pro tip: if u cant get thru on the main line, try calling some of the other edd numbers (like the employer line or tech support). sometimes they can help or at least transfer u to the right person

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! Made the same mistake with the return-to-work date and my payments got stuck for weeks. Here's what worked for me: I called right at 8 AM sharp (like someone mentioned) and got through after about 2 hours on hold. The rep was actually pretty understanding and fixed it on the spot. They told me to keep certifying every two weeks - definitely don't stop doing that or you'll lose your benefits. Also, make sure you have all your medical documentation ready when you call, they might ask for it. It's frustrating but totally fixable! Hang in there! 💪

I'm currently going through this exact same situation! My SDI claim was approved 6 days ago and I've been obsessively checking my activity log to see that "qualification" status. Finding this thread has been such a huge relief - I was honestly starting to think there was some kind of hold on my payment. After reading everyone's recommendations, I immediately called that Bank of America EDD number (1-866-692-9374) and they confirmed my card was ordered 4 days ago. The rep was incredibly helpful and said it should arrive within 7-10 business days from the order date. So much better than trying to navigate EDD's phone system! I also just signed up for USPS Informed Delivery after seeing it mentioned repeatedly here. What a game-changer - I had no idea this service existed! Hopefully it'll help me spot that plain envelope when it arrives. It's absolutely ridiculous how EDD provides zero explanation for what their status updates actually mean. When you're dealing with a medical condition and financial stress, the last thing you need is to decode mysterious status words like "qualification." A simple tooltip or explanation would save so much unnecessary anxiety! Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences. This community is honestly saving my sanity right now. The waiting is torture when you're counting on these payments, but knowing this is completely normal helps keep the panic at bay. Fingers crossed all of us currently waiting get our cards soon!

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! My husband's SDI claim was approved last week and we're seeing that "qualification" status too. It's been 4 days and I've been checking the mail like crazy every single day. After reading through all these helpful responses, I immediately called that Bank of America EDD number (1-866-692-9374) that everyone keeps mentioning. They confirmed our card was ordered 2 days ago and should arrive within 7-10 business days. The customer service rep was so much more helpful than anything I've experienced trying to reach EDD directly! I also just set up USPS Informed Delivery after seeing it recommended here multiple times. Can't believe I didn't know about this service before - it should help me spot that plain envelope when it arrives since everyone warns it looks like junk mail. What really gets me is how EDD just leaves us all completely in the dark about what their own status updates mean. When you're already dealing with medical issues and financial stress, having to decode mysterious words like "qualification" just adds unnecessary anxiety. A simple explanation would help so many people! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines. This community has been incredibly helpful for understanding what's normal vs when to actually worry. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you need those payments, but knowing this is just part of the process helps manage the stress. Hoping we all get our cards soon!

I went through almost the exact same thing two years ago when I hurt my shoulder at my warehouse job. My employer kept bouncing me between their private insurance and telling me to file with the state, and I ended up going almost 2 months without any income while they figured it out. Here's what I learned from that experience: 1. File BOTH claims immediately - don't wait for your employer to clarify anything else 2. When you file the SDI claim, be very specific about the employer misinformation in your explanation for late filing 3. Keep calling/emailing HR for the DWC-1 form - if they don't provide it within a few days, you can file directly with the state 4. Get everything in writing from now on - follow up phone conversations with emails summarizing what was discussed The good news is that "good cause" for late filing covers situations exactly like yours. The EDD understands that employers sometimes give wrong information, and they won't penalize you for following bad guidance from your company. Also, if this does end up being a workers comp case (which it sounds like it should be), workers comp typically pays more than SDI and covers your medical expenses too. Don't let your employer's confusion cost you the benefits you're entitled to! You've got this - just start filing those claims and protect yourself. The system is designed to help people in situations like yours, even when employers mess up the process.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusing situation! As someone who works in disability advocacy, I see cases like yours unfortunately often. Your employer absolutely should have guided you to the correct program from the start - a work-related injury while lifting inventory is textbook workers compensation, not private short-term disability. The good news is you still have options! Everyone here has given excellent advice about filing both SDI and workers comp claims immediately. I want to emphasize a few additional points: 1. When you file your SDI claim online, there's a specific section where you can explain your reason for late filing. Be detailed about how your employer initially directed you to their private insurance and then changed course. 2. For workers comp, if your employer continues to stall on providing the DWC-1 form, you can download it directly from the CA Department of Industrial Relations website and submit it yourself. 3. Consider reaching out to your state assembly member's office - they often have staff who specialize in helping constituents navigate EDD issues and can sometimes expedite claims. 4. Document your current financial hardship caused by this delay - if your employer's misguidance caused you to miss rent or other essential expenses, that strengthens your case for both programs. You're not alone in this, and the system does have protections for exactly this type of employer error. Don't let their confusion cost you the benefits you've earned!

