Can I mail my doctor's DE2525XX for EDD SDI claim or must they submit it directly?
I just had my doctor complete the medical certification form (DE2525XX) for my SDI claim yesterday. The problem is, instead of submitting it directly to EDD like I thought they would, they handed it back to me in a sealed envelope and told me to mail it in myself. I'm freaking out because I thought physicians HAD to submit these forms themselves directly to EDD. The receptionist seemed confident it was fine for me to mail it, but everything I've read online suggests otherwise. Has anyone successfully filed their SDI claim when they mailed in their own medical certification? Will EDD reject my claim if I send it myself? My benefits start in 2 weeks and I can't afford any delays. Thanks for any help!
35 comments


Paolo Bianchi
The doctor should technically submit the form themselves directly to EDD, as that's the standard procedure. However, I've been through this exact situation before. As long as the form is fully completed, signed by your physician, and in a sealed envelope provided by the medical office, you can mail it yourself. EDD will still process it. Just make sure your claim number is written on the form (if you have one already) and send it to the correct PO Box address for medical certifications. Keep the tracking number as proof of submission.
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Keisha Thompson
•Thank you so much! The envelope is sealed with the clinic's stamp over the seal, so that should help prove I didn't tamper with it. I already filed my claim online so I do have a claim number - I'll make sure that's on there before I send it. Do you recommend sending it certified mail so I have proof they received it?
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Yara Assad
my doctor gave me mine to mail too last year and it was FINE. edd never said anything about it. just make sure its all filled out completely with your claim # and ssn so they can match it up
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Olivia Clark
•This is actually not the correct procedure and you got lucky. The medical provider is supposed to submit the form directly. The reason is to prevent potential fraud - they want to ensure the patient can't alter the information. It sounds like many doctors aren't aware of this requirement though.
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Javier Morales
The way I understand it, if your doctor hands you the form rather than submitting it themselves, you need to send it in within 30 days of your disability starting or you risk your claim being denied. That's what happened to my sister - she waited too long to send hers in because she was confused about the process, and EDD gave her a hard time. Don't let it sit around!
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Keisha Thompson
•Thanks for the warning! I'm planning to mail it tomorrow. My disability officially starts next Monday, so I should definitely be within that 30-day window.
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Natasha Petrov
I had a complete NIGHTMARE with this exact situation in December! My doctor gave me the form to mail, I sent it in myself, and then my claim was held up for weeks! When I finally got through to EDD, they said they needed to verify the form with my doctor because it hadn't come directly from them. The whole process took OVER A MONTH before I got my first payment. If you can, I'd go back to your doctor and ask them to submit it directly - it will save you SO MUCH HASSLE!
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Connor O'Brien
•Yes! This is actually the correct procedure. The physician is supposed to submit the DE2525XX form directly to EDD. This process was established to maintain the integrity of the medical certification. If you submit it yourself, EDD might flag your claim for additional verification, which can cause significant delays.
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Amina Diallo
I tried calling EDD about this exact issue for 3 days straight and kept getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in 20 minutes. They told me it's better if the doctor submits directly, but they do accept patient-submitted medical certifications as long as they're in a sealed envelope with the doctor's office info. The agent said it's common for doctors to give patients the form to submit. You can check out their service demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd if you need to talk to EDD about this or other claim questions.
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Keisha Thompson
•Thanks for the tip! I might need this if I run into problems. Did they explain why some claims get delayed even when the form is properly sealed?
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Olivia Clark
Let me clarify the official procedure according to EDD guidelines: 1. Your doctor should complete and submit form DE2525XX directly to EDD 2. However, EDD does accept forms submitted by claimants when they're properly completed and in sealed envelopes 3. The key risk is potential delays if EDD decides to verify the form's authenticity with your doctor If you do mail it yourself, send it certified mail with return receipt, write your EDD Customer Account Number on the form if you have one, and keep a photocopy of everything. The correct mailing address is: Employment Development Department, P.O. Box 989777, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9777.
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Yara Assad
•this is good advice! i wish id sent mine certified now that i think about it
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Javier Morales
Wait, aren't we talking about SDI? I thought the DE2525XX was for paid family leave? I'm confused now because I've been filling out SDI forms for my maternity leave and they gave me something with a different form number. Or does SDI use the same form for disability and family leave?
