Can I reactivate my old EDD SDI claim instead of filing a new one?

You'll need to file a new claim unfortunately. EDD SDI doesn't have a 'reactivation' process like unemployment might. Each disability period requires a new claim, even if it's for the same condition. The good news is that if it's within 90 days of your previous claim, you might not have to serve another waiting period (the 7 days without benefits). But you definitely need a new claim form (DE 2501) and medical certification.

i went thru the same thing last year. def new claim needed even tho its same problem. use your same SDI account tho, dont make new one

The others are right - you always need a new claim for a new period of disability. But I wanted to add: make sure your doctor clearly indicates this is a RECURRENCE of your previous condition on the medical certification. This can be important if there are any questions about your eligibility or the waiting period waiver. Also, file as soon as you know you'll be off work - don't wait until after your last day like I did. That caused delays in my case.

Yes, you must file a new claim. Also worth noting - if your previous claim was for the EXACT same condition and it's within 60 days of the end of your last claim period, you might be able to skip the 7-day waiting period. Make sure to answer the question about previous claims accurately on your application. Your Weekly Benefit Amount will be calculated the same way as your previous claim if it's in the same benefit year.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!! I filed a claim for the same condition twice and they made me wait 12 WEEKS the second time because they said they "needed to verify it was the same condition" even though it clearly was!!! Good luck getting anyone on the phone to help you too!!!

I was on short term disability back in 2022 for a surgery and then again in 2023 for complications from that surgery. I had to file a brand new claim each time, with all the paperwork. The second time, I got really confused because my SDI Online account showed my old claim, but there was no option to "reopen" it. I learned you have to select "File a New Claim" and then just reference the previous claim when asked in the application. Hope that helps!

My sister works processing EDD claims (not disability but unemployment) and she always says the systems don't talk to each other very well. So even though it seems logical that they could just "reactivate" a previous claim, their computer systems aren't set up that way. Each claim is like a standalone thing in their database.

also make sure u keep track of ur paperwork this time. take pics of everything before u send it. my claim got lost twice last year

One last piece of advice: When you file your new claim, make sure your "last day worked" is correct. This is critical because if you put the wrong date, it can mess up your benefit calculation or even get your claim denied. If your doctor says you need to stop working on a Friday, but you normally don't work weekends, your last day worked is still Friday (not Sunday). I see this mistake a lot and it causes unnecessary delays.

Just wanted to add that if you're filing online, the system will automatically pull up your previous claim information when you enter your SSN, which can be helpful for reference. Also, don't forget to update your direct deposit information if you changed banks since your last claim - I forgot to do this and had to wait for paper checks while they processed the bank change. The online system is generally faster than mailing in forms, but make sure you have a good PDF scanner app on your phone for the medical certification since your doctor will likely give you a paper copy to upload.

Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! You definitely need to file a new claim - there's no reactivation option. The process is pretty straightforward though. Since it's the same condition, make sure your doctor specifically mentions it's a recurrence or continuation of your previous back injury on the medical certification. This helped me avoid any confusion during processing. Also, if it's been less than 90 days since your last claim ended, you should be able to skip the waiting period. I filed online using my existing SDI account and it was much faster than mailing paperwork. The system will show your old claim info which is actually helpful for reference when filling out the new application. Just be super careful with your "last day worked" date - that tripped me up the first time! Good luck!

I'm in a similar boat right now - had an SDI claim last year that ended and now I'm dealing with the same issue again. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like filing a new claim is definitely the way to go. I've been putting off dealing with this because I was hoping there would be an easier reactivation option, but it seems like everyone's experience confirms you need to start fresh. The tip about making sure the doctor specifies it's a recurrence is really valuable - I wouldn't have thought of that detail. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, this thread is exactly what I needed to see!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - had an SDI claim that ended in September 2024 for a knee injury, and now I'm having flare-ups again. Based on all the responses here, it's clear I need to file a new claim too. One thing I want to add that I learned from my first claim: if you're working with the same employer as your previous claim, give them a heads up that you're filing again. My HR department was able to expedite some of their paperwork since they already had my information on file. Also, double-check that your current wages are being reported correctly to EDD - if you got a raise or changed positions since your last claim, it could affect your benefit amount. The whole process is definitely frustrating when it's the same medical condition, but at least the second time around you know what to expect!

I've been through this process twice now and can confirm - you absolutely need to file a new claim each time, even for the same condition. The system is frustrating but once you know what to expect, it's manageable. A few additional tips from my experience: 1) If you're using SDI Online, start the application but don't submit until you have your medical certification ready - you can save your progress. 2) Keep your old claim number handy when filing the new one, as they'll ask about previous claims. 3) If your condition has worsened or changed since the last claim, make sure your doctor documents that too. The silver lining is that recurring claims for the same condition often process faster since there's already a medical history on file. Just make sure all your paperwork is complete and accurate the first time to avoid delays. The waiting period exemption within 90 days is definitely worth pursuing if you qualify!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you definitely need to file a new claim, but it's not as scary the second time around! I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with a shoulder injury that came back. The key things that helped me: 1) File online using your existing SDI account (don't create a new one), 2) Have your doctor explicitly state it's a recurrence of your previous condition, 3) Keep your old claim paperwork handy for reference, and 4) File as soon as you know you'll need time off - don't wait until your last day of work. Since your claim ended in October 2024, you should definitely qualify for the waiting period waiver. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me once I submitted everything. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but it does work eventually!

As someone who just went through this process last month, I can confirm what everyone else is saying - you'll need to file a completely new claim. I had a similar situation with a recurring wrist injury from 2023 that flared up again recently. The process was actually smoother the second time since I knew what to expect. A couple of things that really helped me: Make sure to file your claim before your first day off work if possible (I filed mine 3 days early and it made a huge difference), and when you upload your medical certification, double-check that all pages uploaded clearly - I had to resubmit mine because page 2 was blurry. Since you're within the 90-day window from your October claim, you should definitely get the waiting period waived. The online system will pre-populate some of your info from the previous claim which saves time. Good luck!

Just to add one more helpful tip that saved me a lot of stress - when you're filling out the new claim online, there's a section where it asks about previous disability claims. Make sure you answer this accurately and include your old claim number. I initially skipped this thinking it wasn't relevant since I was filing a "new" claim, but it actually helps them process your application faster and determines your waiting period eligibility. Also, if you're still seeing the same doctor who treated you during your October claim, mention that to them - they might have your previous medical records readily available which can make the certification process quicker. The whole thing feels redundant when it's the same condition, but the system is designed this way for tracking purposes. At least the second time around you'll know exactly what to expect!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had an SDI claim last year for a chronic condition that ended in November 2024, and now I'm having another flare-up. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm planning to file a new claim online using my existing account. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - if you're dealing with a chronic condition that tends to recur, it might be worth asking your doctor to document the ongoing nature of your condition in your medical records. My doctor mentioned that having a clear medical history of recurring episodes can sometimes help with future claims processing. Also, for anyone hesitant about filing "too early" - I called EDD's automated line and they confirmed that filing up to 7 days before you actually stop working is totally fine and often recommended. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - it's made me feel much more confident about navigating this process again!