EDD SDI denied after Workers' Comp case closed - how to prove eligibility?

You need to file an appeal immediately! There's a form called DE 1000M 'Appeal Form' you need to complete. You only have 30 days from the date of the denial notice to submit it. Include copies (not originals) of your Workers' Comp case closure documents and a letter from your doctor stating your current disability status. The appeal process can take 30-60 days, so the sooner you get it in, the better.

this happnd to my cousin last yr... he said calling was useless, took him 3 weeks to even talk to anyone!!! his case got fixed when he finally went in person to the office tho

Call EDD immediately! I had a similar situation but mine was Workers' Comp to Paid Family Leave. The problem is that their system automatically flags and denies claims when it sees Workers' Comp in your history without human review. You need to get a real person to review your case and update your status. But good luck getting through on the phone - I spent TWO WEEKS calling every day, multiple times a day, and kept getting disconnected or told to call back later. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Once I got through to someone, they were able to override the automatic denial after I explained my situation and they verified my Workers' Comp case was closed. The agent told me they see this happen all the time and it's a known issue with their system.

You absolutely need to appeal this decision. This is a common misunderstanding that happens when transitioning from Workers' Compensation to SDI. The key is to understand that these are separate benefit systems with different eligibility requirements. Here's what you need to do: 1. File the appeal using form DE 1000M within the 30-day deadline 2. Include documentation showing your Workers' Comp case closure (settlement documents, closure letter, etc.) 3. Get an updated medical certification (form DE 2501) from your doctor clearly stating: - Your current disability prevents you from performing your regular work - The disability is ongoing despite Workers' Comp case closure - The expected duration of your current disability Meanwhile, you might want to apply for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) since you mentioned your disability is permanent. SDI is only temporary (up to 52 weeks), while SSDI is for long-term/permanent disabilities. I've worked with several clients who successfully made this transition, but it does require proper documentation and persistence.

eVERYONE here is givng you BAD ADVICE!! You should have applied for UI not SDI!! If workers comp is done you need unemployment not disability!!! The EDD lady told me this when i had same problem

I went through almost the exact same situation in 2023!!! It's so frustrating how they don't explain this stuff anywhere. Here's what worked for me: 1) I appealed online through my SDI account using the appeals option (yes, you can do it online) 2) I also called over and over until I finally got through (took 2 days of constant redialing) 3) The rep who finally answered told me to upload my Workers' Comp closure documents directly to my SDI account 4) I had my doctor fill out a NEW certification form specifically stating that my disability continued after Workers' Comp ended It took about 3 weeks, but they eventually approved my claim AND gave me retroactive payments from when the Workers' Comp ended. Don't give up! The system is confusing but if you're truly eligible they will approve you eventually.

Quick question - when did your Workers' Comp case close exactly? There's a rule about applying for SDI within a certain timeframe after Workers' Comp ends. I think it's 30 or 60 days, but I can't remember exactly.

my friend had the same issue and she just kept calling and eventually got someone who fixed it for her. its prob just a simple computer error in their system. good luck!!!

I agree with the others - you definitely need to appeal this decision right away. I was in a similar situation except my workers comp case was denied entirely and then I had to apply for SDI after the fact. The whole system is so confusing and nobody tells you what to do next. It's like they want you to give up! I also faced some challenges getting through on the phone. The EDD phone system is completely overwhelmed and it's virtually impossible to speak with someone. After trying for days, I finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connected me to an EDD representative in about 15 minutes. They have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Best money I've spent in a long time considering I was about to lose my mind hitting redial for hours every day.

One more important thing - make sure you continue certifying your disability with your doctor even while your appeal is pending. Get your doctor to keep submitting the ongoing certification forms every 1-3 months (depending on what they initially indicated for your disability duration). This creates a continuous record of your disability that will help your case.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the transition from Workers' Comp to SDI is unnecessarily complicated and EDD's system doesn't handle it well. Based on everyone's advice here, I'd recommend a multi-pronged approach: 1. File that appeal ASAP (you still have time!) - include all your Workers' Comp closure documents 2. Try calling EDD early Monday morning (7:30-8:00 AM seems to be the best time) 3. If calling doesn't work, definitely consider going to your local office in person The most important thing is getting a human to actually look at your case instead of relying on their automated system. Your situation is completely legitimate - you had a work injury, received Workers' Comp, that ended, and now you need SDI for ongoing disability. This is exactly what the system is supposed to handle. Don't let them discourage you! Keep all your documentation organized and be persistent. The fact that you applied within two weeks of your Workers' Comp ending shows you followed the rules correctly.