EDD SDI claim balance at zero after full year - do I need to reapply? How does it work?

Yes, you'll need to file a new claim. SDI benefits have a 52-week benefit period, and once that's up or your claim balance is exhausted (whichever comes first), you need to establish a new claim. Your doctor will need to complete a new medical certification form (DE 2501) for the new claim period. Make sure to file the new claim before your current one fully expires to minimize payment gaps. Your benefit amount might be different on the new claim depending on your base period wages. Also, there will be another 7-day waiting period before benefits start on the new claim.

had the same thing happen wit me last summer, its confusing but u gotta do the whole thing over again. my neurologist had to fill out all the paperwork again and everything. the annoying part was the week with no pay at the start but otherwise it went ok

When my claim balance hit zero they made me file a NEW claim even though it was the SAME medical issue!!! EDD system is SO frustrating!! And yes there's ANOTHER 7-day waiting period where you GET NOTHING!!!! It's absolutely RIDICULOUS that we have to go through this when we're already dealing with health problems!!!! I had to wait nearly 4 WEEKS before my new claim was approved and I got paid. They kept saying they needed "additional information" but wouldn't tell me what!!! The stress made my condition even WORSE!!!

I went through this process last month. Here's what you need to do: 1. File a new SDI claim online through your SDI Online account about 7-10 days before your current claim ends 2. Have your doctor complete a new medical certification form right away 3. You'll have another 7-day waiting period (unpaid) for the new claim 4. Your benefit amount might change based on your updated base period The trickiest part is reaching EDD if there are any issues with your new claim. After struggling with busy signals and disconnects for days, I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd It saved me so much stress during an already difficult time. Good luck with your recovery!

My sister is going through something kinda like this right now. She's been on disability for almost 10 months for a thing with her shoulder and the doctor just told her she needs surgery. So she's going to end up going past the 1 year mark too. I'll tell her about the reapplying thing, I don't think she knows about that yet. Is there anything else she should be doing to prepare?

One important thing to keep in mind: when you file a new claim, your benefit amount is recalculated based on a new base period. If you haven't been working and earning wages during most of 2024 (which is likely since you've been on disability), your new weekly benefit amount might be lower than your current one. In rare cases, if you have no qualifying wages in the new base period, you might not be eligible for a new claim at all. This usually isn't an issue for most people, but it's something to be aware of. Also, document everything and keep copies of all forms you submit for the new claim.

I thought disability was just a one and done thing? Didn't realize you could keep reapplying. Learn something new everyday lol

btw make sure ur doctor actually fills out all the form right cuz mine missed this one little box and my new claim got delayed for like 3 weeks. i was so stressed lol

I'm sorry you're going through this stress while dealing with your recovery. Based on what others have shared, here's a timeline that might help you plan: **Immediate actions (next 1-2 weeks):** - Contact your doctor's office to schedule completing the new DE 2501 medical certification form - Check your exact benefit period end date in your SDI Online account - Gather any recent medical records or surgery notes from your last procedure **File new claim timing:** - Submit your new SDI application online 7-10 days before your current claim expires - This helps minimize the gap between claims **What to expect:** - There will be a 7-day unpaid waiting period for the new claim - Your benefit amount will be recalculated based on 2023 wages (since you've been on disability most of 2024) - Processing can take 2-4 weeks depending on how complete your documentation is The good news is that having the same ongoing medical condition doesn't disqualify you from a new claim - you just need current medical certification that you're still unable to work. Make sure your doctor is very specific about your limitations and expected recovery timeline on the new forms. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but you can get through this!

I went through this exact situation last year with a knee injury that required multiple surgeries. The good news is that you can definitely file a new claim - it's not a one-time thing. I was terrified when my balance hit zero after 11 months, but the process worked out. A few tips from my experience: - Start the new application about 10 days before your current claim ends (not too early or it might get rejected) - Make sure your doctor is very detailed on the new DE 2501 form about your specific work restrictions and recovery timeline - Save copies of everything you submit - I had to resubmit my medical forms twice because they "lost" them - Budget for that 7-day waiting period with no payments My biggest mistake was not preparing my doctor early enough. They were swamped and it took 2 weeks to get the medical certification completed, which delayed my new claim approval. Also, don't panic if your benefit amount changes slightly - mine actually went up a bit because they used different base period wages. The system is confusing but it does work once you get through the bureaucracy. Hope your recovery goes smoothly!

