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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Hey Malik! I just went through this same exact situation about 6 weeks ago and had the exact same confusion with the dates. You've gotten some really solid advice here - definitely file tomorrow (10/14) but use 10/13 as your disability start date on the DE 2501 form. One thing I learned that might help you: when you're on the EDD SDI website filling out the form, there's actually a little "help" icon next to the disability start date field that explains it should be "the first day you were unable to work due to your medical condition." That really cleared it up for me when I was second-guessing myself. Also, since you mentioned your HR and doctor gave you different info - this is super common! I'd recommend calling your doctor's office tomorrow morning before you file, just to confirm they're going to use 10/13 as the start date on their certification too. Having those dates match exactly will save you potential headaches later. The whole process is definitely more confusing than it needs to be, but you're asking all the right questions. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and the claim processes without any issues!
Thanks so much Yara! That's really helpful to know about the help icon on the form - I'll definitely look for that when I'm filling it out tomorrow. It sounds like having that extra confirmation right there on the page would give me peace of mind that I'm doing it right. And yes, I'm definitely going to call my doctor's office first thing in the morning to make sure we're on the same page with the 10/13 start date. This whole thread has been such a lifesaver - I was honestly pretty stressed about messing this up, but now I feel like I have a solid plan. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences and help out a newcomer!
I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add one more thing that I learned from my experience - if you have any direct deposit information set up with EDD from previous unemployment claims, make sure to double-check that it's still current in your profile before filing. I found out the hard way that my old bank account info was still on file, and it delayed my first payment by over a week while I had to update everything and wait for them to reissue it. It's a small detail but could save you some hassle later. Also, completely agree with everyone about calling your doctor's office first - mine initially had the wrong date on their calendar and we caught it just in time. Good luck tomorrow Malik, sounds like you're all set with a solid plan!
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This entire thread is absolutely incredible - I'm so grateful to have found it! I've been on SDI since mid-February after a workplace injury and I'm starting my apartment search next month. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and reassuring. I had no idea there were so many specific strategies for navigating rental applications while on disability. The biggest revelation for me has been learning about the difference between the award letter and the benefits verification letter. I've been planning to use just my award letter and was already worried it wouldn't be enough. Now I know exactly what documentation I need to gather, and the Claimyr service sounds like it will save me from those dreaded EDD hold times. What really strikes me is how many people are dealing with this challenge right now - it shows how common this situation is, yet there's so little official guidance available. It's frustrating that we have to work harder to prove our reliability as tenants when disability payments are often more consistent than traditional employment income, but this community has provided such valuable real-world solutions. The comprehensive documentation packet approach and focusing on smaller landlords rather than corporate management companies are strategies I definitely plan to use. Isabella, congratulations on your success - your journey from stress to getting approved gives me so much hope! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and practical tips. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with rental applications while on SDI!
@Mohamed Anderson This thread really has become an amazing resource! I m'in a very similar situation - been on SDI since January after a work-related injury and starting my apartment hunt soon. Like you, I was planning to just use my award letter and hoped for the best, so learning about the benefits verification letter has been huge. It s'honestly shocking that EDD doesn t'provide clearer guidance about rental applications when this is obviously such a widespread issue for people on disability. The fact that we re'all discovering these solutions through trial and error and community sharing rather than official channels is pretty telling. I m'definitely bookmarking this entire thread and planning to follow the documentation packet strategy that s'worked for so many people here. The Claimyr tip alone could save me days of frustration! It s'frustrating that we have to prove ourselves more than other renters, but seeing all these success stories gives me confidence that with the right preparation, this process is totally manageable. Thanks for adding your voice - it helps knowing there are others going through this journey at the same time!
I'm currently navigating this exact same situation and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been on SDI since late January after a serious workplace injury, and my lease is up in just two months. Reading through everyone's experiences has transformed my approach completely - I was planning to just show up with my award letter and bank statements, not realizing there was a specific benefits verification letter I needed from EDD. The comprehensive documentation packet strategy that multiple people have mentioned seems like the winning approach. I'm putting together everything this weekend: the proper EDD verification letter (definitely using that Claimyr service after hearing so many success stories about it), highlighted bank statements, medical timeline from my doctor, and hopefully a letter from my employer about job security upon return. What really resonates with me is how many people emphasized being upfront about the disability status from the beginning. I was planning to avoid mentioning it until later in the application process, but the logic of weeding out uncooperative landlords early makes total sense. It's incredibly frustrating that we have to work twice as hard to prove we're reliable tenants when disability payments are often more stable than traditional employment, but this community has shown that success is absolutely achievable with the right preparation. Isabella, huge congratulations on getting your place! Your journey gives me so much hope for my own search. Thank you everyone for sharing these real-world solutions - this thread should definitely be a go-to resource for anyone dealing with rental applications while on SDI!
