I'm in a very similar situation - submitted my SDI claim about 12 days ago and my doctor sent in the medical certification 8 days ago, but I'm still stuck on "pending" status. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time! It sounds like 2-4 weeks is the real timeline right now, which is so much longer than what they tell you upfront. I've been trying the 8 AM calling strategy but no luck getting through yet. The stress of waiting when you're already dealing with a medical condition and financial pressure is really overwhelming. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - it helps to know we're not alone in this frustrating process!

I'm new to this community and currently going through my first SDI claim experience. Filed about 6 days ago and my doctor submitted the medical certification 3 days ago, so I'm still early in the process but already feeling anxious reading about everyone's longer wait times! It's really eye-opening to see that the reality is 2-4 weeks instead of the 14 days they advertise. I'm trying to stay patient but it's tough when you're dealing with a medical condition and worried about finances. Has anyone noticed if certain types of conditions or diagnoses get processed faster than others, or is it pretty much just luck of the draw with the workload? Thanks for all the helpful information in this thread - it's making me feel less alone in this stressful process!

Great job getting your application submitted! Just wanted to add one more tip since you mentioned medical bills piling up - CA SDI benefits are retroactive to your first day of disability (minus the 7-day waiting period), so once approved you'll receive backpay for the time you've already been out. This should help with some of those medical expenses. Also, don't forget to keep track of any follow-up appointments or physical therapy your doctor recommends, as these might extend your disability period if needed. The key now is making sure your doctor completes their certification quickly - some people find it helpful to call the office and explain the urgency since you're not getting paid while waiting for approval.

Hey Zainab! I'm glad to see you got your SDI application submitted - that's a huge step! I went through something similar when I had gallbladder surgery last year. Just wanted to share a couple things that helped me during the process: First, I actually called my doctor's office the same day I submitted my claim and spoke directly to the medical records person (not just the receptionist) to explain that I needed the EDD disability forms completed ASAP for financial reasons. They were much more responsive when I explained the urgency. Second, once your claim is approved, you can set up direct deposit through your SDI Online account which gets you paid faster than waiting for checks in the mail. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me from start to first payment. Hang in there - the financial stress is the worst part but you're doing everything right!

I'm new to receiving EDD disability benefits and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I have a similar situation coming up with the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. My payment is scheduled for that Monday, so based on everyone's experiences here, I should expect it to arrive on Tuesday instead. It's reassuring to know this is normal and that most companies are understanding about these holiday delays. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps those of us who are navigating this for the first time!

I just wanted to add that if you're using the EDD debit card instead of direct deposit, the timing can be a bit different. I've noticed that my EDD card sometimes gets loaded earlier than expected, even on holidays, because it uses a different processing system than traditional bank transfers. It's worth checking your card balance online or at an ATM on the holiday itself - you might get a pleasant surprise! But if you're doing direct deposit to a regular bank account, then yeah, expect the delay until the next business day like everyone else mentioned.

Is anyone else lowkey impressed by how quick these scammers are? Like, I can barely figure out how to update my own info sometimes 😂

Same thing happened to me last month! Even after changing everything, they were still getting in somehow. Turns out they had set up email forwarding rules in my account so they could see all my EDD correspondence. Make sure to check your email settings and look for any forwarding rules you didn't create. Also, enable two-factor authentication if EDD offers it. The whole process was a nightmare but I eventually got it sorted out. Don't give up!

This entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening as someone who's currently on week 6 of FMLA for a spinal injury and dreading what happens when it runs out. I had no idea about so many of these options - CFRA, ADA accommodations, the interactive process requirement, company-specific disability policies. It's honestly overwhelming how much there is to navigate, but also reassuring to know there are potential protections beyond just the basic 12 weeks. One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen mentioned - has anyone dealt with workers' compensation claims alongside SDI? My injury happened at work but the WC claim is moving slowly, so I'm currently on SDI while that gets sorted out. I'm not sure if that changes any of the job protection dynamics or if there are different rules when it's a workplace injury. Also, for those who've had success with HR meetings about extended accommodations - any tips on what NOT to say? I tend to overshare when I'm nervous and I don't want to accidentally say something that hurts my case. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly. It's making what felt like an impossible situation feel much more manageable knowing there are people who've been through this and come out okay on the other side!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I'm so grateful to everyone who has shared their experiences and expertise here! As someone who's new to navigating disability leave, I had no idea there were so many potential protections and resources available beyond the basic FMLA coverage. Reading about CFRA, ADA accommodations, the interactive process, company-specific policies, and even things like leave donation programs has completely changed my understanding of what options might be available. I'm particularly struck by how many people have emphasized the importance of being proactive and documenting everything - that seems to be a common thread among those who've successfully navigated these situations. The advice about framing requests as "temporary" accommodations and using specific legal terminology like "disability accommodation interactive process" is so practical and actionable. For those dealing with chronic conditions like myself, it's incredibly reassuring to see that extended leave can often be considered a reasonable accommodation under ADA, and that the "undue hardship" threshold for employers is actually quite high. The reminder that our health comes first while we figure out the employment logistics is something I really needed to hear. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative discussion. It's making what felt like an overwhelming and scary situation feel much more manageable with a clear path forward!