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Paolo Bianchi
•You're thinking of the DE2501FP form, which is specifically for Paid Family Leave (PFL). The DE2525XX form is the medical certification used for State Disability Insurance (SDI) claims. They're different programs with different forms, though both are administered by EDD. SDI is for your own medical condition/disability (including pregnancy disability), while PFL is for bonding with a new child or caring for a family member.
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Connor O'Brien
I experienced this situation in my role as a disability case manager. Here's what I recommend: 1. Contact your doctor's office immediately and request they submit the form directly to EDD as required. 2. If they refuse, explain that EDD prefers direct submission from medical providers to prevent fraud and avoid claim delays. 3. If they still won't submit it, ensure the envelope is properly sealed with office stamps/markings. 4. Make a copy of everything before sending. 5. Use certified mail with tracking. 6. Follow up with EDD after 7-10 business days to confirm receipt. This approach minimizes potential delays while following best practices.
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Keisha Thompson
•This is super helpful, thank you! I'll call my doctor's office tomorrow and see if they'll submit it directly. If not, I'll follow your other suggestions. I appreciate the detailed steps!
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Keisha Thompson
Update: I called my doctor's office and explained the situation. They apologized for the confusion and agreed to submit the form directly to EDD! The office manager said they've had a new person handling their disability paperwork who wasn't aware of the proper procedure. Thank you all for your help - I would have just mailed it myself and potentially delayed my claim. I'll let you know when my claim gets approved!
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Paolo Bianchi
•That's great news! This should help your claim process more smoothly. Remember that even with everything submitted correctly, it typically takes 14 business days for EDD to process a claim, so don't panic if you don't see movement right away. Good luck!
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Nadia Zaldivar
That's fantastic news! You made the right call by going back to your doctor's office. It's actually pretty common for medical offices to be unclear on the proper EDD submission procedures, especially when they have new staff handling disability paperwork. Having your doctor submit it directly will definitely help avoid any potential verification delays. Keep us posted on how your claim progresses - it's always helpful for others in similar situations to see how things work out!
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Gabriel Ruiz
•So glad you got it sorted out! I went through something similar a few months ago where my doctor's office was confused about the submission process. It's really common for medical offices to not know the proper EDD procedures, especially smaller practices. You definitely did the right thing by advocating for yourself and calling back. Having the doctor submit directly will save you so much stress and potential delays. Thanks for sharing the update - it's really helpful to see success stories like this!
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AstroAlpha
Congratulations on getting that resolved! Your experience perfectly illustrates why it's so important to understand the proper procedures. As someone new to navigating EDD disability claims, I really appreciate you sharing both the initial confusion and the successful resolution. It gives me confidence that if I run into similar issues with my own claim, I should speak up and advocate for the correct process rather than just accepting what seems convenient. The fact that your doctor's office was willing to correct their mistake once you explained the situation shows that many offices genuinely want to help but just aren't always aware of the specific EDD requirements. Thanks for taking the time to update us!
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Daniel Price
•This is exactly the kind of outcome we all hope for! Your story really highlights how important it is to understand your rights as a patient and claimant. I'm dealing with my first SDI claim too, and reading through this whole thread has been incredibly educational. It's reassuring to know that when you advocate for yourself and explain the proper procedures, most medical offices are willing to do the right thing. Your persistence in calling back and explaining the EDD requirements probably saved you weeks of potential delays. Thanks for sharing the full journey from confusion to resolution - it's going to help so many people who find themselves in similar situations!
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Rebecca Johnston
This is such a valuable thread for anyone navigating SDI claims! As someone who's just starting the process myself, I really appreciate how this community came together to help Keisha figure out the proper procedure. It's eye-opening to see how even medical offices can be confused about EDD submission requirements. The fact that Keisha went back to advocate for the correct process and got it resolved shows how important it is to speak up when something doesn't seem right. I'm bookmarking this thread as a reference - the step-by-step advice from Connor and the detailed explanations from others will be incredibly helpful if I encounter similar issues. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
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Dylan Wright
•I completely agree! This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding the SDI process. As someone who's completely new to disability claims, I was initially confused about all the different forms and procedures, but reading through everyone's experiences really clarified things. What struck me most is how willing everyone was to share both their successes and mistakes - like Natasha's nightmare experience and Yara's successful submission. It really shows the value of having a community where people can learn from each other's real-world experiences. Keisha's persistence in going back to her doctor's office is inspiring and shows that advocating for yourself can make all the difference!
