I've been dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! After reading through everyone's experiences here, I tried the suggestion about going to the "Disability Insurance" section specifically - and found it! For anyone else struggling with this, here's what worked: Go to the main EDD site → Disability Insurance → Forms and Publications → look under "Claim Forms." The form was buried there the whole time. It's ridiculous that they make it so hard to find basic forms, but at least now I can submit it online like they originally suggested. Thanks to everyone who shared their workarounds - this community is way more helpful than the actual government website! 🙏

This is such a common problem - I went through the same frustrating experience a few weeks ago! What finally worked for me was using the search function on the EDD site with quotes around "Form 2500A" (including the quotes in the search). Sometimes their search algorithm works better with exact phrases. Also, if you're using Chrome, try opening an incognito window - I've noticed their site sometimes has caching issues that make forms disappear. The fact that we need a whole community thread to find a basic government form is pretty ridiculous, but I'm glad everyone is sharing solutions here! If all else fails and you do mail it, definitely go with certified mail like others suggested - it's worth the extra few dollars for the peace of mind.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Been stuck in ID.me limbo for weeks. One thing that helped me was going directly to an EDD office (not just SDI) with all my documents - they were able to manually verify my identity and bypass the whole ID.me mess. It's a pain to take time off work, but might be worth it if the online route keeps failing. Also, I've heard from others that sometimes the "already linked" error clears up on its own after a few days, so maybe try again in a couple days? The whole system is just broken tbh. Hope you get through this soon! 🤞

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! It's so frustrating when the system says your license is already linked but you know for a fact you've never applied before. I've been trying for weeks and getting nowhere. Reading through these comments is actually really helpful - I had no idea ID.me had a direct support option or that this was such a widespread issue. Definitely going to try contacting them directly and maybe check out that paper application route too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it makes me feel less alone in this bureaucratic nightmare! 😅

This is why we need to overhaul the entire system. It's ridiculous that people have to stress about whether they'll get the money they need to survive. Vote for change!

Hey Sofia! I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago - payment was 4 days late and I was panicking. Turns out EDD was doing some backend maintenance that wasn't announced anywhere. The payment showed up eventually, but the stress was real! One thing that helped me was logging into the EDD portal and checking if there were any pending issues or flags on my account. Sometimes they'll put a hold if they need additional documentation or if there's a discrepancy they're reviewing. Also, if you have direct deposit, double-check that your banking info is still correct in your profile. I know someone whose payment got delayed because their bank changed routing numbers and they didn't update it. Sending you good vibes that it gets sorted out soon! The waiting is the worst part. 💙

As someone who just went through my first SDI claim for ankle surgery a few months ago, I totally understand your anxiety! The "automatic payment" designation definitely means no certification required - it's such a relief compared to the unemployment system. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple calendar reminder to check my account every two weeks so I'd know when to expect payments. Mine came every other Wednesday consistently. Also, don't be afraid to contact your doctor's office if you need any extensions or modifications to your certification - they're usually pretty responsive since they deal with EDD paperwork regularly. The hardest part for me was just trusting that the system would work without me having to "do" anything, but it really did run smoothly once everything was set up. Focus on your recovery and let the automatic system do its job!

Hey Dominique! I went through the exact same anxiety when I started my first SDI claim for shoulder surgery last year. The "automatic payment" designation is definitely a good thing - it means you're all set and don't need to do the bi-weekly certification dance like with unemployment benefits. From my experience, the payments really do come automatically every two weeks once your doctor's certification is processed. I was paranoid too and kept checking my account obsessively the first few weeks! What helped me was writing down the expected payment dates on my calendar so I knew when to look for them. One small tip that saved me some stress: if you haven't already, take a photo of all your paperwork with your phone. I had to reference my original claim documents a few times during my recovery period, and having digital copies was super convenient. The automatic system really is one of the better parts of California's disability program. Focus on healing - the payments will take care of themselves! Wishing you a smooth recovery from your carpal tunnel surgery.

I went through an IME for my herniated disc about 6 months ago and I totally understand your anxiety! Here's what helped me prepare: I made a list of all my current medications, brought copies of my most recent imaging results, and wore loose clothing that was easy to move in. The doctor asked me to do things like walk across the room, sit down and stand up a few times, and some gentle range of motion tests. When she asked me to bend forward, I only went as far as I could without severe pain and she was completely fine with that - she even noted my limited range of motion in her notes. One thing that really helped was that I brought my husband with me. He could see how I was moving and if the doctor had asked me to do anything unreasonable, he would have spoken up. The whole thing took about 40 minutes and honestly, it was way less scary than I'd built it up to be in my head. Good luck with your appointment on Tuesday! Just remember - they're evaluating your condition, not testing your pain tolerance.

I had my IME for back problems about 3 months ago and I know exactly how you're feeling! The anticipation was honestly worse than the actual exam. Here's what helped me get through it: Bring a support person if you can - they can advocate for you if needed and help you remember details afterward. Also, don't feel pressured to do anything that causes severe pain. When the doctor asked me to bend or twist, I went only to my comfort level and said "this is as far as I can go without significant pain increase" and they respected that. The doctor spent a lot of time just talking - asking about my daily routine, what positions are most painful, how I sleep, etc. The physical part was maybe 15-20 minutes total. They watched me walk, sit, stand, and did some gentle pressing on my back to check for tender spots. One thing I wish I'd known - take your regular pain meds beforehand! Don't try to show up in extra pain to "prove" your condition. They want to see your functional level with proper treatment, not at your absolute worst. Write down your main concerns beforehand because it's easy to forget things when you're nervous. You've got this! The fact that you have clear MRI findings showing herniated disc and nerve compression is in your favor.