EDD SDI claim denied after transitioning from UI - wrong form mistake?
I'm at my wit's end with this EDD situation. I was on unemployment for 2 months after getting laid off, but then my chronic back condition flared up badly (herniated disc) making me unable to work or continue job searching. My doctor advised me to file for SDI, which I did about 3 weeks ago. Just got a denial letter saying I'm "still eligible for UI benefits" and therefore can't receive SDI. But I CAN'T work right now - that's the whole point! I think I might have checked something wrong on the DE 2501 form. Has anyone successfully transitioned from UI to disability benefits? Did I use the wrong form or miss some special process? My doctor submitted all the medical certification paperwork correctly. Now I'm stuck with no income and medical bills piling up. Any advice on appealing this or fixing whatever I did wrong would be greatly appreciated.
25 comments
Join the conversation
Keisha Jackson
This is actually a common issue with UI to SDI transitions. The key is making sure you formally ended your UI claim before starting your SDI claim. Did you contact EDD to specifically close your UI claim and inform them you were becoming disabled? If not, their system likely shows you as still being on an active UI claim. You need to appeal this decision using the DE 1000A form. Make sure to include a letter from your doctor clearly stating the date you became unable to work or look for work due to your medical condition. The appeal deadline is 20 days from the date on your denial notice, so don't delay.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•Thank you! I didn't formally close my UI claim - didn't know that was required. I thought filing for SDI would automatically stop the UI. I'll download that appeal form right now. Do you know if I should keep certifying for UI while waiting for the appeal decision? I don't want to make things worse.
0 coins
Paolo Moretti
they did this 2 me to!! u have 2 call EDD and tell them ur switching from UI to disability. then they'll close ur UI claim. its super dumb they dont tell u this anywhere
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•Ugh, that explains it. I've been trying to call EDD for days but can't get through. Keeps saying high call volume and disconnecting me. So frustrating!
0 coins
Amina Diop
I had the exact same situation last year with my rheumatoid arthritis flare-up. Here's what worked for me: 1. Stop certifying for UI benefits immediately (since you can't truthfully say you're able and available for work) 2. File an appeal with a clear chronology of events 3. Include new medical documentation that specifies the exact date your disability began 4. Request a phone hearing if possible - much faster than waiting for in-person Also, make sure your doctor uses very specific language on the medical certification form (DE 2501) about why you cannot perform ANY type of work currently - not just your previous job. The doctor needs to certify that your condition prevents you from performing your regular OR customary work. In my case, it took about 6 weeks but they reversed the decision and I got backpay for the SDI claim.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•This is incredibly helpful - thank you! I'll definitely stop certifying for UI. My doctor did specify I can't do any type of work due to the pain and mobility limitations, so that part should be covered. Did you have to submit a completely new DE 2501 form, or just additional medical documentation with your appeal?
0 coins
Amina Diop
•You should get a new medical certification from your doctor dated AFTER the denial. This shows your condition is ongoing and still prevents you from working. Make sure the doctor includes specific limitations (can't sit/stand for more than X minutes, unable to lift more than X pounds, etc). The more detailed, the better your chances.
0 coins
Oliver Weber
Have you tried calling EDD about this? Sometimes just talking to a real person can fix these issues faster than the appeal process.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•I've been trying for days but can't get through - always get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and then it hangs up. So frustrating!
0 coins
Natasha Romanova
•Try using Claimyr. I was in the same situation last month - calling EDD for days with no luck. Claimyr got me through to an actual EDD representative in about 20 minutes. It basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me weeks of waiting. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The agent I spoke with was able to fix my UI to SDI transition issue while I was on the phone. Definitely worth checking out their website at claimyr.com if you need to reach EDD quickly.
0 coins
NebulaNinja
EDD IS THE WORST!!! I had this EXACT same problem and they made me wait 12 WEEKS before finally approving my disability claim!!! They just want to save money by denying valid claims!!! Make sure you APPEAL IMMEDIATELY and call EVERY SINGLE DAY until you get through!!!!!
0 coins
Javier Gomez
•While I understand your frustration, EDD isn't actually trying to deny valid claims - they're just overwhelmed and have automated systems that sometimes flag legitimate transitions incorrectly. The problem is more about their outdated systems not communicating properly between UI and SDI departments. To the original poster: Make sure to submit a formal UI claim closure request (there's an actual form for this) along with your appeal. This helps establish the clear transition timeline and speeds up the processing.
0 coins
NebulaNinja
•Maybe YOUR experience was different but when I went through this they kept giving me different answers every time I called!!! One person said to keep certifying for UI, another said DONT certify, then they lost my medical forms TWICE!!! If that's not trying to deny me I don't know what is!!!!
0 coins
Emma Wilson
my sister went thru this last yr. she had to get her assembly person involved before edd fixed it. maybe try that if appeal takes too long
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•That's a good idea I hadn't considered. How did she contact her assembly person? Did she just call their office?
0 coins
Emma Wilson
•yea she just called local office and they have ppl who deal with edd problems all the time. they got it fixed in like 2 weeks after she was waiting for months
0 coins
Javier Gomez
One thing to remember that many people don't realize: SDI and UI are actually two completely separate programs within EDD with different funding sources, requirements, and even computer systems. This is why you have to formally close one before starting the other. For your appeal, make sure to provide: 1. Medical evidence with clear start date of disability 2. A statement explaining you were unaware of the need to formally close your UI claim 3. Any documentation showing you stopped certifying for UI when your disability began Be very clear about the timeline in your appeal. For example: "I received UI benefits until [date]. My disability began on [date]. I filed for SDI on [date]." Also, while your appeal is pending, make sure you continue certifying for your SDI claim (form DE 2500A) for each two-week period. If your appeal is approved, you'll need these certifications to receive backpay.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
•Thank you for that explanation! I had no idea they were such separate systems. I'll definitely be very clear about the timeline in my appeal. One question though - should I continue filing the DE 2500A forms even though my claim was denied? The denial letter doesn't mention anything about continuing to certify.
0 coins
Javier Gomez
•Yes, absolutely continue filing the DE 2500A forms every two weeks. If your appeal is successful, they'll use these certifications to process your backpay. If you don't continue certifying, you might only get paid from the appeal decision date forward rather than back to your original disability start date. It's a common mistake people make during appeals.
0 coins
Paolo Moretti
wait i'm confusted... is SDI the same as disability? or is that something else? i thought those were diffrent things??
0 coins
Keisha Jackson
•SDI stands for State Disability Insurance, which is California's short-term disability program. When people talk about "disability" in California, they're usually referring to SDI. It's different from the federal SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) program, which is for long-term or permanent disabilities. SDI is for temporary disabilities lasting up to 52 weeks. Hope that clears things up!
0 coins
Paolo Moretti
•oh ok thx for explaining!! i get it now!
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
Update: I tried the Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to EDD this morning! The representative explained that I needed to formally close my UI claim before SDI could process my claim. They helped me file the appropriate forms and said I should submit a new SDI application with updated medical documentation. They also put notes in my file about the situation. They said I should still file an appeal for the denial just to be safe, but that the new application with the UI claim properly closed should go through more smoothly. Thank you everyone for your help! Will update when I hear more.
0 coins
Amina Diop
•Great news! Glad you were able to get through. Make sure to follow up with your doctor to get that updated medical certification for your new application. Keep us posted on how it goes!
0 coins
NebulaNinja
•MAKE SURE you keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit and get the name of EVERY person you talk to!!! They "lose" paperwork all the time!!!
0 coins