EDD Disability Claim: How to fill out recovery date and return-to-work date on form?

For the recovery date, you should use the date your doctor expects you to be fully recovered. As for returning to work, definitely use May 14th since that's what your surgeon specified in the letter. Make sure to emphasize this when you talk to them!

Ugh, dealing with disability claims is such a headache. I've been there, and it feels like they make it complicated on purpose 🤦‍♂️

I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Check out this video: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ

Here's what you need to do: 1. Fill out the form with the recovery date your doctor gave you. This should be the date they expect you to be fully recovered. 2. For the return to work date, use May 14th as stated in your surgeon's letter. 3. Make sure to mention the surgeon's letter when you speak with an agent. Ask them to confirm they've received it and to make a note in your file. 4. Keep a copy of all documents for your records, including the surgeon's letter. 5. If possible, get a direct contact number or email for follow-up. 6. Set a reminder for yourself to check on the status of your claim regularly. Remember, persistence is key when dealing with these claims. Don't be afraid to call multiple times if you're not getting clear answers. Good luck!

Have you tried calling them? Sometimes its easier to get this stuff sorted out over the phone.

idk man, the whole system is broken. I've been waiting on my claim for months. Good luck 🍀

I went through something similar last year! The key thing is to be super clear and consistent with your dates. Use the exact date from your surgeon's letter (May 14th) for your return-to-work date - don't guess or estimate. For the recovery date, if your surgeon didn't specify one, you can use the same date or ask them to clarify. Also, make sure you submit a copy of that surgeon's letter with your claim if you haven't already. The more documentation you have, the smoother the process usually goes. Keep copies of everything you submit too!

Hey Nia! I just went through this same process a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: Use May 14th as both your recovery date AND return-to-work date since that's what your surgeon specified. When filling out the forms, be very specific - write "Per surgeon's recommendation dated [date of letter]" next to the dates. Also, I'd recommend uploading the surgeon's letter directly to your EDD account if you can, and keep the confirmation number they give you. If you need to call them, try calling at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - I had better luck getting through that way. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for me once I had all the right documentation in place. You've got this! 💪

I'm going through a similar situation right now and this thread is so helpful! Quick question for everyone - when you submit the surgeon's letter, do you need to get it notarized or anything special like that? Or is just uploading/faxing a copy of the original letter sufficient? I want to make sure I don't miss any steps that could delay my claim. Also, has anyone had experience with what happens if your return-to-work date needs to change later (like if recovery takes longer than expected)?

I had a very similar situation with my disability claim last year! Based on my experience, here's what I'd recommend: Use May 14th as your return-to-work date since that's exactly what your surgeon specified. For the recovery date, you can use the same date unless your surgeon gave you a different one for "full recovery" vs "able to return to work." Make sure to attach a copy of that surgeon's letter to your claim - it's your strongest piece of evidence. When you fill out the forms, be specific and write something like "Return to work date per surgeon's letter dated [insert date]" so it's crystal clear where this date comes from. Also, definitely try to speak with an EDD agent to confirm they received the letter and ask them to make a note in your file. The documentation is key - keep copies of everything you submit. Good luck with your claim! 🤞

I've been through this exact situation! For your forms, definitely use May 14th as your return-to-work date since that's what your surgeon specifically stated. For the recovery date, if your surgeon didn't give you a separate date for "full recovery," it's completely fine to use May 14th for both - it just means that's when you'll be recovered enough to safely return to work. Here's what I found most helpful: When you submit your claim, include a note that says something like "Dates based on surgeon's letter dated [insert date of letter]" - this makes it super clear where your information is coming from. Also, upload that surgeon's letter to your EDD portal if you can, and keep the confirmation number they give you. If you need to call them (and I'd recommend doing so just to confirm they received everything), try calling right at 8 AM when they open. Ask the agent to confirm they can see the surgeon's letter in your file and request that they add a note about it. Having that verbal confirmation gives you peace of mind! Keep copies of everything you submit - trust me, you'll want them for your records. The whole process can feel overwhelming, but having that surgeon's letter is really your best asset here. You're on the right track! 👍