I'm coming up on my SDI limit in a few months too and this thread has been absolutely crucial information that I wish someone had told me earlier. I'm dealing with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis that developed suddenly last year, and my rheumatologist says I'll need ongoing treatment for at least another year before we know if I can return to any type of work. The unpredictable flare-ups make it impossible to maintain any consistent schedule. What really concerns me after reading everyone's experiences is that gap period between SDI ending and SSDI starting. I'm already struggling financially on reduced SDI payments, so the idea of potentially going months with no income is honestly keeping me awake at night. I'm definitely going to start my SSDI application this week and also look into those county assistance programs several people mentioned. One question for those who've been through this - when you applied for SSDI while still on SDI, did you need to report the SDI income on your SSDI application? I want to make sure I don't accidentally create any complications by applying for both simultaneously. Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences - this community support is making a huge difference in helping me prepare for this transition.

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I'm at about 10 months on SDI for severe depression and anxiety that developed after a series of traumatic events, and my psychiatrist says I'll need at least another 6 months of intensive treatment before I can even consider part-time work. I had absolutely no clue about the 52-week maximum or that there could be months without any income while waiting for SSDI. Reading everyone's experiences here has been both incredibly helpful and honestly terrifying. The idea of potentially losing all income while still unable to work is giving me panic attacks, which obviously doesn't help my mental health recovery. I'm definitely going to start my SSDI application immediately based on all the advice here. One thing I'm worried about is how to document mental health disabilities for SSDI since it's not as visible as physical injuries. Has anyone here successfully navigated SSDI with primarily mental health conditions? I keep detailed mood tracking and have regular therapy notes, but I'm not sure if that's sufficient documentation for SSDI compared to things like X-rays or lab results. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - it's awful that we have to become experts in disability law while dealing with serious health conditions, but this community support is absolutely invaluable. I'm saving this entire thread as my action plan!

Ugh, EDD and their never-ending issues. 🙄 Hang in there, OP. We're all in the same sinking boat.

I had the same issue a few months ago! Turns out my form got lost in the mail. Here's what worked for me: I logged into my EDD online account and found there was actually a digital version of the continued benefits form available under "Forms" section. I was able to submit it electronically and got my payments back on track within a week. Definitely check your online portal first before going through the hassle of calling - might save you a lot of time and frustration!

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! My pregnancy disability extension has been pending for 3 weeks now after submitting the DE 2593 form. My doctor completed the DE 2525XX back in early June and my payments stopped at the end of May too. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and frustrating - it sounds like 20-25 business days is the real processing time right now, not the 10 days EDD claims on their website. I've been stressing about bills piling up too, but knowing that everyone eventually got their full backpay once approved gives me some hope. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8:01am tomorrow like Diego suggested. The fact that his forms were just sitting under the wrong claim number for weeks shows how important it is to actually get through to someone. Hopefully both of us will get some movement on our cases soon - we're both right at that 3-week mark where approvals seem to start happening based on what others have shared. Keep us posted when you hear back! This thread has been way more helpful than anything on EDD's actual website.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! My pregnancy disability extension has been pending for almost 3 weeks after submitting the DE 2593 form. My doctor completed the DE 2525XX extension form in early June and my payments stopped at the end of May when my initial claim period ended. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both frustrating and reassuring - it's clear that EDD's website saying "10 business days" is completely outdated. The real processing time seems to be 20-25 business days based on what multiple people have reported recently. I've been stressing about bills too, but knowing that everyone eventually got their full backpay once approved gives me hope. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8:01am tomorrow like Diego suggested - the fact that his forms were just misfiled under the wrong claim number shows how important it is to actually speak with someone. Since you're at 3 weeks now and others have reported getting approved around the 3-4 week mark, hopefully you'll hear something very soon! Please keep us updated when your extension gets approved. This community has been way more helpful than EDD's actual website for understanding what's really happening with processing times. Hang in there - we're all in this together!

I went through almost the exact same situation after my knee surgery last year! The key thing that helped me was getting my doctor to write a very detailed letter specifically stating that I could NOT perform my "usual and customary work duties" due to the medical restrictions - not just that I had restrictions. My orthopedic surgeon had to list out specific job tasks I couldn't do (lifting over 10 lbs, standing for more than 2 hours, climbing ladders, etc.) and explain how these restrictions made it impossible for me to do my warehouse job. I also had to get HR to write a formal letter stating they had no light duty positions available that would accommodate my restrictions. The appeal took about 6 weeks but I did get approved for continued SDI and received all the backpay. Don't give up - this is definitely appealable! The wording on the medical forms is everything with EDD.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I went through something very similar after my rotator cuff surgery in 2023. The gap between medical clearance with restrictions and what your actual job requires is so frustrating, and EDD really doesn't make it easy to understand. Based on everyone's advice here (which is all spot-on), I'd prioritize three things immediately: 1) Get your surgeon to complete that DE 2525XX form ASAP - make sure they specifically mention you cannot perform your warehouse duties like lifting packages, moving inventory, etc. 2) Get written documentation from your employer that they cannot accommodate your 15lb restriction, and 3) File that appeal within your 30-day window. One thing I learned the hard way - when you talk to your doctor, bring a copy of your actual job description if you have one. It helped my surgeon understand exactly why the restrictions made my job impossible. Also, if your employer has an employee handbook that lists physical requirements for your position, bring that too. The more specific documentation you can provide, the stronger your appeal will be. Hang in there - I know the financial stress is overwhelming, but this is definitely winnable with the right paperwork. Keep certifying during the appeal process so you don't miss out on any backpay when you win!

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago! One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - make sure you update your name with EDD BEFORE you start any claims process. I made the mistake of filing my PDL claim with my maiden name still on file, and it created a whole mess that took weeks to sort out. The system got confused and kept rejecting my documentation. Also, when you upload your marriage certificate, make sure it's a certified copy - they wouldn't accept a regular photocopy when I tried. Save yourself the headache and get everything updated first! Good luck with your pregnancy and congratulations again! 💕

I just went through this exact process a few months ago! One thing I want to add - if you're dealing with both SDI and PDL, make sure to ask the EDD representative (when you finally get through to one) about how the name change affects both programs. In my case, they had to update my records in two separate systems, and it wasn't automatic. Also, pro tip: take screenshots of every step of the online process and save confirmation numbers if you get any. The EDD system can be glitchy and sometimes "loses" your submissions. Having that documentation saved me when I had to re-submit everything. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me, but it was worth doing it right the first time rather than dealing with claim delays later!