EDD SDI: Confused about next steps after approval - Which form to submit for continued payments?
I got approved for disability and received my EDD card with the first payment, but I'm confused about the next steps. The notification says I need to submit a payment form, but it doesn't give the form number. I went to my local EDD office, but they didn't have the forms I need. Has anyone else dealt with this? How do I make sure I keep getting my payments?
47 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve EDD disability payment form confusion, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knAlYec18AY
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Andre Laurent
Thanks for the responses! @profile 1, I'll look for that DE 2500A form online. Hopefully that's the right one. @profile 2 and @profile 3, yeah it's frustrating. I wish they'd make this process easier.
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Aria Park
im in the same boat as you OP. been trying to figure this out for weeks. let me know if you find a solution!
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Alicia Stern
I've been using Claimyr for a few months now, and it does work efficiently in getting through to an actual representative at EDD. I initially had my doubts, especially with the $20 fee, but considering the time saved, it's worth it. However, it is worth mentioning that some people might feel uncomfortable paying for a service that should be straightforward and free. Yet, if you're in a bind and need answers quickly, it can be a lifesaver.
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Gabriel Graham
•I agree, Claimyr helped me too. But have they considered a more budget-friendly pricing for those who might not afford the fee?
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Drake
•It's true that their service is expedient, yet the cost is a hurdle for some. Maybe if they had a free trials or discounts for first-time users?
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Emily Jackson
Congrats on getting approved! 🎉 The form you're looking for is probably DE 2500A. It's the Claim for Continued Disability Benefits form. You can find it online on the EDD website or call them to request it be mailed to you. Make sure you submit it before your current benefit period ends!
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James Martinez
guys, we shouldnt have to jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we deserve. this whole system needs an overhaul. whos with me? 👊
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Olivia Harris
•Preach! 🙌 Maybe we should start a petition or something?
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Alexander Zeus
•Good luck with that. Politicians don't care about us little guys. We're on our own.
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Isabella Brown
Hey OP, I've been through this rodeo before. Here's what you need to know: 1. The form you need is indeed DE 2500A (Claim for Continued Disability Benefits). 2. You can download it from the EDD website or request it by phone. 3. Submit it BEFORE your current benefit period ends to avoid gaps in payment. 4. Make sure your doctor fills out their portion completely. 5. Keep a copy of everything you submit. 6. Send it via certified mail if possible, so you have proof of submission. Remember, staying on top of paperwork is key. Don't hesitate to call EDD if you have questions - it's better to ask than to make mistakes. Good luck!
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Andre Laurent
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed info! This is exactly what I needed. I'll definitely follow these steps. You're a lifesaver! 🙏
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Maya Patel
•This is great advice. I'd add: set reminders on your phone for important dates. EDD won't remind you, so you gotta stay on top of it yourself.
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Liam Mendez
ugh, the edd is such a mess. i had the same problem last year. took me forever to figure out which form i needed. why cant they just make this stuff clear??
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Sophia Nguyen
•ikr? its like they want us to fail. smh
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Jacob Smithson
•They probably do 🤡 Less people getting benefits means more $ for them
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Aiden Rodríguez
I found a method to 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. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Emma Garcia
•$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken.
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Ava Kim
•Sounds sketchy. How do you know it's legit?
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Aiden Rodríguez
•I get the skepticism, but it seriously saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo. They have good reviews online if you wanna check.
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Chloe Boulanger
Pro tip: document EVERYTHING. Every call, every letter, every form. You never know when you'll need to prove you did something. EDD lost my paperwork twice and I had to appeal. Having records saved my butt.
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Lucas Notre-Dame
Just a heads up, I heard they changed some policies recently. Make sure you're looking at the most up-to-date info on the EDD site. Don't wanna be caught off guard!
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Noah Ali
Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? They can sometimes help push things through with EDD. Worked for me when I was stuck in limbo for months.
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Andre Laurent
•I hadn't thought of that! How do I find my assembly member?
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Noah Ali
•Just google "[your city] assembly member". Their office should have a constituent services department that can help. Good luck!
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Ethan Anderson
have u tried faxing the edd? sometimes that works better than calling or mailing stuff
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Andre Laurent
•Faxing? What year is it, 1995? 😂 But seriously, I'll give it a shot if nothing else works. Thanks for the tip!
