Ugh, the EDD is the worst! I swear they make these "mistakes" on purpose to discourage people from claiming benefits. Stay strong and fight it!

I went through something similar last year and it was absolutely terrifying at first! Here's what helped me: 1. **Get everything in writing** - Call EDD and ask them to mail you a detailed breakdown of exactly what they think you were overpaid and why. Don't just take their word over the phone. 2. **Check your work history** - Sometimes they miscalculate your base period wages or don't account for overlapping eligibility periods correctly. 3. **Look into hardship waivers** - If you do end up owing money, EDD has programs to waive repayment if it would cause financial hardship. Most people don't know about this! 4. **Keep detailed records** - Screenshot everything, save all emails, and keep a log of every phone call with dates and representative names. The good news is that a lot of these "overpayments" get overturned once you provide the right documentation. Don't let them intimidate you - you have rights in this process! Feel free to DM me if you need help navigating the appeal paperwork.

Friendly reminder to everyone: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Every call, every letter, every online status change. It'll save your butt if there's ever a dispute.

Hey Dallas! I just went through this same situation a couple months ago. My doctor was super slow with the medical certification too - turned out they were waiting for some additional test results. I called their office every other day (nicely but persistently) and finally got them to submit it. Once they did, my claim moved pretty quickly - about 2 weeks after that. The key thing is that your claim basically sits in limbo until they get that medical cert, so definitely stay on your doctor about it. You can also ask them to fax it directly to EDD instead of mailing it - that speeds things up. Don't stress too much about the processing time once everything's submitted though, they're actually pretty good about backdating to when your disability actually started. Good luck! 🤞

I just went through my first holiday payment delay with EDD SDI during Thanksgiving and wanted to share what happened. My payment period ended on November 21st (the Thursday that was Thanksgiving), and I was really worried about delays since it was my second payment ever on disability. What actually happened was interesting - the payment showed as "Paid" in my SDI Online portal on the 21st as scheduled, but because of the holiday banking closures, I didn't receive the direct deposit until the following Monday (November 25th). So it was only a 1-day delay from when I would normally see it in my account. Based on this experience, I think you'll likely be okay since your period ends on Christmas Eve (24th) rather than Christmas Day itself. The key is that EDD seems to process the payments on schedule even during holidays, but the banking delays are what cause the actual deposit to be late. I'd recommend checking your SDI Online account on the 24th to see if it shows "Paid" status - if it does, you'll know the payment is coming even if there's a banking delay. Good luck and happy holidays!

I'm new to SDI and just started my claim this month, so this entire thread has been incredibly educational! I had no idea that holiday timing could affect payments in so many different ways. Reading everyone's experiences - from the Thanksgiving delays to the Christmas Eve scenarios - really helps set realistic expectations for what to expect during my time on disability. What strikes me most is how the actual EDD processing seems to happen on schedule, but it's the banking holidays that cause the delays in when you actually see the money. That's a really important distinction that I wouldn't have understood without reading all these real experiences. For anyone else who's new to this system like me, it seems like the key takeaways are: 1) Check your SDI Online portal on your certification end date to see payment status, 2) Set up direct deposit and banking alerts if possible, 3) Always plan for potential delays around holidays, and 4) The timing of when your period ends relative to the actual holiday makes a big difference. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating the confusing world of EDD!

Just went through this exact process last month for my ACL recovery! One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can actually call your doctor's office a few days before your appointment to let them know you'll need the DE 2525XX extension form submitted. This gives them time to have it ready and ensures they don't forget during your visit. My orthopedic surgeon's office was super busy and I could tell they appreciated the heads up. Also, if your doctor mentions any specific restrictions or limitations during your appointment (like no lifting over 10 pounds, limited range of motion, etc.), make sure those details get included on the form - it can help support your case if EDD has any questions about the extension. The whole process was much smoother than I expected once I understood what needed to happen. Hope your recovery goes well!

I'm new to this community but going through a very similar situation right now! My disability claim for ankle surgery is set to end in two weeks, but my physical therapist says I need at least another month before I can safely return to my job (I work in a warehouse). Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the DE 2525XX form or that timing was so critical. I'm scheduling an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon ASAP to get the extension paperwork submitted. One question though - if my doctor thinks I might need even more time beyond the initial extension (like if recovery takes longer than expected), can I do multiple extensions or is there a limit? I'm worried about planning for just 4 more weeks if I might actually need 6-8 weeks. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is a lifesaver for someone navigating this process for the first time!

This whole thread has been so educational! As someone who's been navigating the EDD system myself, I wanted to add that it's also worth noting that even if your initial application gets denied, you have appeal rights. I've seen cases where people were initially denied because of confusion about employment status vs. disability onset dates, but won their appeals with proper documentation. The appeal process can take time, but it's definitely worth pursuing if you believe you qualify. Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit and document all your interactions with EDD. And definitely don't let one denial discourage you - sometimes it takes persistence to get through their system, especially with more complex timeline situations like many of you are describing. @Evelyn Xu's success story really shows that it IS possible to get approved even when unemployed, as long as the medical condition predates the job loss. Great job coming back to share your positive outcome!

Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly insightful! As someone who works in workers' compensation advocacy, I see cases like this regularly and wanted to emphasize a few key points that might help others: 1. **Medical onset date is crucial** - Your doctor's certification must clearly establish when your condition began, not just when you finally decided to seek treatment or file for benefits. 2. **Base period wages matter** - Even if you're currently unemployed, SDI benefits are calculated based on your earnings during the base period (typically 5-18 months prior), so gather those wage records. 3. **Don't wait** - The longer you delay filing after your condition prevents you from working, the more complicated it becomes to establish the connection between your disability and your work history. @Evelyn Xu's case is a perfect example of how proper documentation and timing can lead to approval even in complex situations. The fact that she had medical treatment records from January while still employed made all the difference. For anyone facing similar situations, consider consulting with a disability advocate or attorney if your case gets denied. Sometimes having professional help navigate the appeals process can make the difference between getting benefits or not.