I'm going through something similar right now - my SDI claim is set to expire in about 6 weeks and I'm still recovering from a work injury. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really helpful since EDD's website doesn't explain this process very clearly. One thing I learned from calling EDD (after many attempts) is that you can actually check if you'll qualify for a new claim by looking at your wage history in your SDI Online account. Go to "View Claim History" and it should show your base period wages. For a claim filed in April/May 2025, they'll look at wages from roughly January-December 2023. Also, I found out that if you're still seeing the same doctor for your ongoing condition, they can sometimes expedite the medical certification process since they already have your full medical history on file. Worth asking about when you contact them. The waiting period sucks but at least we know what to expect now. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's made this whole process way less stressful!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress on top of your recovery - I know exactly how overwhelming it feels when you're already struggling with health issues and financial pressure. From what everyone has shared, it sounds like you'll definitely need to file a new SDI claim since you're approaching both the balance limit and the 52-week benefit period. The key is timing it right - most people recommend filing about 7-10 days before your current claim expires to minimize gaps. A few things that might help ease your anxiety: - Since you were working in 2023 before your injury, you should qualify for a new claim based on those wages - While there's a 7-day waiting period, many people find their benefit amounts stay similar or sometimes even increase slightly - Having the same ongoing medical condition doesn't hurt your chances - you just need updated medical certification The hardest part seems to be getting your doctor to complete the paperwork quickly. I'd suggest calling them ASAP and explaining the urgency - mention that any delays could mean weeks without income. Some offices will prioritize disability forms if they understand the financial impact. With your rent being $2,900/month, I completely understand the panic. Try to budget for that one-week gap and maybe reach out to family/friends as a backup plan. You've made it through almost a full year of this process - you can get through the transition to a new claim too. Wishing you a smooth recovery and quick approval! 🙏

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago with a spinal fusion that required extended recovery time. The stress of running out of benefits while still being unable to work is absolutely terrible, so I completely understand your panic. Here's what I learned from my experience: **Timeline is everything:** File your new claim exactly 7-10 days before your current one expires. I made the mistake of waiting too long and had a 3-week gap in payments that nearly destroyed me financially. **Doctor coordination:** Call your orthopedic surgeon's office TODAY and explain the situation. Ask them to block out time specifically for completing your new DE 2501 form. Many offices don't understand the urgency, so be very clear that delays mean no income. **Benefit amount:** Don't stress too much about this changing dramatically. Since you were working in 2023 before your injury, those wages will be your new base period. Mine actually stayed almost exactly the same. **The 7-day wait:** Budget for this now if possible. It's brutal but unavoidable. I had to borrow money from family to cover rent during that week. One last tip - if you run into any processing delays or issues with EDD after filing, don't waste days trying to get through on the phone. Consider using a callback service like some others mentioned here. When you're dealing with recovery and financial stress, every day matters. You've made it through almost a full year of this process - you're stronger than you think and you'll get through the transition too. Your back will heal and this bureaucratic nightmare will be behind you soon! 💪

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress while recovering from multiple back surgeries. The uncertainty about benefits when you're already dealing with health issues is absolutely overwhelming. From what everyone has shared here, it sounds like you'll definitely need to file a new SDI claim since you're hitting both the balance limit and the 52-week period. The most important thing is timing - file that new application about 7-10 days before your current claim expires to avoid a longer gap in payments. I'd suggest making a checklist: 1. Call your orthopedic surgeon's office ASAP to schedule completing the new DE 2501 medical certification 2. Check your exact benefit period end date in SDI Online 3. Plan financially for the mandatory 7-day waiting period 4. File the new claim at exactly the right time (not too early, not too late) Since you were working in 2023 before your injury, you should qualify for the new claim based on those wages. Many people here found their benefit amounts stayed similar or even increased slightly. I know the $2,900 rent pressure makes this even scarier, but you've already navigated almost a full year of this process while dealing with multiple surgeries. You're stronger and more resilient than you realize. Take it one step at a time, and don't hesitate to ask family for help during that waiting week if needed. You've got this! 🙏

I've been through this exact situation with a work-related back injury that required surgery. The stress of watching your claim balance drop while you're still recovering is absolutely awful - I completely understand your panic. Here's what worked for me: I called my doctor's office and explained the urgency of getting the new DE 2501 form completed quickly. I literally said "any delay means I have no income while recovering from surgery" and they prioritized it. Also, I filed my new claim exactly 9 days before my old one expired - not too early to get rejected, but early enough to minimize payment gaps. The 7-day waiting period was tough financially, but I prepared by asking my landlord for a one-week grace period and borrowing a small amount from family just for essentials. My benefit amount actually stayed almost identical because it was based on my 2023 wages before the injury. One thing that really helped my stress levels was making a timeline with specific dates for each step. It gave me back some sense of control during a really overwhelming time. You've already survived 11 months of this process while dealing with multiple surgeries - you're tougher than you think and you'll get through this transition too. The bureaucracy is frustrating but it does work if you stay on top of the timing.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while recovering from multiple back surgeries. I went through a very similar situation last year with a herniated disc that required two surgeries, and I know exactly how terrifying it is to watch that claim balance drop to almost nothing when you're nowhere near ready to return to work. Here's what I learned from my experience that might help you: **Timing is absolutely critical** - File your new SDI claim exactly 8-10 days before your current one expires (not earlier or it might get rejected). Mark this date on your calendar now. **Get your doctor moving ASAP** - Call your orthopedic surgeon's office first thing Monday and explain that you need the new DE 2501 medical certification completed urgently. Tell them directly: "Any delay in this paperwork means I have zero income while recovering from surgery." Most offices will prioritize it once they understand the financial impact. **The 7-day waiting period is unavoidable** - Start planning now for that week with no payments. I had to ask my landlord for a brief grace period and borrow from family just for groceries. It's brutal but temporary. **Your benefit amount will likely be similar** - Since you were working in 2023 before your injury, those wages will determine your new benefit amount. Mine actually increased slightly, so don't panic about a major drop. The hardest part is the emotional stress of going through bureaucratic hoops when you're already dealing with pain and recovery. But you've already made it through 11 months of this process - you're stronger than you realize. Take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to lean on family during that waiting week if you need to. You've got this! Your back will heal and this paperwork nightmare will be behind you soon. 💪

