I just went through this exact process a few weeks ago and wanted to share my experience! I was super anxious about it too, but it ended up being much smoother than expected. Here's what I did: First, I made sure my Social Security name change was completely processed (waited about 2.5 weeks after getting confirmation). When filing my SDI claim, I was very clear about the name change - listed my new married name as primary and put my maiden name in the "previous names" section. The most important thing was coordinating with my doctor to make sure they included BOTH my new name and SSN on the medical certification forms. My claim was approved in exactly 2 weeks with zero issues! The SSN really is the key - EDD uses that as the primary identifier to match everything up. One tip that helped me: I actually called my doctor's office a day before my appointment to remind them about my recent name change and asked them to make a note in my file. That way when they filled out the forms, they remembered to include both pieces of info. You've already done the hardest part by updating with Social Security first - you're totally on the right track! Don't let the few horror stories scare you; most name change cases go through just fine when you follow the proper steps.

I went through this same situation about 4 months ago and wanted to add my experience to all the helpful advice already shared here! I was absolutely terrified about delays since I needed my benefits to start right away for my maternity leave. Here's what worked perfectly for me: I updated with Social Security first and waited the full 3 weeks for processing (this seems to be the magic number based on everyone's experiences). When I filed my SDI claim, I made sure to check the "name has changed" box and listed both my new married name and maiden name clearly. The most crucial step was having a conversation with my doctor's office staff before my appointment - I explained the situation and they made a note in my file to include both my new name AND my SSN on all forms they submitted to EDD. My claim was approved in 11 business days with absolutely zero complications! The weekly benefit amount was calculated correctly using my current wages under my new name. One additional tip I haven't seen mentioned yet: I kept a running log of all the steps I took (dates of Social Security update, when I filed, confirmation numbers, etc.) just in case I needed to reference anything later. Turned out I didn't need it, but it gave me peace of mind. You're going to be fine - the system really does handle name changes well when you're proactive about it!

This has been such an educational thread to follow! As someone new to this community, I'm really impressed by how everyone came together to help clarify such an important issue. I wanted to add one more resource that might be helpful - the California Labor Commissioner's office also has a multilingual helpline (1-844-522-6734) where workers can get information about their rights, including workers' compensation. They're specifically trained to help people understand the difference between various benefit programs. It's clear from this discussion that your husband's situation is definitely a workers' comp case, not SDI, since the injury happened at work. The fact that his employer is trying to discourage the workers' comp claim is unfortunately common but absolutely not legal. California's workers' compensation system is designed to protect ALL workers who get injured on the job, regardless of immigration status. Keep advocating for what's right - your husband paid into these systems through his work and deserves the full protection and benefits they provide. Wishing him a speedy recovery and hoping the claim process goes smoothly once you get it filed properly!

This thread has been incredibly informative! As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how everyone worked together to help identify that this is actually a workers' compensation case rather than just an SDI claim. For anyone else who might find this thread in the future, here are the key points I learned: 1. **Work injury = Workers' Comp, NOT SDI** - If the injury happened at work, you should file for workers' compensation which typically provides better benefits (about 2/3 of wages PLUS medical coverage) 2. **All workers are protected in California** - Immigration status doesn't matter for workers' comp benefits if you've been paying into the system 3. **Employers can't decide what qualifies** - If an employer tries to steer you away from workers' comp, that's a red flag. They don't get to determine eligibility 4. **Resources available**: - DWC-1 form (can download yourself if employer won't provide) - California Division of Workers' Compensation: 1-800-736-7401 - Labor Commissioner's multilingual helpline: 1-844-522-6734 - Free legal clinics through California Department of Industrial Relations Thank you to everyone who shared their expertise and personal experiences. This is exactly the kind of community support that helps people navigate these complex systems and get the benefits they've earned!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just got approved for SDI after a really stressful 8-week wait, and my payment shows as sent on 12/23. I was starting to freak out that something went wrong since it's been a few days now, but reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief. It sounds like the 3-5 business day window is totally normal, and the holidays are definitely adding extra delays. I had no idea the first payment typically takes longer than future ones - that's really good to know! I'm trying not to check my bank app every hour but it's so hard when you're already financially stressed from being out of work. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and advice - it's incredibly helpful to know this is just part of the process. Hopefully mine shows up soon!