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PaulineW
As someone who just joined this community after starting my own SDI claim process, this entire discussion has been incredibly enlightening! I had no idea there was so much confusion around the DE2525XX submission process. Reading through Keisha's journey from initial concern to successful resolution really demonstrates the importance of understanding the proper procedures and not being afraid to advocate for yourself. The conflicting experiences shared here - from Yara's successful self-submission to Natasha's month-long delay - really highlight why having your doctor submit directly is the safest approach. I'm saving all this advice for when I need to submit my own medical certification. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences, both good and bad - it's exactly this kind of practical knowledge that makes navigating EDD so much less intimidating for newcomers like me!
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AstroAdventurer
•Welcome to the community! I'm also pretty new here and found this thread incredibly valuable. What really stood out to me is how this situation shows the importance of not just accepting the first answer you get, especially when it comes to something as crucial as disability benefits. Keisha's willingness to question the process and go back to her doctor's office probably saved her weeks of stress and potential payment delays. As someone who's about to start my own claim, I'm definitely going to be more proactive about ensuring my medical provider understands the proper submission procedures upfront. It's reassuring to know that this community is here to help navigate these complicated processes!
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Alfredo Lugo
What a fantastic outcome and such an educational thread! As someone who's completely new to the SDI process, this whole discussion has been incredibly valuable. It's amazing how Keisha's initial concern turned into such a comprehensive learning experience for everyone. The range of experiences shared here - from successful self-submissions to month-long delays - really shows why understanding the proper procedures is so crucial. I'm particularly impressed by how the community rallied with practical advice and step-by-step guidance. Keisha's persistence in going back to her doctor's office despite the initial pushback is exactly the kind of self-advocacy we all need to practice when dealing with EDD. I'm definitely taking notes on all the tips shared here about certified mail, tracking numbers, and proper documentation. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive environment where people can share both their struggles and successes!
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Cameron Black
•This thread has been such an amazing resource! As someone who's brand new to both this community and the SDI process, I'm blown away by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone is here. Keisha's story really shows the power of asking questions and not settling for answers that don't feel right. The fact that her doctor's office had a new person handling disability paperwork who wasn't trained on proper EDD procedures is probably more common than we realize. It makes me want to be extra careful when I get to that stage of my claim to make sure my medical provider knows the correct submission process. I'm also taking notes on all the practical tips shared here - the certified mail advice, keeping photocopies, and following up with EDD after 7-10 days. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming space where newcomers can learn from real experiences!
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Ava Rodriguez
As a newcomer to this community and the SDI process, I'm incredibly grateful for this detailed discussion! Keisha's experience really highlights how important it is to understand the proper procedures and advocate for yourself when something doesn't seem right. What really struck me is how common it seems to be for medical offices to be unclear on EDD submission requirements - it makes me realize I need to be proactive about educating my own healthcare providers when the time comes. The range of experiences shared here, from successful self-submissions to significant delays, really emphasizes why having the doctor submit directly is the safest route. I'm bookmarking all the practical advice about certified mail, tracking numbers, and follow-up procedures. Thank you to everyone for sharing both your successes and challenges - it's exactly this kind of real-world knowledge that makes navigating these complex systems so much less intimidating for those of us just starting out!
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Yuki Kobayashi
•Welcome to the community, Ava! Your point about being proactive with healthcare providers is spot on. After reading through this entire thread, I'm realizing how many potential pitfalls there are in the SDI process that most people (including medical staff) aren't aware of. Keisha's story is such a perfect example of why we can't just assume everyone knows the proper procedures - even the professionals handling these forms regularly. I'm also new to SDI claims and had no idea about the importance of direct physician submission versus patient submission. The practical tips everyone shared here are gold - especially the advice about certified mail and following up with EDD. It's reassuring to know there's such a supportive community here willing to share real experiences, both positive and negative. Thanks for adding your perspective as another newcomer - it helps to know others are learning alongside me!
