EDD Disability payment delayed due to employer UI appeal - hearing timeline?

oh man thats terrible!! the EXACT same thing happened to my sister last year. her employer tried to say she quit when she actually got laid off, then she had surgery and needed disability. she had to wait almost 2 months for her hearing and was freaking out the whole time. EDD is such a mess! hope you get your money soon!!

Unfortunately, UI appeal hearings are typically taking 6-10 weeks to schedule right now. The process is backlogged since COVID, and while they've improved, it's still slow. However, there's something important you should know: SDI and UI are separate programs, and technically your SDI shouldn't be contingent on UI appeals. Call the SDI office directly (not the general EDD line) and explain that you have medical certification for a pregnancy disability claim starting January 21st. Make it clear that this is completely separate from your previous UI claim. Request to speak with a supervisor if the representative insists they're linked. Also, make sure you've submitted form DE 2501 (Notice of Disability) and that your doctor completed form DE 2501F. Without these properly filed, your SDI claim won't process regardless of the UI situation.

I went through something similar last year. The rep is partially correct - you can't receive UI and SDI for the same period. However, since you're saying you became disabled AFTER your UI period, they should be able to process your SDI claim for the period starting when your doctor certified your disability. The key is getting someone competent on the phone who understands this distinction. I spent 3 weeks calling everyday without getting through. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Once I got through, I explained my situation clearly and they were able to separate my claims. Still had to wait for the appeal hearing, but at least my disability payments started coming while that was pending.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP!!! I had a similar issue where my former employer LIED about why I was terminated and then I had medical issues. EDD makes it IMPOSSIBLE to talk to someone who can actually FIX YOUR CLAIM! Then they wonder why people get so frustrated!!! The appeals can take MONTHS depending on how backed up they are. And meanwhile they expect you to somehow survive with NO INCOME!!! It's criminal how they treat people who are already dealing with health problems!! Keep calling EVERY SINGLE DAY and document EVERYTHING. Names, ID numbers, dates, times. You'll need it all when you finally get your hearing. And don't let them tell you that you can't get your disability while waiting for the UI appeal. FIGHT THEM ON THIS!!!

wait im confused... if ur on bed rest why would u even be eligible for unemployment? thought UI was only if ur able to work but cant find a job? and SDI is when ur unable to work due to medical? im sure im missing something here...

Here's something important to try: Contact your local state assembly member's office. They have EDD liaisons who can often cut through red tape faster than you can on your own. Google "[your county] state assembly member" to find yours. Their constituent services can sometimes work miracles with EDD issues, especially when there are clear bureaucratic problems like yours where the disability claim should be processed separately from the UI dispute.

Just wanted to share that my appeal hearing took 7 weeks to get scheduled, but once it happened, things moved quickly. The judge ruled in my favor and I received all my back benefits within 10 days. Make sure you have all your documentation ready when your hearing date finally comes. In my case, my doctor's certification and a letter from HR confirming my last day worked were the key evidence that won my case.

not sure if this is helpful but my cousin had sorta similar issue and she got her doctor to call EDD directly and explain her medical condition required immediate financial support. apparently some doctors offices have special contacts at EDD for urgent cases. might be worth asking your doctor?

One last piece of advice - if you're facing severe financial hardship because of this delay, ask EDD about their hardship priority processing. You need to specifically use that phrase when speaking with a representative. They don't advertise it, but they do have procedures to expedite benefits in cases of potential eviction, utility shutoffs, or inability to afford necessary medications. You may need to provide documentation of the hardship. Also, once your SDI is approved, they will pay retroactively from your disability start date (when your doctor certified you couldn't work), so you'll eventually receive all funds owed to you.