I'm currently going through this exact situation too! My SDI payment showed as sent on 12/22 and I'm still waiting for it to hit my account. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that a 3-5 business day delay was so normal, especially for first payments. The holiday timing definitely makes it more stressful since banks are processing slower. I've been obsessively checking my bank app multiple times a day which just makes the anxiety worse! It's really comforting to see how many people have shared similar experiences and that everyone eventually received their payments. The tip about setting up bank text alerts is great - definitely doing that now so I don't have to keep manually checking. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and advice. It helps so much to know this is just part of the normal process and not something to panic about. Hopefully all of us who are still waiting will see our payments soon!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm currently dealing with my own SDI claim that's been stuck for 2 weeks after my gallbladder surgery, and like everyone else here, I've been completely unable to get through on the main disability phone line. That recording about reaching call capacity is seriously maddening when you're in pain and worried about bills! The general information line trick that @Finley Garrett discovered is absolutely genius - I would have never thought to try a different queue to bypass the main system. And learning about assembly member and senator offices being able to help with EDD issues is such valuable information that should be common knowledge but somehow isn't! It's honestly both amazing and infuriating that this community has had to reverse-engineer all these workarounds just to access benefits we've been paying into our entire careers. This thread has become more useful than anything on the official EDD website, which is pretty sad when you think about it. I'm definitely going to try the 8am general info line strategy tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work, I'll be contacting my local representatives. Will absolutely report back with results to keep building this incredible resource everyone has created here. Thank you all for sharing what actually works instead of just complaining - this is exactly the kind of practical help people need when they're stressed about money while trying to recover!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to follow! I'm dealing with my own SDI nightmare right now - been waiting 4 weeks after my hip replacement surgery and getting nowhere with the phone system. Reading through everyone's experiences and all these brilliant workarounds has given me so much hope and a clear action plan. The general information line trick is pure genius - I never would have thought to try a different queue to get around the main disability line bottleneck. And I had absolutely no idea that assembly member and senator offices could help with EDD issues! That's such a game-changing backup option that should be common knowledge. It's simultaneously inspiring and infuriating that this community has had to crowdsource all these solutions just to access benefits we've paid into our entire working lives. This thread has honestly become the most comprehensive SDI claim resolution guide available anywhere - way more helpful than anything on the official EDD website! I'm definitely trying the 8am general info line approach tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work, I'll be reaching out to my local representatives. Will absolutely update with my results to keep building this amazing resource everyone has created together. Thank you all for sharing what actually works - this community support has been incredible when the official system completely fails us!

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! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! I just went through something very similar about 2 months ago and completely understand the anxiety when rent is due and you're counting on that SDI payment. From my experience and what I've learned from others here, the "pending physician certification" status is unfortunately one of the biggest bottlenecks in the whole process. Even when your doctor submits everything correctly and immediately, EDD's medical review department seems to be severely backlogged right now. Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was in your exact position: 1. The 14-day timeline only starts AFTER they process your physician's certification - not from when you initially file 2. It typically takes 7-14 business days just for them to process the medical paperwork, even when submitted correctly 3. Your doctor can help by calling EDD directly to verify receipt and potentially expedite the review What finally moved my claim along was having my doctor's office call EDD and confirm they had the right fax number and claim ID. Turns out there had been a small mix-up that was causing the delay. The good news is that once your status changes to "processing payment," the money usually hits your account within 1-2 business days for direct deposit. And yes, you'll be paid retroactively from your first day of disability (minus the 7-day waiting period). Hang in there - I know it's incredibly stressful, but this delay seems to be the norm rather than the exception right now. You're definitely not alone in this frustrating waiting game! 💙