EDD SDI claim stuck in pending limbo - filed 3 weeks ago, returning to work soon!

Three weeks is unfortunately pretty normal these days. Most SDI claims are taking 4-6 weeks for processing in 2025. The system is completely backed up. Since you're returning to work soon, make sure to submit your "Return to Work" certification on SDI Online as soon as you know your exact return date - this helps them finalize your claim amount accurately. If you don't do this right, they might assume you need benefits longer and then hit you with an overpayment notice later.

call at 8:01am EXACTLY when they open!!! thats what i did and only waited 20 mins. if u call even 5 mins later ur doomed lol

I was in the same boat a few months ago with my pregnancy disability claim. What finally worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to an EDD agent. It's a service that basically calls EDD for you and then connects you when they get through to a representative. I was skeptical but it actually worked - got through to someone in about 25 minutes after trying for days on my own. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd They were able to tell me my claim was pending because they needed additional information from my doctor (which no one had bothered to tell me). Once I knew what the issue was, I got it resolved in a few days.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP!!!!! I had to wait NINE WEEKS for my claim to process last year and I called EVERY SINGLE DAY. When I finally got through, they told me it was "just waiting for review" - NO ACTUAL REASON for the delay. They're hoping people just give up and don't get the benefits they're entitled to. It's criminal how they treat disabled workers. After I threatened to call my state representative, magically my claim was processed in 48 hours. FIGHT FOR WHAT'S YOURS!!!

Question - did you get the email confirmation after you submitted your claim? I thought mine was submitted but turns out I never completed the final step and it sat in limbo for weeks before I realized my mistake...

To answer your earlier question - yes, you'll still get paid for the three weeks you were disabled even if you return to work before they finish processing. The important thing is that your doctor certified your disability period accurately on the DE 2501 form. Make sure your return to work date is clearly documented. When your claim is finally processed, you should receive payment for the entire certified disability period minus the 7-day waiting period. Also, the EDD has 14 days to make a determination on your claim by law, but they rarely meet this deadline these days. If it's been more than 14 days, you have grounds to escalate the issue.

i had this exact problem in January my claim was pending for almost a month and i was going crazy cuz i had bills to pay!!! so frustrating. when i finally got thru they said they were waiting on some form from my doctor but NEVER TOLD ME. worth checking if thats your issue too

FYI they don't count weekends for processing time so 3 weeks is really like 15 business days

I HATE the EDD disability system so much. Last year I broke my leg in 3 places and couldn't work for 4 months and they made me jump through so many hoops just to get what I was entitled to. My advice is just keep calling, document everything, and don't give up. The system is designed to wear you down.

One thing that helped me was having my hr department call them. sometimes they can get through better than we can.