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Layla Mendes
•Lol fax machine go brrrrr 📠💯
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Arnav Bengali
Hey Andre! I went through the exact same thing a few months ago - so confusing! Just to confirm what others have said, you definitely need the DE 2500A form. Here's what worked for me: go directly to the EDD website, search for "DE 2500A", and download it as a PDF. Don't wait for them to mail it to you because that can take weeks. The tricky part is making sure your doctor fills out their section completely - any missing info will delay your payments. I'd also suggest calling your doctor's office ahead of time to let them know the form is coming so they can prioritize it. One more thing - set up online access to your EDD account if you haven't already. You can track the status of your forms there and it's way easier than calling. Hope this helps and congrats on getting approved! 🎉
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AstroAlpha
•This is super helpful! I'm new to this whole process and was getting overwhelmed by all the conflicting info online. The tip about calling the doctor's office ahead of time is genius - I never would have thought of that. Quick question: how long did it take for your payments to resume after you submitted the DE 2500A? Just trying to plan my budget accordingly. Thanks for taking the time to explain everything so clearly! 🙏
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Carmen Ortiz
I just went through this exact situation last month! After getting my approval and first payment, I was totally lost about what to do next. Here's what I learned the hard way: The form you need is DE 2500A (Claim for Continued Disability Benefits). You can download it directly from the EDD website - don't wait for them to mail it because it can take forever. Make sure to submit it at least 2-3 weeks before your current benefit period ends to avoid any gaps in payments. One thing that really helped me was creating a calendar reminder system. I put reminders for when forms are due, when to follow up, and when to expect payments. EDD won't remind you of deadlines, so you have to stay on top of it yourself. Also, when you get the form filled out by your doctor, double-check that they completed every single section. Missing even one small detail can delay your payments for weeks. I learned that the hard way when my first submission got rejected for an incomplete medical section. Stay strong - the process is frustrating but once you get into the rhythm of it, it becomes more manageable. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions!
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Noah Torres
•This is exactly the kind of detailed breakdown I wish EDD would provide! The calendar reminder system is brilliant - I'm definitely setting that up today. Quick question about the medical section: did your doctor's office charge you anything for filling out the form? I'm worried about getting hit with unexpected fees on top of everything else. Also, do you know if there's a specific turnaround time EDD aims for once they receive a properly completed DE 2500A? Thanks for sharing your experience!
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N M
how to fill out 2557
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Wesley Hallow
Hey @N M! I think you might be asking about form DE 2557, but just to clarify - for continued disability payments like Andre was asking about, you'll need the DE 2500A form. The DE 2557 is typically for different purposes. If you do need help with the 2557 specifically, I'd recommend: 1. Check the EDD website for instructions - they usually have step-by-step guides 2. Call EDD directly for form-specific questions (I know, easier said than done!) 3. Consider visiting a local disability advocacy center - they often help with paperwork for free Hope this helps! If you can clarify what the 2557 is for, maybe others here can give more specific advice.
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Hannah Flores
•@Wesley Hallow thanks for clarifying that! You re'absolutely right - I was getting confused between all these form numbers. I actually do need the DE 2500A for continued payments, not the 2557. It s'so easy to mix up all these forms when you re'new to the system. I appreciate you taking the time to explain the difference and provide those helpful resources. The local disability advocacy center suggestion is really smart - I didn t'even know those existed!
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Axel Far
Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this confusion too! After getting approved, I made the mistake of waiting for EDD to send me instructions, which never came. Don't make my mistake - be proactive! Here's my checklist that might help: 1. Download DE 2500A immediately (don't wait) 2. Read through the entire form before giving it to your doctor 3. Include a cover letter explaining what you need from them 4. Give your doctor at least 2 weeks to complete it 5. Make copies of EVERYTHING before mailing 6. Send via certified mail with tracking Also, if you're having trouble reaching EDD by phone, try calling right when they open (8 AM) - I had better luck getting through then. The whole process is unnecessarily complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes routine. Hang in there!
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Benjamin Carter
•This checklist is gold! 🌟 I wish I had seen something like this when I first got approved. The tip about including a cover letter for your doctor is especially smart - it shows you're organized and makes their job easier. I'm definitely bookmarking this for future reference. One thing I'd add: if possible, hand-deliver the form to your doctor's office instead of mailing it to them. That way you can make sure it doesn't get lost in their mail system. Thanks for sharing such practical advice!
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Sienna Gomez
I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Just got my approval and first payment but I'm totally lost about what comes next. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially the detailed breakdown about the DE 2500A form and the timeline tips. One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen mentioned yet: does anyone know if there are different versions of the DE 2500A for different types of disabilities, or is it the same form for everyone? Also, has anyone had issues with their doctor's office not being familiar with EDD disability forms? My doctor seemed confused when I mentioned I'd need paperwork filled out. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official EDD resources are so unclear!
