As someone who's been through the SDI process multiple times over the past few years, I want to echo what everyone else has said - this timing is completely normal and nothing to panic about! I know it feels really stressful when you're new to the system and the form doesn't appear until the very last day, but EDD has always processed my payments on schedule when I certify on that first available day. What I've learned is that the certification period has to fully complete before you can certify for it, which is why there's that one-day window between when the form becomes available and the deadline. It's just poor design that they don't explain this anywhere on their website. For anyone still waiting for their form to become available - take a deep breath, certify as soon as the system lets you, and your payment should process normally. And definitely follow the great advice about taking screenshots of your confirmation page - it really helps with peace of mind when dealing with EDD's sometimes unreliable website updates. This community has been such a lifeline for navigating all of EDD's confusing processes!

I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm dealing with my very first SDI claim and was absolutely convinced I had broken something when my continued claim form didn't show up until today - literally one day before the deadline. I've been checking the EDD portal multiple times daily for the past week, getting more anxious each time the form wasn't there. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially @Kristian Bishop's successful outcome, has been such a huge relief. It's really frustrating that EDD doesn't provide any explanation for this timing anywhere - when you're already dealing with health issues and financial stress, the last thing you need is wondering if you're about to miss a crucial payment deadline. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and advice. I'm definitely going to take screenshots when I submit later today, and it's so comforting to know this community exists to help navigate EDD's poorly explained processes!

Just wanted to add my experience from this week! After reading through all the incredible advice in this thread, I finally got through to EDD using the 8:02am timing with the 2-4-1-3 menu sequence. But here's what I discovered that might help others - my claim was actually stuck because of a "provider verification issue" that wasn't showing up anywhere in my online account or as an Action Item. The rep told me that since 2025, they're doing additional verification checks on medical providers to prevent fraud, and sometimes legitimate doctors get flagged if their office information doesn't exactly match EDD's database. She was able to clear the flag immediately once she verified my doctor's credentials, and my extension was approved within 24 hours. So if you're stuck in processing limbo and the Action Items check doesn't reveal anything, specifically ask the rep to check for "provider verification holds" - it might be another hidden issue blocking your claim. This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating this broken system!

This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been lurking here for days while trying to navigate my own EDD nightmare - my disability extension has been stuck in "processing" for over 6 weeks with zero communication. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and solutions has given me so much hope and a clear action plan. I had no idea about the Action Items section, the ICD-11 coding issues, provider verification holds, or any of these phone timing strategies. Tomorrow I'm going to start with checking those hidden Action Items first, then try the 8:02am call with the 2-4-1-3 sequence if needed. Also planning to contact my doctor's office about the diagnostic codes and ask the rep specifically about medical coding discrepancies and provider verification issues. It's absolutely shameful that people dealing with disabilities have to become phone system hackers and learn about obscure verification processes just to access benefits we've paid into, but this community sharing real solutions is truly a lifeline when the official system fails us. Thank you to everyone who has shared their hard-won knowledge here - will definitely report back with my results to add to this incredible resource!

I just want to echo what others have said - you absolutely CAN get alternate base period as an out-of-state worker! I'm a Nevada resident who went through this exact process for regular disability (not pregnancy) about 6 months ago. The biggest game-changer for me was being super organized and explicit from the beginning. Here's my exact process that worked: 1. Created a one-page summary showing my earnings by quarter and why alternate base period would qualify me vs. standard (include dollar amounts!) 2. Wrote "REQUESTING ALTERNATE BASE PERIOD CALCULATION" in red ink across the top of the first page 3. Included a business-style cover letter explaining my out-of-state status and SDI eligibility 4. Attached copies of W-2s and recent paystubs showing SDI deductions Most importantly: I called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday and got connected to someone who actually understood alternate base periods. She put detailed notes on my file BEFORE I submitted anything, which I think made all the difference. Total timeline: 4.5 weeks from submission to first payment, no appeals needed. The key is treating this like a business transaction - be professional, organized, and make it easy for them to approve you. EDD's system is frustrating but it does work when you navigate it correctly!

