my sister had this problem two years ago and she found out that in some cases you can actually reapply for a NEW claim under edd sdi after your 52 weeks if you have a different condition!! not sure if that applies to your situation but worth knowing. like she was on for depression originally but then had a completely separate physical issue and qualified for a new claim with new paperwork. good luck!!! this system is super frustrating

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add that you should also check if your employer offers any Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that might provide additional support or resources during this transition. Some companies have partnerships with disability management firms that can help navigate the gap between SDI ending and other benefits starting. Also, don't forget about COBRA for health insurance if you're worried about losing coverage during this transition period. Medical bills can really pile up if you lose insurance while still dealing with ongoing treatment. One more thing - I've heard that some people qualify for state programs like CalFresh (food stamps) or Medi-Cal during the income gap between programs. Might be worth looking into if you're going to have a period with reduced or no income. Hang in there - this system is definitely not designed with the patient's wellbeing in mind, but there are people and resources out there to help if you know where to look.

Idk if this helps, but I had a similar issue and it turned out my doctor hadn't submitted some required paperwork. Might be worth checking with them.

I went through something similar a few months ago. My payments just stopped without warning. After weeks of trying to get through on the phone, I finally got connected and found out they had flagged my account for "routine review" but never sent me any notification. The rep was able to clear it up and I got all my back payments within a week. Definitely try the early morning calling strategy - I had success around 8:15 AM. Also, if you have access to your EDD online portal, check under "Claim History" and "Messages" - sometimes there are updates buried in there that don't trigger email notifications. Don't give up, the system is frustrating but your benefits are there waiting for you!

wait... does anyone know if stress leave pay is different from regular disability??? my friend said she got less $ for mental health stuff vs when she had surgery

I'm going through something really similar right now with my anxiety claim! The stress of dealing with the paperwork while already being anxious is just awful. From what I've learned lurking here, it sounds like you have a few good options. The "Convert paper application to online" feature that Clay mentioned sounds like it could be perfect for your situation - that way you don't have to worry about duplicate claims or calling EDD (which everyone says is impossible anyway). I'd definitely recommend going online if your doctor is comfortable with technology. My therapist actually preferred the electronic system because she could complete everything from her office computer instead of dealing with fax machines and mail delays. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - make sure to save screenshots of every page when you submit online, just in case there are any technical glitches. I've heard some people had issues with the system not saving their progress properly. Hang in there! The whole process is stressful but you're taking the right steps to get the help you need. Your mental health is important and you deserve these benefits while you recover.

If I have worked prior and now self employed and got a personal injury at home can I file disability

Based on my experience with CA disability claims, if your original disability claim is still within the 52-week benefit period, you should try to extend your existing claim first. This is usually easier and faster than starting a new claim. You'll need your doctor to complete the DE 2525XX form (Physician/Practitioner's Supplementary Certificate) to extend your disability period. If it's been over a year since your original claim started, then you'd need to file a new claim. Contact EDD directly to confirm which option applies to your specific timeline - they can tell you if your original claim is still active and extendable.

I noticed you mentioned your work caused your mental health issues. If your condition was directly caused by your job, you might want to look into filing a workers' compensation claim instead of or in addition to SDI. Stress/anxiety/depression can qualify for workers' comp if work was a substantial contributing factor. The benefit of workers' comp is there's no unpaid waiting period and it can cover your medical treatment costs too. Might be worth discussing with your therapist and possibly a workers' comp attorney.

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that if you do decide to pursue workers' comp like @Andre Moreau suggested, you should document everything you can remember about the toxic work environment - save those abusive texts, write down dates of incidents, etc. Also, for the SDI route, make sure your therapist is very specific about your functional limitations on the DE 2501 form. Don't just say "anxiety and depression" - they need to explain exactly how these conditions prevent you from performing your job duties (can't concentrate for extended periods, panic attacks interfere with work tasks, etc.). The more detailed the better. One thing I learned the hard way - if you do get through to EDD on the phone, ask them to put notes in your file about your conversation and the withdrawal request. Sometimes different reps give different information and having it documented helps avoid confusion later. Good luck with whatever path you choose! Your mental health is more important than navigating EDD's bureaucracy.