This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently going through a similar situation - injured my shoulder at work 6 weeks ago and finally got my specialist to submit the SDI paperwork last week. I was really worried about the gap between my injury date and when the paperwork was filed, but reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that EDD will backdate to my actual injury date as long as my doctor certified that correctly. I kept all my initial ER visit records and follow-up appointments, so I should be able to document the entire timeline if they ask. It's such a relief to know that specialist wait times are common and EDD generally understands these delays aren't the patient's fault. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community has been way more helpful than trying to get through to EDD on the phone!

I just wanted to share my recent experience that might help others with similar timing concerns. I had a workplace injury last month where there was a 4-week gap between my injury date and when my orthopedic surgeon finally submitted my SDI paperwork. I was really stressed about whether EDD would question the delay, but they approved my claim with full backpay to my injury date without any issues. The key was that my doctor properly documented the original injury date on the DE 2501 form and I had kept all my initial urgent care records. What really helped was that I proactively included a brief note with my claim explaining that the delay was due to specialist referral wait times, not because I wasn't seeking treatment. EDD processed my claim in about 10 days and I received backpay for all the weeks I was off work (minus the 7-day waiting period of course). For anyone dealing with similar gaps - don't panic! As long as your medical provider certifies the correct disability start date and you have documentation showing you sought initial treatment promptly, EDD seems pretty understanding about specialist appointment delays. The healthcare system is backed up everywhere right now and they know it.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The online switch worked perfectly for me - took about 2 payment cycles to fully kick in. One thing to watch out for: make sure your bank account info is 100% accurate when you enter it. I made a typo in my routing number the first time and it delayed everything by another month. Also, don't close or throw away the BofA card right away even after direct deposit starts working. I kept mine as a backup just in case there were any issues with the direct deposit. EDD systems can be finicky sometimes!

Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully switched from the EDD debit card to direct deposit about 3 months ago. The online process through SDI Online worked great, but there are a few things I wish I had known beforehand: 1. It took exactly 2 payment cycles before direct deposit kicked in (so plan for that timing) 2. You can still access any remaining balance on the BofA card even after switching - it doesn't expire 3. Make sure to use a checking account, not savings - some credit unions have issues with SDI direct deposits to savings accounts The whole process was way easier than I expected after reading horror stories online. Just be patient with the timing and you should be good to go!

Just a heads up, if you do end up having to repay, make sure you get documentation of everything. I paid mine off and then six months later they tried to say I still owed. Thank god I kept all my receipts!

This happened to me last year and I was freaking out! Here's what worked for me: 1) Don't panic - these things can often be resolved, 2) Gather all your paperwork (benefit statements, work search logs, everything), 3) Call the overpayment department specifically (different from regular EDD line), and 4) If you can't afford to pay back immediately, ask about hardship options. In my case, it turned out I had reported my part-time work correctly but their system had a glitch. Took 3 months to fix but they eventually cleared it. Good luck! 🤞

Welcome to the community! As a newcomer here, I've been following this thread with great interest since I'm currently pregnant and will likely need to file for postpartum SDI in a few months. Your experience has been incredibly educational - both the initial frustration and the ultimate resolution. What strikes me most is how a simple administrative error (mixing up SDI with PFL) can cause so much stress for new parents who are already dealing with recovery and caring for a newborn. It's encouraging that the phone route worked so quickly once you got through to an actual person, but also concerning that this type of mix-up happens "frequently" according to the EDD rep. For those of us preparing to file future claims, your story highlights several key lessons: 1) Document everything from the start, 2) Don't be afraid to try multiple approaches (phone AND written appeal), 3) Services like Claimyr can be worth the cost if you're getting nowhere with regular calls, and 4) Always get confirmation numbers and rep names when changes are made. I'm bookmarking this entire thread as a reference guide for when I file my own claim. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone with your resolution - success stories like yours give the rest of us confidence that these issues can be resolved with persistence. Congratulations on your new baby and getting your benefits sorted out!

Welcome to the community and huge congratulations on getting your claim resolved! As a new member here, I've been reading through various EDD posts and your story is such a perfect example of why this community is so valuable. The collective knowledge here really shines through - from identifying the likely SDI/PFL mix-up to providing specific strategies like optimal call times and the Claimyr service. What really stands out to me is how your experience validates the "dual approach" strategy several experienced members suggested - trying to resolve by phone while simultaneously protecting your rights with a written appeal. The fact that you got it fixed in 20 minutes through Claimyr after potentially facing a 6-8 week appeal process is incredible. For other new parents who might face similar issues, your documentation approach seems spot-on: getting the rep's name, confirmation number, and timeline for when changes should appear in your portal. That level of detail could be crucial if any issues resurface. I'm curious - now that it's been resolved, do you feel like there were any early warning signs when you initially filed that might have indicated the system was processing your claim incorrectly? I'm asking because I may need to file a similar claim in the future and want to know what to watch for. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with your resolution. Success stories like yours give the rest of us hope that even when EDD's system seems broken, persistence and the right strategies can get things back on track!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm currently in week 3 of waiting for my EDD SDI claim to be processed after a back injury, and I was starting to feel completely overwhelmed by the system. PrinceJoe, your success story is exactly what I needed to read today - it gives me hope that persistence really does work, even when everything seems hopeless. The detailed strategies everyone has shared here are incredible: the 8 AM calling technique, requesting expedited processing for financial hardship, contacting assembly members, and asking about the ARTU queue. I had no idea any of these options existed! I've been calling at random times throughout the day with no success, but now I have a clear action plan to follow. It's amazing how this community provides more practical, real-world advice than any official EDD resource. The support and knowledge sharing here makes dealing with this bureaucratic maze feel so much less isolating. Thank you all for creating such a helpful space - I'm implementing these strategies first thing tomorrow morning!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful and inspiring this entire thread has been! I'm currently dealing with my own EDD SDI claim that's been stuck for about 10 days due to what they're calling a "documentation review," and I was starting to feel really anxious about the whole process. PrinceJoe, reading about your journey from complete desperation to finally getting through the system has given me so much hope - the fact that you persevered through 5 weeks of uncertainty and stress, and then one conversation was able to resolve everything with backdated payments, really shows that the system can work if you don't give up! The collective wisdom shared in this thread is absolutely invaluable: the 8 AM calling strategy, mentioning financial hardship for expedited processing, contacting assembly members for intervention, asking about the ARTU queue, and the specific phone tactics. I've been calling sporadically with no success, but now I have a real game plan to follow. It's amazing how this community provides more actionable, real-world guidance than any official EDD resource. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive environment - it makes navigating this bureaucratic maze feel much less overwhelming. I'm starting the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow!