I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My doctor updated my SDI status about 10 days ago and it's still not showing online. I've been checking every day like it's going to magically appear. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like this is pretty normal unfortunately. The waiting game is the worst part - you never know if something went wrong or if it's just taking forever to process. Keep us posted on when yours updates!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! My doctor increased my SDI amount and I was checking the portal obsessively waiting for it to update. It ended up taking about 12 days for me to see the change reflected online. What really helped ease my anxiety was calling my doctor's office to confirm they had submitted all the paperwork correctly - turns out they had, and the rep assured me that delays are totally normal. The most important thing to remember is that even if the online system is slow to update, your benefits should still be processed correctly on the backend. Try not to stress too much (easier said than done, I know!). If it hits the 3-week mark with no update, that's when I'd start making some calls.

Welcome to the community, Omar! The workers comp to SDI transition can definitely be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with pain and medication side effects. You're asking all the right questions though. Regarding your concerns about missing communications from EDD - in addition to having someone help monitor your online account, I'd suggest setting up email notifications if you haven't already. EDD will send alerts when there are updates to your claim status or new messages in your account. For the physical therapy extension, your PT's recommendation should definitely carry weight, but make sure your primary doctor or treating physician is the one who actually completes and submits the DE 2525XX form. EDD typically wants to see the extension paperwork from an MD rather than just a PT, even though PT recommendations are absolutely valid medical justification. One thing that really helped me during my recovery was keeping a simple daily log of my pain levels and functional limitations. If EDD ever questions your extension, having documentation that shows "couldn't walk to mailbox without severe pain" or "unable to lift more than 5 pounds" can be really helpful evidence. It also helps your doctor write more detailed and specific work restrictions. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as you go through this process - everyone here has been super helpful and we all understand how stressful this can be when you're just trying to focus on healing!

Welcome to the community! I'm also navigating the SDI extension process for the first time and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm dealing with chronic pain from a workplace injury and have been really anxious about the whole extension timeline. One thing I learned from reading everyone's experiences is how important it is to be proactive rather than reactive with this process. I just scheduled a follow-up appointment with my doctor specifically to discuss the extension paperwork and timeline, even though my current claim doesn't end until next month. Better to plan ahead than scramble at the last minute! For anyone else going through this - I've been keeping all my medical records, appointment summaries, and any EDD correspondence in a dedicated folder (both physical and digital copies). My brain fog from pain medication makes it hard to remember details, so having everything organized in one place has been a lifesaver. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. It's so reassuring to know there are people here who actually understand what it's like to deal with disability bureaucracy while you're trying to focus on recovery!

One additional consideration: if you're approved for SDI based on pregnancy disability, and you later give birth, you'll transition to recovery benefits automatically (typically 6-8 weeks depending on delivery type). After that recovery period ends, you may be eligible for Paid Family Leave (PFL) for bonding with your newborn for up to 8 weeks. The entire sequence could look like: 1. Pregnancy Disability Leave (from doctor certification until birth) 2. Recovery period (6-8 weeks post-birth) 3. PFL bonding time (up to 8 weeks) This means you could potentially have continuous wage replacement from now until several months after your baby is born. Just something to plan for!

As someone who navigated SDI during pregnancy in 2023, I want to emphasize something important that hasn't been mentioned yet: document EVERYTHING. Keep a journal of your symptoms, blood pressure readings, any contractions, and how they relate to your work/commute days. Take photos of your BP monitor readings if you have one at home. When I applied, having detailed records of my symptoms and how they correlated with work stress made a huge difference in getting approved quickly. The EDD reviewers want to see a clear medical picture, not just general statements. Also, since you're per diem, make sure you understand how your base period wages will be calculated. Per diem workers sometimes have irregular earnings patterns that can affect benefit amounts. You might want to gather your pay stubs from the last 18 months to have a clear picture of your earnings history before you apply. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow - having all this information prepared will really help your doctor understand what documentation you need!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The online switch worked perfectly for me - took about 2 payment cycles to fully kick in. One thing to watch out for: make sure your bank account info is 100% accurate when you enter it. I made a typo in my routing number the first time and it delayed everything by another month. Also, don't close or throw away the BofA card right away even after direct deposit starts working. I kept mine as a backup just in case there were any issues with the direct deposit. EDD systems can be finicky sometimes!

Just wanted to add my experience - I successfully switched from the EDD debit card to direct deposit about 3 months ago. The online process through SDI Online worked great, but there are a few things I wish I had known beforehand: 1. It took exactly 2 payment cycles before direct deposit kicked in (so plan for that timing) 2. You can still access any remaining balance on the BofA card even after switching - it doesn't expire 3. Make sure to use a checking account, not savings - some credit unions have issues with SDI direct deposits to savings accounts The whole process was way easier than I expected after reading horror stories online. Just be patient with the timing and you should be good to go!

So glad you got confirmation from EDD! That must be such a huge weight off your shoulders. I've been following your situation and was really worried for you. It's awful what your employer did, but at least your disability benefits are secure. Focus on your surgery and recovery now - the employment law stuff can wait until you're feeling better. Wishing you a smooth surgery and quick healing! 💪

Emma, I'm so glad you were able to get through to EDD and confirm your benefits are safe! What a relief that must be after all that stress. Your situation really highlights how important it is to document everything when dealing with potential retaliation for medical leave requests. For anyone else reading this thread who might face something similar - Emma's case is a perfect example of why timing matters so much with disability claims. She had her doctor's certification and filed her SDI paperwork BEFORE getting fired, which protected her benefits. Always try to get your medical documentation and disability claim submitted as soon as possible after your doctor recommends leave. Best of luck with your surgery next week! Focus on healing and don't let the stress from your former employer affect your recovery. You've got your financial safety net secured now. 🌟