I'm currently going through this exact same situation with my mom's SDI claim! Her doctor's office also stopped using the online system after having too many technical problems with it. What ended up working for us was calling EDD right at 8:00 AM when they open - I got through to an agent in about 10 minutes and they were able to email me the DE 2501 Part B form as a PDF attachment within minutes. The agent was really helpful and even gave me the direct fax number for submitting completed forms. One thing I learned that might help - make sure to ask the doctor's office for a fax confirmation receipt when they send it to EDD. My mom's doctor said they faxed it but EDD had no record of receiving it. Turns out their fax machine had run out of paper halfway through sending! Having that receipt (or lack thereof) helped us figure out what went wrong and get it resubmitted quickly. Also, if you're near an EDD office, definitely try visiting in person as a backup plan. I went on a Tuesday morning around 10 AM and was able to get multiple copies of the form in about 20 minutes. Way faster than waiting for mail! Your aunt is so lucky to have someone like you advocating for her through this confusing process. Hang in there - it's frustrating but you're doing everything right!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm currently helping my disabled uncle with his SDI claim and we've been stuck on this exact same medical certification issue for over two weeks. His doctor also stopped using the online system due to technical problems. Reading through all these responses, I'm amazed at how many different solutions and workarounds people have discovered. The tip about calling EDD right at 8:00 AM to have them email the DE 2501B form directly sounds like our best bet - I had no idea that was even possible! I'm also definitely going to try the assembly member contact suggestion if we hit more roadblocks. As someone mentioned, it's ridiculous that we have to become experts in navigating government bureaucracy just to help family members access benefits they've already paid into, but this community has created an incredible resource here. One question for those who've been through this - when the doctor completes the form, is it better to have them fax it directly to EDD or should we hand-deliver it to an EDD office? My uncle lives about 45 minutes from the nearest EDD location, so I want to make sure we choose the most reliable submission method. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive, informative discussion. My uncle doesn't know how to use computers, so having advocates like all of you sharing practical solutions makes all the difference for families like ours!

I just wanted to add my support and share that you're absolutely taking the right steps by prioritizing your mental health. As someone who works in tech recruiting, I see far too many talented people burn out from toxic work environments like the one you described. One thing I'd suggest adding to your doctor conversation tomorrow is documenting any impact your condition has had on your ability to learn new technologies or adapt to changing requirements - these are core skills in tech that anxiety and depression can severely affect. I've seen developers struggle with imposter syndrome and anxiety around keeping up with rapid technology changes, which can be just as disabling as the inability to focus on coding itself. Also, when you're ready to eventually return to work, consider looking for companies that prioritize mental health and work-life balance. Many tech companies now offer mental health days, flexible schedules, and employee assistance programs. Your experience with burnout could actually be valuable in identifying healthier work environments. The Bay Area has some excellent mental health resources specifically for tech workers dealing with burnout and workplace trauma. Organizations like Mental Health America of Northern California often have support groups for people in similar situations. You've been paying into the disability system for exactly this type of situation - there's no shame in using benefits you've earned when you genuinely need them. Take the time you need to heal properly so you can come back stronger and with better boundaries. Wishing you all the best with your appointment tomorrow!

I'm really glad to see how much support and practical advice you've received in this thread, Zainab. As someone who has navigated both SDI and the tech industry's mental health challenges, I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful. When you meet with your doctor tomorrow, consider discussing not just your current symptoms but also the trajectory of your condition. The fact that you were already contemplating medical leave before the layoff is actually strong evidence that your disability began while you were employed - this isn't about the layoff causing your condition, but rather the layoff preventing you from taking the medical leave you already needed. Also, since you mentioned COBRA costs, here's something many people don't know: if you qualify for SDI, you might also be eligible for continued health coverage through Cal-COBRA at a reduced rate, or potentially qualify for premium assistance programs. It's worth asking about all your options beyond just Covered California. One thing that really helped me during my recovery was setting small, manageable goals for each week rather than focusing on when I'd be "ready to work again." This could be things like "attend one therapy session" or "take a 15-minute walk daily." Having these small wins helped rebuild my confidence and sense of capability. The tech community can be incredibly demanding, but your mental health is more important than any job or career timeline. You're being proactive about getting help, which shows real strength. Take care of yourself, and remember that recovery isn't linear - be patient with the process.

Is anyone else lowkey impressed by how quick these scammers are? Like, I can barely figure out how to update my own info sometimes 😂

Same thing happened to me last month! Even after changing everything, they were still getting in somehow. Turns out they had set up email forwarding rules in my account so they could see all my EDD correspondence. Make sure to check your email settings and look for any forwarding rules you didn't create. Also, enable two-factor authentication if EDD offers it. The whole process was a nightmare but I eventually got it sorted out. Don't give up!

As someone who's been on SDI for a few months now, I wanted to add that it's really helpful to keep your EDD online account login info easily accessible and check it at least once a week. I learned this the hard way when I couldn't remember my password during a payment delay and it took forever to reset it. Also, if you're getting direct deposit to your bank account instead of using the EDD debit card, the timing can be slightly different - my bank usually processes EDD deposits on Tuesday evenings even if EDD shows "paid" on Monday. One more tip: save the customer service phone numbers for both EDD and the debit card company in your phone with clear labels like "EDD Main" and "EDD Card Help" so you're not scrambling to find them when you need them. The stress of managing a disability is enough without adding payment confusion on top of it!

Just wanted to share my recent experience as someone who's been on SDI for about 3 months now. The payment timing really is unpredictable at first, but I've noticed it does settle into somewhat of a pattern after the first few payments. Mine typically come every 2 weeks but the day varies - sometimes Tuesday, sometimes Thursday. What really helped me was setting up a simple calendar reminder 3 days before I expect each payment, so if it doesn't come by then I know to start checking what might be wrong. Also, I learned that if you ever need to contact EDD about a payment issue, calling first thing in the morning (like 8:01 AM) gives you the best chance of getting through. The wait times are still awful but at least you're not sitting on hold for 3+ hours. One last tip - if your doctor's office uses electronic medical records, ask them if they can send you a quick message through the patient portal when they submit recertification paperwork to EDD. Mine does this and it's been incredibly reassuring to know exactly when the paperwork was sent. Hope this helps other folks navigate the system a bit easier!

Thank you! I'll definitely keep an eye on the timeline and follow up with my doctor if needed. Appreciate all this helpful information!

Just wanted to add that if you're dealing with a workplace injury like you mentioned, you might also want to look into workers' compensation benefits. Since your back problems are from a workplace injury, you could potentially be eligible for both workers' comp and SDI depending on your situation. Workers' comp might cover more of your medical expenses related to the injury. It's worth asking your doctor or HR about this too - sometimes people don't realize they can pursue both options. Hope your claim goes smoothly!