EDD SDI disqualification despite psychologist certification - how to appeal with lost notice?

You definitely need to find out the reason for disqualification before filing an appeal. This is crucial because the reason will determine what evidence you need to submit. It could be anything from missing certification deadlines to EDD questioning the medical documentation or duration of disability. Call EDD directly and request the specific reason. Make sure to have your mom's authorization to speak on her behalf (they'll likely need her to confirm this during the call). When you call, ask them to resend the disqualification notice as well.

my mom got disqulified 2 and we just called and had them tell us why over the phone. they said sumthing bout her doctor not filling out form right. just call them its easier

YOU HAVE 30 DAYS TO APPEAL FROM THE DATE OF THE NOTICE!! Not 30 days from when you found out about it! This exact thing happened to me last year with my disability claim and I missed the deadline because the notice went to my old address. EDD doesn't care - if you miss the deadline, you're basically screwed unless you can prove you never received the notice which is almost IMPOSSIBLE to do. Drop everything and call them RIGHT NOW!!!

Sounds like you need to get through to EDD ASAP. I had a similar issue with getting disqualified while my doctor was still certifying my disability. In my case, it turned out that my doctor's certification indicated some improvement, and EDD interpreted that as me being able to return to work (even though my doctor still said I couldn't). The appeal deadline is typically 30 days from the date on the notice of determination. However, there are exceptions for "good cause" if you missed the deadline, which could include your mom's cognitive issues. Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to EDD? I was getting disconnected constantly until I found their service at claimyr.com - they got me connected to an EDD representative in less than 30 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Once you get through, ask them for: 1. The specific reason for disqualification 2. The date of the determination notice 3. A copy of the determination to be sent again 4. The deadline for appeal based on the original notice date If you've missed the deadline, ask about filing a DE 6315 for additional time to appeal based on your mom's mental health condition.

Wait am I understanding this right? Your mom's psychologist is submitting paperwork for a mental health disability? I thought only medical doctors could certify disability claims? My friend tried to use her therapist and got denied because they said it had to be an MD.

I went through something similar with my SDI claim for anxiety/depression last year. The issue turned out to be that even though my doctor was still certifying me as disabled, EDD has internal guidelines about the expected duration of certain conditions. After a certain point, they started questioning if I should be transitioned to long-term disability through my employer instead of SDI. When you do reach EDD, make sure you ask specifically if they're questioning the duration of the disability. If that's the case, you'll need additional documentation from the psychologist addressing why the condition is still preventing work but hasn't improved as expected. Sometimes they need more detailed justification as time goes on. For the appeal itself, you'll need to submit form DE 1000A, the Appeal Form. The psychologist should write a detailed letter explaining the ongoing nature of the disability and why your mom still cannot work. Also, gather any treatment records showing she's been actively getting treatment throughout this period. Did the benefits just stop, or did you receive any communication at all before they stopped?

Has ANYONE had success actually getting through to EDD lately??? I've been trying for WEEKS and either get disconnected or told to call back later. It's absolutely INSANE that they can just cut people off without proper notification and then make it impossible to reach them!!!

I work in mental health, and I've seen several patients face similar issues with SDI claims for psychological conditions. One thing to be aware of is that EDD sometimes flags cases where the certification language remains identical month after month. The psychologist should be providing updated assessments that reflect any changes (even minor ones) in symptoms, treatment response, and functional limitations. Also, after about 3-4 months of SDI benefits for mental health conditions, EDD often reviews cases more carefully to determine if the person might qualify for long-term disability instead. This might be what happened with your mother's case. Regarding the appeal, you should request a copy of her entire claim file from EDD. You have a right to this information. The file will contain all doctor certifications, notes from EDD staff, and the specific reason for disqualification. This is crucial information for preparing an effective appeal.

Just to follow up on the appeal deadline information - you may still be able to appeal even if the 30-day deadline has passed. California allows for "good cause" exceptions, and cognitive impairment related to the disability itself is often considered valid good cause. You'll need to file form DE 6315 "Request for Additional Time to Appeal" along with the regular appeal form (DE 1000A). Explain in detail how her cognitive issues affected her ability to process and respond to the disqualification notice. Include a supporting letter from her psychologist confirming these cognitive limitations and how they impact daily functioning, especially tasks like mail management and understanding complex documents. I've seen many successful late appeals when legitimate health issues were the cause of the delay. Don't give up hope if you've missed the deadline!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now with my partner's SDI claim. One thing I learned from our experience is that you should also check if your mom received any requests for additional medical information that might have been missed. Sometimes EDD sends follow-up forms requesting updated medical records or clarification from the doctor, and if those aren't returned within their timeframe, they automatically disqualify the claim. When you call EDD, specifically ask if they sent any DE 2501 forms (Request for Medical Information) or other medical documentation requests that weren't responded to. This is different from the regular certification forms her psychologist has been submitting. Also, make sure to document every call you make to EDD - date, time, who you spoke with, and what they told you. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you need to file a formal complaint or escalate the issue later. Good luck getting through to them!

