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I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The SDI vs DI confusion is so real - my physical therapist kept saying DI, my employer said SDI, and I was convinced I was missing something important. Turns out they're absolutely the same program, just different ways of referring to California's State Disability Insurance. What really helped me was realizing that when you go to file, you'll only see SDI options on the EDD website - there's no separate "DI" application to worry about. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: definitely give your surgeon's office a heads up about the medical certification requirements as soon as you schedule your surgery. Some doctors' offices are super familiar with the process and turn it around quickly, while others might need more time or reminders. Since you mentioned your leave starts next month, you've got good timing to get everything coordinated properly. Also, double-check with your HR about any additional private disability insurance your employer might offer - that would be completely separate from SDI and could potentially provide additional benefits alongside the state program.
This is such great practical advice! I'm definitely going to reach out to my surgeon's office this week to discuss the medical certification process. It sounds like being proactive about that conversation can really make or break the timeline for getting benefits started. I hadn't even thought about asking HR about private disability insurance either - that's definitely worth checking into since it sounds like you might be able to get benefits from both. Thanks for sharing your experience and for the reassurance that there's really just one application to worry about on the EDD site!
This whole thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same confusion right now - my doctor's office keeps talking about "DI paperwork" but my employer's benefits guide only mentions SDI. I was starting to panic that I'd somehow miss filing for the right program when I need to take leave for my upcoming shoulder surgery. It's so reassuring to know they're literally the same thing and that this terminology confusion is super common. The advice about starting the application process before your actual surgery date is gold - I had no idea that was possible and was planning to wait until I was already out of work. That could have really delayed my benefits! One quick question for anyone who's been through this recently: when you file through the SDI Online portal, do you need to upload any documents during the initial application, or is it mostly just filling out forms with your employment/medical info? I want to make sure I have everything ready to go when it's time to file.
Hey, just wondering if you got this sorted out? I'm having the same issue and could use some advice if you found a solution!
I ran into the E324 error a few months ago and it was a nightmare! What finally worked for me was making sure my address EXACTLY matched what was on file with Social Security Administration, not just the DMV. Even things like "Street" vs "St" or apartment formatting can cause this error. Also, try using Internet Explorer or Edge if you're on Chrome/Firefox - their old system seems to work better with older browsers sometimes. The whole process is frustrating but don't give up!
This is super helpful! I never would have thought about the exact address formatting being so important. I'm dealing with the same E324 error right now and I bet that's my issue - I probably put "Ave" instead of "Avenue" or something like that. Going to double-check everything against my SSA records. Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙏
Oh wow, the address formatting thing makes so much sense! I've been having this same E324 error and I bet that's exactly what's happening. I moved last year and probably have slight differences between what I told DMV vs SSA. Question though - how do you check what address format SSA has on file? Do you have to call them or is there an online way to verify? Also curious about the browser thing - did IE/Edge actually make a difference for the registration process specifically?
Just want to add that if you're mailing from out of state, make sure to allow extra time for delivery. I sent mine from Nevada and it took almost a week to get there. Also, if you have any questions about what documents to include, the EDD website has a pretty detailed checklist - it's actually one of the few things on their site that's actually helpful! Hope your claim goes smoothly! 🤞
Just wanted to share my recent experience - I mailed my SDI paperwork to that exact address Emma provided last week and it arrived safely! I used Priority Mail with tracking (about $8) and it got there in 2 days. One thing I learned from reading through all the comments here is to definitely keep digital copies of everything on your phone or computer before mailing. Also, if you're worried about timing, you can actually drop off documents in person at some EDD offices, though you might have to wait in line. The West Sacramento address Emma shared is definitely correct - it matches what's on the official EDD website. Good luck with your claim, Leila! 🍀
This is super helpful! I'm new to dealing with EDD and all these tips are gold. Quick question - when you say "drop off documents in person," do you know if all EDD offices accept SDI paperwork or just specific ones? I'm in the Bay Area and wondering if it's worth the drive to avoid potential mail delays. Also, did you get any kind of receipt when you dropped them off? Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙏
I'm 28 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing severe symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) that's making it nearly impossible to walk, stand, or even roll over in bed. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I feel much more informed about potentially starting SDI earlier than the standard 36 weeks. My question is about the timing of submitting the claim - should I wait until I'm actually ready to stop working to submit the DE 2501, or can I submit it in advance once my doctor certifies the start date? I'm worried about any gaps in pay while the claim processes, especially since I've seen some people mention it can take 1-2 weeks for approval. Also, has anyone had experience with SDI covering time for bed rest? My doctor mentioned that might be necessary if the SPD gets worse, and I want to make sure I understand what documentation would be needed for that level of restriction. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it's been so validating to see that pregnancy complications like this are taken seriously by both doctors and EDD when properly documented!
