Has anyone had luck with the online portal? I've been trying to update my info there but keep getting error messages 😫

Hey Sophia! I went through something similar last month. Here's what worked for me: call the 1-800-300-5616 number right at 8am when they open - set multiple alarms! Have your Social Security number, claim number, and any documents from the notice ready before you call. The wait can be 2-3 hours, so use speaker phone and do other stuff while waiting. When you finally get someone, be super nice and explain your situation clearly. They're more likely to help if you're patient with them. Also, if the first person can't help, politely ask to be transferred to a specialist. Don't give up! It's frustrating but you'll get through eventually. Keep us posted on how it goes! 💪

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the phone, try reaching out to your local assembly member's office. They often have direct lines to EDD and can help push things along. Worked wonders for me!

I just went through something similar last week! Don't stress too much - most of the time these alerts are just routine updates. Here's what I'd recommend doing right away: 1. Log into your EDD portal and check for any new messages or documents 2. Look for any action items or deadlines you might have missed 3. Screenshot everything for your records In my case, the alert was just notifying me that they received my medical certification renewal. No action needed on my part, and my payments continued normally. But definitely check your account first before calling - you might find all the info you need there and save yourself the headache of waiting on hold for hours! Keep us posted on what you find out! 🤞

I'm currently dealing with almost the same situation! What I learned (after many frustrating calls to EDD) is that the base periods used for calculating SDI and UI can be different too, which affects your benefit amount. SDI looks at a different earnings period than UI might when they calculate your benefit. Also, I don't know if this applies to you, but when I talked to the disability office, they mentioned that if you're receiving any severance pay from your employer, it can affect your UI eligibility. Might be worth checking if you're getting any severance as part of your layoff package.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - getting laid off while recovering from surgery is incredibly stressful. I went through a similar transition about 6 months ago and can share what I learned. Unfortunately, everyone here is right that your UI benefits will be significantly lower than your SDI. In my case, I went from about $1100/week on disability to $520/week on unemployment. The calculation methods are completely different, and UI has much lower caps. A few things that might help: - Apply for UI about a week before your SDI ends to minimize gaps - Keep all your layoff paperwork showing it's due to "restructuring" not performance - Ask HR if they're offering any COBRA subsidies or other benefits during the transition - Look into local food banks or assistance programs to help bridge the income gap Also, definitely explore what @Caleb Bell mentioned about potentially extending your disability if your doctor thinks you're not ready to return to work. With back surgery complications, that might be worth considering. Hang in there - this is a tough situation but you'll get through it!

my brother got a letter from irs asking bout his disability $ bc he never reported it on his taxes but it turned out the irs was wrong and he had to send proof it was state disability not unemployment. such a hassle. make sure u keep records just in case!

Hope your rotator cuff is healing well! I went through a similar situation a couple years ago with a work injury. Just wanted to add - if you used any medical expenses related to your injury for tax deductions, make sure those align with the period you were actually working vs on disability. My accountant caught that I had some PT expenses that overlapped with my disability period and it helped maximize my deductions. Also, if you had any employer-provided short-term disability that kicked in before SDI, that might be taxable (but sounds like you went straight to state disability). Good luck with your taxes!

Update: I filed my claim online yesterday and my doctor submitted their certification this morning! The SDI Online system was actually pretty straightforward. Now it's just waiting to see if it gets approved. Thanks everyone for the advice and help!

Great to see you got everything submitted so quickly! Just wanted to add one more tip - if you need to extend your disability beyond the initial 6 weeks your doctor estimated, make sure to have them submit a continuation claim (DE 2525C) before your current certification period expires. Don't wait until the last day because there can't be any gaps in coverage. Also keep all your medical records and documentation organized in case EDD requests additional proof later. Hoping for a smooth approval process for you!