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Grace Patel
This has been such an enlightening thread to read as someone completely new to the SDI process! I'm just starting my own claim and had no idea there was so much complexity around the medical certification submission. Keisha's experience perfectly demonstrates why it's so important to question things when they don't feel right - if she had just mailed the form herself like her doctor's office initially suggested, she could have faced weeks of delays like Natasha experienced. What really stands out to me is how even medical professionals handling these forms regularly can be unclear on the proper EDD procedures, especially when there's new staff involved. This makes me realize I need to be much more proactive about educating my own healthcare providers on the correct submission process when I reach that stage. I'm definitely saving all the practical advice shared here about certified mail, documentation, and follow-up procedures. Thank you to everyone for creating such a supportive environment where both successes and challenges are shared openly - it makes navigating these complex government processes so much less intimidating for newcomers like me!
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Keisha Robinson
•Welcome to the community, Grace! I'm also just getting started with my SDI claim and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. Like you, I had no idea how much could go wrong with something as seemingly straightforward as submitting a medical form. Keisha's persistence in questioning the initial advice from her doctor's office really shows how important it is to trust your instincts when something doesn't feel right. What's particularly striking to me is how this situation revealed that even the medical office staff didn't fully understand EDD's requirements - it makes me wonder how many other people might have experienced delays simply because they followed incorrect guidance from their healthcare providers. I'm definitely going to bring up the proper submission procedures with my doctor upfront rather than assuming they know the process. This community seems like such a valuable resource for navigating all these complexities - thanks for sharing your perspective as another newcomer!
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Keisha Jackson
As someone who's completely new to both this community and the SDI process, this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm just beginning my own disability claim journey and had no clue about the complexities surrounding medical certification submissions. Keisha's story is such a perfect example of why we should always trust our instincts and advocate for ourselves - if she hadn't questioned her doctor's office and pushed for the correct procedure, she could have faced significant delays. What really concerns me is learning how common it seems to be for medical offices to be unclear on proper EDD submission requirements. It makes me realize I'll need to be very proactive about ensuring my healthcare providers understand the correct process from the start, rather than assuming they know what they're doing. I'm taking detailed notes on all the practical advice shared here - the importance of certified mail, keeping photocopies, following up with EDD, and most importantly, having the physician submit directly. Thank you to everyone for sharing both your successes and horror stories - it's exactly this kind of real-world knowledge that makes these intimidating government processes feel more manageable for newcomers like me!
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Jacob Lewis
•Welcome to the community, Keisha! It's great to see another newcomer who's taking the time to really understand the process before diving in. Your approach of taking detailed notes on all the advice shared here is exactly what I wish I had done when I first started navigating EDD. This thread really opened my eyes to how many potential pitfalls exist that most people (myself included) would never think to look out for. The fact that even medical professionals can be unclear on these procedures is honestly pretty alarming, but it's also empowering to know that we can educate ourselves and advocate for the proper process. I'm definitely going to reference this discussion when I meet with my own doctor - having a clear understanding of what should happen will help me ensure everything goes smoothly from the start. Thanks for adding your perspective as another newcomer - it helps to know others are learning these important lessons too!
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Gael Robinson
This thread has been incredibly helpful as someone who's brand new to the SDI process! I'm just starting my own claim and honestly had no idea there was so much complexity around something as basic as submitting medical forms. Reading about everyone's different experiences - from successful self-submissions to month-long delays - really drives home how important it is to get this right the first time. Keisha's story is inspiring because it shows the power of questioning things when they don't feel right and advocating for yourself even when medical professionals seem confident about their approach. What really concerns me is how common it appears to be for healthcare offices to be unclear on proper EDD procedures, especially with new staff handling disability paperwork. This makes me realize I need to be very proactive about discussing the correct submission process with my doctor upfront rather than assuming they know what to do. I'm definitely bookmarking all the practical tips shared here about certified mail, documentation, and follow-up procedures. Thank you everyone for creating such a supportive space where people can share real experiences and learn from each other - it makes navigating these complex government systems so much less overwhelming for newcomers like me!
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