


Ask the community...
I just went through this exact same issue a couple months ago and it was absolutely maddening! After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I want to add one more potential solution that worked for me when everything else failed: try accessing the EDD website through Internet Explorer or Edge in "compatibility mode" if you're on Windows. I know it sounds weird in 2024, but their upload portal was built with older web standards and sometimes only works properly in legacy browsers. Also, if you're using any ad blockers or privacy extensions, try disabling them temporarily - they can interfere with the upload functionality. One last tip: if you find the upload section but it keeps giving you error messages, try uploading just one document at a time rather than multiple files. The system seems to get overwhelmed with batch uploads. This community thread is honestly better than EDD's actual help documentation! Hope this helps someone avoid the frustration I went through. 💪
I just went through this same headache last week and finally got my 4365di forms uploaded! After trying everything mentioned in this amazing thread, here's what ultimately worked for me: I had to wait until I received an actual EMAIL from EDD with the subject "Document Request - Action Required" before any upload options appeared on the website. The email contained a direct secure link that bypassed all the navigation issues everyone's been struggling with. Apparently my claim needed to hit a very specific processing milestone before they even allowed document uploads. While waiting for that email, I kept checking the SDI Online portal like @Sophie Duck suggested, but the upload sections were completely invisible until after I got that official request. Once I got the email link, the whole process took less than 10 minutes. So frustrating that it's this complicated, but don't give up if you're not seeing upload options yet - you might just need to wait for EDD to officially request the documents first. Keep checking your email (and spam folder) daily! 🙏
Definitely call ahead! When I scheduled my follow-up with the orthopedic surgeon, I mentioned that I had an active SDI claim and would need updated medical certification. The scheduler actually transferred me to their medical records department who explained exactly what forms they use and confirmed they handle SDI paperwork regularly. Most orthopedic practices are very familiar with SDI claims since so many of their patients are dealing with work-related injuries or surgeries that impact their ability to work. They'll likely have the DE 2501 forms on hand or know exactly what needs to be documented. Also, bring a detailed description of your warehouse supervisor duties - lifting requirements, how much walking/standing, any climbing or physical demands. This helps the surgeon give EDD a realistic timeline for when you can safely return to those specific job functions. My surgeon actually asked me to demonstrate some of my work movements during the appointment so she could better assess my limitations. One last thing - ask the surgeon's office about their timeline for submitting paperwork to EDD. Some offices are super quick (same day) while others can take a week or more. If there's going to be a delay, you might want to ask your primary doctor to extend your current certification to avoid any gaps in coverage.
This is such great advice about calling ahead and bringing job details! I'm definitely going to do both of those things. The tip about asking them to demonstrate work movements is really smart - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense for them to see what I actually need to be able to do safely. I'm also glad you mentioned asking about their paperwork timeline. I'll make sure to ask about that and potentially get my primary doctor to extend the current certification if needed. The last thing I want is a gap in coverage while waiting for the surgeon's office to submit their forms. Thanks for such detailed help!
I went through this exact situation with my ACL tear in 2022! Everyone here is absolutely right - file NOW with your primary doctor's certification. Don't wait for the surgeon appointment. Here's what worked for me: I filed immediately after my primary doctor confirmed the tear with MRI (similar to your situation). She certified me for 8 weeks initially, which covered the time until surgery and immediate post-op recovery. Then my surgeon submitted an updated certification for the full recovery period after surgery. For ACL recovery with warehouse work, expect 4-6 months total time off. The physical demands of your job (walking, standing, lifting) mean you'll need full strength and stability back before returning safely. My surgeon was very thorough about this since re-injury risk is high if you return too early. Pro tip: When you file, make sure your doctor lists all your job requirements on the form - not just "warehouse supervisor" but specifically "prolonged standing, walking, lifting up to X lbs, climbing stairs" etc. This helps EDD understand why you need extended recovery time compared to someone with a desk job. You're smart to ask about this early - don't let anyone talk you into waiting. That 49-day backdate limit is real and you'd lose benefits permanently for any days beyond that window.
Just wanted to add that when I made the switch last year, I learned that you can actually expedite the process if you have a terminal illness or urgent medical situation. There's a special expedited review process available. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of all your calls and correspondence - dates, times, who you spoke with, and what was discussed. This helped me immensely when I had to follow up on my case. The whole system is frustrating, but persistence really does pay off. Hang in there!
