For anyone still struggling with this, I just discovered you can also check your last pay stub from December 2024 - it should have a "year-to-date" section that shows your total SDI deductions for the whole year. Most employers include this breakdown even if you get direct deposit. If you use a pay stub app or portal, the December stub will have all your 2024 totals. This might be quicker than waiting for your W-2 if you need the info sooner! 📊

Hey Connor! I went through this exact same headache a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was checking my online banking statements - I searched for "CA SDI" or "DISABILITY" in my transaction history and could see all the deductions that came out of my paychecks throughout 2024. It's not as clean as a W-2, but it gave me a good running total while I was waiting for my tax documents. Also, if you have direct deposit, sometimes your bank will show more detail about payroll deductions than you might expect. Worth a quick look while you're trying the other suggestions people mentioned! 💳

This is exactly the kind of nightmare situation that makes dealing with EDD so stressful! I'm a newcomer to this community but have been following similar cases, and I wanted to add a few thoughts based on what I've been learning. First, definitely document EVERYTHING from this point forward - dates, times, representative names, confirmation numbers, anything they tell you. It sounds like you're already dealing with the consequences of not having that initial conversation properly documented, so don't let that happen again. Second, I've seen people mention that when you submit the DE 1446W waiver form, you should also include a cover letter explaining the situation in detail. Don't just rely on the form fields - spell out the entire timeline, including the fact that you were explicitly told it was EDD's error and wouldn't be your responsibility. The offset from SDI to cover UI overpayments is unfortunately legal, but what's NOT okay is them going back on their word when a rep told you it was their mistake. That's exactly what the waiver process is designed to address. Stay strong and don't give up! From everything I've read here, your case sounds like it has merit. The system is broken but there are ways to fight back when you know your rights.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what worked for me in a very similar situation. I had EDD taking money from my PFL benefits to cover a UI overpayment that was clearly their error - they even admitted it in writing! Here's what I learned: When you submit that DE 1446W waiver form, make sure to request it be expedited due to ongoing financial hardship from the benefit offsets. There's actually a checkbox for this on the form that most people miss. Also, send it certified mail AND upload it online if possible - I did both to make sure it didn't get lost in their system. The temporary collection halt is crucial, but here's something others haven't mentioned: if the first rep says they can't do it, politely end the call and try again with someone else. I got three different answers from three different reps about whether this was even possible. The third rep not only processed it immediately but also gave me a reference number to track the request. One more tip: if you have access to a local EDD office, consider visiting in person with all your documentation. Sometimes face-to-face interaction gets faster results than the phone maze. I know it's a hassle when you're dealing with a medical condition, but it might save you weeks of phone tag. Don't let them wear you down - you have legitimate grounds to fight this!

I'm currently going through this exact same frustrating situation! Got my notification 2 days ago about a required form but my SDI portal is showing absolutely nothing. Before finding this thread, I was convinced I was doing something wrong or that there was a technical issue with my account. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - especially @Emma Taylor's detailed 3-day timeline and @Owen Jenkins's explanation about EDD's batch processing system. It's incredible how poorly designed their notification system is, sending alerts before forms are actually available! I was planning to take time off work tomorrow to spend the entire day calling EDD, but now I understand that patience is really the key here. The insight about the 10-day deadline starting from when the form actually appears (not the notification date) has saved me so much unnecessary stress. Going to check once daily instead of obsessively refreshing every few hours and wait for their system to catch up. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for helping newcomers navigate EDD's confusing processes!

I'm experiencing this exact same issue right now! Just got my notification this morning about a form I need to complete for my disability claim, but when I logged into my SDI portal there's nothing there at all. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly reassuring - I was starting to think my account was broken or that I was missing something obvious. @Emma Taylor's 3-day timeline and @Owen Jenkins's explanation about the batch processing system really helps me understand what's happening behind the scenes. It's so frustrating that EDD designed their system to send notifications before forms are actually ready in the portal! I was about to panic and start calling them immediately, but now I know that patience is really the key here. The fact that the 10-day deadline starts from when the form actually appears (not the notification date) takes so much pressure off. Going to check once daily over the next few days instead of refreshing constantly. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is absolutely invaluable for newcomers trying to navigate EDD's confusing system!

I'm so sorry you had to go through that frustrating experience! Unfortunately, what you described is incredibly common with EDD-ordered IMEs. I had a similar experience about 4 months ago - the doctor spent literally 45 seconds with me, asked my name and what was wrong, then walked out without any physical examination whatsoever. I was absolutely convinced I'd be denied because it felt like such a sham, but I actually got approved 9 days later! It turns out these IME doctors typically review all your medical records before and after the appointment, not during that brief face-to-face meeting. The quick questions are really just to verify basic information and check for any glaring inconsistencies. The most important factor in your case will be the documentation from your treating physician. As long as they've been thorough in documenting your condition, symptoms, and limitations, that carries significant weight with EDD - often more than the IME itself. I know the waiting period is incredibly stressful (I was checking my EDD portal multiple times a day!), but try not to read too much into the brevity of the appointment. Based on what I've seen in this community, these rushed IMEs are unfortunately the norm rather than an exception. Keep monitoring your claim status online, and hopefully you'll have good news soon!

I just went through this exact same experience last week and completely understand your frustration and anxiety! My IME was almost identical - doctor walked in, asked my name and what my condition was, then literally said "okay, thank you" and walked out. The entire "examination" was maybe 45 seconds with zero physical assessment. I was absolutely panicking afterward, convinced it meant automatic denial. But after reading through everyone's experiences here and doing some research, I've learned this is unfortunately just how these IME mills operate. They're processing dozens of people daily and rely heavily on reviewing your medical records rather than conducting thorough examinations. The good news is that your treating physician's documentation is what really matters for your claim determination. If they've been thorough in documenting your condition and limitations, that carries much more weight than the brief IME appointment. I'm still waiting for my results (day 6 now), but seeing all the positive outcomes shared here despite similar rushed appointments has given me a lot of hope. Try not to let that joke of an appointment stress you out too much - it seems to be standard procedure rather than a reflection of anything specific to your case. Keep checking your EDD portal for updates and hopefully you'll have good news soon!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here too and just went through this exact same panic cycle last month. Got my authorization on a Friday afternoon and spent the entire weekend convinced something went wrong because I didn't understand there was still processing time needed. This thread is honestly better than any official EDD documentation - the real experiences and timelines everyone shares here are invaluable. One additional tip I learned: if you have a credit union instead of a big bank, sometimes their ACH processing is slightly faster, so you might see your deposit on the earlier end of that 1-3 day window. But even with my credit union it still took about 30 hours from authorization to seeing the money. The waiting is brutal when you're already stressed about health and finances, but it really does come through! Definitely recommend the bank alerts suggestion - saved me from constantly refreshing my account.

I'm so glad I found this thread! Just got my SDI authorization notice this afternoon and was already starting to worry when the money wasn't in my account within a few hours. This is my first time dealing with EDD disability payments and their communication is so unclear - I had no idea "authorized" just meant approved, not actually processed or deposited. Reading through everyone's real experiences and timelines here is incredibly reassuring. It sounds like 1-3 business days after authorization is totally normal for direct deposit. I'm definitely going to set up those bank alerts that people mentioned so I stop obsessively checking my account balance every 20 minutes! Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories - this community is already way more helpful than anything I could find on EDD's official website.