I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm about 10 weeks into FMLA for a herniated disc and my doctor just told me I'll likely need at least another 2-3 months of recovery time. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me so much valuable information about options I didn't even know existed. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I discovered that my company has a "return to work coordinator" who specializes in these situations. They've been much more knowledgeable about accommodation options than regular HR and have actually been advocating FOR me rather than just protecting the company's interests. If your company has someone in this role, definitely ask to be connected with them. Also, I've found it really helpful to keep a daily symptom diary documenting how my condition affects my ability to work. My doctor said this kind of detailed documentation can be really valuable when requesting accommodations or extensions. The stress of worrying about job security definitely makes recovery harder, but knowing there are so many potential protections and resources available has given me much more peace of mind. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences - this community support means everything when you're navigating something this challenging!

This has been such an incredibly thorough and supportive discussion - I'm amazed by how much valuable information everyone has shared! As someone who's been dealing with a similar situation (currently 8 weeks into FMLA for chronic migraines), I'm taking notes on all of these strategies and resources. One thing I wanted to add that has helped me is creating a "medical leave binder" with sections for: doctor's notes, SDI paperwork, employer communications, accommodation requests, and a timeline of key dates. Having everything organized this way has made it so much easier when I need to reference specific information or provide documentation to different parties. Also, I learned that some companies have "employee resource groups" for people with disabilities or chronic conditions - these can be great sources of informal support and practical advice from colleagues who've navigated similar situations. It might be worth asking HR if your company has anything like this. The collective wisdom in this thread has transformed my anxiety about FMLA running out into a sense of empowerment about the various options available. Thank you all for being so generous with your experiences and knowledge - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes such a difference when facing these challenges!

Have you tried reaching out to your local state representative? Sometimes they can help push things through when you're stuck dealing with state agencies.

Oh no, missing those callbacks is the worst! I had a similar situation last year. Here's what worked for me: First, definitely try uploading your updated doctor's note through the online portal like others mentioned - that might handle your return-to-work date change without needing to talk to anyone. If that doesn't work, I found that calling exactly at 8:00 AM on Tuesday or Wednesday gave me the best chance of getting through. Also, make sure your voicemail isn't full in case they try calling you back again. Sometimes they do try a second time within a week. Don't stress too much - your claim won't disappear just because you missed one callback. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just wanted to add that if you're dealing with a workplace injury like you mentioned, you might also want to look into workers' compensation benefits. Since your back problems are from a workplace injury, you could potentially be eligible for both workers' comp and SDI depending on your situation. Workers' comp might cover more of your medical expenses related to the injury. It's worth asking your doctor or HR about this too - sometimes people don't realize they can pursue both options. Hope your claim goes smoothly!

I've been through the SDI process twice and want to echo what others have said - definitely give your doctor a heads up that EDD will be sending them certification forms electronically. My orthopedist told me that a lot of doctors aren't familiar with the EDD system and sometimes the emails end up in spam folders or get overlooked. Also, since you mentioned this is a workplace injury, I'd strongly recommend looking into workers' compensation as well. You can file both claims - they serve different purposes and you're potentially entitled to both. Workers' comp will cover your medical bills related to the injury, which SDI won't do. Don't let your unhelpful HR department stop you from getting the benefits you deserve! One more tip: when you file your SDI claim online, save/screenshot every confirmation page and keep detailed notes of dates and reference numbers. The system can be glitchy and having documentation saved me when there was a processing delay with my claim. Good luck with everything - you've got this! 💪

I've been in a similar situation and know how stressful it can be when you're waiting for disability payments. One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline of all my submissions and communications. Sometimes there are processing delays that happen after they receive your supplemental certificate - it's not always about whether they got it, but where it is in their review process. If you haven't already, try asking specifically about the processing timeline when you do get through to someone. They can often tell you what stage your claim is in and give you a more realistic timeframe. Also, if you submitted any medical records or other supporting documents along with your supplemental certificate, make sure they received those too - sometimes one piece goes missing and holds up the whole process. Another tip: if you're really struggling financially while waiting, look into local emergency assistance programs. Many counties have funds specifically for people waiting on disability payments. Your local 211 helpline can point you toward resources. Hang in there - the wait is awful but once these get sorted out, they usually backdate your payments to when you were supposed to receive them.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - I know how nerve-wracking it can be when you're depending on those payments and everything seems to be stuck in limbo. One approach that worked for me was being very specific about what information I needed when I finally got through to someone. Instead of just asking "where's my payment," I'd ask things like: "Can you confirm you received my supplemental certificate dated [specific date]?" and "What's the current status of my claim - is it pending review, waiting for additional documentation, or in payment processing?" I also found it helpful to ask for a case number or reference number for every interaction, even if they say there's nothing they can do. Having those numbers made follow-up calls much more productive. If you're able to visit a local office in person, that might be worth trying too. Sometimes face-to-face interactions move things along faster than phone calls, especially if there's a simple issue that can be resolved on the spot. Keep us posted on how it goes - this community has been through similar situations and we're rooting for you to get this sorted out soon!

There is a lot of misinformation in the comments. California SDI is generally NOT federally taxable. One exception is if you were receiving unemployment income and then became disabled and began receiving disability income -- in that case the income is a substitute for unemployment income and is federally taxable. This is all explained on the EDD web site. https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/sdi_faq_for_1099g

This thread highlights exactly why EDD's communication about tax obligations is so problematic! @Arman Bagdasaryan thank you for posting that official EDD FAQ link - it's shocking how many people (including EDD agents apparently) are giving incorrect information about SDI taxation. For anyone else reading this: the key distinction is whether you received unemployment benefits before going on disability. If you went straight from work to SDI like James did, it's generally NOT federally taxable. If you were on unemployment first and then became disabled, then it IS federally taxable as a substitute for unemployment income. This is a perfect example of why you should always check official sources rather than relying on what people say in forums or even what some EDD agents tell you over the phone. The misinformation in this thread could have cost people money by over-reporting their income! James - definitely read through that EDD FAQ carefully before filing. It sounds like you don't need to report your SDI federally at all.