Hey Freya, I just went through this exact situation 3 months ago with my psychiatrist for my own PPD extension! The stress is real, but you CAN get this sorted out. A couple things that really helped me: 1) Have your therapist call that Medical Provider Support line (1-855-342-3645) FIRST thing tomorrow morning - they walked my doctor through the whole registration process over the phone and it was SO much faster than trying to figure it out online. 2) While she's getting registered, ask her to start drafting the clinical notes now so she's ready to submit immediately once her account is active. 3) Don't panic about the timeline - even if there's a small gap, the benefits will be backdated if approved. I had a 3-day gap and got every penny back. You've got this mama, PPD recovery takes time and EDD does recognize that. Hang in there! 💙

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress on top of dealing with PPD - the timing pressure is awful! I went through a similar situation last year and wanted to share what worked for me. My therapist was also new to EDD forms, so I created a little "cheat sheet" for her with all the key info: my claim number, the exact diagnosis code from my original claim (super important!), and my work restrictions. I also gave her a copy of my original DE 2501 form so she could see the format and language EDD expects. One thing that really helped was having my therapist call me right after she submitted the extension so we could both confirm it went through properly - there's a confirmation number she should get. Also, even though everyone says the Medical Provider Support line is better (and it is!), I'd still recommend trying the regular SDI line early morning around 8:02 AM as a backup - sometimes you can get through when call volumes are lower. You're doing great advocating for yourself and your mental health! The extension process is stressful but totally doable once your therapist gets registered. 💗

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Just got my approval letter yesterday and saw my first payment deposited, but no debit card yet. Reading through all these responses is making me feel so much better - I was starting to worry that something went wrong with my application. It sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty standard for the card to arrive. Thanks for asking this question Emma, and thanks to everyone who shared their experiences! It's really helpful to know what to expect as a first-timer with SDI.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! Got my approval letter on Tuesday and saw the first payment show up yesterday, but still no debit card. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a relief - I was starting to think maybe I needed to call someone or that there was an issue with my claim. It's really helpful to see that 7-10 business days seems to be the standard timeline and that EDD starts payments before the card arrives. I had no idea they operated on separate systems! Thanks for posting this question Emma, and thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and advice. Definitely going to look into setting up direct deposit like Olivia mentioned too.

This thread is so helpful! I'm actually in a similar situation right now - my SDI benefits end in two weeks and I definitely need an extension. I've been dreading having to go to the EDD office because last time I went there I waited 4 hours just to get some paperwork. Reading all your experiences gives me hope that I can just print the form myself. One quick question though - when you upload the completed form through SDI Online, do you scan it or just take a photo with your phone? I want to make sure the quality is good enough for them to process it. Also, has anyone had luck with faxing the form instead of uploading online? My internet has been spotty lately and I'm worried about the upload failing. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver for navigating the EDD maze!

I've been through this exact situation multiple times and can confirm you can absolutely print the form yourself! The DE 2525XX form is available on the EDD website under the SDI forms section. Just make sure your doctor completes every single field - I learned the hard way that leaving even small sections blank can cause delays. One tip that saved me: after uploading through SDI Online, I always call within 3-5 business days to verify they received it in their system. Sometimes the upload confirmation doesn't guarantee it made it through their internal processing. Also, if you're having trouble with the phone lines (which is super common), try calling right at 8am when they open - that's usually your best shot at getting through without hours of hold time. The printed version works exactly the same as getting it from their office, so you're definitely making the right choice avoiding that trip!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation about 8 months ago. The combination of work stress, anxiety, and physical symptoms (in my case, severe insomnia and stomach issues) was overwhelming, and I was completely lost about what to do. What helped me the most was understanding that SDI isn't just for "traditional" physical disabilities - mental health conditions are absolutely covered when they prevent you from working. The key is having your doctor document not just your diagnosis, but specifically how your symptoms make it impossible to perform your job duties. A few practical tips from my experience: - Don't wait to apply thinking you'll get better quickly. I waited 3 weeks and wish I'd applied sooner - Keep a symptom journal leading up to your doctor's appointment - it helps them understand the full scope of how you're affected - If you have any previous mental health treatment records, bring them to show this isn't just a temporary reaction The financial stress while waiting for approval is real, but taking that time off work was absolutely crucial for my recovery. I'm back to work now and in a much better place mentally. You're making the right choice by prioritizing your health - don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. Wishing you the best with your application process!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share my recent experience for anyone else going through this. I just got approved for SDI last month for work-related anxiety and depression, and the process was actually smoother than I expected based on all the horror stories I'd heard about EDD. A few things that I think helped my case: - My doctor was very thorough in documenting how my symptoms specifically impacted my ability to concentrate, make decisions, and interact with colleagues - I had been in therapy for about 6 weeks before applying, which showed I was actively seeking treatment - I applied online immediately after my doctor's appointment rather than waiting The waiting period was definitely stressful (took about 18 days to get my first payment), but having that time off work made such a huge difference in my recovery. I'm planning to return to work next month with some accommodations from HR. For anyone currently going through this - don't feel guilty about needing time off for mental health. Your brain is an organ just like any other, and when it's not functioning properly due to stress or other factors, you deserve medical care and support. This thread has been such a valuable resource and I'm grateful to everyone who shared their experiences!

I'm dealing with this exact same anxiety right now! My SDI payment showed as "sent" on 12/21 and still nothing in my bank account. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief - I had no idea that 3-5 business days was normal, especially for the first payment. I've been checking my bank app obsessively every few hours and getting more worried each day. The holiday timing definitely makes it worse since I know banks are processing slower. It's reassuring to see that so many people have gone through this same waiting period and everything worked out fine. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know this is just part of the process and not something to panic about. Fingers crossed mine shows up soon too!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just got approved for SDI after a really stressful 8-week wait, and my payment shows as sent on 12/23. I was starting to freak out that something went wrong since it's been a few days now, but reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief. It sounds like the 3-5 business day window is totally normal, and the holidays are definitely adding extra delays. I had no idea the first payment typically takes longer than future ones - that's really good to know! I'm trying not to check my bank app every hour but it's so hard when you're already financially stressed from being out of work. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and advice - it's incredibly helpful to know this is just part of the process. Hopefully mine shows up soon!