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NeonNomad

EDD SDI extension processing time? Dad's form DE2525XX sent 2 weeks ago - no response

My father has been on disability since December and his benefits are about to run out. His doctor said he needs at least 3 more months of recovery time from his back surgery complications, so I helped him submit the extension form (DE2525XX) about two weeks ago. We mailed it directly to the EDD office as instructed by his doctor's office. I'm starting to get worried because we haven't received ANY confirmation that they even got the paperwork. My dad is stressing about his finances and it's affecting his recovery. How long does it typically take for EDD to process extension requests that are sent by mail? Should I have submitted it online instead? Is there a way to check the status of the extension request? I'm trying to help him navigate this but I'm completely lost and need advice!

Extensions by mail can take 10-14 business days to even show up in their system, and then another 1-2 weeks for processing. The DE2525XX form is specifically for extending SDI benefits, so you submitted the correct form. You should see something in his SDI Online account soon - has he checked there? Sometimes the status will update online before any mail arrives.

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NeonNomad

Author

Thanks for responding! I checked his SDI Online account yesterday and there's nothing showing up about the extension request. It still just shows his current claim that ends next week. Is there a specific section where extension requests appear? I'm worried it got lost in the mail.

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my mom went thru the same thing last yr. took like 3 weeks b4 anything showed up online & almost 5 weeks total b4 they approved it. super stressful time for her. hang in there!

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NeonNomad

Author

5 weeks?! That's so long to wait when there's bills to pay. Did your mom call them at all during that time or just wait it out?

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The EDD disability extension process is notoriously slow right now. I'm a medical office admin and we've been seeing 3-4 week delays minimum on all mail-submitted forms since January 2025. Their backlog is ridiculous. For future reference, your dad's doctor could have submitted the DE2525XX electronically through SDI Online if they're set up for it - much faster processing time (usually 7-10 days). At this point though, I'd recommend trying to get through to an EDD representative to confirm they at least received the form. Unfortunately, their phone system is just as backed up as their mail processing.

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NeonNomad

Author

I wish I had known about the electronic submission option! His doctor gave us the paper form and told us to mail it, so we just followed their instructions. I'll definitely try calling to check if they received it, though I've heard the wait times are horrible. Thanks for the insight!

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Try calling right when they open at 8am!!! That's what I did and I only had to wait 25 minutes instead of hours. Extensions are taking forever right now, my husband's took 6 weeks last month and his benefits ran out before the extension was approved. The most frustrating part was they backdated it once approved, but we still had to figure out how to pay bills during the gap.

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NeonNomad

Author

That's a good tip about calling right at 8am. Did your husband have to reapply for benefits after they lapsed or did the extension just continue automatically once it was approved? I'm worried about my dad having a gap in income too.

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bro they lost my paperwork TWICE when i tried to extend my disability last year. i had to submit everything three times before they finally processed it. EDD is a joke honestly

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This isn't helpful. While EDD can definitely have processing issues, most extension forms are processed successfully, just with delays. The system is overwhelmed but generally works. Let's not unnecessarily worry the OP by suggesting their form was lost when it's more likely just in the processing queue.

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I had EXACTLY this situation with my wife's extension in February. The DE2525XX form was sitting somewhere at EDD for almost 3 weeks with no update online. I finally got through to someone who confirmed they had received it but it was waiting to be scanned into the system. The most frustrating part was trying to reach a human being - I spent 4 days calling repeatedly and getting disconnected or told to call back later due to high call volume. I finally tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) after someone on this forum recommended it. They got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Once I actually talked to someone, they were able to verify receipt of the form and escalate it for processing. The extension was approved the following week.

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NeonNomad

Author

Thank you for sharing this! I've been dreading making those calls because everyone talks about how impossible it is to get through. I'll check out that service if I don't see any updates in the next few days. Did you need any specific information from your wife's account when you finally got through to an agent?

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Yes, make sure you have your dad's Social Security number, claim ID number (should be on any correspondence from EDD), and the date the extension form was submitted. Also have the DE2525XX form number handy - they'll ask for that specifically. And make sure your dad adds you as an authorized representative if you're going to call on his behalf!

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Since it's been two weeks, I would definitely try to contact EDD directly. If your father sees his primary doctor again before the extension is processed, ask if they can check if the extension form was properly submitted from their end. Sometimes medical providers can verify if forms were sent and received through their system. Also, I recommend you help your father prepare financially for a possible gap in benefits. While extensions are typically backdated once approved, there can be 2-4 weeks where no payments are issued. It's better to have a contingency plan just in case.

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NeonNomad

Author

That's great advice about checking with his doctor. He has an appointment next week so I'll definitely ask about that. We're already looking at financial options to cover a potential gap. His retirement savings are almost depleted from the first round of disability, so it's getting really stressful. Thank you for your help!

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dont doctors offices do these forms online now?? my brothers doctor did his extension thing all online and it only took like a week to process. maybe ur dads doctor is old school??

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Many doctors' offices do submit these electronically now, but not all providers are set up with the SDI Online system for direct submission. It depends on the practice and whether they've registered for the EDD's provider portal. Paper submissions are still very common, especially with smaller or older medical practices.

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Based on current EDD processing times (as of June 2025), here's what you should expect: 1. Mail processing: 7-10 business days for the form to be opened and scanned into their system 2. Initial review: 3-5 business days for assignment to a claims examiner 3. Verification process: 5-7 business days for them to verify medical information 4. Decision: 2-3 business days to approve or deny the extension So in total, you're looking at approximately 17-25 business days (3-5 weeks) from when they receive the form to when a decision is made. Since you're at the two-week mark, the form is likely in their system but still in the early stages of processing. I strongly recommend calling the EDD Disability Branch directly at 1-800-480-3287 to confirm receipt. Ask specifically for the "extension unit" when you get through. Prepare for a long wait time, but it's worth knowing they have the paperwork.

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NeonNomad

Author

This timeline breakdown is incredibly helpful, thank you! At least now I have a better idea of what to expect. I'll try calling them tomorrow morning to check on the status. Is there any specific information I should have ready when I call besides his claim number and SSN?

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Yes, also have: - The exact date the form was mailed - Your father's current claim end date - The physician's name and license number (if you have it) - The date range requested for the extension - Any confirmation number you might have received when submitting Also, make sure your father has authorized you to speak on his behalf. There should be a form for this (DE 2501A - Authorization for Disclosure of Information). If you don't have this on file, your father may need to be present during the call to give verbal authorization.

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I went through this exact situation with my mom last year! The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're watching benefits about to expire. Here's what helped us get through it: First, don't panic about the 2-week timeline - that's actually pretty normal for mail submissions. The DE2525XX forms seem to sit in their mail processing queue for weeks before showing any online status updates. A few practical tips that worked for us: - Set up alerts on his SDI Online account to get email notifications the moment anything changes - Document everything - keep copies of the mailed form, tracking info if you used certified mail, dates of doctor visits, etc. - If his benefits do lapse before the extension processes, start gathering documentation for any financial hardship this causes (medical bills, pharmacy receipts, etc.) since they sometimes offer expedited processing for genuine hardship cases The good news is that once approved, they backdate the payments to cover any gap period. We ended up getting a lump sum payment that covered the 3 weeks we were without income. Your dad is lucky to have you helping him navigate this system - it's overwhelming even when you're not dealing with recovery from surgery. Hang in there, and definitely try that early morning calling strategy others mentioned. It really does make a difference!

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