Can I extend EDD SDI benefits after January 2025 if I need more recovery time?

yea u can get an extension if ur doctor agrees ur still disabled. they just need 2 fill out a supplemental form. my disability got extended twice last year!

Your doctor needs to complete and submit a "Supplemental Certificate" (DE 2525XX) form to extend your disability period. This isn't starting a new claim - it's continuing your current one. The important thing is that there can't be any gaps between your original certification end date and the extension start date. Your doctor should submit this at least 5-7 days before your current certification ends on January 10th. The extension can be approved for as long as your medical provider certifies you're still unable to perform your regular work. Since you're in construction, they'll consider the physical demands of your job when evaluating if you're ready to return.

Be VERY careful with this! I tried getting an extension in 2024 and EDD denied it saying my doctor didn't provide enough medical evidence that I was still disabled. They actually wanted me to PAY BACK two weeks of benefits I'd already received!! Make sure your doctor is SUPER specific about why you can't return to your construction job. The EDD is looking for ANY reason to deny claims these days!!!! 😠

I went through this exact situation after my back surgery. My benefits were supposed to end, but I still couldn't work. I tried calling EDD for days to ask about extending and never got through - constant busy signals or getting disconnected after waiting an hour. Finally I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. The EDD rep explained exactly what my doctor needed to document, and my extension was approved within days. Saved me so much stress during recovery.

Extensions are definitely possible, but there are a few important things to know: 1. The maximum benefit period for SDI is 52 weeks (for the same medical condition) 2. Your doctor must certify that you're still unable to perform your regular or customary work 3. The extension must be continuous with your current benefit period - no gaps 4. For construction workers, they typically require more detailed documentation about physical limitations I recommend having your doctor include specific functional limitations (can't lift more than X pounds, can't stand for more than Y hours, etc.) rather than just saying you need more time. This significantly increases approval chances. Also, request that your doctor submit the form electronically through SDI Online rather than by mail if possible - much faster processing.

When I needed an extension they made me go through a whole separate medical examination with some random doctor EDD chose!! Is that normal?? Nobody warned me about that part.

u might also wanna look into state disability insurance vs paid family leave vs unemployment cause sometimes one runs out but u can get the other one. i got confused about all that too lol

My wife just went through this. Her doctor submitted the extension form and it was approved within like 2 days. Super easy. But my cousin had his denied twice before getting approved. I think it depends on which EDD office handles your claim and how your doctor words things.

One more thing to note - if your extension is approved, you'll continue receiving the same weekly benefit amount as your original claim. If for some reason you need to file a new claim later in 2025 (after returning to work for a while), that would have a new benefit calculation based on your more recent wages. Just something to be aware of for planning purposes.

Just wanted to add that timing is really crucial here. Don't wait until the last minute to discuss this with your doctor. I made that mistake and had to scramble to get the paperwork submitted in time. Also, keep copies of everything your doctor submits - if there are any issues with processing, you'll want to have documentation of what was sent and when. The good news is that gallbladder complications are definitely a legitimate reason for extension, especially given the physical demands of construction work. Recovery times can vary a lot person to person, so don't feel bad about needing more time than initially expected.

I went through something similar after my knee surgery last year. The key is getting your doctor to be really specific about your limitations. For construction work, they need to document things like "cannot lift over 20 pounds," "cannot stand for more than 2 hours," "cannot climb ladders or work on uneven surfaces," etc. Generic statements like "needs more time to recover" usually get denied. Also, make sure your doctor mentions that returning to construction work prematurely could cause re-injury or worsen your condition. EDD takes workplace safety seriously, especially for physical jobs. Start this conversation with your doctor ASAP - don't wait until your January 10th deadline. Good luck with your recovery!

I'm in a similar boat - been on SDI since November after a work injury and my original certification ends in two weeks. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! One thing I wanted to add is that if you're worried about the financial gap while waiting for approval, you might want to ask your doctor's office if they can expedite the form submission. My doctor's office told me they can mark it as urgent if there's a tight timeline. Also, I've heard that if there's any delay in processing and you miss payments, EDD will backpay you to your original end date once the extension is approved - but obviously it's better to avoid that situation if possible. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and you get the extension approved without any hassles!

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with a similar situation - been on SDI since September after a workplace injury and getting nervous about my benefits ending soon. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add one thing I learned from my physical therapist: if you're doing any kind of rehabilitation or physical therapy, make sure your doctor includes that in the extension documentation too. My PT told me that showing you're actively working on recovery but still need more time can actually strengthen your case with EDD. Also, if you have any follow-up appointments scheduled (with specialists, PT, etc.), having your doctor mention those future treatment plans can help show that your recovery is ongoing and medically necessary. The construction work angle is definitely important to emphasize - the physical demands are so different from desk jobs. Wishing you a smooth extension process and full recovery!