I'm so sorry you're going through this frustrating situation with your mom's SDI claim. Based on what you've described, I'd strongly recommend taking a two-pronged approach: call EDD immediately to get the disqualification reason AND start preparing appeal paperwork simultaneously in case you're running up against the deadline. A few things that haven't been mentioned yet that might help: 1. When you call EDD, ask specifically if they have your mom's current mailing address on file. Sometimes disqualifications happen because notices are going to old addresses, especially if she moved recently. 2. Request that they flag her account for "cognitive impairment accommodation" - this can help ensure future communications are clearer and they may be more flexible with deadlines. 3. If her psychologist has been submitting the same certification language repeatedly, that could be a red flag for EDD. They want to see evidence of ongoing treatment and detailed functional assessments, not just "still disabled." 4. Check if your mom is approaching the maximum SDI benefit period (52 weeks). Sometimes people get disqualified because they're hitting benefit limits, not because of medical reasons. The cognitive issues you mentioned could actually work in your favor for a late appeal if needed. Document everything about how her condition affects her ability to manage paperwork and understand complex notices. This creates a strong foundation for either a timely appeal or a good cause exception for a late appeal. Don't lose hope - these situations can often be resolved with persistence and proper documentation!

I went through almost the exact same situation with my sister's SDI claim last year. She has bipolar disorder and her psychiatrist had been certifying her consistently, but then benefits just stopped in month 5 with no clear explanation. After finally getting through to EDD (took about 2 weeks of calling), we found out that they had sent a DE 2501 requesting additional medical records to an old address, and when it wasn't returned, they automatically disqualified her. The frustrating part was that her regular certifications were still being processed fine - this was a separate request that got lost in the mail. Here's what worked for us: We filed both the regular appeal (DE 1000A) AND the request for additional time (DE 6315) at the same time, explaining how her condition affects her ability to manage paperwork. We also had her psychiatrist write a very detailed letter explaining not just that she couldn't work, but specifically HOW her symptoms (concentration issues, memory problems, executive functioning deficits) made it impossible for her to handle complex bureaucratic processes. The appeal was successful, and they reinstated her benefits retroactively. The key was having the doctor be very specific about functional limitations rather than just saying "unable to work." Don't give up - these cognitive/organizational issues that come with mental health conditions are exactly the kind of "good cause" that EDD recognizes for missed deadlines. Just make sure everything is thoroughly documented.

I'm so sorry your family is dealing with this stressful situation. As someone who has navigated SDI appeals before, I want to emphasize a few crucial points that others have touched on: First, definitely call EDD immediately using the timing strategies mentioned (right at 8 AM, mid-week). When you call, have a list ready of specific questions: the exact reason for disqualification, whether any additional forms like DE 2501 were sent, what address they have on file, and the original notice date for appeal deadline calculation. Second, even if you've missed the 30-day deadline, don't panic. Your mom's cognitive issues from her mental health condition are legitimate grounds for a "good cause" late appeal exception. The fact that organizing paperwork is part of her disability symptoms works strongly in your favor. Third, I'd suggest contacting her psychologist immediately to discuss updating the certification language. EDD often flags cases where the medical language remains identical month after month. The doctor should provide detailed functional assessments showing specific limitations like difficulty with concentration, memory, executive functioning, and yes - managing complex paperwork and bureaucratic processes. Finally, start gathering documentation now while you're trying to reach EDD. Get her complete medical records, have the psychologist prepare a detailed letter about functional limitations, and document how her cognitive symptoms affect daily tasks like mail management. This situation is fixable, but time is critical. You're being a great advocate for your mom by seeking help here and taking action quickly.

I'm really sorry to hear about your mom's situation - dealing with unexpected SDI disqualifications is incredibly stressful, especially when mental health conditions are involved. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like you have a solid plan forming. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: when you do get through to EDD, ask them to put a "hold" or "pending review" status on the case while you're gathering appeal documentation. Sometimes they can temporarily pause any further action on the disqualification while you're actively working to resolve it. This might buy you a little extra time if you're close to deadlines. Also, consider reaching out to your local disability rights organization or legal aid society. Many offer free consultations for SDI appeals, and they're often very familiar with the specific documentation EDD requires for mental health conditions. They might be able to review your appeal paperwork before submission to make sure everything is as strong as possible. You're doing everything right by acting quickly and gathering information. The combination of your mom's consistent medical certification plus the cognitive issues affecting her ability to manage paperwork should create a strong foundation for either a timely appeal or good cause exception. Keep us updated on how the call with EDD goes - this community is really supportive and many of us have been through similar battles with the system.