I'm new to this community and just filed my first SDI claim yesterday! This thread has been absolutely incredible - I was completely panicking about the "pending medical provider form" status and had no idea what it meant. Like everyone else here, I was expecting EDD to mail me some paperwork! After reading through all your experiences, I now understand my doctor needs to submit their part through the SDI Online physician portal and that EDD basically never notifies them. It's honestly mind-blowing how unclear they make this process! I'm calling my doctor's office first thing Monday morning with my receipt number and all the info everyone shared. The 2-3 week timeline you've all mentioned once the doctor submits is such a huge relief - I was terrified this could drag on for months and was starting to stress about my mortgage payment. I'll definitely set up those text alerts and check my account daily like everyone suggested. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and making this confusing process actually understandable! This community is amazing for filling in all the gaps EDD should have explained upfront. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to help newcomers like me navigate this maze!

I'm also new to this community and just filed my first SDI claim 2 days ago! This entire thread has been such a lifesaver - I was completely lost about what "pending medical provider form" meant and honestly thought I'd be getting something in the mail from EDD. After reading everyone's experiences, I immediately called my doctor's office this morning with my receipt number, full name, and DOB. Just like so many others have mentioned, they had absolutely no idea I had filed an SDI claim and seemed confused about the whole process at first. I had to specifically mention the "SDI Online physician portal" before their billing coordinator understood what I was talking about. Thankfully, once I explained everything based on what I learned from this thread, they knew exactly what to do and said they'd submit the medical certification by end of day tomorrow. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD doesn't make this process clearer - without finding this community, I'd probably still be sitting by my mailbox waiting for paperwork that was never coming! The 2-3 week timeline everyone has shared once the doctor submits is really reassuring. I was starting to panic thinking this might take months and was worried about covering my rent. I've already set up the text alerts in my SDI Online account and will be checking daily for status updates. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences and specific timelines! This community is filling in all the crucial information that EDD should have provided upfront. It's making this stressful and confusing process so much more manageable for first-time filers like me. I'll definitely update once I see my status change to "under review"!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare, Ella! I went through something similar last year and it was absolutely devastating - the stress of being unable to work AND unable to access the help you need is just crushing. From reading through all these responses, it sounds like the multi-pronged approach is your best bet. Here's what I'd suggest trying simultaneously: 1. Download and mail the DE 2501 paper form immediately - don't wait for the online system to work 2. Contact your state assembly member's office ASAP - they often have dedicated staff for EDD issues 3. Try calling from different devices/numbers at off-peak times (early morning, mid-week) 4. Document absolutely everything - screenshots, call logs, dates, times, who you spoke with The fact that you've been dealing with this for 3 months is unacceptable. You've paid into this system and deserve access to these benefits, especially when you're facing medical bills and financial hardship. Don't let the broken system break your spirit - there ARE people here who've gotten through this mess, and you will too. Keep us posted on what works! We're all rooting for you. ❤️

I've been lurking on this community for a while but had to create an account to share what finally worked for me with the e324 error. After 4 months of the same nightmare you're describing, I got through by doing something counterintuitive - I cleared ALL my browser data (not just cache), used a VPN to change my location, and tried applying from a completely different device at my local library. Something about the combination of fresh IP address + clean browser + different device seemed to bypass whatever was causing the error. I know it sounds like tech voodoo, but I was desperate enough to try anything. The librarian even helped me troubleshoot when it still didn't work on the first try. Took three different computers there before one finally let me through. Also echoing what others said about the assembly member route - mine had a dedicated EDD liaison who was a absolute lifesaver. They can't fix the technical issues but they can flag your case as urgent once you do get through. Hang in there Ella - this system is absolutely broken but you WILL get through it eventually. Don't let them wear you down! 💪

I'm dealing with something similar right now - had shoulder surgery in October and then needed emergency gallstone removal in December. What really helped me was getting my second surgeon to explicitly state on the DE 2501 that this was a "separate and unrelated medical condition requiring additional disability time beyond the original claim period." My claim specialist at EDD told me that exact wording helps their system process it correctly as a supplemental certification rather than just an extension. Also, don't forget to keep doing your bi-weekly certifications even during the transition - I almost missed one because I thought my claim was "on hold" but it's not, it just gets extended with new dates. The whole process took about 8 days from when my doctor submitted the form to when I saw the updated end date in my account. Hope this helps and wishing you a speedy recovery from both surgeries!

