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I've been on disability since October 2024 after my emergency gallbladder surgery led to complications. My doctor initially certified me through January 10, 2025, but I'm still having issues with pain and mobility. I'm getting really anxious because my benefits are set to end in 3 weeks, but I honestly don't feel ready to return to work yet. Is there a way to extend my SDI benefits beyond the original end date? Do I need to start a completely new claim or can my doctor just submit some kind of extension form? Has anyone successfully gotten their benefits extended when they needed more recovery time? I work in construction so going back too early could be dangerous.
Hey everyone, I just got my Notice of Computation for SDI. Has anyone else gone through this process recently? I'm wondering if I should double-check all the info on it or if I can just assume everything's correct. Any advice would be appreciated!
Just wanted to add - when you're reviewing your Notice of Computation, pay special attention to the quarters they used for your base period wages. I had a situation where they missed one of my jobs from the base period and my benefit amount was way lower than it should have been. Had to submit additional wage info to get it corrected. Also, if you've had multiple employers, double-check that all your wages are included. The system sometimes misses smaller employers or contract work. Better to catch it now than deal with an appeal later!
Hey everyone, I just got a notice saying my disability benefits are exhausted. Has anyone else dealt with this? What should I do next? I'm freaking out a little bit here.
Guys I think we're all missing the point here... has anyone tried bribing the EDD with cookies? ๐ช๐ค
I went through this exact situation last year! The exhaustion notice is scary but there are definitely next steps. First thing - check your online account to see if there's an option to file for an extension. Sometimes they don't automatically offer it but you can request one. Also, if you're still medically unable to work, start gathering updated medical records from your doctors ASAP. The gap between when benefits end and when you can potentially get them reinstated can be brutal, so time is really important here. Don't give up - the system is confusing but there are usually options available!
I've been trying to call about my disability claim for days now, but every time I get through, there's no one on the line. It's so frustrating! I've made multiple calls and it's always the same thing. Anyone else experiencing this? Any tips on how to actually talk to a real person?
lol welcome to the club ๐ been playing phone tag with them for 3 months now. starting to think theyre all robots
I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! ๐ค Been trying for over a week and it's like they don't even have real people working there. I've tried the redial trick, calling at different hours, even had my friend call from a different number thinking maybe they were blocking me somehow. Nothing works! This is so stressful when you're already dealing with a disability and need the support. Has anyone had luck with visiting a local office in person instead of calling?
I'm freaking out trying to correctly fill out my pregnancy disability application! Today (10/17/2025) my doctor put me on pregnancy disability, but I worked my last shift on 10/15/2025. Here's my confusion - the SDI application asks if I'll "receive pay while on disability leave" and I don't know how to answer. I won't be working while on disability, BUT I'll still get my final paycheck on November 3rd for those hours I worked BEFORE going on disability (my last shift on 10/15). Do I answer "yes" since technically I'll receive a paycheck after my disability start date (10/17)? Or do I answer "no" since that money is just for work I already completed before disability started? I'm worried about accidentally committing fraud if I answer wrong! Has anyone dealt with this situation before? This is my first pregnancy and I'm lost navigating all these disability forms!
To summarize what everyone has said: 1. Answer "No" to whether you'll receive pay while on disability, since your final paycheck is for work performed before your disability began 2. When you certify for benefits, report the final paycheck in the certification period when you receive it (early November), under the section for wages earned before disability 3. Keep documentation of your work dates vs. payment dates 4. Remember there's a 7-day waiting period before benefits start I've helped dozens of people navigate the EDD system (I used to work in HR), and these questions about final paychecks come up constantly. The system isn't designed very intuitively, but you're doing the right thing by asking questions before filling out the forms!
Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me during my pregnancy disability claim - make sure to submit your application as soon as possible! I waited a few days thinking I had time, but then realized that SDI benefits are calculated from when you submit the claim, not necessarily from your disability start date. The sooner you get it in, the better. Also, if you're planning to take bonding time after your pregnancy disability ends, you'll need to file a separate PFL (Paid Family Leave) claim later. The systems are different even though they're both through EDD. I wish someone had told me this earlier so I could plan better! You've got this mama! The hardest part is just getting through all the paperwork. Once it's submitted, the waiting game begins but at least you'll have peace of mind knowing it's done correctly.
Carmen Vega
One more thing to note - if your extension is approved, you'll continue receiving the same weekly benefit amount as your original claim. If for some reason you need to file a new claim later in 2025 (after returning to work for a while), that would have a new benefit calculation based on your more recent wages. Just something to be aware of for planning purposes.
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Ethan Moore
AuthorThank you for that clarification! My weekly benefit amount has been $1,352 which has been enough to cover my basic expenses. I'm hoping to be able to return to work by March at the latest.
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Ellie Kim
Just wanted to add that timing is really crucial here. Don't wait until the last minute to discuss this with your doctor. I made that mistake and had to scramble to get the paperwork submitted in time. Also, keep copies of everything your doctor submits - if there are any issues with processing, you'll want to have documentation of what was sent and when. The good news is that gallbladder complications are definitely a legitimate reason for extension, especially given the physical demands of construction work. Recovery times can vary a lot person to person, so don't feel bad about needing more time than initially expected.
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