Can't reach California Disability? Claimyr connects you to a live EDD agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the EDD drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
hey op, any updates? were you able to get through to anyone?
Not yet, still trying. I'll update when I have news. Thanks for checking!
I went through something similar a few months back. Here's what finally worked for me: I sent a message through the "Contact EDD" feature in my online account AND mailed a physical letter to my local EDD office explaining the situation. Make sure to include your Social Security number, the date you submitted the questionnaire, and any confirmation numbers you received. Also, if you have a disability case worker assigned to you, try reaching out to them directly - they sometimes have more pull than the general customer service line. Don't give up! The squeaky wheel gets the grease with EDD. Your benefits should be backdated once they sort this mess out.
This is super helpful advice! I didn't even think about mailing a physical letter. Do you happen to know if there's a specific address for the local EDD office, or should I just look it up on their website? Also, how long did it take after you sent the letter to get a response? I'm willing to try anything at this point!
Join the conversation
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation planning surgery in Costa Rica next year and had no idea about most of these requirements. A few questions based on everyone's experiences: 1. For those who had success with international claims - did you find certain types of procedures get approved more easily than others? I'm having orthopedic surgery which seems pretty clearly medically necessary. 2. Has anyone dealt with the situation where your Mexican/international doctor doesn't speak English well? I'm wondering if I should bring a translator to the appointment when we review the DE 2501 form. 3. @Genevieve Cavalier mentioned the 5-week processing time - is that typical, or did some of you experience faster/slower approval times? I'm definitely going to start preparing way in advance after reading about everyone's experiences. The level of documentation required is way more extensive than I expected, but it sounds like being thorough upfront really pays off in terms of avoiding delays and appeals. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed real-world advice!
Great questions @Jordan Walker! Based on what I've seen in this thread and my own research, orthopedic surgery should definitely be easier to get approved since the medical necessity is usually pretty clear-cut - especially if you have imaging studies or documented conservative treatment failures. For the language barrier issue, I'd definitely recommend bringing a translator or at least having someone who can help ensure the medical terminology gets translated correctly on the DE 2501 form. Some of the medical terms and disability-related language might not translate directly, and accuracy is crucial for EDD approval. As for timing, it sounds like most people in this thread experienced 4-6 weeks for international claims, which seems pretty consistent. The ones who had longer delays usually had incomplete documentation or needed to provide additional information after the initial submission. Costa Rica is probably going to be similar to the Mexico experiences people shared here - just make sure your surgeon is familiar with US medical documentation requirements. You might want to send them the DE 2501 form in advance so they can review what information they'll need to provide. Starting the preparation process early like you're planning is definitely the smart approach!
As someone who works in medical administration and has helped several patients navigate international SDI claims, I want to add a few professional insights to this excellent discussion: 1. **Medical Necessity Documentation**: The key phrase EDD looks for is "prevents the claimant from performing their regular or customary work." Make sure your Mexican doctor uses this exact language and connects your specific job requirements to your recovery limitations. 2. **Physician Licensing**: EDD has a database they use to verify international medical licenses. Your Mexican doctor's license number will be checked, so ensure they provide their complete, current license information including the state/region where they're licensed in Mexico. 3. **Translation Requirements**: Any document not in English must be translated by a certified translator - this includes medical records, surgical notes, and even prescription information. Keep the originals and certified translations together. 4. **Filing Timeline**: The 49-day rule mentioned earlier is critical, but it starts from your first day of disability, not your surgery date. If you're disabled for pre-operative preparation, that counts toward your claim period. 5. **Appeal Statistics**: About 15% of international SDI claims get initially denied, usually for insufficient documentation. However, 70% of those denials are overturned on appeal when proper documentation is provided. The thorough approach everyone's describing here is absolutely the right strategy. Better to over-document than face months of appeals!
Join the conversation
I just went through this exact same situation last month! I was about 5 weeks into my SDI claim and getting frustrated with the slow check delivery. Called the EDD line at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday and got through in about 15 minutes. The representative was super helpful and made the switch immediately - no hassle at all. She told me to expect the debit card in 7-10 business days and that my next payment would automatically go to the card once it was activated. The card actually arrived in 6 business days and I was able to activate it online through the Bank of America EDD portal. One heads up though - make sure you don't throw away any mail from Bank of America during that waiting period! The activation instructions came in a separate envelope from the actual card. Overall the whole process was way easier than I expected. Definitely call first thing in the morning for the shortest wait times!
This is so encouraging to hear! I was worried about the whole process being complicated but it sounds like EDD actually handles payment method changes pretty efficiently. Good tip about watching for the Bank of America mail - I probably would have tossed those envelopes thinking they were junk mail. Did you have any issues activating the card or was that part straightforward too? I'm planning to call tomorrow morning bright and early!
I actually just switched from checks to the debit card about 2 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience! Like others mentioned, calling right at 8 AM is definitely the way to go - I got through in about 12 minutes on a Tuesday morning. The EDD rep was really helpful and processed the change immediately. She explained that I'd get a confirmation letter in the mail within a few days (which I did), and then the debit card would arrive separately in 7-10 business days. Mine came in exactly 8 days. The activation process through the Bank of America EDD website was super simple - just entered the card info and set up my PIN. What I really love about the card is that I can check my balance anytime through the BofA app and set up instant notifications when payments are deposited. Plus the free transfers to my regular bank account are a game changer! The whole switch was totally worth the brief phone call. Good luck with yours!