I'm currently going through this exact same situation - Nevada resident, pregnant, working remotely for a CA company, and desperately needing alternate base period! Reading all these responses gives me so much hope because I was starting to think it was impossible. I've been putting together my application packet based on everyone's advice here. One thing I want to add that helped me feel more confident: I called my HR department to confirm they've been withholding SDI from my paychecks and asked them to email me a statement showing the total SDI contributions year-to-date. Having that official documentation from my employer (beyond just paystubs) feels like extra proof that I'm legitimately in the CA system. Also, for anyone else in this boat - I created a simple spreadsheet showing my quarterly earnings for both the standard base period and the alternate base period I'm requesting, with the calculated weekly benefit amounts for each. Seeing the numbers laid out clearly really drives home why the alternate period is necessary. Planning to call Wednesday at 8:00 AM sharp to get a specialist to add notes to my file before I submit everything. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is literally a lifesaver for those of us dealing with EDD's confusing system!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it sounds absolutely terrifying when you're counting on those benefits! I'm a new member here but I've been lurking and reading about similar issues. From what I've gathered from other posts, this "phantom claim" glitch seems to be a real problem that's affecting quite a few people. I haven't personally gone through this yet (still on my first half of bonding leave), but seeing all the detailed advice here is both helpful and concerning. It's reassuring to know that claims can be restored, but frustrating that it seems to require so much persistence and the right terminology to get proper help. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences and solutions - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating EDD's complicated system. Amara, I really hope you get through tomorrow morning and can get this resolved quickly! 🤞

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My PFL claim disappeared from my account about a week ago, and I've been in panic mode ever since. It's such a relief to find this thread and realize I'm not alone - I was starting to think I was going crazy or had somehow messed up my application. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow and use the "phantom claim glitch" terminology that @Wesley mentioned. It's frustrating that we have to become EDD experts just to get our rightful benefits, but I'm grateful for this community sharing all these tips. @Amara, please keep us updated on how your call goes! I'll be rooting for you and will share my own experience once I hopefully get through to someone. We've got this! 💪

I'm new to this community but this thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who's currently on SDI for chronic pain issues and getting nervous about approaching that 52-week mark, reading everyone's experiences has given me both realistic expectations and hope. @Brielle Johnson - your transformation from panic to having a solid plan is incredibly inspiring! The fact that you discovered long-term disability coverage through your employer that you didn't even know existed is such an important reminder for all of us. I'm definitely calling my HR department first thing tomorrow to see what benefits I might have. What really stands out to me is how this community came together to provide such specific, actionable advice. The guidance about getting detailed functional documentation from doctors, using Claimyr to actually reach EDD representatives, starting SSDI applications early - these are the kinds of real-world tips that make all the difference but aren't available in any official resources. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed explanations about SSDI requirements. I had no idea that they need proof you can't do ANY work, not just your previous job. That's going to completely change how I talk to my doctor about documenting my limitations. For anyone else reading this thread - definitely save it as a reference guide. The combination of personal experiences and practical resources shared here is pure gold for navigating these complex disability systems. Thanks to everyone for being so open and supportive!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share that I'm currently facing a similar situation - I've been on SDI for about 8 months now for a spinal cord injury and my doctor is saying I'll likely need the full 52 weeks plus additional time for recovery. Reading through this entire thread has been both terrifying and incredibly helpful. @Brielle Johnson - I'm so relieved to hear you found that long-term disability coverage! Your systematic approach really shows how important it is to leave no stone unturned. I had no idea that so many employers offer LTD benefits that people don't even know about. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I need to: 1. Call my HR department IMMEDIATELY to check for any LTD coverage 2. Start researching SSDI requirements and begin that application process 3. Get my doctor to document specific functional limitations rather than general statements 4. Look into county assistance programs as backup options The advice about using Claimyr to actually reach EDD is golden - I've been trying to get through for weeks with no luck. And the detailed explanations about SSDI requiring proof you can't do ANY work (not just your previous job) completely changes how I need to approach my medical documentation. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly. This community is providing exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes navigating these complex systems actually possible. I'll definitely update everyone on what I discover about my own benefits and options!