This is absolutely infuriating and I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare while trying to recover from your back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm honestly appalled by how widespread EDD fraud seems to be based on all these responses. I wanted to add one more important step that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. They handle complaints about government benefit programs and can sometimes get faster responses from agencies like EDD when there's federal oversight involved. Also, when you visit the EDD office tomorrow, ask them specifically about their "account takeover" protocols - this sounds like a classic account takeover situation where someone gained access to your existing account rather than creating a fraudulent new one. They should have specific procedures for these cases that might be different from regular fraud claims. The fact that someone was able to drain $28,000 from the system using your identity for 14 months while you were actively working shows massive system failures on EDD's part. You shouldn't have to become an expert in fraud recovery just to get benefits you legitimately need and have earned through years of contributions. Everyone here has given you such incredible advice - you're going to be amazingly well-prepared for tomorrow's visit! Please keep us updated on your progress, and I'm sending positive thoughts for both resolving this mess quickly and for your recovery. You've got this!

This is absolutely heartbreaking and I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare while trying to recover from your back injury! As someone new to this community, I'm genuinely shocked by how many people have shared similar experiences here - it really shows there are serious systemic problems with EDD's security that need immediate attention. Reading through all the incredible advice everyone has given you, I'm amazed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. You've gone from a panic-inducing discovery to having a comprehensive action plan that covers everything from fraud reporting to media contacts to federal oversight agencies. One small additional thought - when you're at the EDD office tomorrow, consider asking them to walk you through exactly what security measures they're implementing to prevent this from happening to you (or others) again. It's not enough for them to just fix your current situation - they should be able to explain what systemic changes they're making to prevent these account takeovers in the future. The fact that someone could collect $28,000 in benefits under your name for 14+ months while you were actively working and paying into the system shows incredible negligence on their part. You shouldn't have to become a fraud expert just to access benefits you've legitimately earned. You're going to do great tomorrow - you're so well-prepared now thanks to everyone's advice here! Please keep us all updated on how it goes. Sending you strength for dealing with this bureaucratic mess and hopes for a speedy recovery from your injury. You've got this! 💪

I'm going through this exact transition right now too - returning to work in two weeks after being on SDI for anxiety and depression for about 12 weeks. This thread has been absolutely invaluable! Reading everyone's experiences has given me so much clarity on what to expect with that final payment. Based on all the shared experiences here, it seems like you should definitely receive your final prorated payment covering through 5/15, but the timing can vary quite a bit - anywhere from your normal schedule to about a week delayed. I love how everyone emphasized taking screenshots of your SDI Online account showing your return date - I just did that myself after reading these responses! The advice about creating a financial buffer and contacting your bank about pausing automatic payments is so practical and something I never would have thought of on my own. I'm definitely going to set up that "transition budget" someone mentioned and maybe look into a small line of credit as a safety net. What really resonates with me is how honest everyone has been about the emotional side of returning after stress-related disability. I keep oscillating between feeling ready and feeling terrified about jumping back into the work routine. It's so reassuring to hear that these mixed feelings are completely normal and don't mean you're not actually ready to return. Thank you to everyone for being so generous with sharing both your practical experiences and emotional insights. This community is such a support during what can feel like a really isolating transition!

I'm currently preparing for a similar transition - returning to work in a few weeks after being on SDI for stress-related health issues. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so helpful and reassuring! It sounds like the consensus is that you should receive your final prorated payment covering through 5/15, though the timing might vary from your normal Wednesday schedule by anywhere from a few days to about a week. I'm definitely taking the advice from this thread about creating a financial buffer, taking screenshots of my SDI Online account, and contacting my bank about temporarily pausing automatic payments during the transition period. The gap between final SDI payment and first regular paycheck seems to be a common challenge that catches people off guard. What really stands out to me is how honest everyone has been about the emotional adjustment of returning after stress-related disability - it's so validating to hear that feeling anxious about the transition is normal and doesn't mean you're not ready. The practical tips about using sick days to bridge the gap and looking into employee assistance programs are things I hadn't considered but definitely need to explore with HR. Thank you to everyone for sharing both the logistical details and the emotional reality of this transition - it makes navigating this process feel so much less overwhelming!

