UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually worked - got connected to a rep in about 20 minutes. Turns out there was a problem with my medical certification. My doctor submitted it, but they used an older version of the form that didn't have all the required information. The EDD rep said they sent a request for updated info to my doctor's office TWO WEEKS AGO but nobody told me! I immediately called my doctor and they're submitting the correct form today. The rep said once they receive it, I should get paid within 2-3 business days. Fingers crossed! For anyone else waiting on payments - definitely try to get through to someone on the phone. There might be an issue you don't know about.

This is such a common issue unfortunately! I went through something similar last year and the stress of waiting for that first payment while bills pile up is absolutely awful. One thing that helped me was documenting everything - keep records of when you certified, when you called, what your doctor's office told you, etc. Sometimes EDD will ask for this information later. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're checking your SDI Online account daily. Sometimes they'll post messages or requests for additional information that aren't obvious at first glance. Look under any "Messages" or "Correspondence" sections. Really glad you got through and found out what the actual problem was! It's so frustrating that they don't proactively notify you when there are issues with your claim. Hope you get paid soon!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - postpartum depression is incredibly difficult and you're brave for seeking help. I went through something similar with my second child. Just wanted to add a couple things that helped me navigate the process: 1. When filing online, take screenshots of each step as you complete it. The system sometimes glitches and you don't want to lose your progress. 2. If your doctor isn't familiar with EDD forms, you might want to give them a heads up about what specific information EDD needs. Some providers haven't dealt with SDI claims before and might need guidance on the medical certification requirements. 3. Consider asking your doctor's office to submit the medical portion electronically if they can - it's usually faster than mailing paper forms. The waiting period and paperwork stress is real, but focus on getting the treatment you need. Your mental health is the priority here. Sending you support during this tough time! 💙

I'm going through something very similar right now - had my baby in October and thought I was doing fine until about 6 weeks ago when the depression really hit hard. Just wanted to share that I filed my new SDI claim last week and it was approved within 5 days! The key things that helped me were: 1) My doctor was very specific about it being postpartum depression related to my pregnancy (used the F53.0 code that others mentioned), 2) I filed everything online through SDI Online which was much faster, and 3) I made sure to indicate it was pregnancy-related when filling out the application. The hardest part for me was the 7-day waiting period when you're already struggling financially, but hang in there - it does get processed pretty quickly once you have all the right documentation. Also, don't feel guilty about needing this time - postpartum depression is a real medical condition and you deserve support. Wishing you all the best! ❤️

wait i just remembered something - is your back injury from work??? if it happened at work even partly you should be on workers comp not SDI!!! that pays way more and lasts longer!

I'm in a similar boat - my SDI is ending next month and I'm still not cleared for work. One thing that's helped me is reaching out to 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they connect you with local resources for emergency financial assistance, food banks, and utility help. Some counties have specific programs for people in the gap between state disability and other benefits. Also, if you haven't already, apply for CalFresh (food stamps) and see if you qualify for any utility assistance programs through LIHEAP. Every bit helps when you're trying to stretch what little savings you have left. The application process for these is way faster than SSDI. Hang in there - this gap period is brutal but there are people and programs out there to help bridge it.

I'm new to this community but this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! As someone who's healthy right now but works in a high-risk occupation, I had no idea about the strict 52-week SDI limit or how many safety nets might exist that we don't even know about. @Brielle Johnson - what an amazing transformation from panic to having a comprehensive plan! Your experience really demonstrates that even the scariest situations can become manageable when you know what resources to look for and what questions to ask. The discovery of your employer's LTD coverage is such a huge win. I'm definitely going to thoroughly review my own benefits package after reading all these experiences. It's shocking how many people discovered they had long-term disability insurance through their employer that they never knew existed. This thread has basically become a masterclass in disability benefits navigation that you just can't get from official government resources. The detailed advice about SSDI documentation requirements - getting doctors to document specific functional limitations rather than vague statements - is incredibly valuable. And the Claimyr recommendation for actually reaching EDD representatives seems like a game-changer for anyone trying to get real answers from the system. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences so openly. Having a supportive community that provides real-world guidance makes facing these complex systems so much less overwhelming. This thread should honestly be required reading for anyone receiving SDI benefits!

I'm new to this community and this thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who just started receiving SDI benefits for a chronic condition, I had no idea about the strict 52-week limit or how many resources are actually available if you know where to look. @Brielle Johnson - your story is so inspiring! Going from panic about benefits running out to discovering you had LTD coverage through your employer and getting a solid plan in place shows exactly why it's so important to be proactive. I'm definitely calling my HR department tomorrow to see what benefits I might have that I don't even know about. The level of detailed, practical advice in this thread is amazing. The tips about getting specific functional documentation from doctors (not just vague statements), using Claimyr to actually reach EDD, starting SSDI applications early, and researching county assistance programs - this is the kind of real-world guidance you just can't find anywhere else. What really strikes me is how supportive this community is. Everyone sharing their actual experiences, both the struggles and the solutions, creates such valuable knowledge for people navigating these complex systems. I'm saving this entire thread as a reference guide because it's basically a comprehensive roadmap for handling SDI benefit transitions. Thank you all for being so open about your journeys. It makes facing these challenges feel so much more manageable knowing there's a community here with real experience and genuine support!

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and just filed my SDI claim two days ago. When I logged in to check the status, I was shocked to see they have me listed under a food service job I worked at for only 8 weeks last summer ($12/hour) instead of my current position as a registered nurse where I've been for 4 years ($46/hour). I was having a complete meltdown thinking my disability benefits would be calculated based on those minimum wage food service earnings! But after reading through this entire thread, I feel SO much better. It's incredible how many people have experienced this exact same employer display issue, and even more reassuring that everyone's benefits ended up being calculated correctly based on their actual higher wages. The consistency of these success stories really gives me confidence that EDD's system works properly behind the scenes even when the display looks completely wrong. I'm definitely going to follow everyone's advice and wait for my notice of computation instead of trying to battle through their impossible phone system. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread has been a total lifesaver for my anxiety! I'll update once I get my approval notice to hopefully add another positive outcome to this amazing collection of stories.

I'm 23 weeks pregnant and haven't filed my claim yet, but this thread has been absolutely invaluable to read! I had no idea this employer display issue was so common. I currently work as a marketing coordinator ($28/hour) but had a brief retail job last year ($11/hour), so I'll definitely be prepared if they show the wrong employer when I file in a few months. It's so reassuring to see that despite this scary-looking glitch, everyone's benefits are getting calculated correctly based on their actual wage history. Thank you all for documenting your experiences so thoroughly - you're saving so many future moms from unnecessary panic attacks! I'll definitely come back to share my own experience when the time comes.