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Jamal Carter
•Hey @Sienna Gomez! Great questions! From my experience, there's just one standard DE 2500A form that works for all types of disabilities - physical, mental health, etc. The form is designed to be general enough to cover different conditions. As for doctors not being familiar with EDD forms, that's super common! A lot of medical offices don't deal with these regularly. What helped me was bringing a printed copy of the form along with the EDD instructions when I went to my appointment. I also found it helpful to highlight the specific sections the doctor needs to complete so they don't miss anything. Some tips for working with your doctor's office: - Ask to speak with whoever handles disability paperwork (usually not the front desk) - Bring the form + instructions + a self-addressed stamped envelope - Give them at least 10 business days to complete it - Follow up politely if you don't hear back You're right that this community has been amazing for navigating all this confusion! Good luck with your process! 🍀
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Liam O'Donnell
I went through this exact same confusion when I first got approved for SDI! The lack of clear instructions from EDD is honestly infuriating. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: You definitely need the DE 2500A form - everyone here is spot on about that. But here's an extra tip that saved me a lot of headaches: when you download it from the EDD website, also grab the instruction sheet that goes with it. Print both and read through everything before your doctor appointment. I'd also suggest asking your doctor's office upfront if they charge for completing disability forms. Some do, some don't, but it's better to know ahead of time than get surprised with a $50 bill later. One more thing - if you're still within your first benefit period, you should have gotten a letter with your approval that mentions when your current payments will end. Look for that date because you'll want to submit the DE 2500A at least 3 weeks before then. The whole system is unnecessarily complicated, but once you get through the first continuation, it becomes much more manageable. You got this! 💪
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GalaxyGlider
•This is such valuable advice! I'm actually in a similar boat right now and had no idea about the instruction sheet that goes with the DE 2500A. Just went to the EDD website and found it - you're absolutely right that it makes things so much clearer! The tip about asking upfront about doctor fees is really smart too. I called my doctor's office yesterday and they said they charge $25 for disability paperwork, but at least now I can budget for it. Thanks for breaking down the timeline too - I was stressing about when exactly to submit everything. It's frustrating that we have to figure all this out ourselves, but posts like yours make it so much easier! 🙏
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Henrietta Beasley
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same confusing process about 6 months ago! Everyone here has given you solid advice about the DE 2500A form - that's definitely what you need. One thing I'd add that really helped me: create a simple spreadsheet or document to track everything. I included columns for form submission dates, expected response times, follow-up dates, and payment dates. It sounds nerdy, but it was a lifesaver when I needed to reference dates during phone calls with EDD. Also, don't feel bad about being confused - the system is genuinely poorly designed from a user experience perspective. The fact that they approve you but don't clearly explain next steps is just bad customer service. Quick tip: if you have a smartphone, take photos of every document before you mail it. I had to reference my submitted forms multiple times during follow-up calls, and having those photos saved me from having to dig through filing cabinets. You'll get through this! The first continuation is always the most stressful because everything is new. After that, you'll know the routine. Best of luck! 🤞
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Ruby Garcia
•This is such a thoughtful approach! The spreadsheet idea is brilliant - I'm definitely going to set that up. I love the idea of tracking everything in one place, especially since EDD seems to have their own timeline that doesn't always match what they tell you. The photo tip is genius too - I never would have thought to document everything that way, but it makes total sense for reference later. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to become project managers just to get the benefits we're entitled to, but I appreciate you sharing these practical workarounds. Your comment about the first continuation being the most stressful really hits home - I'm feeling that anxiety right now! Thanks for the encouragement and the actionable advice! 📋✨
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Mateo Gonzalez
Hey Andre! I just went through this exact same process a couple months ago and totally feel your confusion. The DE 2500A form is definitely what you need - everyone here is giving you solid advice on that front. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet that really helped me: when you call EDD (and yes, it's a pain to get through), ask them to email you a confirmation that they received your DE 2500A form. They can actually do this, but you have to specifically request it. That way you have proof they got it and can reference the confirmation number if there are any issues later. Also, if your doctor's office is slow with paperwork (like mine was), you can actually start the process early. The DE 2500A doesn't have to be submitted exactly when your current period ends - you can submit it up to 30 days before. This gives you a buffer in case there are any delays. The whole system is honestly a mess, but once you get past this first continuation, it becomes much more routine. You've got this! 💪
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Chloe Anderson
•This is such helpful info! I had no idea you could request an email confirmation from EDD - that's a game changer for peace of mind. The tip about submitting up to 30 days early is really smart too, especially since doctor's offices can be unpredictable with turnaround times. I'm definitely going to use that buffer strategy. It's amazing how much practical knowledge this community has that you just can't find in the official EDD materials. Thanks for sharing what actually works in the real world! @Mateo Gonzalez
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Ava Martinez
I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add one more tip that worked for me - if you're having trouble downloading the DE 2500A form from the EDD website (sometimes their site is glitchy), you can also get it from your local library. Most libraries have access to state forms and can print them for you for free or a small fee. Also, when you're filling out your portion of the form, use black ink only and write clearly. I had a form rejected once because my handwriting wasn't legible enough. It's such a small thing but can save you weeks of delays. @Andre Laurent - congratulations on getting approved! The hardest part is behind you. Just stay organized with the paperwork and you'll be fine. This community has given you all the info you need to succeed! 🎉
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Zara Rashid
•Thank you @Ava Martinez for the library tip! That s'such a practical backup plan that I never would have thought of. The black ink and legible handwriting advice is really important too - it s'frustrating that something so simple can cause delays, but better to know about it upfront. I m'definitely going to be extra careful with my handwriting when I fill out the form. This whole thread has been like a masterclass in navigating EDD that I wish existed when I first started this process!
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