Do I need to certify for EDD SDI benefits with an open claim? Where to do it?

Unlike unemployment, SDI doesn't require bi-weekly certification. The medical certification from your doctor determines your claim period. Your doctor initially certified you for what sounds like a 2-month period. If you need to extend beyond what your doctor initially certified, you'll need a new medical certification. Otherwise, your payments should automatically continue for the approved period unless EDD requests additional information.

I just went thru this last month for my shoulder surgery!!! You dont have to certify weekly like unemployment but they DO send you a form halfway thru your claim period (i think its called DE 2500) where you need to say if youve worked or not. Dont miss that form or your payments will stop!!

The form is called a "Continued Claim Certification" (DE 2500A) and yes, EDD typically mails it to you about halfway through your claim period. You'll need to complete it to verify you're still disabled and haven't returned to work. You can also check your SDI Online account periodically - sometimes the forms appear there as well. Your claim will show an established benefit period with a start and end date. If you need to extend beyond that period, you'll need your doctor to complete another medical certification before the current one expires.

make sure you open ALL mail from EDD!! i almost missed my continuation form cuz i thought it was just another copy of the award letter they already sent me. ended up with a 2-week delay in my payments. not fun when ur trying to pay rent!

If you're having trouble contacting EDD or need to speak with someone about your claim, I'd recommend using Claimyr. After trying for DAYS to get through on the regular EDD phone line (constant busy signals and disconnects), I used Claimyr and got connected to an agent within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd - their website is claimyr.com. It was super helpful when I needed clarification about a form that arrived late.

The whole EDD system is DELIBERATELY CONFUSING!! They make it complicated so people miss deadlines and they can save money. I was on disability last year for a serious back injury (L4/L5 herniation with nerve compression) and they suddenly stopped my payments because some form I never received wasn't submitted on time. Took over a MONTH to fix and I almost lost my apartment!!! The communication from EDD is TERRIBLE and they don't even update the online system properly half the time. Keep copies of EVERYTHING and call them if you don't get payments when expected.

My sister was on disability for pregancy and she said she didnt have to certify at all the whole time. But my cousin was on it for something else and did get some form in the middle. So i think it depends on your situation maybe?

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I feel much better now understanding that I don't need to certify weekly like with unemployment, but I should watch for a possible continued claim form in the mail. I've marked my calendar for when my claim period ends and will talk to my doctor about an extension if my recovery takes longer than expected. I'll definitely keep all documentation and stay on top of any mail from EDD. This community is amazing - you've saved me so much stress and confusion!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me during my SDI claim - if you're worried about missing important mail from EDD, you can sign up for Informed Delivery through USPS. It sends you daily emails with images of the mail you're getting that day, so you'll know if something from EDD is coming. Really helped me stay on top of things when I was dealing with my own disability claim. Also, don't hesitate to call your doctor's office if you have questions about whether you'll need an extension - they can give you a better sense of your recovery timeline. Hope your healing goes smoothly!

As someone who went through SDI for a back injury similar to yours, I can confirm what others have said - no weekly certification needed! The biggest thing that helped me was creating a simple tracking system. I wrote down my claim start/end dates, when to expect the possible DE 2500A form (around the halfway point), and my doctor follow-up appointments. Also, if you're using direct deposit, keep an eye on your payment schedule - mine came every two weeks like clockwork once approved. One last tip: if your recovery goes faster than expected and you're cleared to return to work early, make sure to report that to EDD right away. Better to be proactive than have any issues later. Focus on getting better - the system actually works pretty well for SDI once you understand the basics!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been! I'm currently going through the SDI application process for a knee injury and was really confused about what comes after approval. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring - especially learning that there's no weekly certification like with unemployment. I had been dreading that part! The tips about watching for the DE 2500A form, setting calendar reminders, and signing up for Informed Delivery are incredibly practical. It's clear this community really looks out for each other. I'm bookmarking this thread for reference once my claim (hopefully) gets approved. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

I'm going through a very similar situation right now - approved for SDI about a month ago for a workplace injury and was also confused about the certification process. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been checking my SDI Online account obsessively thinking I was missing something, but now I understand I just need to wait for payments and watch for that DE 2500A form if it comes. One thing I'll add from my experience so far is that the payment amounts and dates have been exactly as shown in my award notice, which was reassuring. Also, my doctor's office was really helpful when I asked about the timeline - they said to contact them at least a week before my claim period ends if I think I'll need an extension. The medical certification process for extending seems much more straightforward than the initial application. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much easier to focus on recovery when you understand how the system actually works!

I'm really grateful for all the detailed information shared here! I went through SDI last year for recovery from surgery and can confirm everything mentioned about the process. One small addition - if you move during your claim period, make sure to update your address with EDD immediately through the SDI Online portal or by calling them. I had a friend who missed her DE 2500A form because it went to her old address, and it caused a temporary payment delay while she sorted it out. Also, keep in mind that if you have any other income during your disability (like vacation pay or sick leave from your employer), you need to report that when you get the continued claim form. The key really is just staying organized and not overthinking it - the SDI system is much more straightforward than unemployment once you understand the basics. Wishing you a smooth recovery!

As someone who just started my own SDI claim process for a work-related back injury, I can't thank everyone enough for all this detailed information! I was completely in the dark about what happens after approval and was honestly dreading having to deal with weekly certifications like I had to do with unemployment years ago. Learning that SDI works so differently is such a relief. I'm especially grateful for all the practical tips - setting calendar reminders, signing up for Informed Delivery, keeping all documentation, and staying in touch with my doctor about recovery timelines. The advice about watching for the DE 2500A form around the halfway point and being proactive about reporting any changes is invaluable. It's clear this community really understands the challenges of navigating the system while trying to focus on healing. I'm bookmarking this entire thread as my SDI reference guide. Thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences - it's made what felt like an overwhelming process seem much more manageable!