Welcome to the community! As someone who's been through the SDI process twice (once for surgery, once for pregnancy complications), I can't stress enough how important it was that you got that form corrected. The date issue especially would have been a nightmare - I've seen people lose months of benefits because of incorrect disability start dates. One thing I'd add for anyone else reading this - if you're dealing with pregnancy complications, make sure your doctor is specific about the medical reasons you can't work. Vague language like "pregnancy complications" sometimes isn't enough. They need to document things like severe morning sickness, bed rest orders, high blood pressure, etc. The more detailed the medical justification, the smoother your claim will process. Also, since you mentioned you're 22 weeks along, don't forget that you'll need to file a separate claim for your actual maternity leave closer to your due date. That's a different process with different paperwork. But one thing at a time - glad you got this current issue sorted out so quickly!

I'm so glad I found this thread! As a newcomer to both this community and the SDI process, reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly educational. Leo, your situation with the white-out and wrong disability date really highlights how critical accuracy is with these forms - I had no idea EDD was so strict about these details. What really stands out to me is how quickly and supportively everyone jumped in to help, sharing both personal experiences and practical advice. The tips about online submission, keeping detailed records, and being specific about medical documentation are exactly the kind of insider knowledge that can make the difference between a smooth process and months of delays. I'm currently preparing my own application and feel so much more prepared now thanks to all the wisdom shared here. It's clear this community is an amazing resource for navigating these complex government processes. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge - it's going to help so many people avoid costly mistakes!

This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! As someone who's currently at week 49 and honestly feeling pretty anxious about the whole extension process, seeing all this detailed advice and support has been such a relief. I love how everyone has shared not just the basic steps but also all the little tricks and insider knowledge that can make such a huge difference. The tips about using EDD's official language, keeping detailed logs, scheduling follow-up appointments in advance, and working backwards from deadlines are all so practical. I'm definitely going to create my own "SDI Extension Binder" like someone mentioned - having everything organized in one place sounds like it would really help with the stress. Emma, thank you for asking the question that started this incredible resource thread! And to everyone who shared their experiences - from the person who called 47 times in one day to those who got approved on the first try - your stories give the rest of us hope and a realistic picture of what to expect. This community really shows how much better we can navigate these challenges when we support each other. Here's to all of us getting through this process successfully! 🤞

Wow, Emma, you've started such an incredible thread here! As someone who went through my SDI extension about 8 months ago, I'm blown away by all the amazing advice everyone has shared. This has basically become the ultimate guide for SDI extensions! Just to add one small thing that helped me - when you finally get through to EDD on the phone, don't be afraid to ask them to repeat important information or speak slower. I was so excited to finally reach a human that I forgot to actually absorb what they were telling me the first time. Also, if they give you any specific instructions that differ from the standard process, ask them to email you a summary or give you a reference number for that conversation. Reading through everyone's responses really reinforces how much this community has each other's backs. From practical tips about form fees to emotional support about the frustration of the system - this thread has it all! You're going to do great with your extension, and hopefully this amazing resource helps other people in the same situation. Thanks for bringing us all together with your question! 💪

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact nightmare about 8 months ago! I see so many of you dealing with the "pending physician certification" limbo and I totally feel your pain - it's incredibly stressful when you're counting on that payment and the system seems to be moving at a snail's pace. My claim was stuck in that same status for almost 3 weeks even though my doctor swore they submitted everything correctly. What finally broke the logjam was when I had my doctor not only call EDD directly, but also re-fax the DE 2501 form with a cover sheet that included my claim number in large, bold letters at the top. Apparently their processing system sometimes has trouble matching up the medical forms with the right claims. One thing I learned that might help some of you: EDD's fax system gets completely overwhelmed during peak hours (usually 9am-2pm). My doctor's office found more success sending paperwork either early morning (before 8am) or late afternoon (after 4pm). @Nadia Zaldivar so glad to hear your status finally moved! That first payment hitting your account will be such a relief. And to everyone else still waiting - I know it feels endless, but you will get through this. The retroactive payment makes up for some of the stress once it finally comes through. Hang in there! 💪