Hey @Aidan Hudson, I went through this exact transition about 6 months ago and I totally understand how overwhelming it feels. One thing that really helped me was creating a checklist to stay organized throughout the process. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: Make copies of EVERYTHING before you submit - seriously, the EDD has a habit of losing documents. Also, when you're gathering your medical records, don't just get the recent stuff. Get everything related to your condition going back at least a year if possible. The more documentation you have, the stronger your case. One more tip - if your doctor is slow with paperwork (like mine was), consider offering to pick up the completed forms in person rather than waiting for them to mail it. That saved me about a week in the process. The income gap is real and scary, but you'll get through it. Start reaching out to local food banks or assistance programs now if you think you'll need them. There's no shame in getting help while you're waiting for the system to work. You've got this! Keep us updated on how things go. This community has your back! 💙
This is such thoughtful advice! The checklist idea is brilliant - when you're dealing with health issues AND bureaucracy, staying organized can feel impossible. I'm definitely going to start making copies of everything before sending anything in. That tip about picking up forms in person from the doctor is so smart too. Every day counts when you're waiting for benefits to kick in. Thanks for taking the time to share all these practical tips!
I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! I had ankle surgery in January and now need to have my appendix removed next month. Reading everyone's experiences has really helped me understand what to expect. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - when I went back to work after my ankle surgery, I made sure to get a "return to work" note from my doctor that specifically stated I was cleared for "full duty without restrictions." My HR department required this, and I'm thinking it might help show EDD that there was a clear break between my disabilities when I file my second claim. Also, for anyone worried about the financial impact like the original poster - I discovered that some credit unions offer short-term emergency loans specifically for people on disability. The rates are usually much better than credit cards if you need to bridge any gaps in income. My credit union had a "medical emergency loan" program I didn't even know existed. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's so helpful to hear from people who actually went through this rather than trying to interpret the confusing EDD guidelines!
That's a really smart point about getting a specific "return to work" note that says "full duty without restrictions"! I didn't think about how that documentation might help establish a clear separation between disabilities when filing the second claim. I'll definitely make sure to ask my doctor for that kind of specific language when I go back to work after my knee surgery. And thank you for mentioning the credit union emergency loan option - I had no idea that was even a thing! I'll check with my credit union to see if they have any similar programs. It would be great to have that as a backup option just in case there are any delays with the SDI processing or if the recovery takes longer than expected. This whole thread has been so much more helpful than anything I could find on the official EDD website. It's amazing how much practical knowledge everyone has shared from actually going through these situations!
I'm new to this community but unfortunately dealing with a very similar situation right now. I had hip replacement surgery in February and just scheduled carpal tunnel surgery for next month. Reading through all of these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! One thing I wanted to add from my recent experience - when I went for my pre-op appointment for the carpal tunnel surgery, I brought a copy of all my SDI paperwork from my hip surgery. My surgeon's office said this was really helpful because they could see exactly how the previous claim was documented and make sure the new paperwork was consistent. They also made sure to note very clearly that the carpal tunnel is "completely unrelated to and separate from the previous hip replacement surgery." I'm planning to follow everyone's advice here about calling EDD after I file the second claim to confirm it's being processed as a separate claim rather than some kind of continuation. It sounds like that's a key step to avoid any potential issues. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their real-world experiences with multiple SDI claims - this thread has been way more helpful than trying to navigate the EDD website on my own! It's such a relief to hear from people who actually went through this exact situation and had their benefits calculated the same way for both claims.
StarSailor
Just want to add my experience for anyone else who might be dealing with this - I lost my SDI card about 3 weeks ago and initially made the same mistake of calling EDD first. Wasted almost two full days before someone finally told me to call Bank of America directly! Once I called the BofA EDD line at 1-866-692-9374, it was actually pretty straightforward. I called around 2 PM on a Wednesday and only waited about 20 minutes on hold. They verified my info (SSN, address, last payment amount) and had the replacement card sent out the same day. Got it in about 5 business days with standard shipping. One thing I learned is that you can also check your card balance and recent transactions by calling that same number even without the physical card, which gave me peace of mind while waiting for the replacement. And like others mentioned, I'm definitely switching to direct deposit once I get caught up on everything!
0 coins
Elizabeth Banta
Lost disabilities money card and ent card
1 coin