Thanks for sharing your recent experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who just went through this process. The instant notifications through the BofA app sound like a great feature - I hate wondering when my payments will arrive. Quick question: when you set up the free transfers to your regular bank, was there any daily or monthly limit on how much you can transfer? I want to make sure I can move my full payment amount right away without any restrictions.
Join the conversation
This thread is exactly what I needed to read! I'm in a very similar situation - about 4 weeks out from my claim expiring after a work injury, and I had no idea I needed to be so proactive about the extension process. Reading everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and a bit scary (especially hearing about those benefit gaps!). I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about scheduling a dedicated appointment with my doctor specifically for the extension discussion. The tip about bringing a printed summary of requirements and deadlines is brilliant - I can already tell my doctor's office will appreciate having everything laid out clearly. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here dealt with getting an extension while also potentially transitioning back to modified work duties? My physical therapist thinks I might be able to do some light desk work in a few weeks, but I'm not sure if that affects the extension process or if I need to wait until I'm fully cleared to return to my regular job duties. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is incredibly helpful for navigating what feels like a really confusing system!
That's a great question about transitioning to modified work duties! From what I understand, you'll want to discuss this carefully with your doctor during your extension appointment. If you're able to do light desk work but not your regular job duties, your doctor can potentially certify you for a "partial disability" rather than total disability. This might affect your benefit amount, but you could still receive some SDI payments while doing modified work. The key is being completely honest with your doctor about what you can and can't do physically. They need to accurately assess whether you can perform your specific job requirements, not just any type of work. I'd recommend asking your doctor specifically about partial disability options and how that would be documented on the extension forms. You definitely don't want to risk your benefits by working when you're not supposed to, but there may be legitimate options for a gradual return to work while still receiving some support.
I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago after knee surgery, and I can definitely relate to the confusion! The one thing I wish I had known earlier is that you should also keep a record of exactly when you contact your doctor's office about the extension. I called my doctor's office twice thinking they had submitted the paperwork, but it turned out they were waiting for me to schedule a follow-up appointment first. Also, don't be afraid to ask your doctor's office directly: "What specific steps do YOU need me to take for my disability extension?" Sometimes they have their own internal process (like requiring an appointment, or needing you to fill out a patient form first) before they'll submit anything to EDD. Getting clarity on their process upfront can save you a lot of stress later. One more tip - if your doctor seems unfamiliar with the EDD process, you can actually print out the DE 2501 form instructions from the EDD website and bring them to your appointment. It shows exactly what information they need to include, which can help ensure they fill it out completely the first time. Good luck with your recovery!
This is such valuable advice about keeping records and understanding your doctor's office process! I never thought about asking them directly what steps THEY need me to take - that's so smart. Every office probably has their own way of handling these things. The tip about printing out the DE 2501 form instructions is brilliant too, especially for doctors who might not be as familiar with EDD requirements. I'm definitely going to do that for my appointment next week. It sounds like being overly prepared and communicative is way better than assuming everything will just work smoothly. Thanks for sharing what you learned from your experience!
Evelyn Martinez
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! Got denied UI for "voluntary quit" even though I left due to chronic migraines that were making it impossible to function at work. Applied for SDI right after and got approved within 3 weeks. The key things that helped me: 1) My doctor had been documenting my condition for months before I left work, 2) I made sure the disability start date on my application matched what my doctor put on the medical certification, and 3) I applied online which was way faster than paper. Don't worry about not being employed anymore - as long as you paid into SDI during your base period (which you definitely did if you worked for 2 years), you're eligible. The medical documentation is what really matters for SDI approval. Good luck!
0 coins
Sean Kelly
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! It's so reassuring to know someone went through the same situation and got approved. I'm definitely in a similar boat with my doctor documenting everything for months while I was still working. The timeline you mentioned (3 weeks) is much better than some of the horror stories I've been reading online. I'll make sure to coordinate with my doctor on the disability start date - that's a really important detail I might have missed. Thank you for sharing your experience!
0 coins
Sofia Ramirez
I'm in a very similar situation right now - left my job due to worsening depression and panic attacks, got denied UI, and now considering SDI. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope that there might be another option. My therapist has been documenting my condition but I'm worried it won't be seen as "serious enough" compared to physical disabilities. Has anyone here successfully gotten SDI approved for mental health conditions like anxiety/depression? I know you mentioned severe anxiety in your post - did your doctor emphasize how it physically prevents you from working?
0 coins
Emma Johnson
•Mental health conditions absolutely qualify for SDI! I actually got approved for severe anxiety and depression last year. The key is having your therapist document specific functional limitations - like how panic attacks prevent you from concentrating, attending meetings, or maintaining regular work schedules. My doctor described how my anxiety caused physical symptoms (nausea, trembling, insomnia) that made it impossible to perform job duties. Don't minimize mental health conditions - they're just as valid as physical ones under SDI. Make sure your therapist uses clinical language and explains exactly how your symptoms interfere with work activities. The medical certification form has specific questions about functional capacity that your provider will need to address.
0 coins