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I'm also going through this exact same process right now! My doctor submitted my certification 9 days ago for a lower back injury from a workplace accident and I've been checking the SDI portal constantly. The financial stress is overwhelming - I'm already having to use credit cards for basic expenses and I'm worried about making rent next week. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring though. It really seems like 7-14 business days is the normal range, with some people getting approved faster and others taking a bit longer during busy periods. I'm right in that window now, so I'm trying to stay patient even though every day feels like an eternity when you're worried about money. I just set up the text notifications that Ruby mentioned - what an amazing tip! I had no idea that feature existed and hopefully it will help me stop my obsessive portal refreshing. I also called my doctor's office this morning to confirm they filled everything out completely, and they assured me they did. Thanks so much for starting this discussion PixelPioneer - this whole thread has made me realize I'm not alone in this stressful waiting game. The community support here is honestly keeping me sane during this process. It's amazing how many of us are all going through similar timelines right now. Fingers crossed we all start getting our approvals soon! 🙏
NeonNebula, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress too! Nine days with a workplace back injury sounds incredibly difficult, especially with the financial pressure mounting. Reading through this thread as someone new to the SDI process has been eye-opening - it's both reassuring and overwhelming to see how many of us are in this exact same waiting period right now. You're definitely still within that normal 7-14 day window everyone keeps mentioning, so try not to panic yet (easier said than done when rent is due!). The text notification setup sounds like it'll be a huge help - I'm amazed at how this one thread has taught us all about features we didn't even know existed. It's great that your doctor's office confirmed everything was complete too. This whole community discussion has been like a support group for SDI anxiety! Hoping your approval comes through very soon! 🤞
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My doctor submitted my certification 12 days ago for a herniated disc from a workplace injury and I'm still waiting for approval. The financial anxiety is becoming overwhelming - I've already had to put several bills on credit cards and I'm genuinely worried about making next month's rent. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief though! It's incredible to see how many of us are all going through this same nerve-wracking waiting period. Based on all the timelines shared, it sounds like I'm still within that normal 7-14 day processing window, though I'm definitely on the longer end now. I had no idea about the text notification feature until Ruby mentioned it - just set that up and it should help me stop my obsessive portal checking! I was literally refreshing the page every 30 minutes before finding this thread. I also called my doctor's office yesterday to confirm they submitted everything correctly, and they assured me they did. Thanks so much for asking this question PixelPioneer - this whole discussion has been like group therapy for SDI anxiety! It's amazing how this community has come together to support each other through this stressful process. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're already dealing with injury recovery and financial pressure, but knowing we're all in this together really helps. Fingers crossed we all start getting our approvals soon! 🤞
Scarlett, I can totally relate to that overwhelming anxiety at the 12-day mark! I'm new to this community but reading through everyone's experiences has been so eye-opening. It sounds like you're right at the edge of that normal processing window, but several people here have shared that approvals can take up to 3 weeks during busy periods. The fact that your doctor's office confirmed everything was submitted correctly is definitely a good sign! I just learned about the text notifications from this thread too - it's amazing how much useful information everyone has shared here. The financial stress while waiting is so real, especially when you're already dealing with injury recovery. This whole discussion really has been like group therapy for all of us going through this process. Hoping your approval comes through any day now! 🤞
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This whole discussion has been a real eye-opener! I'm currently dealing with a shoulder injury from a workplace accident and was just given paper forms by my doctor yesterday. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I immediately called the office this morning and asked about electronic filing. The medical assistant initially seemed confused and said they "always handle disability paperwork by mail," but when I mentioned that electronic submission could be processed weeks faster, she put me on hold and came back saying they could absolutely do it online! They're submitting mine electronically this afternoon. It's honestly mind-blowing how many medical offices seem to have this exact same pattern - they all have the capability for electronic filing but just don't mention it as an option upfront. When people are already stressed about their health and unable to work, you'd think faster processing would be the priority. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and encouraged others to advocate for electronic submission - this knowledge could literally be the difference between getting benefits in days versus weeks for those of us who really need them!
