in December and FINALLY won my appeal in early February 2025. The judge ruled I was eligible for partial disability benefits for those reduced hours. But now I'm hitting another wall! I received the approval letter from the appeals board 3 months ago and immediately called the number provided to speak with a claims specialist about processing my payments. I've called literally 40+ times and either get disconnected or told "all representatives are busy." It's now been almost 7 months since my original claim and 3 months since winning my appeal, but I haven't received a PENNY. I've tried the regular EDD number, the appeals office, even sent messages through SDI Online - nothing! Does anyone know if there's a special number to call after winning an appeal? Can my employer counter-appeal the judge's decision? How do I actually get my approved benefits paid? I'm desperate at this point!