I've been following this thread closely and wanted to add something that might help others who are still struggling. After reading through all the excellent advice here, I tried a slightly different approach that worked for me last week. Instead of calling right at 8:15am, I actually called at 7:58am and stayed on the line through the "we're closed" message until exactly 8:00am when the system opened. This seemed to put me ahead of people who called exactly at opening time. I got through to a rep after only 15 minutes on hold! The key insight from @Justin Trejo about Tuesday-Thursday timing was spot on - I called on a Wednesday. And @Miguel Ortiz's advice about asking for Medical Services was crucial. The regular rep initially tried to help but the Medical Services specialist was able to access different systems and found my certification immediately. For anyone still waiting, don't give up! The combination of strategies shared in this thread really does work. Having your information organized beforehand makes such a difference when you finally get someone on the line. This community has been amazing for moral support and practical advice during such a stressful process.

I've been dealing with a similar issue for about 3 weeks now and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! After reading through everyone's strategies, I'm planning to try the 7:58am pre-opening call approach that @QuantumQuasar mentioned - that's such a brilliant workaround to get ahead of the rush. Like many others here, my medical certification seems to be lost in the system somewhere. My doctor's office confirmed they submitted it electronically, but it's not showing up in my SDI Online account. Based on all the success stories shared here, I'm going to specifically ask for the Medical Services department when I get through, since that seems to be key for certification-related issues. One thing I wanted to add - I've been keeping a detailed spreadsheet of my call attempts (inspired by @Miguel Ortiz's suggestion), and I noticed that I've had slightly better luck getting past the initial menu on calls made between 8:00-8:03am versus later in the morning. The system seems to start rejecting calls completely once those first few minutes pass and all the lines fill up. This community support has been a lifesaver during such a stressful time. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences and strategies - especially @Justin Trejo for the insider timing tips and all the folks who've reported successful outcomes. It gives the rest of us hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel!

After reading all these comments, it sounds like you have several potential issues that could be causing the delay: 1. The general backlog (most likely) 2. A possible incomplete physician certification 3. Your previous UI claim potentially complicating benefit calculations 4. Possible missing identity verification The fastest way to resolve this is definitely getting through to an actual claims specialist who can look at your file. They can tell you exactly what's happening and often fix issues on the spot. The standard phone lines are virtually impossible right now, so either try the Claimyr service I mentioned, contact your assembly member, or try calling the alternate number (833-978-2511) which sometimes has shorter wait times. Once you get your claim approved, the good news is that you'll receive all back payments from your disability start date (minus the 7-day waiting period). So even though it's incredibly stressful waiting, you will eventually get the full amount you're entitled to.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting for disability benefits while dealing with medical issues and financial strain is absolutely brutal. I went through something similar last year and it took 7 weeks to get my first payment. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of all my call attempts, including dates, times, and how long I was on hold before getting disconnected. This documentation was useful when I finally got through to someone and also when I contacted my state representative's office for help. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to certify for benefits every two weeks even though you haven't been paid yet. Sometimes people miss this step thinking they need to wait for approval first, but you actually need to keep certifying to avoid additional delays once your claim is processed. The system is completely broken right now, but hang in there - you will eventually get your benefits including all the back pay. In the meantime, see if there are any local emergency assistance programs that might help with rent or prescription costs while you're waiting.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now and was starting to panic. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions gives me hope that it's actually fixable. I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning at 8:01 AM with all my documents ready. Question for those who got it resolved - did any of you have to deal with this affecting an existing claim, or were you all just trying to register for the first time like me? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! 🙏

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to the community and currently dealing with this exact same driver's license linking issue. It's really reassuring to see so many people have successfully resolved this problem. Based on everyone's advice, I'm planning to call tomorrow at 8:01 AM with all my documents ready (SSN, license number, address history, etc.). The tip about asking for a "technical specialist" for account linking errors is particularly useful - I wouldn't have known to do that otherwise. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions! This community is awesome for helping each other navigate these bureaucratic nightmares. 🙏

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!

Just wanted to add my experience since this thread has been so helpful for everyone! I went through this exact same issue back in February - my forms disappeared right after I passed my original recovery date from wrist surgery. Like everyone else here, I had no idea what was happening and EDD provided zero communication about it. What worked for me was having my surgeon's office call EDD directly to inquire about the missing forms. Turns out they had sent a DE 2525XX supplemental certification form to my doctor's office but it got mixed up with other paperwork and wasn't completed right away. Once my surgeon submitted it, my forms reappeared within 3 days and I got backpaid for the entire missed period. Pro tip: if your doctor's office says they didn't receive anything from EDD, ask them to check their fax machine and any mail that might have been misfiled - these forms sometimes get overlooked in busy medical offices. This community thread should honestly be pinned somewhere because it's clearly helping so many people understand EDD's terrible communication system!

As someone who's been through the EDD disability system multiple times, I can tell you that this thread has become an incredible resource for understanding one of the most confusing aspects of their process. The pattern is so clear now - when your recovery extends beyond your doctor's original estimate, EDD's system automatically pauses certification forms while waiting for updated medical documentation, but they provide absolutely no notification about this to claimants. What's particularly valuable about this discussion is how it shows that this isn't a rare glitch - it's a systematic issue that affects tons of people whose recovery takes longer than initially expected. The fact that so many people have found this thread while desperately searching for answers really highlights how poorly EDD communicates these requirements. For anyone dealing with this issue, the key takeaways from everyone's experiences seem to be: 1) Check with your doctor's office for any EDD correspondence (especially DE 2525XX forms) that might have been overlooked, 2) Have your doctor contact EDD directly if needed, and 3) Once updated medical certification is submitted, forms typically reappear within days and backpay is processed. It's honestly ridiculous that people have to crowdsource this information instead of getting clear communication from EDD, but I'm so glad this thread exists to help people navigate this broken system!