That's amazing that you were able to get your doctor's office to submit electronically for your shoulder injury! I'm actually brand new to this whole disability process and honestly had no idea there were different submission methods until I stumbled across this thread. I'm scheduled to meet with my doctor next week about potentially going on disability for some health issues I've been dealing with, and reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly valuable. It seems like the key takeaway is to specifically ask about electronic filing right from the start instead of just accepting whatever paperwork they hand you. It's really helpful that so many people are sharing their real-world experiences because it's teaching newcomers like me how to navigate this confusing system more effectively. Thanks for adding your voice to this discussion - hope your shoulder heals up quickly and your benefits come through without any delays!
I'm so glad I found this thread before starting my own disability claim process! I'm dealing with chronic back pain and was completely unaware that there were different submission methods available. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly educational - it seems like electronic filing could save weeks of processing time, but you have to specifically ask for it since medical offices don't always mention it upfront. I have an appointment with my doctor next month to discuss going on disability, and thanks to this discussion, I now know to ask about electronic submission right from the start. It's really helpful that people are sharing these real-world insights because navigating the disability system can be so confusing and overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with health issues. Hope your shoulder injury heals quickly and that your electronic submission processes smoothly!
This thread has been incredibly helpful for me too! I'm dealing with a torn meniscus and was also initially given paper forms by my orthopedic surgeon. After reading everyone's experiences, I called them this morning and specifically asked about electronic filing. Just like so many others here, they said "oh yes, we can definitely do that electronically" - apparently they just don't offer it as the default option! They're submitting mine today. It's really frustrating that patients have to know to ask for the faster electronic method when we're already dealing with pain and financial stress from being unable to work. This whole discussion has made me realize how important it is to be your own advocate in this process. For anyone else reading this - definitely push for electronic filing right away! Don't just accept paper forms without asking if there's a faster option. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this could save weeks of waiting time for people who desperately need their benefits to start!
That's great that your orthopedic surgeon was able to submit electronically for your meniscus tear! I'm actually just starting to learn about all this - I'm new to this community and had no idea there were different ways to submit disability paperwork until I found this thread. I'm dealing with some chronic health issues myself and may need to apply for disability soon, so reading everyone's real experiences here has been incredibly valuable. It's really eye-opening how consistent this pattern seems to be across different medical specialties - they all CAN do electronic filing but just don't mention it as the first option. I'll definitely remember to ask specifically about electronic submission when the time comes. Thanks for sharing your experience and adding to this really helpful discussion!
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Hi everyone! I just found this community and this thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm about to file my first disability claim for a wrist injury from a repetitive strain at work and was honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed by the whole process. Reading through Chris's experience and all the incredible advice from everyone here has given me so much confidence and a clear action plan. The tip about immediately calling your doctor's office after filing to let them know to expect the EDD email (and to check spam!) is something I never would have thought of but seems so crucial. I'm also going to ask if they have a specific person who handles disability paperwork and get their direct contact info. It's amazing how this one thread has provided more practical, actionable guidance than all the official EDD resources I've read through. Thank you all for being so generous with your real-world experiences and creating such a supportive environment for those of us navigating this for the first time. This community is truly incredible!
Welcome to the community, Keisha! As another newcomer who just joined this week, I completely relate to feeling overwhelmed by the disability claim process. This thread has been absolutely amazing - it's like having a detailed walkthrough from people who've actually been through it all. The emphasis everyone puts on proactive communication with your doctor's office really can't be overstated. I filed my claim yesterday and immediately called my doctor's office after reading through all the advice here, and they were so grateful that I gave them a heads up about what to expect! They actually told me they have a specific email address for disability-related correspondence that's different from their general inbox, which could have caused delays if I hadn't called. Your plan to get direct contact info for their disability coordinator is really smart. It's incredible how much practical wisdom is shared in this community that you just can't find in any official documentation. Best of luck with your wrist injury claim - I hope both your recovery and the claim process go smoothly!
As someone who just discovered this community, I have to say this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm preparing to file my first disability claim for a shoulder injury and was feeling really anxious about navigating the process until I found this discussion. Chris's experience really highlights how important it is to be proactive rather than just assuming everything will work automatically. The advice about immediately calling your doctor's office after filing to make sure they know to expect the EDD email and check their spam folders is something I never would have considered but seems absolutely critical. I'm also planning to ask my doctor's office if they have a dedicated disability coordinator and get their direct contact information upfront. It's remarkable how this one conversation has provided more practical, actionable guidance than all the official EDD documentation combined. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences and creating such a supportive space for those of us facing this process for the first time. This community truly makes all the difference when you're already dealing with health issues and financial stress!
