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!