Hi Aisha! SPD is absolutely brutal - I can't imagine how difficult it must be to deal with that level of pain and mobility restriction. Regarding timing, you should submit your DE 2501 as soon as your doctor certifies your start date, even if that date is a week or two in the future. Don't wait until you actually stop working! EDD processes claims from the certified start date, so submitting early helps avoid payment gaps. I submitted mine about 10 days before my intended start date and had approval by the time I actually began my leave. For bed rest specifically, your doctor would need to document that you're unable to perform ANY work duties due to your condition - not just your regular job, but essentially any type of work. They'll need to be very explicit about the medical necessity for complete rest and how your SPD symptoms make even minimal activity unsafe or counterproductive to your recovery. I'd definitely discuss the bed rest possibility with your doctor now so they can document the progression of your symptoms. Having that conversation on record can make it easier to modify your claim later if your condition worsens. Also consider coordinating with your employer about using sick time or vacation days to bridge any potential processing delays, just in case. SPD can definitely qualify for early SDI - don't let anyone tell you it's "just normal pregnancy discomfort"! 💕
I'm 35 weeks pregnant and just wanted to add my experience for anyone still reading this thread! I was initially hesitant to ask for early SDI due to severe pelvic girdle pain, but after reading everyone's stories here, I finally talked to my doctor about it last week. She was incredibly supportive and explained that she sees this type of pregnancy complication frequently. She certified me to start at 34 weeks (so 2 weeks earlier than standard) using diagnosis codes for pelvic girdle pain and specifically documented my inability to sit for my desk job for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. I submitted my claim online immediately after our appointment, and it was approved within 6 business days - no additional documentation requested! I think having my doctor be very specific about my work limitations on the DE 2501 made all the difference. For anyone on the fence about advocating for early leave due to pregnancy complications - trust your body and don't feel guilty about it! The approval process was much smoother than I expected, and I wish I had started this conversation with my doctor sooner instead of trying to push through the pain. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences in this thread - it gave me the confidence to speak up for myself! 💕
Aaliyah Reed
I had almost the exact same situation happen to me last year! The EDD letter made it sound like I was getting 100% salary replacement when my employer was only covering about 60% and I needed SDI for the rest. What really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet showing my normal weekly pay, what my employer was actually paying me, and what the gap was that SDI should cover. I attached that to my appeal along with recent pay stubs that clearly showed the reduced amount. The whole thing got resolved in about 2-3 weeks once I submitted it online. Make sure to keep checking your EDD account for updates too - sometimes they approve it but don't send notification emails right away. You got this! 💪
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Grace Johnson
•The spreadsheet idea is brilliant! I never would have thought of that but it makes so much sense - having a visual breakdown that clearly shows the gap would make it impossible for them to misunderstand the situation. I'm definitely going to create something similar when I submit my appeal. It's also good to know about checking the account for updates since their notification system seems unreliable. Thanks for sharing your success story - it gives me confidence that this is definitely solvable with the right approach!
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Ruby Knight
I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like the key is getting very specific documentation from your employer and using the right legal terminology in your appeal. I'm definitely going to request that detailed breakdown letter from HR showing the percentage split and make sure to reference "partial wage continuation under UI Code Section 2626" like several people mentioned. The spreadsheet idea is genius too - creating a visual that clearly shows the wage gap seems like it would make it impossible for them to misunderstand. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines, it's really reassuring to know this is fixable with the right approach! 🤞
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Alexis Robinson
•Yes, this thread has been a goldmine of practical advice! I'm in a similar boat and feeling way more confident about tackling my appeal now. One thing I'd add based on what I've learned from calling around - if you can get your employer to use specific language like "employee receives X% wage continuation, SDI responsible for remaining Y%" in their letter, that seems to really help clarify things for EDD. It's crazy that we have to be so precise with the wording, but at least now we know what works! Good luck with your appeal - sounds like you've got a solid game plan! 🙏
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