I'm also completely new to the disability system and just starting to navigate this whole process! My doctor is equally old-school and refuses to use any technology - it's so frustrating that we're essentially punished with longer wait times just because our healthcare providers won't adapt to modern systems. I haven't submitted my paperwork yet but I'm already feeling anxious about the waiting period after reading everyone's experiences here. The timeline variability is definitely nerve-wracking, but it's really helpful to see real people sharing their actual day counts and experiences rather than just vague government estimates. I'm definitely taking notes on all the great advice here - sending certified mail, creating the SDI Online account beforehand, keeping detailed records, and calling at the 3-week mark. It's overwhelming to think about dealing with this bureaucratic maze when we should be focusing on our health and recovery. Really grateful for this community for helping newcomers like me understand what to realistically expect. Sending positive thoughts to everyone currently stuck in the waiting phase - we shouldn't have to stress about this on top of our medical issues! 🤞

I'm also brand new to this whole disability process and currently dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! My doctor is equally stuck in the stone age when it comes to technology and flat-out refuses to use SDI Online. I just mailed my forms yesterday and I'm already feeling anxious about the wait ahead. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both incredibly helpful and honestly pretty scary - seeing timelines range from 2 weeks to 2+ months is nerve-wracking when you're already stressed about bills and health issues. I really appreciate all the practical advice being shared here about sending certified mail (wish I had thought of that!), creating the SDI Online account ahead of time, keeping detailed records, and calling at the 3-week mark if nothing appears. It's so frustrating that we're essentially penalized with longer processing times just because our healthcare providers won't modernize their practices. The fact that we have to become experts in navigating bureaucracy when we should be focusing on recovery is just adding insult to injury. Really grateful for this community for sharing real experiences and specific timelines - it helps so much to know what to actually expect rather than just crossing our fingers and hoping. Sending solidarity to everyone currently stuck in this paper submission waiting game! 🤞

I'm also new to this community but found this thread while researching the exact same issue! My return-to-work date is December 3rd and it also falls on my payment date, so I've been really stressed about whether I'll get my final SDI payment. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it's amazing how many people have dealt with this specific timing coincidence! What really stands out is that everyone emphasizes the medical certification is what determines your payment eligibility, not whether you actually have a job to return to (which I also don't yet - still actively searching). The consensus seems to be that you should definitely receive your final payment for the period ending November 30th, even if there might be a processing delay of several days to a week due to the system flagging final payments for manual review when they coincide with return dates. I'm planning to call EDD before my December 3rd date after reading all the advice here about being proactive. It seems like having them verify everything is set up correctly and noting it in your file can really help avoid issues or at least provide peace of mind. This thread has been such a lifesaver - it's so comforting to know we're all going through similar situations! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. Good luck with your final payment and job search - I'm feeling much more confident about this whole process now!

I'm new to this community but stumbled across this thread while dealing with a very similar situation! My return-to-work date is December 10th and it also falls on my payment date, so I've been incredibly anxious about whether I'll receive my final SDI payment. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief - I had no idea this timing coincidence was so common! What really helps is seeing that multiple people have successfully received their final payments even when there were processing delays due to manual review. The key takeaway I'm getting is that the medical certification from your doctor is what determines everything, not whether you actually have a job lined up (which I also don't - still searching!). It's so reassuring to know that you're entitled to payment for every day you were medically certified as disabled, regardless of your actual employment status. I'm definitely going to follow everyone's advice about calling EDD before December 10th to verify everything is set up correctly. It seems like being proactive is really the way to go based on all the experiences shared here. This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone new to navigating this process - thank you to everyone who shared their stories! It's so much less stressful knowing that others have successfully gotten through this same timing issue. Good luck with your final payment and job search!