As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but just created an account, I had to jump in and thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! I'm currently dealing with this exact situation - my disability claim ends in about 10 days and my psychiatrist wants to file an extension for my ongoing mental health treatment. Reading through all these experiences has been both reassuring and eye-opening. I had no idea there were so many different approaches to getting the DE 2525XX form early, or that the system was so inconsistent between different reps. The specific language suggestions about "medical necessity" and "adequate time for thorough evaluation" are gold - I'm definitely going to use those when I call tomorrow. I'm also grateful for the heads up about potential payment gaps and the recommendation to save 4-6 weeks of expenses. With mental health conditions, any financial stress can really impact recovery, so knowing what to expect helps me plan better. One question for the group: has anyone dealt with extensions specifically for mental health conditions? I'm wondering if there are any particular documentation requirements or if the process is generally the same as for physical injuries. My psychiatrist mentioned that mental health extensions sometimes take longer to process, but I'm not sure if that's accurate. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to save me so much stress and confusion!

As a newcomer who just went through this exact process two weeks ago, I wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! My disability claim was ending and my doctor (also old-school and prefers paper) needed to file an extension for my ongoing recovery from surgery. After reading similar advice online, I called the EDD Disability line at 1-800-480-3287 early in the morning around 8:15 AM. The first rep said no, but I called back the next day and got someone different who was much more helpful. When I explained that my surgeon needed adequate time to conduct a thorough medical evaluation to determine my functional capacity before my benefits expired, she immediately agreed to expedite the DE 2525XX form. The key phrases that seemed to work were "medical necessity," "avoid gap in medically necessary benefits," and "thorough evaluation of functional limitations." She also put a note in my file and gave me a reference number for the early form request. The form arrived in 4 business days via priority mail, and my doctor had it completed and submitted with a week to spare. My extension was approved with no payment interruption whatsoever. What really helped was having all my information ready when I called - claim number, doctor's contact info, and a clear explanation of why the early form was medically necessary. Also, calling right when they opened seemed to get me connected to more experienced and helpful representatives. Don't give up after the first "no" - persistence really does pay off with EDD!

That's awesome that you got your first payment so quickly! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - while Victoria got her payment in 5 days, it can sometimes take up to 10-14 days depending on when your claim gets processed and if there are any verification issues. Don't panic if it takes a bit longer! Also, once you're in the system, those biweekly payments are pretty reliable. Make sure to keep all your paperwork and stay in touch with your doctor about recertification deadlines. Wishing you a speedy recovery with your back injury!

Great to see your update Victoria! That's fantastic timing on getting your first payment so quickly. For anyone else dealing with back injuries like herniated discs, just wanted to share that physical therapy really does help - I went through something similar with my L5-S1 a couple years ago and it took about 12 weeks of PT but I was eventually able to return to full duty. The key is not to rush back too early even when you start feeling better. EDD is pretty good about extending certification if your doctor recommends it and you're making progress but still need more time. Keep up with your treatment plan and don't hesitate to ask your doctor questions about realistic timelines for recovery!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress while recovering from such a serious injury! A crushed leg from a construction accident sounds absolutely awful, and the last thing you need is financial anxiety on top of physical pain. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that the "Pending Medical Forms" status lasting 2-3 weeks is unfortunately completely normal with EDD's broken system, even when doctors submit everything correctly and promptly like yours did. The fact that your orthopedic surgeon submitted the forms electronically the day after you filed is actually really good timing. Based on everyone's experiences here, at 11 days you're still well within the normal processing window, though I know that doesn't make the financial pressure any less stressful. Definitely follow the advice about calling your doctor's office to verify they used the DE 2501 form and that all your personal information was entered correctly - those seem to be the most common causes of delays. Also check both your claim status AND payment history sections daily since they don't always sync up. Try to hang in there - construction injuries take time to heal properly, and you deserve these benefits while you recover. Document everything with dates and reference numbers in case you need to request backdated payments later. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping your claim gets approved soon!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress on top of your injury! The "Pending Medical Forms" status is unfortunately one of EDD's most frustrating quirks - their system basically sits there saying "pending" even after they've received everything, until a human examiner actually looks at your file. At 11 days since your doctor submitted the forms, you're actually still in the normal timeframe (most people here have seen 14-20 business days). The key thing is making sure your orthopedic surgeon used the correct DE 2501 form and didn't just send a general medical note. When you call them tomorrow, ask specifically: 1) Did they submit the DE 2501 Medical Certification form? 2) Was it submitted through SDI Online provider portal? 3) Can they verify your SSN, birthdate, and claim ID were all correct on the form? Also, check both your claim status AND payment history tabs daily - sometimes one updates before the other. I know the financial pressure is crushing when you're already dealing with medical bills from a construction accident, but based on everyone's experiences here, your claim will likely be backdated to cover the full eligible period once it's finally approved. Hang in there!