Just wanted to add my recent experience to this helpful thread! I went through this exact same situation just last month - filed my SDI claim and got stuck on "pending physician certification" for what felt like forever, even though my doctor assured me they had submitted everything immediately. What I discovered after calling EDD multiple times was that there's actually a separate processing queue specifically for physician certifications, and it's completely backed up right now. The rep I finally got through to explained that they're still dealing with staffing shortages from COVID that are affecting their medical review department specifically. A couple things that helped speed up my process: 1. I had my doctor submit a second copy of the DE 2501 via their secure online portal (not just fax) 2. I called EDD at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday - seemed to have better luck early in the week 3. I kept a detailed log of every interaction which helped when I finally got a helpful rep The whole thing took about 16 days from filing to first payment, but once it switched to "processing payment" the money was in my account within 24 hours via direct deposit. And yes, they did pay me retroactively from my first day of disability. @Nadia Zaldivar congrats on getting to processing payment status! You should see that money very soon. And to everyone else still waiting - I know how anxiety-inducing this is, but hang in there. The system is slow but it does work eventually! 🙏

This thread is amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm a single mom on temporary SDI ($2,000/month) after a C-section complication that's keeping me out of work longer than expected. With daycare costs and rent eating up most of my benefits, I've been living on rice and beans trying to make it work. I honestly didn't even know CalFresh was an option while on disability. The way Isaac broke down his whole process and the final approval gives me so much hope! I'm especially grateful for Katherine's explanation of the income limits and deductions - with my childcare expenses on top of housing costs, it sounds like I might actually qualify for a decent benefit amount. Going to apply this weekend using GetCalFresh.org. Even if it's just $50-100/month, that would make such a difference for fresh fruits and vegetables for my toddler. It's so reassuring to know there's help available during these tough recovery periods. Will definitely update once I hear back!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this process about 6 months ago. I was on SDI for 4 months after a knee replacement surgery, getting about $1,850/month. Like many of you, I was confused about whether I could get CalFresh and almost didn't apply because I thought any disability income would disqualify me. The application process through GetCalFresh.org was surprisingly straightforward - took maybe 20 minutes total. What really helped was having all my documents ready beforehand: SDI award letter, lease agreement, and receipts for my physical therapy copays. I ended up getting approved for $142/month, which was honestly a lifesaver during recovery. The phone interview was just basic verification of what I'd already submitted online. The caseworker was actually really understanding about my situation and explained how the deductions worked. For anyone still hesitating - Isaac's success story isn't unique! I know it can feel overwhelming when you're already dealing with recovery, but these benefits can really take some financial pressure off during a difficult time. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised by the outcome. Good luck to everyone who's applying!

Just to add one more helpful tip that saved me a lot of stress - when you're filling out the new claim online, there's a section where it asks about previous disability claims. Make sure you answer this accurately and include your old claim number. I initially skipped this thinking it wasn't relevant since I was filing a "new" claim, but it actually helps them process your application faster and determines your waiting period eligibility. Also, if you're still seeing the same doctor who treated you during your October claim, mention that to them - they might have your previous medical records readily available which can make the certification process quicker. The whole thing feels redundant when it's the same condition, but the system is designed this way for tracking purposes. At least the second time around you'll know exactly what to expect!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had an SDI claim last year for a chronic condition that ended in November 2024, and now I'm having another flare-up. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm planning to file a new claim online using my existing account. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - if you're dealing with a chronic condition that tends to recur, it might be worth asking your doctor to document the ongoing nature of your condition in your medical records. My doctor mentioned that having a clear medical history of recurring episodes can sometimes help with future claims processing. Also, for anyone hesitant about filing "too early" - I called EDD's automated line and they confirmed that filing up to 7 days before you actually stop working is totally fine and often recommended. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - it's made me feel much more confident about navigating this process again!