EDD SDI waiting period payment question - will I get paid for first week after surgery?

Unfortunately, no. The first week of any SDI claim is an unpaid waiting period by law. You won't get paid for it unless your disability extends beyond 14 days. It sounds like your disability period was exactly 14 days, so the waiting period stays unpaid. Check out the EDD website under 'Waiting Period' if you want to verify this.

the waiting periond is ALWAYS unpaid for sdi claims. thats just how it works. u only get paid starting the 8th day. sorry bout that but thats how the system is set up

This is one of the WORST parts of California's disability system!! They take a full week of benefits from everyone and NEVER pay it unless your claim gets extended beyond what was initially approved. I had the same thing happen with my back surgery last year - lost a whole week of pay (over $1,200 in my case) and there's NOTHING you can do about it. The EDD keeps that money and we're just supposed to deal with it! The whole system is designed to pay out as little as possible!!!

You mentioned your surgery had complications - if your doctor extends your disability period beyond the original two weeks, you should get paid for the entire period including that first week. The waiting period is only waived if your disability continues beyond 14 days. If you think you might need more time off, talk to your doctor about extending your disability certification.

I had a similar situation last year with my knee surgery. If your doctor extends your disability, make sure to file the extension properly with EDD. You'll need to have your doctor submit updated medical certification (Form DE 2501) showing the extended disability period. Once approved, your claim should be recalculated to include payment for the waiting period. I had to call EDD multiple times to make sure this was processed correctly. I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD agent quickly - they have a service that connects you directly instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Worth it to make sure you get all your benefits!

My husband just went through SDI for his shoulder surgery and we had the same confusion! It's weird they don't make this clearer when you apply. We budgeted for the full amount and then were surprised when that first week showed $0. Good luck with your recovery!

One more thing to note - if you end up needing the extension and your doctor certifies for more time, make sure you continue certifying for benefits on SDI Online. A lot of people miss this step and it delays their payments. The system should notify you when it's time to certify for your next period. And keep all documentation from your doctor about the complications and extended recovery time in case there are any questions later.

Hey Sofia! I went through something similar when I had my appendix out last year. The waiting period thing is really frustrating - I had no idea about it either until I saw that $0 for the first week. Since you mentioned complications, definitely talk to your doctor about extending your disability if you're not feeling ready to go back to work. Even if you're feeling better physically, don't rush it - gallbladder surgery recovery can be tricky and you don't want to overdo it. The extension process isn't too complicated, but make sure your doctor is specific about the medical reasons for the extension on the paperwork. Wishing you a smooth recovery!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation, Sofia! The waiting period is definitely one of those things they don't explain well upfront. I went through SDI for a hernia repair a few months ago and had the exact same shock when I saw that $0 for week one. It really does feel unfair when you're already stressed about medical bills and recovery time. Since you mentioned complications and that you might need more time off, I'd definitely encourage you to have that honest conversation with your doctor tomorrow. Don't feel pressured to go back before you're truly ready - your health and full recovery should be the priority. The good news is that if your doctor does extend your disability beyond 14 days total, you'll get paid for that first week retroactively. Keep us posted on how your appointment goes!

I'm really sorry you're going through this, Sofia! The SDI waiting period is such a poorly communicated part of the system - I had no clue about it when I first applied for disability benefits after my car accident last year. It's incredibly frustrating to lose that first week of income when you're already dealing with medical expenses and recovery stress. Since you mentioned complications from your gallbladder surgery, please don't feel pressured to return to work before you're genuinely ready. I made that mistake and ended up extending my recovery time because I pushed myself too hard too soon. If your doctor does extend your disability beyond the initial 2 weeks, that waiting period will become payable, which would be a huge relief for your financial situation. Take care of yourself first - your body needs time to heal properly, especially with complications involved. Hoping your follow-up appointment goes well tomorrow!

Hey Sofia! I just went through the exact same thing with my wisdom teeth surgery a couple months ago. That waiting period really is a shock when you're not expecting it! I totally understand the frustration - losing a week's pay when you're already dealing with medical bills is rough. Since you mentioned complications and might need more time off, definitely be completely honest with your doctor tomorrow about how you're feeling. Don't downplay any pain or fatigue you're still experiencing. If they do extend your disability beyond the original 2 weeks, you'll get that first week paid retroactively which would be such a relief. I learned the hard way that it's way better to take the time you actually need to heal properly rather than rushing back and potentially making things worse. The financial stress is real, but your health and recovery should come first. Keep us updated on how your appointment goes - we're all rooting for you!

Sofia, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusion on top of recovering from surgery! I went through the same shock with the waiting period when I had my thyroid surgery last fall. It really is frustrating that they don't make this clearer upfront. The good news is that since you mentioned complications and might need more recovery time, if your doctor extends your disability beyond 14 total days, you'll get that first week paid retroactively. At your appointment tomorrow, be completely honest about your pain levels and energy - don't try to be a hero! I made that mistake initially and it definitely prolonged my recovery. Also, if you do get an extension, make sure to keep checking SDI Online for certification requirements. The system can be glitchy about notifications. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping your appointment goes well tomorrow!