EDD SDI claim conflict - Return to work form sent but doctor submitted extension. What now?

omg this happened to me too but backwards!! I told them i was going back then changed my mind and my doc sent in extension. they paid me for like 3 days then cut me off and i had to call them like 7 times to get it fixed. make sure u call them ASAP

Thanks for responding! Did you have to submit another form or did they just fix it over the phone? I'm worried if I don't get this resolved before 4/22 they'll cut off my benefits completely.

You need to contact EDD immediately to explain the situation. This is a common issue with disability claims when there's paperwork submitted with conflicting information. When EDD receives contradictory forms (return to work vs. extension certification), they typically go with the most recent form received, which in your case appears to be the extension. However, to prevent any payment interruptions or possible overpayment issues later, call them directly and explain that the return to work form should be disregarded.\n\nMake sure to document the date/time of your call and the name of the representative you speak with. You might also want to upload a message through your SDI Online account explaining the situation to have a written record.

Thank you for the detailed advice! I'll try calling them tomorrow morning first thing. Do you know if there's a specific department or option I should choose when calling to get to the right person who can help with this issue?

Call NOW don't wait!!! The EDD system is a complete disaster with these things. I had my doctor submit corrected paperwork last year and they completely ignored it and went with the original dates. Took me THREE MONTHS to get it fixed and they made me appeal and everything when it was clearly their mistake. The longer you wait the worse it gets, trust me.

This exactly!! I work in healthcare and see this all the time with my patients. The EDD disability system is incredibly rigid with dates and any conflicting paperwork causes massive headaches. Once the system processes that return to work date, it automatically terminates benefits. If you can get through to a live agent BEFORE that date hits their processing queue, you have a much better chance of resolving it without an appeal.\n\nBy the way, for anyone struggling to get through on EDD's phone lines, I've had multiple patients use a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with EDD agents quickly. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Definitely worth it for time-sensitive issues like this where you can't afford to wait on hold for hours.

You should always get written confirmation from your doctor before submitting any return to work form. This is actually a very common issue with SDI claims. Here's what you need to do now:\n\n1. Call the EDD disability branch directly at 1-800-480-3287\n2. Explain to the representative that you submitted a return to work form in error\n3. Ask them to note your account that your doctor has submitted valid extension paperwork\n4. Request they provide a case number for this incident\n5. Follow up with a message through your SDI Online portal with the case number\n\nThe good news is that since your doctor's extension certification is showing up in your online account, that means it's in the system. The main risk is that their automated system might process your return to work form and prematurely end your benefits. A phone call can usually prevent this if done promptly.

Thanks for the step-by-step instructions! I didn't realize I should get a case number - that's really helpful. I've been trying the phone number all morning but just keep getting the automated message that call volume is too high. Is there a better time of day to call?

this is y u never fill out return to work form till ur ACTUALLY at work lol. edd is the worst. my cousin works there and says theyre always making mistakes with forms. once they process that return form ur screwed

Yeah, I definitely learned my lesson the hard way. I just thought I was doing the right thing by giving them advanced notice. Didn't realize it would cause such a mess!

I've spent 3 days trying to get through to EDD about my disability extension. The phone system is completely useless - either says

Try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM. That's when I've had the most success. Also, avoid Mondays and the day after holidays as those are the busiest. If you keep having trouble connecting, you can try using Claimyr - they've really helped many people connect with EDD agents without the endless hold times.

I just wanted to follow up and make sure you understand how the system works. What typically happens is the claims examiners process forms in the order they're received. Since your doctor submitted the extension after you submitted the return to work form, there's a good chance a claims examiner will see and process the extension form first.\n\nHowever, there's also an automated system that flags accounts when there are conflicting dates. When this happens, they put a hold on your claim until a human reviews it. This is why it's crucial to speak with someone directly.\n\nIf you absolutely cannot get through on the phone, go to your SDI Online account and send a message through the system explaining exactly what happened. Include the date you submitted the return to work form, the date your doctor submitted the extension, and clearly state that the extension should take precedence. Print or save a copy of this message for your records.

That's really helpful information about how their system works. I didn't realize there was an automated flagging system for conflicting dates - that actually makes me feel a bit better. I'll submit a detailed message through SDI Online right now while I keep trying the phone. Thank you!

I finally got through to an EDD representative about my issue. For anyone having trouble reaching them, I called exactly at 8:00 AM and selected option 1, then 6, then 1 again. Only waited about 15 minutes. The agent told me that when there are conflicting forms, they typically default to the medical provider's certification since that requires medical evidence. So there's a good chance your doctor's extension will override your return to work form, especially if it's showing in your account already. But definitely still try to speak with someone to confirm.

Thank you for sharing what worked for you! I'll try those exact options tomorrow morning. It's reassuring to hear they tend to go with the doctor's certification - that makes logical sense. I'll update here once I get this resolved in case it helps someone else in the future.

