EDD SDI automatic payments vs. certification - which is my claim type?

Yes, if your paperwork specifically states 'automatic payment' then you don't need to certify for those benefits. Regular SDI claims typically work this way - once approved, payments are issued automatically for the period your doctor certified. This is different from disability due to pregnancy (where you DO need to certify) and completely different from unemployment (UI) which always requires bi-weekly certification.

i had the same thing last yr for my back surgery. automatic payments just showed up every 2 weeks, didnt have to do anything. best part of SDI vs unemployment lol

My SDI claim for gallbladder surgery said automatic payment too, BUT you still need to be careful about a few things!! 1) If you return to work BEFORE your disability period ends, you MUST tell them or you could get hit with overpayment 2) If your doctor extends your disability, you'll need a new medical certification form 3) Watch out when your claim is near the end date - sometimes they stop payments abruptly But yeah, no bi-weekly certification like unemployment requires. Thank GOD for that, the UI site is terrible.

For standard disability claims (not pregnancy-related), EDD SDI typically uses automatic payments based on your doctor's certification. However, the program can be confusing because the rules differ from benefit type to benefit type: - Regular SDI: Automatic payments (no certification) - Pregnancy Disability: Some periods require certification - Paid Family Leave (PFL): Requires certification - Unemployment (UI): Requires certification If you ever need to update your claim (extension, early return to work, etc.), you'll need to contact EDD directly. Their phone system is notorious, so consider using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) - I used their service last month to get through for my extension. They have a demo video here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd that shows how it works. Saved me days of frustration.

WATCH OUT!!!! I had "automatic payments" too but then my claim randomly stopped after week 6 even though I was approved for 12 weeks!!! Had to call 47 TIMES to get through to a rep who said there was a "system flag" on my account for no reason. SUCH A NIGHTMARE!!! The whole system is designed to make you give up on benefits you deserve!!!

I think you're confusing SDI with UI maybe? When I had my knee surgery, my disability claim had automatic payments, but when I was on unemployment last year, I had to certify every two weeks. Did your paperwork specifically say SDI or disability on it? The EDD handles multiple benefit types and they all have different rules.

just dont go back to work early without telling them or they'll say u committed fraud!!! happened to my cousin and he had to pay back like $1700

Just wanted to add - make sure you keep all your paperwork organized! I had automatic SDI payments for my wrist surgery last year and everything went smoothly, but I'm glad I kept copies of everything. Also, if you're worried about payment timing, mine came on the same day every two weeks like clockwork. The EDD debit card they send is actually pretty convenient too - you can check your balance online or with their app. Hope your recovery goes well!

Hey Dominique! I went through the same thing with my rotator cuff surgery earlier this year. The "automatic payment" designation on SDI is such a blessing compared to other benefits - no stress about missing certification deadlines or dealing with the EDD website every two weeks. Just a heads up from my experience: keep an eye on your bank account because sometimes the first payment can be delayed by a few days while they set everything up, but after that it should be like clockwork. Also, if you have any issues with your EDD debit card (like it getting declined somewhere), you can transfer the money to your regular bank account through their online portal - way easier than trying to call customer service. Wishing you a smooth recovery! Carpal tunnel surgery recovery can be tough but you'll get through it.

I'm so glad you asked this question! I was in the exact same boat when I first went on SDI for my herniated disc surgery. The automatic payment system is definitely one of the better aspects of California's disability program - once you're approved and your doctor has certified your time off, the payments just show up every two weeks without any action needed from you. One thing that really helped ease my anxiety was setting up text alerts on my bank account so I'd know immediately when each payment came through. The timing was super consistent for me - every other Tuesday like clockwork. Also, just a practical tip: if you haven't already, make sure you have the EDD mobile app downloaded and your online account set up. Even though you don't need to certify, it's helpful to be able to check your claim status and payment history if you ever have questions. The app also lets you update your contact info easily if you move or change phone numbers during your claim period. Hope your recovery goes smoothly and you can focus on healing instead of worrying about paperwork!

I'm also dealing with my first SDI claim (for back surgery) and was confused about the same thing! Reading through everyone's responses here has been so helpful. It sounds like the automatic payment system is definitely the way to go - much less stressful than having to worry about certifying every two weeks like with unemployment. One question for those who've been through this: did anyone have issues with their doctor's office being slow to submit the initial certification paperwork? My surgery was two weeks ago and I'm still waiting for EDD to process everything. My doctor's office said they submitted it but I'm getting anxious about potential delays. Should I be calling EDD to check on the status or just wait it out a bit longer? Also, for anyone reading this thread who's new to SDI like me - definitely keep copies of everything! I learned that lesson the hard way with other government benefits in the past.

I just went through this exact same situation with my wrist surgery last month! The automatic payment designation means you're all set - no certification needed. I was paranoid about it too and called EDD just to double-check (after waiting on hold for 2 hours!). The rep confirmed that for standard SDI claims like yours, once your doctor certifies your time off, the payments just come automatically every two weeks. The only thing I'd add to what everyone else has said is to make sure you keep your address updated in their system if you move during your claim period. I almost had an issue when I moved apartments mid-claim because some of their correspondence still goes by mail. But overall, the automatic system worked great for me - payments came like clockwork every other Tuesday. Hope your recovery goes smoothly! Carpal tunnel surgery can be tough but you'll get through it.

I'm dealing with my first SDI claim too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to share that I had the same confusion initially - the paperwork can definitely be unclear about what "automatic payment" actually means. From what I've learned here and through my own research, it sounds like regular SDI claims (like yours for carpal tunnel surgery) do get automatic payments once your doctor certifies your disability period. No bi-weekly certification needed like with unemployment benefits. One thing that helped reduce my anxiety was calling my doctor's office to confirm they submitted the certification paperwork to EDD. Sometimes there can be delays on their end that you're not aware of. Also, I set up notifications on my bank account so I'd know right away when payments come through. The whole system definitely creates unnecessary stress when you're already dealing with recovery, but it sounds like you're on the right track. Wishing you a smooth recovery process!

As someone who just went through my first SDI claim for ankle surgery a few months ago, I totally understand your anxiety! The "automatic payment" designation definitely means no certification required - it's such a relief compared to the unemployment system. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple calendar reminder to check my account every two weeks so I'd know when to expect payments. Mine came every other Wednesday consistently. Also, don't be afraid to contact your doctor's office if you need any extensions or modifications to your certification - they're usually pretty responsive since they deal with EDD paperwork regularly. The hardest part for me was just trusting that the system would work without me having to "do" anything, but it really did run smoothly once everything was set up. Focus on your recovery and let the automatic system do its job!

Hey Dominique! I went through the exact same anxiety when I started my first SDI claim for shoulder surgery last year. The "automatic payment" designation is definitely a good thing - it means you're all set and don't need to do the bi-weekly certification dance like with unemployment benefits. From my experience, the payments really do come automatically every two weeks once your doctor's certification is processed. I was paranoid too and kept checking my account obsessively the first few weeks! What helped me was writing down the expected payment dates on my calendar so I knew when to look for them. One small tip that saved me some stress: if you haven't already, take a photo of all your paperwork with your phone. I had to reference my original claim documents a few times during my recovery period, and having digital copies was super convenient. The automatic system really is one of the better parts of California's disability program. Focus on healing - the payments will take care of themselves! Wishing you a smooth recovery from your carpal tunnel surgery.