Congratulations on successfully making the transition @Matthew Sanchez! Your experience is really encouraging to hear. I'm particularly interested in how you handled that question about why you're no longer working - explaining that you can now work with restrictions while actively seeking suitable employment sounds like the perfect way to frame it. I'm about 4 weeks away from my SDI ending and have been following a lot of the advice from this thread. Already got my work capacity letter from my doctor and have been applying to office jobs that fit my limitations. One quick question - when you were doing your job search while still on disability, did you have any concerns about potential employers calling for immediate interviews or job offers while you were still technically on medical leave? I'm getting some interview requests and wondering how to handle the timing. Thanks for sharing your successful experience - it's giving me a lot of confidence that I'm on the right track!

I'm going through this exact transition right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My SDI ends in about 3 weeks and I've been really anxious about the process. After reading everyone's experiences, I feel much more prepared. I already scheduled an appointment with my doctor to get that work capacity evaluation letter focusing on what I CAN do rather than just restrictions. I've also started applying for remote customer service and data entry jobs since those would work perfectly with my limitations. One thing I'm still figuring out is the timing - it sounds like I should wait until the day after my final SDI payment posts to apply for UI, but I'm worried about that gap period. Has anyone tried to expedite the UI process by calling EDD after applying online, or is it better to just be patient and let it process normally? Also keeping detailed records of all my job applications like others suggested. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support means everything when you're dealing with this stressful transition!

Wow, what a rollercoaster! I'm so relieved you got this resolved, Olivia. Your story really highlights how broken the EDD system can be - it's ridiculous that approved claims can just vanish from the portal without any notification. I'm bookmarking this thread because the advice about calling right at 8am, contacting state reps, and using services like Claimyr could be invaluable if I ever face a similar situation. It's honestly shameful that people have to jump through so many hoops just to get the benefits they're legally entitled to. Hopefully your experience helps other folks who find themselves in the same nightmare situation!

This is exactly the kind of post that should be pinned at the top of this community! As someone who's dealt with EDD nightmares myself, I can't stress enough how important it is to document EVERYTHING - screenshots, confirmation numbers, dates of calls, etc. The fact that your claim completely disappeared from the system but you had all your documentation saved your case. For anyone else reading this, also consider filing a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs if you're getting nowhere with EDD directly. They have an ombudsman program that can sometimes cut through the red tape. So glad you got your backpay, Olivia - stories like yours give the rest of us hope that these issues can eventually be resolved!

I went through this exact same frustration when I got married last year! The EDD name change process is definitely not user-friendly. Here's what finally worked for me: Call the EDD disability line first thing in the morning (like 8:01 AM sharp) and immediately ask to speak with someone about updating your name after marriage. Have your marriage certificate, old ID, new ID, and Social Security card ready. The key thing is that you MUST update your name with Social Security first - EDD won't process the change without that being completed. When I finally got through, the agent was actually really helpful and walked me through uploading a scanned copy of my marriage certificate to their secure portal. The whole thing took about 10 business days to process once I had all the right documents. Don't let the system frustrate you too much - it's definitely doable, just takes some persistence! Congrats on your marriage! 💕

I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The most important thing is to update your name with Social Security FIRST - EDD absolutely won't process any name changes until that's done. When you call EDD, ask specifically to speak with someone about "post-marriage name change" - it helps get you to the right department faster. Have your marriage certificate (with the certificate number and issue date), both your old and new IDs, and your updated Social Security card ready. I also recommend calling right when they open at 8 AM for the best chance of getting through. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for me once I had everything in order. It's frustrating but totally doable - don't give up! And congratulations on your marriage! 🎉

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Sent my SDI documents about 5 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep from EDD. It's so stressful not knowing if they even received everything. I've been checking my online account obsessively but there's no update. Has anyone had success with sending documents multiple times through different methods? I'm starting to wonder if I should resend everything via certified mail just to be safe. This whole process is so nerve-wracking when you really need the benefits to come through.

I'm in a similar situation - sent my SDI documents about 4 weeks ago and still waiting for any kind of response from EDD. It's so frustrating not knowing if they even received everything! I've been checking my online account daily but there's been zero updates. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like this is unfortunately pretty normal for EDD right now. I think I'm going to try the certified mail approach that Emily mentioned - at least that way I'll have proof of delivery. Has anyone had luck with calling the 1-800-480-3287 number? I keep seeing busy signals but maybe I need to try calling right when they open. This whole process is such a nightmare when you're already dealing with a disability and need the income support.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this entire thread has been a lifesaver! I've been at my current job for just 3 months when I injured my knee and need surgery. My previous employer where I worked for 5 years paid significantly more, so I was really panicking about my potential benefit amount. Reading everyone's experiences, especially the detailed explanation from Rachel about how the base period system works automatically, has completely eased my anxiety. It's incredible how this community comes together to help each other navigate these stressful situations. I'm filing my claim tomorrow and feeling much more confident thanks to all the advice shared here. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar boat - don't let fear hold you back from filing. The system really does seem designed to protect workers who change jobs. Thank you all for sharing your stories!

I just wanted to add something that might be helpful for anyone filing their claim - make sure you have your Social Security card handy when you apply online. I got halfway through the application and realized I needed the exact number format they were asking for, and it saved me from having to start over. Also, if you worked for any large companies during your base period, they might have slightly different names in the EDD system than what you remember (like "ABC Corporation" instead of just "ABC Company"), so don't stress if the auto-complete doesn't find your employer right away. You can always call EDD to clarify any employer information issues after you submit your initial claim. The most important thing is getting that filing date locked in so your waiting period starts and you don't lose any potential benefit days!