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So frustrated with the EDD portal right now! I received a call from an EDD SDI representative this morning who told me I need to submit additional medical documentation for my claim. They specifically mentioned I could upload these documents directly through the SDI Online portal instead of mailing them (which would take forever). I thanked them and hung up, thinking it would be straightforward. But now I've been searching through every page of my SDI Online account for 45 minutes and I cannot find ANY upload option anywhere! I've clicked through every tab, checked my claim details, looked at forms and certifications... nothing. I'm starting to think the representative gave me incorrect information. Has anyone successfully uploaded documents to their SDI claim online? Where exactly is this mysterious upload button supposed to be? Or do I really have to mail everything in despite what they told me? My benefits are on hold until they get these documents, so I'm getting pretty anxious about the delay. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I quit my job last week after dealing with a toxic workplace for about 18 months. The stress was giving me panic attacks, insomnia, and my blood pressure went through the roof. My doctor agrees that my health is seriously suffering and mentioned she would provide medical certification for disability. But here's my question: since I already quit, am I still eligible to file for SDI benefits? I thought disability was only for people currently employed who need time off. I'm genuinely confused about whether I've messed up my chances by quitting first instead of going on disability while still employed. Has anyone navigated this situation before? I really need the financial support while I focus on my health recovery.
Update: I talked to my doctor today and she's adding specific language about how my medical conditions (anxiety disorder, hypertension, insomnia) were directly caused by workplace stress and prevented me from continuing to work. She's also backdating the disability start date to when my symptoms first became severe enough to impact my ability to work, which was actually about 2 weeks before I officially quit. I'm going to file my claim online tomorrow. Thank you all so much for your help and advice! I'll update once I hear anything from EDD.
Sounds like you're taking all the right steps! Good luck with your claim. And don't forget - if EDD requests additional information or clarification, respond quickly and thoroughly. That's often where claims get delayed.
Best of luck with your claim! You've gotten some really solid advice here. One thing I'd add - keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit to EDD. Screenshot your online application, save PDFs of all medical documentation, and keep a log of any phone calls or correspondence. If there are any issues with your claim later, having that paper trail can be a lifesaver. Also, be patient with the process - it can take several weeks to get a decision, but based on what you've described, it sounds like you have a strong case with proper medical documentation. Take care of yourself during this stressful time!
Hey everyone, I just received my first SDI payment after being out with a herniated disc (thanks construction job 😩). I'm trying to budget for the next few months and realized I have no idea about the tax situation with disability benefits. Do I need to set aside money for taxes? Is SDI taxable for California state taxes AND federal taxes? I know unemployment is only taxed federally but not sure if SDI follows the same rules. Anyone who's been through this before who can clarify would be super helpful!
When I was on disability last year for my shoulder surgery, I initially thought it wasn't taxed at all. Then I was told by my neighbor it was fully taxable like a regular paycheck. Then my uncle said it wasn't taxable at all because it's a benefit not income. So confusing! Glad to see the correct info here - federal yes, state no. Wish I had known this earlier!
Thanks everyone for the detailed responses! This is exactly what I needed to know. I had no idea about the federal vs state tax difference. I'm definitely going to submit that DE 4P form to have federal taxes withheld - I'd rather have smaller payments now than get hit with a big tax bill next year like some of you experienced. Really appreciate this community for helping newcomers navigate all these confusing EDD rules!
So I'm in a bit of a pickle with my disability claim. The doctor's office messed up and put the wrong date for when I can go back to work. It's actually my next appointment date, not when I'm cleared to work again. Now I gotta deal with fixing this mistake and I'm not sure how to go about it. Has anyone else run into something like this before? What's the best way to get this sorted out with the EDD? I'm worried about my benefits getting cut off early because of this mixup.
I feel your pain, buddy. The EDD is a nightmare to deal with. I spent weeks trying to get through to someone on the phone. It's like they're purposely making it difficult 🤬
I had almost the exact same thing happen to me! My doctor accidentally wrote down my follow-up appointment date instead of my actual return-to-work date. Here's what worked for me: First, I went back to the doctor's office immediately and got a corrected form with the right date - make sure they put a note explaining it was a clerical error. Then I called EDD first thing in the morning (like 8:01 AM sharp) and actually got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was understanding once I explained the situation and had them fax the corrected paperwork that same day. They updated my claim within a week. Don't panic - this is more common than you think and they have a process for it. Just be persistent and polite when you call!
I received SDI benefits for about 4 months last year (March-July) after my back surgery, but I haven't gotten my tax form yet for filing my 2025 taxes. I know I need to report the disability income on my taxes but have no idea where to get the form. Usually employers mail W-2s by end of January, right? Is EDD different? Do they even send W-2s for disability or is it some other form? I checked my mail carefully and haven't received anything from EDD. Is there a website where I can download it? Getting worried as my tax appointment is in 2 weeks and I need ALL my income forms. Help!
UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD using the automated line (1-866-401-2849)! Turns out they sent my 1099-G to my old address even though I updated my address on UI Online when I moved last year. The representative said they can mail a new one, but it'll take 7-10 business days. Since my tax appointment is next week, they're also emailing me a copy within 48 hours. Just wanted to update in case anyone else has this issue!
That's great news! The address issue is a common problem. EDD has multiple systems and sometimes address updates in one system don't transfer to others. For anyone else reading this with a similar issue, another option is requesting an immediate fax of your 1099-G if you have access to a fax machine or fax service. EDD can usually fax the form the same day, which is faster than waiting for email or mail.
So glad to see this thread! I'm dealing with the same issue right now. I received SDI benefits for about 6 months last year after a car accident, and I'm also missing my tax form. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like I need to look for a 1099-G form, not a W-2. I'm going to try logging into my UI Online account first, and if that doesn't work, I'll call that automated line at 1-866-401-2849. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really helpful to know I'm not the only one struggling with this! The EDD system can be so confusing when you're already dealing with recovery and now tax season on top of it.
Malik Thomas
UPDATE: You guys were right! The upload button appeared in my account this morning under 'View Messages and Documents' exactly where @profile3 said it would be. Looks like it just needed some time to appear after the rep flagged my account. I've successfully uploaded all my medical documentation now! Thank you all so much for your help and for saving me from unnecessarily mailing everything in. This forum has been so helpful!
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Alana Willis
That's awesome that it finally worked out for you! This thread is going to be so helpful for future people dealing with the same issue. I'm bookmarking this post because I have a feeling I'll need to reference it when my own claim gets reviewed next year. The EDD system is so confusing - it's great when community members share their actual experiences like this. Glad you didn't have to deal with the mail delays!
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