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD after trying for TWO DAYS STRAIGHT!!! Had to use that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. It actually worked - connected me to an agent in about 10 minutes. The rep explained that I needed to have my doctor submit a form DE 2525XX (Physician/Practitioner's Supplementary Certificate) to officially override my return to work date. Just submitting the extension form isn't enough because of the conflicting paperwork. Hope this helps someone!

Thank you so much for this update! This is exactly what I needed to know. I'll contact my doctor right away about the DE 2525XX form. Really appreciate you taking the time to come back and share this information.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My doctor submitted an extension but I had already told my employer I'd be back on a specific date. The whole system is so confusing when you're trying to coordinate between EDD, your doctor, and your workplace. One thing I learned from my case worker is that you should always wait until you get the official determination letter from EDD before making any commitments about return dates. Even if your doctor thinks you'll be ready by a certain date, your condition could change or the paperwork could get delayed. It sounds like you're getting good advice here about calling EDD and having your doctor submit that supplementary form. I'd also suggest keeping detailed notes of all your communications with everyone involved - EDD, your doctor's office, even your employer if they're involved. This whole process has taught me that documentation is everything when dealing with disability claims. Good luck getting this sorted out! The system is definitely not user-friendly but it sounds like you're taking all the right steps to fix it.

I went through this exact same situation last year! The confusion between return to work forms and doctor extensions is so stressful. Here's what worked for me: First, don't panic - the fact that your extension is already showing in your SDI Online account is actually a really good sign. When I had conflicting paperwork, the EDD rep told me they prioritize medical certifications over self-reported return dates because doctors have to provide clinical justification. That said, you absolutely need to call them ASAP. I couldn't get through on the main line either, but I found success calling the Technical Support line at 1-877-238-4373 and explaining my situation - they were able to transfer me to a disability specialist who could actually help. Also, make sure your doctor knows about the return to work form you submitted. My doctor had to write a brief letter explaining that the extension superseded my earlier return date due to my medical condition not improving as expected. Having that extra documentation really helped when EDD reviewed my case. The whole process took about 2 weeks to fully resolve, but I didn't lose any benefits once they sorted it out. Just stay on top of it and don't let them close your case! You've got this!

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I submitted a return to work form last week thinking my recovery was going better than expected, but then had a setback and my physical therapist recommended I stay off work longer. My doctor is now submitting extension paperwork but I'm terrified EDD will cut me off because of the conflicting information. Reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the key is acting fast and getting ahead of the automated processing. I'm going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning using the menu options Anna shared (1, then 6, then 1) and also send a detailed message through SDI Online explaining the situation. One question for those who successfully resolved this - did any of you have issues with your employer when your return date changed? I already told HR I'd be back on a specific date and now I'm worried about how to handle that conversation while I sort out the EDD paperwork. Any advice on managing the workplace side of this situation would be really appreciated!

I just went through this exact scenario a few months ago and wanted to share what I learned! The good news is that this is actually more common than you'd think, and EDD has processes in place to handle conflicting paperwork. When I had the same issue, I was panicking because I thought I'd completely messed up my benefits. But here's what actually happened: EDD's system automatically flagged my account when they received conflicting dates, which actually PREVENTED them from processing either form until a human could review it. This worked in my favor because it gave me time to call and explain the situation. The key things that helped me: 1. I called using the exact menu sequence Anna mentioned (1-6-1) right at 8 AM and got through in about 20 minutes 2. The rep explained that medical extensions almost always take precedence over self-reported return dates 3. They made a note in my file that the return to work form should be disregarded 4. I followed up with a message through SDI Online documenting our phone conversation The whole thing was resolved within a week and I didn't lose a single day of benefits. Your doctor's extension already showing up in your online account is actually a really positive sign - it means their system has processed the medical certification. Don't stress too much about this! Just make that phone call as soon as possible and you should be fine. The EDD reps deal with this situation all the time and they know exactly how to fix it.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar EDD disability situation right now, and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on SDI since February for a knee injury and my benefits were supposed to end next week. My doctor submitted extension paperwork last Friday, but I panicked over the weekend thinking it wouldn't go through in time and submitted a return to work form on Monday saying I'd be back Thursday. Now I'm in the exact same boat as Rachel - conflicting paperwork and totally stressed about my benefits getting cut off. Reading through all these responses, it seems like the consensus is to call EDD immediately and explain the situation. I'm going to try the 8 AM call with the 1-6-1 menu options that several people mentioned worked for them. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully resolved this, did EDD require any additional documentation from your doctor beyond the standard extension form? Roger mentioned something about a DE 2525XX form that his doctor had to submit. I'm wondering if I should get ahead of that and ask my doctor about it now rather than waiting to see what EDD says. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. It's really reassuring to know this isn't an uncommon problem and that there are solutions!