Another thing to watch out for - make sure your OB/GYN dates the DE 2501 form correctly! My doctor accidentally put the wrong date on mine (used the date she filled it out instead of my actual surgery date) and EDD kicked it back for correction. Cost me an extra week of processing time. Also, if you're still having trouble reaching EDD by phone, try calling right when they open at 8am PST. I've had better luck getting through in that first hour before the lines get completely jammed. And definitely follow up if you don't see movement on your claim within 7-10 business days after submitting the supplemental form. Sometimes these get stuck and need a gentle nudge from a representative. The system works, but you have to stay on top of it!

I'm currently going through this exact situation! I'm 24 weeks pregnant and was just approved for SDI due to incompetent cervix and preterm labor scares. Here's what I learned from my recent experience: 1. File your claim online immediately - don't wait for your doctor's office to handle it 2. Make sure your OB includes your exact cervical measurements on the DE 2501 (mine was 1.8cm when normal is 3-4cm) 3. List all your hospitalizations with dates - this strengthens your case significantly 4. Be very specific about your job duties that you can't perform (standing, lifting, walking, etc.) My claim was approved within 10 days and I received my first payment about 2 weeks after filing. The weekly amount was around 60% of my regular wages, which has been a lifesaver. One thing that really helped me was joining some online bed rest support groups - the isolation is real, but connecting with other moms going through similar situations has made a huge difference for my mental health. Your health and baby's safety come first. Don't feel guilty about needing this time off - pregnancy complications are legitimate medical conditions that absolutely qualify for disability benefits. Sending you strength during this challenging time!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! As someone who went through a similar experience with pregnancy complications requiring bed rest, I want to reassure you that you absolutely qualify for SDI benefits. Your thin cervix and hospitalizations are definitely legitimate medical conditions that prevent you from working - this is completely separate from regular maternity leave. The key is getting your doctor to be very specific on the DE 2501 form about why you can't perform your job duties (no standing for long periods, no lifting, etc.). A few things that helped me: - Apply through SDI Online as soon as possible - don't wait for your next appointment - Make sure your OB includes specific cervical measurements and hospitalization dates - Keep detailed records of everything you submit - Set up notifications so you know if they need additional documentation The 7-day waiting period plus processing time means your first payment will likely come 2-3 weeks after filing, but it's typically 60-70% of your regular wages. This financial support will take some pressure off so you can focus on staying healthy for you and your baby. Take care of yourself - bed rest is boring and isolating, but it's so important for your little one's safety. You're doing the right thing by prioritizing your health! Feel free to ask if you have other questions as you go through the process.

I'm new to this community and currently dealing with a similar chronic condition situation - I've been on SDI for about 3 months for degenerative disc disease and am scheduled to return to work in a few weeks. This entire thread has been incredibly informative and honestly a huge relief to read! Like so many others here, I had completely misunderstood how the benefit year system works. I was operating under the assumption that if I needed to go back out on disability after returning to work, I'd get a fresh 52-week period. Now I understand that I need to be much more strategic about my return and really focus on sustainability rather than just rushing back as soon as my doctor clears me. The advice about keeping detailed symptom logs during the work period and maintaining regular contact with your doctor even when you're not actively on disability seems crucial. I'm definitely going to implement both of those strategies. The graduated return-to-work approach that several people mentioned also sounds like a much smarter way to ease back into full duties rather than going from zero to full-time overnight. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone found that their employer's HR department was knowledgeable about these SDI benefit year rules, or did you find yourself having to educate them about the system? I'm hoping to have a proactive conversation with my HR team before I return, but I'm wondering if I should be prepared to explain these concepts myself. Thank you @Laila Fury for asking the exact question so many of us needed answered, and thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world information that's impossible to find through official channels but makes all the difference when you're trying to plan your future with a chronic condition!

I'm currently on SDI for chronic arthritis and scheduled to return to work in about 6 weeks. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I can't believe how much valuable information everyone has shared! Like so many others, I had no clue about the benefit year concept and was assuming I'd get a fresh 52-week period if I needed to file again after returning to work. What really resonates with me is how many people are dealing with the same anxiety about unpredictable flare-ups after returning. The uncertainty of chronic conditions makes it so hard to plan, but reading everyone's strategies has given me a much clearer roadmap. I'm definitely going to implement the graduated return approach, start keeping detailed symptom logs, and schedule regular follow-ups with my rheumatologist even after I'm cleared to work. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who have successfully navigated workplace accommodations, did you find it helpful to get specific documentation from your doctor about what accommodations would be most beneficial? I'm thinking things like ergonomic equipment, flexible start times for morning stiffness, or permission to take short breaks when my joints are particularly painful. I want to be prepared with concrete suggestions rather than just asking for "accommodations" in general. This community is such a valuable resource - thank you to everyone for sharing your real-world experiences. It's so much more helpful than trying to decipher the official EDD information alone!