Welcome to the community, Gavin! I'm also brand new here and just went through filing my first disability claim last week. This thread has been absolutely incredible - it's like having a mentor guide you through every step of the process! What really struck me about Chris's experience is how one simple phone call completely solved what could have been weeks of delays. I followed the advice here and called my doctor's office immediately after filing, and sure enough, they said the EDD email had gone to a shared inbox that doesn't get checked as frequently. They transferred me to their medical records coordinator who handles all disability paperwork and she completed my certification the same day! The proactive approach everyone recommends here really works. Your plan to get direct contact info for a disability coordinator upfront is spot on - it makes such a difference to have a specific person to work with rather than going through general reception each time. Hope your shoulder heals up well and your claim process goes smoothly!
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This thread is an absolute goldmine! I'm dealing with carpal tunnel surgery next month and had no idea about any of these paper vs electronic complications. After reading through everyone's experiences, I feel like I have a complete roadmap now. The most eye-opening part for me is realizing that "filing online" doesn't mean the whole process is electronic - seems like such basic information that should be clearly explained on EDD's website! I love how @Yuki Sato figured out the exact question to ask: "Are you registered for EDD's SDI Online system, and if so, can you submit my disability certification electronically?" That's going straight into my notes for when I call my hand surgeon's office. I'm also really impressed by all the practical tips like @Tate Jensen's suggestion about bringing a pre-addressed stamped envelope and asking for a scanned copy through patient portals. These are the kinds of real-world solutions you just don't find in official guides. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here had experience with multiple procedures/claims? I might need both hands done eventually, and I'm wondering if having a successful first claim makes the second one easier to navigate, or if you basically start from scratch each time with the paperwork process. Either way, this community has probably saved me weeks of confusion and stress. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences so openly!
Great question about multiple procedures! I actually went through this exact situation - had my left knee done first, then my right knee six months later. The good news is that once you've been through the process once and your doctor's office has your information on file, the second claim is usually much smoother. My orthopedic surgeon's office already had my details in their system and knew exactly what form to use and how I preferred it submitted (fax, in my case). They were even proactive about it - called me the day after my second surgery to let me know they'd already submitted the certification electronically since they had figured out their SDI Online access between my two procedures. One tip though - make sure to file each claim separately online with its own disability start date. Don't assume EDD will automatically connect multiple procedures. And if there's any gap between surgeries where you return to work, that helps keep the claims distinct and prevents any confusion about continuous vs intermittent disability. You're so smart to be planning ahead like this! The carpal tunnel recovery process can be tricky with dominant vs non-dominant hand timing. Hope your first procedure goes smoothly and gives you a good template for the second one if needed.
This entire thread has been a lifesaver! I'm scheduled for gallbladder surgery in two weeks and was completely clueless about the SDI process. After reading everyone's experiences, I realize I need to get way ahead of this. Just called my surgeon's office using @Yuki Sato's exact wording about SDI Online registration, and it turns out they ARE registered but their front desk staff had no idea! The office manager is going to walk me through their electronic submission process when I come in for my pre-op appointment next week. Without this thread, I definitely would have gotten the "we only do paper" runaround from the front desk. I'm also bookmarking the Claimyr service and @Luca Esposito's tracking spreadsheet idea. The level of preparation and advocacy you need for something that should be straightforward is honestly ridiculous, but this community has given me all the tools to navigate it successfully. One question - for those who had abdominal surgeries, did you run into any issues with the recovery timeline estimates? My surgeon said 4-6 weeks off work, but I'm worried EDD might question the duration since gallbladder removal is often portrayed as "minimally invasive." Just want to be prepared in case they push back on the timeline. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical knowledge that makes all the difference!
