This is such a comprehensive discussion! As someone who just started the process with two part-time jobs, I wanted to add that it's also helpful to check if either of your employers offers Short Term Disability (STD) benefits that might supplement your state benefits. My main employer has an STD plan that coordinates with EDD disability payments, but my second job doesn't. The HR department at my main job explained that I need to apply for both programs separately, but the STD benefit will be reduced by whatever I receive from EDD to avoid "double dipping." It's worth checking with both employers to see if they have any supplemental disability benefits you might be eligible for - could help with that financial gap everyone's mentioned while waiting for benefits to start!

I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant and have been lurking on this thread for a while - thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences! I have two W2 jobs (restaurant server 25 hrs/week + retail cashier 15 hrs/week) and was completely overwhelmed about how to handle the SDI application until reading everyone's advice. One thing I wanted to ask about that I haven't seen mentioned - has anyone dealt with tip income reporting when you have multiple jobs? My server position involves significant tip income that gets reported on my W2, but I'm wondering if EDD looks at that differently than regular wages when calculating benefits from multiple employers. I'm also curious if anyone has experience with jobs that have very different work schedules (I work days at retail but nights/weekends at the restaurant) and whether that affected their leave coordination. The financial planning advice has been invaluable - I'm definitely going to start saving now to cover that 6-8 week buffer period everyone mentioned. This community has been so helpful for navigating what seemed like an impossible situation!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - been unemployed for 6 months and starting to feel the mental health impact too. Reading through these responses has been really eye-opening about the possibility of transitioning to SDI. I had no idea that mental health conditions could qualify if properly documented by a psychiatrist or psychologist. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully made the transition, did you find that having a longer unemployment period actually helped establish the timeline of when your mental health condition became disabling? It seems like there might be a difference between temporary job search stress versus a clinical condition that develops over time and genuinely prevents you from working. Also, has anyone dealt with potential employer questions about gaps in employment history when you eventually do return to job searching after SDI? I worry about how to explain that period professionally. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community has been incredibly helpful for navigating these complex EDD programs.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned from my own research and experience with EDD. I've been unemployed for about 7 months now, and the mental health impact has been significant - to the point where my doctor is now considering whether I qualify for SDI. A few things I've discovered that might be helpful: 1. The transition IS possible, but timing is crucial. You absolutely cannot be certifying for UI (claiming you're able and available to work) while simultaneously applying for SDI (claiming you're unable to work due to disability). This seems to be where people get into trouble. 2. Your base period for SDI will likely be different from your UI base period, which could mean a different benefit amount. In my case, it would actually be slightly higher because it looks further back when I was earning more. 3. Mental health conditions are legitimate disabilities IF they meet the legal definition - meaning they substantially limit your ability to perform major life activities, including work. It's not about being sad or stressed about unemployment; it's about having a diagnosed condition that genuinely prevents you from working. 4. The medical certification is everything. Your doctor needs to be specific about how your condition limits your work capacity, not just that you have anxiety or depression. I'm still deciding whether to pursue this route, but it's reassuring to know it's a legitimate option for those of us whose mental health has truly been impacted to the point of disability during this difficult job market. The stories shared here have been really helpful in understanding the process. Wishing you the best with your psychiatrist appointment - having that professional relationship already established seems like it will be really valuable.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been struggling with a mistake on my SDI form for the past week - I accidentally put down the wrong date when my disability started, and it's been holding up my entire claim. Reading everyone's strategies here has given me so much hope and a clear action plan. I'm definitely going to try the multi-pronged approach: downloading and faxing the DE 385 form with detailed corrections highlighted in yellow (love that tip!), calling at exactly 8:01 AM every morning, and keeping meticulous records of every attempt. The technical support line transfer trick is genius too - sometimes you need creative workarounds with these bureaucratic systems. It's honestly mind-blowing that we need to become EDD ninjas just to fix simple errors, but this community has created an amazing resource. Thank you to everyone who shared what actually worked for them - it's so much more valuable than the generic advice you find on official websites. Time to start my correction battle tomorrow morning! 🤞