@Christopher Morgan I m'so glad you found this thread helpful! I m'actually in almost the exact same timeline as you - been on SDI since early February after a work injury and facing a lease renewal situation soon. This whole discussion has been like striking gold for information I never knew I needed. The Claimyr service recommendation alone is going to save me so much frustration - I ve'already wasted entire mornings trying to get through to EDD with zero success. Your point about being upfront from the beginning really hits home. I was also planning to downplay the disability situation initially, but everyone s'experiences here show that transparency actually works better in the long run. It filters out the landlords who won t'work with you anyway and saves precious time. The documentation packet approach seems foolproof based on all these success stories. It s'really unfortunate that we have to jump through extra hoops when our income is often more reliable than someone with a regular job who could get laid off at any time, but at least we now have a clear roadmap thanks to everyone sharing their real experiences. Good luck with your search - sounds like we re'both well-prepared now thanks to this amazing community resource!
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This whole thread is so helpful! I'm in a similar boat - just got the same request from EDD and was totally overwhelmed. Reading through everyone's experiences and tips has made me feel way less alone in this mess. Special shoutout to @KaiEsmeralda for that incredibly detailed guide - you're amazing! One thing I'm curious about: has anyone had success with submitting everything at once versus breaking it up into smaller batches? I'm worried about file size limits but also don't want to flood them with separate emails. Also, for those who've been through this - how long did it typically take for them to review everything once submitted? Thanks again everyone for sharing your experiences. This community is a lifesaver! 🙏
@Javier Torres I just went through this nightmare myself a few weeks ago! Definitely submit everything at once - I made the mistake of sending it in batches and they somehow lost "two" of my emails 🤦♀️ For file sizes, I used a free PDF compressor online to get everything under 10MB per email. Also, pro tip: number your files clearly like (1-Paystubs-Jan-Mar-2023.pdf "so") if they do get separated, it s'obvious what order they go in. Review time was about 4 weeks for me, but I called after week 3 to confirm they had everything. The wait is brutal but hang in there! This community really does help keep you sane through the process 💙
@Javier Torres Just wanted to add my two cents! I actually had good luck using the EDD website s'secure message feature instead of email - seemed more reliable and you get confirmation that it was delivered. I split mine into 3 uploads 4 (months of paystubs each because) my scanner app kept crashing with larger files. Make sure to keep the original file names simple - no special characters or spaces. I used format like Paystubs_Jan2023_Chen.pdf "and" it seemed to work well. Review took about 6 weeks for me but I think it was because I was missing one month of stubs initially. Once I provided the bank statement alternative that @Genevieve Cavalier mentioned, things moved faster. Stay organized and don t give'up - we ve all'been there! 🤝
I just went through this exact process last month! Here's what worked for me: Upload everything through your EDD online account portal if possible - it's way more reliable than email. I organized my paystubs chronologically (oldest to newest) and created one master PDF with clear page breaks between months. For your photo ID, scan both front and back on the same page so they can see it's all one document. Make sure the scan is high quality - they rejected my first attempt because the text was too blurry. Pro tip: Create a simple cover letter listing exactly what you're submitting (12 months paystubs from X date to Y date, photo ID, etc.) with your claim number at the top. This helps them process it faster. The whole review took about 3 weeks for me. Don't panic if you don't hear back right away - they're swamped but they will get to it. Keep copies of everything and screenshot your submission confirmations! You got this! The process sucks but once it's done, it's done. 💪
Thanks for sharing your experience @Wesley Hallow! The cover letter tip is brilliant - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense. Quick question: when you say "master PDF," did you use any specific software to combine everything? I'm worried about file size limits but also want to keep it organized like you described. Also, did you include any other documents besides paystubs and ID, or was that sufficient for your case?