I've been reading through everyone's responses and wanted to add one more important detail that helped me when I went through this same situation. When you file your new claim, make sure to keep your old claim confirmation number and any documentation from your current claim easily accessible. Sometimes EDD will ask for information from your previous claim when processing the new one, especially since it's the same medical condition. Having those documents ready can prevent delays if they need to verify your medical history or previous benefit periods. Also, if you're working with a physical therapist or any other specialists besides your surgeon, consider getting a brief note from them too supporting your continued need for disability benefits. It's not required, but extra medical documentation showing you're still in active treatment can strengthen your claim. The whole process is definitely stressful, but based on everything you've shared about your 2023 work history and ongoing medical needs, you should be in good shape for approval. Just focus on that timing and getting your paperwork submitted quickly. You've already proven you can handle this bureaucratic maze - you'll get through the renewal too!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with a workplace back injury that required fusion surgery. The panic you're feeling is completely understandable - watching that balance drop while you're still in recovery is terrifying. Here's what I wish someone had told me: YES, you absolutely need to file a completely new SDI claim, but it's not as scary as it seems once you know the process. The key is timing everything perfectly. **Critical timeline:** - Call your orthopedic surgeon's office TOMORROW and explain you need a new DE 2501 form completed urgently for a new SDI claim - File your new claim online exactly 7-10 days before your current one expires (not earlier or EDD might reject it) - Budget for a mandatory 7-day waiting period with zero payments on the new claim **The good news:** Since you were working in 2023 before your injury, your new benefit amount will be calculated from those wages and will likely be very similar to what you're getting now. Mine was actually $15 higher per week. **Pro tips from my experience:** - Keep all documentation from your current claim easily accessible - EDD sometimes asks for it when processing the new one - If you're doing physical therapy, get a supporting note from your therapist about your continued limitations - Consider asking your landlord for a one-week grace period now to cover that waiting period The bureaucracy is frustrating, but you've already survived 11 months of this while dealing with multiple surgeries. You're stronger than you think and this transition will work out. Your recovery is the priority - the paperwork is just a temporary hurdle. Hang in there! 💪

Hey there! I'm new to this community but going through something very similar right now - my SDI claim is about to hit the 52-week mark in a few weeks and I'm still recovering from a shoulder injury that required surgery. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful since I had no idea you could file a new claim! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their stories and practical advice. The timeline breakdowns and tips about working with doctors' offices are exactly what I needed to hear. It's so reassuring to know that others have successfully navigated this transition, especially when dealing with ongoing medical issues. One question for those who've been through this - did any of you have issues with EDD questioning why you need a new claim for the same medical condition? I'm worried they might think I'm trying to game the system somehow, even though my doctor says I need at least 2-3 more months of recovery time. Also, for anyone still reading this thread who's in a similar situation - don't panic like I initially did! Based on everyone's advice here, it seems like as long as you time everything right and get your medical paperwork completed promptly, the process works. The 7-day waiting period is rough but manageable if you plan ahead. Thanks again to this community for being so supportive and informative! 🙏

I'm going through the exact same situation right now - my claim balance is down to about $500 and my benefit year ends in 6 weeks. I've been on disability since last March for chronic pain issues that have required multiple treatments. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a lifesaver because I had absolutely no idea you could file a new claim! The timeline advice everyone's given is so helpful - I'm going to call my pain management doctor tomorrow to get the ball rolling on new medical paperwork. It's really reassuring to hear from so many people who successfully made this transition, especially knowing that benefit amounts often stay similar when you have qualifying wages from 2023. One thing I'm curious about - for those who had ongoing chronic conditions rather than surgical recovery, did your doctors have any issues with completing the new DE 2501 form? My condition is managed but not "cured" so I'm hoping that won't complicate things. The 7-day waiting period is definitely going to be tough financially, but at least I can plan for it now instead of being blindsided. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community has been incredibly helpful during a really stressful time! 🙏