This thread has been such an amazing resource for everyone dealing with rental applications while on SDI! I'm actually in a similar situation myself - been on disability since late February due to a workplace injury and will be apartment hunting soon. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring and informative. What really stands out to me is how this community has come together to share practical, real-world solutions instead of just complaining about the system. The comprehensive documentation packet strategy seems to be the golden ticket based on everyone's success stories. I had no idea about the difference between award letters and benefits verification letters - that's such crucial information that should be more widely known! The Claimyr service recommendation appears in so many comments here that it's clearly a game-changer for actually reaching EDD. I'm definitely going to try that instead of wasting entire days on hold. It's frustrating that we have to prove ourselves more than other renters when disability income is often more reliable than traditional employment, but seeing Isabella's success and all the other positive outcomes here gives me real confidence. This thread should honestly be turned into some kind of official guide for people on SDI - you've all created something incredibly valuable through sharing your real experiences. Thank you everyone for being so generous with your knowledge and support!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm actually facing this exact situation right now - been on SDI since mid-January after a work-related injury and my lease expires at the end of April. I was honestly starting to panic about how I'd ever qualify for a rental without traditional pay stubs, but reading everyone's experiences here has given me such a clear roadmap. The benefits verification letter vs. award letter distinction is huge - I had no idea there was a difference and was planning to just use my award letter. And the Claimyr service sounds like a lifesaver since I've already spent countless hours trying to get through to EDD with zero success. What really resonates with me is how everyone emphasizes being organized and upfront about the situation. The comprehensive documentation packet approach makes so much sense - showing landlords that you're prepared and professional despite being on temporary disability. I'm definitely going to focus on smaller landlords rather than big management companies too based on the advice here. It's incredibly frustrating that we have to work twice as hard to prove we're reliable tenants when disability payments are often more consistent than many regular jobs, but this community has shown it's absolutely doable with the right preparation. Isabella, huge congratulations on your success! Your journey from stress to getting approved gives me so much hope. Thank you to everyone who shared practical solutions - this thread has transformed what felt like an impossible situation into something totally manageable!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress right after having your baby! I went through the exact same thing in January 2025. The payment stoppage after delivery is completely routine - EDD needs to verify your delivery info to determine if you're continuing on disability or transitioning to paid family leave. Since you submitted through the online portal this morning, you should expect to see movement in about 5-7 business days based on current processing times. The good news is they will backpay you for any missed payments, so you won't lose any money - it's just the cash flow timing that's stressful. A few tips that helped me: 1) Call your utility companies now to explain the EDD processing delay - most have policies for this exact situation, 2) Double-check with your OB's office that they submitted your updated medical certification with the correct delivery date/method, 3) Keep checking both your SDI online account AND your bank account, as sometimes the payment appears before the portal updates. This whole process is so poorly designed for new parents, but you're doing everything right. The payment will come through! Congratulations on your little one! 💕

I'm currently dealing with this exact same situation! Had my baby 4 days ago via C-section and my SDI payments stopped immediately after delivery. I submitted the birth information through the online portal yesterday and have been anxiously checking my account every few hours since then. Reading through all these experiences has been such a huge relief - I was starting to panic that I had done something wrong or that there was an issue with my claim! It's so reassuring to know that 5-7 business days seems to be the current standard processing time and that this payment stoppage is completely routine. The financial timing is definitely stressful though - I have several bills due next week that I was counting on this payment for. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm going to call my utility companies and credit card company tomorrow morning to explain the EDD processing delay and request extensions. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and timelines. It's helping me stay calm during what's already such an overwhelming time with a newborn. The fact that so many new moms are dealing with this exact same bureaucratic hassle really shows how much the system needs improvement! Fingers crossed we all see our payments processed by early next week. Congratulations to all the new mamas here - we've got this! 💕

Hey OP, don't forget to double check that you signed and dated everything! I made that rookie mistake and it delayed my benefits for weeks. 😭

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying about documentation! I learned this the hard way - keep copies of everything and consider sending your recertification form via certified mail if you go the postal route. That way you have proof of delivery with a tracking number. Also, if you submitted online, check your email for any confirmation messages - sometimes they go to spam. The waiting is the worst part, but hang in there! 🤞