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Based on everyone's helpful advice here, I want to add something that saved me a ton of stress when I went through my extension last year - create a simple tracking spreadsheet! I made columns for: date of contact, person spoken to, reference numbers, documents submitted, and follow-up dates. It might seem overkill, but when you're dealing with multiple phone calls and paperwork over weeks or months, having everything organized in one place is a game changer. Also, if you have a smartphone, consider recording voice memos right after important phone calls while the details are fresh in your mind. I can't tell you how many times I thought I'd remember what someone told me, only to forget the specifics a few days later. The system definitely has its frustrations, but most of the people working there genuinely want to help - they're just overloaded. Being organized and patient (easier said than done, I know!) will make the whole process smoother for everyone involved. Hang in there! 📊📱
This spreadsheet idea is brilliant! 💡 I wish I had thought of this when I first started dealing with disability claims. I've been keeping everything in random notes on my phone and it's such a mess. Definitely going to set this up before I make any calls. The voice memo tip is genius too - I always think I'll remember everything and then completely blank out later. Thanks for sharing such practical advice! This thread has honestly been more helpful than any official government website I've found. 🙏
This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now and was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the whole process. Reading everyone's experiences and tips has given me so much more confidence about moving forward. I especially appreciate the practical advice about keeping detailed records and the spreadsheet idea - that's something I never would have thought of but makes total sense. It's also reassuring to hear that most people didn't need to file completely new claims for extensions. One question for those who've been through this: did anyone experience any gaps in their benefit payments during the extension process, even when everything was handled correctly? I'm trying to budget and plan ahead just in case there are any delays. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and creating such a supportive community here! It really makes navigating this confusing system feel less daunting. 💙
Henry Delgado
As someone who just joined this community because I'm dealing with my first disability claim, this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! Mohammad, thank you for asking exactly the questions I didn't even know I needed to ask. I'm honestly blown away by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone here is - from the detailed breakdowns about the 2500A form to the practical tips like starting an "EDD journal" and using that benefits calculator. Reading through all these real experiences has made me feel so much more prepared for what I'm about to face. I'm definitely taking notes on everything: fill out forms immediately, document every interaction, set up the online account, and don't be afraid to call multiple times if needed. The fact that everyone here is willing to share both their successes and horror stories gives me realistic expectations while still feeling hopeful. It's amazing how finding the right community can turn what feels like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into something manageable. Count me in for that EDD Anonymous support group if we ever make it official! 😅 Thanks again everyone for creating such a welcoming space for newcomers to learn from your hard-earned wisdom. Here's to all of us successfully navigating this system together! 🙏
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Genevieve Cavalier
•Henry, I'm so glad you found this thread as helpful as I did! As another newcomer who just discovered this community, it's been like finding a treasure trove of practical advice that you just can't get anywhere else. Mohammad really did ask all the right questions that those of us new to the EDD world didn't even know we should be asking. The combination of serious, actionable advice (like that EDD journal idea and the benefits calculator) with the humor about EDD's quirks has made this whole intimidating process feel so much more approachable. I'm definitely joining you in taking detailed notes on everyone's wisdom here - and yes, count me in for EDD Anonymous too! 😂 It's incredible how much less alone this all feels when you have a community of people who genuinely understand the struggle and are willing to share what they've learned. Here's to all of us newbies figuring this out together! 💪
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
As someone who literally just created an account here because I'm drowning in EDD confusion, this thread is like finding a life raft! Mohammad, I'm in almost the exact same situation with the 2500A form and PFL timing questions, so thank you for asking what I was too intimidated to post about. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - the consensus seems clear: fill out that form ASAP (EDD apparently treats deadlines like sacred law), document absolutely everything, and brace yourself for some serious hold times when calling for specifics about PFL timing. I'm definitely stealing the "EDD journal" idea and that benefits calculator tip. It's wild how much crucial information is just floating around in community wisdom that you can't find on any official site. The mix of practical advice and humor about EDD's... unique quirks... is exactly what I needed to feel less overwhelmed by this whole process. Thanks to everyone sharing their real experiences - both the success stories and the horror tales. It's making me feel way more prepared for the bureaucratic obstacle course ahead. And honestly, that EDD Anonymous support group idea is sounding better by the minute! 😅 Here's to all of us navigating this maze together! 🤞
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Jessica Suarez
•Fatima, welcome to the community! I just joined recently too and this thread has been such a goldmine of information. It's crazy how we're all basically in the same boat with these EDD forms and deadlines - Mohammad really opened the floodgates with this post! I love how you described it as finding a life raft, because that's exactly what this feels like after trying to decode the official EDD website on my own. The "EDD treats deadlines like sacred law" comment made me laugh but also scared me a little 😅. I'm definitely adding my name to the growing list of people starting EDD journals this week. It's so reassuring to know there are others of us just starting this journey and we can all learn from the veterans here who've survived to tell their tales. Looking forward to seeing how we all navigate this bureaucratic adventure together!
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