That's amazing that you were able to get through to someone who actually knew about their SDI Online registration! It really shows how much of this confusion comes down to front desk staff not being trained on all the systems their office uses. Smart move getting the office manager involved during your pre-op appointment - sounds like you're going to have a much smoother experience than most of us did. Regarding the recovery timeline concerns, I think you're wise to think ahead about this. With gallbladder surgery, even though it's laparoscopic, the recovery can vary a lot depending on complications, your job requirements, and individual healing. When I had mine done last year, my surgeon was conservative with the estimate (said 4-6 weeks) but I ended up needing the full 6 weeks because of some post-op complications with lifting restrictions. The key is making sure your doctor is specific about work limitations on the DE 2501 form - not just "off work" but details like "no lifting over 10 pounds, no prolonged standing, limited bending/twisting" etc. That way if EDD questions the timeline, there's clear medical justification for the restrictions. Most EDD reviewers understand that even "minimally invasive" surgery can have significant recovery periods depending on your work duties. Hope your surgery goes smoothly and you get to use that electronic submission process!
Connor Richards
This thread is absolutely amazing! I've been stuck with a pending disability claim since late January and have been calling EDD for weeks with zero success. Reading through everyone's detailed strategies and success stories has given me so much hope and a clear game plan. The consistency is incredible - the 8:02-8:04 AM timing window, staying on the line after the "all agents busy" message, using the exact menu sequence (1, 1, 2, SSN/PIN, then 3 for rep), and having all documentation ready. What really stands out is how many pending claims are actually due to employer wage/form issues rather than EDD system problems. The proactive approach of calling HR first to verify submissions is brilliant - wish I had thought of that weeks ago! I checked my SDI Online account and sure enough, there's a message about "wage verification needed" so I'm probably dealing with the same employer paperwork issues as many of you. Planning to call my employer's HR department first thing tomorrow to verify their submissions, then use the proven calling strategy. It's frustrating that we need to become experts at gaming their phone system, but this community support makes all the difference. Will definitely update with my results - fingers crossed I can add another success story to this incredible thread!
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Sophia Rodriguez
•@Connor Richards Your plan sounds solid! I m'also new to dealing with EDD disability claims and this thread has been a lifesaver. The wage "verification needed message" you found in your SDI account is definitely a red flag - seems like that s'the same issue that held up so many other claims mentioned here. The proactive HR call approach makes total sense, especially since most of the delays appear to be on the employer side rather than EDD itself. I m'in a similar boat filed (in early February, stuck pending and) planning to use this same strategy. One thing I m'wondering - when you call your HR department, are you going to ask them to email you confirmation of what they submitted? That way you d'have documentation to reference when you talk to the EDD rep. Good luck tomorrow! Really hoping we can both add our success stories to this thread soon.
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Liam O'Connor
This has been such an incredibly helpful thread to read through! I'm a newcomer to this community but have been dealing with a similar situation - filed my disability claim in early February and it's been stuck in pending status for weeks. After reading through all these detailed success stories and strategies, I finally feel like I have a real plan instead of just randomly calling and hoping for the best. The consistency across everyone's experiences is really striking - the 8:02-8:04 AM timing window, staying on the line after getting the "all agents busy" message, and using that exact menu sequence (1, 1, 2, SSN/PIN, then 3 for rep). What I find most valuable is how people didn't just share what worked, but also what the actual problems were once they got through. It seems like employer wage/form issues are behind most of these delays, which makes the proactive HR contact suggestion brilliant. I checked my SDI Online account after reading this thread and found a message about "additional documentation needed" - probably another employer paperwork issue. Planning to call my HR department first tomorrow to verify what they submitted, then try the proven phone strategy. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to develop these elaborate workarounds just to reach someone about legitimate claims, but I'm so grateful this community exists. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share such detailed experiences - you're literally helping people get the benefits they're entitled to!
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Maya Patel
•@Liam O'Connor Welcome to the community! You're absolutely right that this thread has become an incredible resource. I'm also relatively new here but have been following along as I deal with my own pending claim situation. The "additional documentation needed" message you found is definitely worth investigating - based on all the success stories shared here, that's likely the key to getting your claim unstuck. The proactive HR approach really seems like the smart move, especially since so many delays traced back to employer submission issues. One thing that struck me reading through everyone's experiences is how helpful the EDD reps were once people actually got through - it seems like the phone system is the main barrier, not the representatives themselves. The 8:02-8:04 AM timing strategy with the exact menu sequence has such a high success rate based on all these stories. Definitely planning to try this approach myself soon. Good luck with your HR call and subsequent EDD contact tomorrow - looking forward to hopefully reading your success story added to this thread!
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