I work at a medical office and deal with EDD fax submissions regularly. Just want to confirm that (855) 341-6574 is correct - we've been using it since January 2025 with good success. One thing I'd add is to have your doctor's office send the fax during business hours (8am-4pm) if possible. We've noticed better delivery rates during peak staffing times. Also, if your doctor's office has a multi-function printer, make sure they're using "Fine" resolution mode - we had issues with EDD rejecting forms that were too blurry from standard resolution faxes.

Just wanted to add my recent experience - I had my doctor fax forms to (855) 341-6574 about two weeks ago and EDD processed them within 5 business days, which was much faster than I expected! One thing that really helped was that my doctor's office called me right after faxing to give me the confirmation number from the fax machine. I wrote it down and when I called EDD to follow up, having that confirmation number made the whole process smoother. The rep was able to locate my forms immediately in their system. So definitely ask your doctor's office to save that confirmation sheet and give you the details!

I'm new to this community but facing a similar situation with my pregnancy disability ending soon and needing to transition to postpartum mental health support. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea this was even possible until reading everyone's experiences! Based on all the detailed advice shared here, it sounds like you'll definitely need to file a new claim since your pregnancy disability already ended on 3/18. The step-by-step guidance from everyone, especially about using the F53.0 diagnosis code and backdating to 3/19, is exactly what I needed to learn for my own upcoming transition. One thing I wanted to add that my doula mentioned - when you call EDD to give them the heads up about your new claim (which seems like a crucial step based on everyone's advice), ask them to put a note in your file about the connection to your recent pregnancy disability claim. This can help the reviewer understand the continuity of care rather than seeing it as a completely separate issue. Also, since you mentioned group therapy specifically, make sure your therapist emphasizes that this is structured, evidence-based treatment for postpartum depression. Group therapy shows you're engaged in comprehensive care, which can strengthen your claim. Thank you for asking this question - it's going to help so many people navigate this confusing transition! The community knowledge shared here is invaluable during such a vulnerable time.

I'm new to this community but currently going through the exact same situation! My pregnancy disability ended in February and I'm now dealing with postpartum anxiety and depression. This thread has been absolutely lifesaving - I was completely lost before finding all this detailed advice. Based on everyone's experiences, it's clear you'll need to file a NEW claim since your pregnancy disability already ended on 3/18. The comprehensive guidance from NeonNova and others about using diagnosis code F53.0, backdating to 3/19, and submitting via both fax and mail is incredibly valuable. One additional tip I learned from my mental health clinic: when your therapist completes the DE 2501 form, ask them to specifically mention how your postpartum depression impacts your ability to work or perform daily activities. EDD wants to see functional impairment, not just the diagnosis itself. My therapist included details about concentration issues, fatigue, and emotional instability affecting my job performance, which helped strengthen the medical justification. Also, since you mentioned weekly group therapy, that's actually really strong evidence of ongoing structured treatment. Make sure your therapist emphasizes the frequency and evidence-based nature of this care in their documentation. The waiting period waiver for seamless transitions between pregnancy and postpartum claims is huge - I wish I had known about that earlier! You've got such great advice from this community. Wishing you success with your new claim!