Hey Paolo, I went through this exact same situation last year! The key thing that helped me was understanding that you can actually request both a wage verification review AND the alternate base period calculation at the same time. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. Get through to EDD using that Claimyr service others mentioned - it really works 2. Ask specifically for BOTH: a wage verification review AND alternate base period calculation 3. Have all your recent pay stubs ready to reference dates and amounts 4. Get a case number for your request so you can follow up The alternate base period option that Oliver mentioned could be a game-changer for you if your higher wages started 14 months ago. When I did this, the rep was able to see that my employer had been reporting wages correctly, but they just needed to apply the alternate calculation method. Don't give up! I increased my weekly benefit by almost $200 after getting this sorted out. The backpay made a huge difference too. Just be persistent and make sure you ask for both options - some reps won't mention the alternate base period unless you specifically bring it up.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Filed my SDI claim two weeks ago and just realized they're using wages from my part-time retail job from 2023 instead of my current full-time position where I've been working since early 2024. The difference is almost $400/week less than what I should be getting! Reading through all these comments has been super helpful - I had no idea about the alternate base period option. @Oliver Becker thanks for explaining that! And @Emma Bianchi your step-by-step advice is exactly what I needed. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service to get through to someone. Has anyone had success getting the alternate base period calculation approved recently? I'm worried they might deny it even though my situation seems to fit the criteria. Also, for those who got backpay - did it come automatically once they corrected the calculation, or did you have to request it separately?

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation while managing a newborn and your own health complications! Unfortunately, what you're experiencing is incredibly common - EDD seems to have a systematic issue with understanding that being on approved leave doesn't mean you've "withdrawn from the labor market." I went through almost the exact same thing in 2023. I was on maternity leave, developed postpartum complications, and EDD denied my SDI claim with identical language. It was devastating because I was still employed and had every intention of returning to work! Here's what helped me win my appeal: **Key documentation to gather:** - Detailed letter from HR confirming you were an active employee on approved leave with a specific planned return date - Medical documentation from your doctor clearly distinguishing your postpartum complications as a NEW condition separate from normal pregnancy/childbirth recovery - Simple timeline showing: original leave → planned return date → when complications developed → SDI filing date **During the hearing focus on:** - You were still employed (just temporarily unable to work due to medical condition) - You had concrete plans to return to work before the complications arose - This is a separate disability that developed while you were still attached to the labor market My hearing lasted about 30 minutes and I received a favorable decision within 2 weeks. The judge was very professional and understood the situation once I explained the timeline clearly. Don't let their denial discourage you - you have a strong case! This is exactly what SDI is designed to cover. The appeals process really works when you're properly prepared. You've got this!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! I was on maternity leave when I developed severe postpartum complications, and EDD denied my SDI claim with the identical "withdrew from labor market" reasoning. It's so infuriating because I was still employed - just on approved leave! Reading through all these success stories has given me so much hope. It's clear that EDD has a major training issue with their initial reviewers not understanding employment status during leave transitions. The fact that so many people have won these appeals shows the system works once you get in front of someone who actually understands employment law. I'm scheduled for my hearing in a few weeks and I'm following everyone's advice here - getting that detailed HR letter, having my doctor clearly distinguish my complications from normal recovery, and preparing a clean timeline. The encouragement from everyone who's been through this is keeping me sane during such a stressful time while dealing with a newborn and health issues. Thank you for sharing your story and starting this incredibly helpful discussion thread! It's been a lifeline for those of us navigating this confusing appeals process.

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my voice to all the excellent advice you've received here. As someone who works in healthcare administration and has helped many patients navigate disability claims, I can confirm that your situation is absolutely eligible for CA SDI benefits. What I find particularly encouraging about your case is that you have clear documentation - those SDI deductions on your pay stubs are your proof of eligibility. The cross-state work arrangement that initially seemed like a complication is actually quite straightforward from the SDI system's perspective. One additional resource I'd suggest is reaching out to your cancer center's financial counselor or social worker if they have one on staff. Many comprehensive cancer centers have specialists who are very familiar with disability benefit applications and can sometimes help expedite the medical certification process with your oncologist. Also, given the serious nature of your diagnosis, you should know that CA SDI has provisions for expedited processing in certain medical situations. When you apply online, there should be options to indicate the urgency of your condition. You're taking all the right steps by getting this process started quickly. Focus on your treatment and recovery - the financial support system is there for exactly these circumstances. Sending you positive thoughts for your healing journey!

I'm also new to this community and just wanted to say how incredible this thread has been to read through. As someone who's been dealing with my own cross-state employment situation (living in CA but working remotely for a company in Oregon), I've been wondering about SDI eligibility myself. Your situation with the lymphoma diagnosis and needing extended time off really puts things in perspective about why these safety nets exist. It's so reassuring to see how many knowledgeable people came forward to confirm your eligibility and provide such detailed guidance. One thing I noticed from all the responses is how important it is to act quickly with the application process, especially given the waiting periods and processing times involved. The fact that you're already checking your pay stubs for SDI deductions and planning to apply online right away shows you're on the right track. I'm bookmarking this entire thread as a reference - the information about medical certifications, online applications, record keeping, and additional resources has been incredibly valuable. This community really shows what supportive expertise looks like. Wishing you strength through your treatment journey. You've definitely got the knowledge and support you need to navigate this process successfully!

This entire thread is absolutely incredible - what started as one person's urgent question about submitting a late SDI explanation has turned into the most comprehensive guide I've ever seen for handling this exact situation! As someone new to this community who's been struggling to understand EDD's confusing system, I'm blown away by how everyone kept building on each other's advice to create this amazing step-by-step resource. The progression from basic submission methods to advanced strategies about medical documentation, timing, and even appeals processes shows the real power of peer support when official resources fail us. I'm bookmarking this entire discussion and will definitely share it with anyone facing similar late filing situations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and create such a valuable roadmap - you've turned what could be a nightmare scenario into a manageable process with clear action steps and realistic hope for success!

This thread is absolutely phenomenal! As a new member who just joined after struggling with my own EDD confusion, I'm amazed at how this community has created what's essentially the definitive guide for late SDI filing. Reading through everyone's contributions - from the initial panic about submission methods all the way to professional-level advice about contemporaneous documentation and appeals processes - shows exactly why peer support is so crucial when official resources leave you hanging. I particularly appreciate how people kept coming back with updates and additional insights, creating this living resource that covers every possible scenario. The fact that multiple community members successfully navigated this process and shared their exact steps gives real hope to anyone facing this stressful situation. I'm bookmarking this entire discussion and will definitely point other members here who need help with late filings. Thank you to everyone who took time to share their knowledge - you've collectively created something more valuable than any official EDD guide I've seen!

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and can confirm what others are saying - you WILL get paid for those remaining days! My disability ended on a Wednesday and my final payment came about 8 days later for the partial week. The key thing is that EDD pays you through the day BEFORE your return-to-work date, so if you're returning April 12th, you should get paid through April 11th. The delay happens because they have to process the final certification and make sure everything matches up with your doctor's paperwork. Don't panic if it takes a week or two longer than expected - that's totally normal for the final payment. Just budget accordingly knowing it's coming but might be delayed a bit.

I'm in a similar situation right now - my disability period ends next week and I was worried about the same thing! Reading through everyone's responses here is so helpful. It sounds like the consensus is that we DO get paid for those final days, but there's often a delay of 1-2 weeks after our return-to-work date before that final payment shows up. I'm going to take the advice about double-checking that my doctor put the correct return-to-work date on the certification form. That seems like something that could easily cause problems if there's a mismatch. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know this is normal and the payment will come through eventually!