I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! As someone who's been lurking here trying to figure out how to fix my own SDI form mistake, seeing all these detailed strategies and success stories has been a game-changer. The collective knowledge here is amazing - from the specific timing of 8:01 AM calls to the DE 385 form tips to the yellow highlighting trick. It's honestly frustrating that we need to become EDD tactical experts just to correct simple errors, but this community has basically created the ultimate guide for navigating this broken system. I'm saving all these tips and starting my own correction process first thing Monday morning. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share what actually worked - you're all heroes for helping fellow community members through this bureaucratic nightmare! 🙏

This entire thread is absolutely incredible! As someone who just joined this community while researching EDD processes, I'm amazed by how comprehensive and supportive everyone has been. You've basically created the definitive guide for SDI claim withdrawal. I'm currently in my first week of a disability claim for a back injury, but seeing how thorough and helpful this community is gives me so much confidence that I'll be able to navigate the system properly - whether I need to withdraw early like Fatima or see my claim through to completion. The emphasis on documentation at every step really stands out to me. It's clear that keeping detailed records, getting names/IDs of representatives, using certified mail, and maintaining multiple forms of communication (phone, written, in-person) is the key to avoiding problems down the road. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here - this is exactly the kind of real-world, practical advice that you can't find in official government resources. This community is such a valuable resource for anyone dealing with California's complex benefits system!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation - I filed an SDI claim three weeks ago for a knee surgery, but my physical therapy is going so well that my orthopedic surgeon thinks I might be able to return to work 2-3 weeks earlier than originally anticipated. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences here has given me a clear roadmap for how to handle the withdrawal process if my doctor officially clears me early. The multi-pronged approach of calling EDD, submitting a written withdrawal letter via certified mail, and visiting the local office in person really seems like the gold standard for ensuring everything is properly documented. I especially appreciate the tips about bringing multiple copies to the office, getting employee IDs from representatives, and taking photos of any stamped documents. These are exactly the kinds of practical details that could save so much hassle later on. One question for the group - if I do end up withdrawing my claim, should I wait until my doctor gives me an official return-to-work clearance before starting the withdrawal process, or is it okay to begin the process based on the expectation that I'll be cleared soon? I want to make sure I'm not jumping the gun, but I also don't want to delay unnecessarily if my employer is eager to have me back. Thanks again to everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful guidance!

Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you have a good chance of continuing your existing claim for intermittent benefits, but the key is acting quickly and getting the right documentation. I'd recommend: 1. Contact your doctor ASAP to discuss the DE 2525XX form and make sure they understand this needs to be clearly connected to your December surgery 2. Don't formally close your current SDI claim when you return to work - keep it active 3. Consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned to get through to an actual EDD rep to confirm the process The fact that multiple people here have successfully done this gives me hope for your situation. The conflicting experiences seem to come down to timing (setting it up before vs after closing the claim) and documentation quality. Since you're planning ahead, you should be in good shape. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience could help others in similar situations!

As someone who recently went through a similar situation with my wrist surgery, I can confirm that intermittent SDI benefits are definitely possible! The key is coordination and timing. Here's what worked for me: 1. I spoke with my doctor about the intermittent treatment plan BEFORE my scheduled return to work date 2. My doctor completed the DE 2525XX form specifically mentioning that the ongoing PT was "medically necessary continuation of treatment for the original surgical condition" 3. I called EDD (yes, it took forever to get through) and informed them I would be returning to work but needed intermittent benefits for treatment days The process was actually smoother than I expected once I had the right paperwork. For my situation, I was getting PT twice a week for about 6 weeks, missing either half days or full days depending on the appointment schedule. EDD calculated my benefits based on the exact hours missed. One thing I learned: keep detailed records of every appointment and exactly how many hours you miss. EDD will ask for this information when you certify for benefits. Also, make sure your employer is aware of the situation - mine was actually relieved that I had the SDI coverage for those days rather than having to use sick time or unpaid leave. The whole process took about 2 weeks from when I submitted the supplemental form to when I received my first intermittent payment. Definitely worth pursuing rather than filing a completely new claim!