EDD SDI certification confusion after claim extension - do I need to certify again?

extensions are usually automatic after approval. u probably won't need to certify again unless they specifically tell u to. that's what happened with me anyway.

I had the same exact question when my pregnancy disability claim got extended last month! Called EDD about 10 times with no luck getting through. I finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual EDD rep in under 15 minutes. The rep explained that with extensions, some claims switch to automatic payments while others still require certification—it depends on your specific claim type and medical provider's recommendation. They were able to check my account and tell me exactly what to expect. Saved me so much stress! There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd

EDD's certification requirements aren't consistent across all claim types. For standard SDI claims, you typically certify every two weeks. For extensions, especially those based on the same medical condition, they sometimes switch you to automatic payments. There's actually a way to check this in your account. Go to the "Claim Details" section (not the main dashboard), then check the "Certification Requirements" field. If it says "Automatic Payment" you're good. If it says "Bi-weekly certification required" but you don't see certification options, you should contact EDD immediately. Also, if your doctor submitted the extension paperwork through their SDI Online portal rather than using a paper form, the process is usually more streamlined and often switches to automatic payments.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A DISASTER!!! I had 3 extensions on my claim last year and EACH ONE was handled differently. First one needed certification, second one was automatic, third one they randomly decided I needed to certify again BUT NEVER TOLD ME so I missed 3 weeks of payments!!! When I finally got through to someone they said "oh sorry that was a system error" but I still had to wait another 10 days to get my backpay. EDD is BROKEN!!!

My sister works for a doctor's office that processes a lot of disability claims, and she says that the certification requirements often change depending on what codes the doctor uses when submitting the extension. If they mark it as a continuation of the same condition with the same severity, it often switches to automatic payments. But if they classify it as the same condition with different limitations or treatments, they might keep the certification requirement. Either way, you should get a notice in the mail explaining the certification requirements for your extension period within about 5-7 days of the extension being approved. I'd wait for that before worrying too much.

When I had my disability claim last fall it was so weird. I had to certify at first, then I got an extension and didn't have to certify, then I got ANOTHER extension and had to certify again lol. I don't think even EDD knows what their own rules are half the time.

UPDATE: I just got off the phone with EDD (finally)! For anyone who ends up in the same situation, here's what they told me: 1. When an extension is approved, the system automatically evaluates whether certification is needed based on the doctor's statements. 2. If your condition is stable and ongoing (like my back injury), they often switch to automatic payments to reduce paperwork. 3. Your online account should update within 48 hours to show your payment schedule, even if certification isn't required. 4. If you're worried, you can call and request to be put back on certification if you prefer having that control/visibility. They confirmed my payments will continue on the same schedule. Feeling much better now! Thanks for all the help everyone.

I'm new to this whole disability benefits process and reading through this thread has been super helpful! I just submitted my initial SDI claim last week for a knee injury and I'm already worried about what happens if I need an extension. It sounds like the system is pretty inconsistent with how they handle things. One question - for those who've been through extensions, do you get any kind of heads up before your current claim period ends? Like does EDD send you a notice saying "hey, your claim expires in X days, talk to your doctor about an extension if needed"? Or is it totally on you to keep track of the dates and coordinate with your doctor? Also @Luca Conti glad you got it sorted out! Sounds like a stressful situation but at least you got answers in the end.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! My claim for anxiety/depression was just extended last week and I've been refreshing my EDD account every day trying to figure out if I'm supposed to certify or not. It's such a relief to read that I'm not the only one confused by this process. @Luca Conti thanks so much for sharing your experience and coming back with the update after talking to EDD! That information about how they automatically evaluate certification requirements based on the doctor's statements is really helpful. I'm going to check my Claim Details section right now to see if it shows "Automatic Payment" or if I still need to certify. The whole system seems so unnecessarily confusing. Like why can't they just send a clear notification saying "your extension is approved and here's what happens next" instead of leaving us all to guess? When you're already dealing with a disability, the last thing you need is the added stress of trying to decode their system. I'm also definitely going to try that Claimyr service that @CyberNinja mentioned if I can't figure this out from my account. The thought of spending hours on hold with EDD when I'm already struggling with my mental health is honestly making my anxiety worse. Really appreciate this community for sharing real experiences instead of the vague, unhelpful information on the official EDD website!