Extending my EDD SDI mental health claim - form DE 2525XX confusion and uncooperative doctor

The form is actually DE 2525XX CONTINUED CLAIM CERTIFICATION. You can actually request it through the SDI Online portal under "Forms and Publications" section. Print it out for your doctor to fill out, and the doctor needs to mail it in. The form should be submitted no earlier than 20 days before your current claim ends but before it actually expires. I've been through this 3 times with my back injury. Doctors HATE the paperwork but its their job!!! If he's being difficult, remind him that its his professional obligation to complete disability paperwork. You can also tell him theres a section where he can bill EDD directly for completing the form.

its not called DE 2525XX, its DE 2525XXX (with 3 Xs). easy mistake. ur doctor needs to fill it out saying why u still cant work and how long more u need. EDD also has a phone # for doctors only to ask questions about forms so maybe tell ur doctor about that?

I went through this EXACT situation last year with my anxiety/depression claim. The extension process is so confusing! When my benefits were about to expire, I panicked because I never got any forms in the mail. I finally got through to EDD after calling for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT and they told me I needed to have my doctor submit a new medical certification for the extension period. My psychiatrist was also super annoyed about doing more paperwork (what is it with mental health doctors and paperwork??). Good luck!!!!!

To clarify the confusion: For SDI extensions, you don't typically receive the DE 2525XX form automatically - you need to request it. Here's what needs to happen: 1. YOU need to contact EDD to request the extension form (DE 2525XX) 2. Your DOCTOR needs to complete the form certifying you still can't work 3. The form must be submitted before your current benefit period ends Your doctor is legally required to complete this paperwork - it's part of their job. If they're being difficult, you might need to be firm about your needs or consider finding a more cooperative provider for future claims. The extension request should be submitted 5-10 days before your benefits end. Once approved, there should be no gap in payments if done correctly. Hope this helps!

I tried calling EDD for two weeks straight when I needed my extension and NEVER got through. It was a complete nightmare. The phone system just disconnects you when they're too busy. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. It was honestly worth it just to get the extension sorted out quickly. The agent was able to send the form to me right away and explained exactly what my doctor needed to do.

this whole system is DESIGNED to be confusing so people give up!!!! they dont want 2 pay u so they make everything complicated. i had 2 extension claims last year and BOTH times they "lost" my paperwork and i had to resubmit everything. keep copies of EVERYTHING u send them!!!! dont trust these people!!

Let me clear up the confusion about SDI extension procedures: 1. The form is called "Request for Extension of Disability Benefits" (DE 2525XX) 2. You can request it by: - Calling EDD directly (preferred method) - Asking your doctor to contact EDD - In some cases, requesting through SDI Online 3. Extension timing: Submit the form no earlier than 20 days before your current claim ends and no later than the end date 4. Doctor requirements: Your psychiatrist must provide updated medical information certifying: - Your continued disability - Expected recovery time - Current treatment plan As for uncooperative medical providers - this is unfortunately common with psychiatrists who aren't familiar with disability paperwork. You can: 1. Bring the form to your next appointment and ask them to complete it while you wait 2. Offer to help with the administrative parts (filling in your information) 3. Remind them they can bill EDD for completing disability forms (code DI-310) Best of luck with your extension!

My therapist did the same thing! Said filling out EDD forms wasn't in his job description lol. Mental health providers seem to HATE this paperwork more than regular doctors. I ended up having to switch providers in the middle of my disability claim which was super stressful!

One more important thing - if there's any gap between when your current claim ends and when the extension is approved, you can request retroactive payments for that period. Just make sure your doctor certifies that you were still disabled during that time. I had a 2-week gap last year and was able to get those weeks paid after my extension was approved.

I went through something very similar with my anxiety disorder claim last year. The confusion around the DE 2525XX form is so frustrating - I spent weeks thinking I was supposed to automatically receive it in the mail too! What worked for me was calling EDD early in the morning (around 8:05 AM) right when they opened. The wait times were still long but better than later in the day. When I finally got through, the representative was actually helpful and sent me the form immediately. For dealing with your psychiatrist, I'd suggest bringing up the billing code that others mentioned (DI-310). When I told my doctor they could bill EDD for their time, their attitude completely changed. You could also offer to sit in the waiting room while they complete it - sometimes they're more willing when they don't have to mail things back and forth. One thing that really helped reduce my stress was preparing everything in advance. I filled out all the patient information sections myself before bringing it to my doctor, so they only had to complete the medical portions. This made the whole process much smoother. Hang in there - the system is definitely designed to be overwhelming, but once you get the right form and your doctor cooperates, the extension process moves pretty quickly. Your mental health is the priority right now, so don't let the bureaucracy add more stress than necessary!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my depression/PTSD claim. The whole extension process is incredibly stressful when you're already struggling mentally. A few things that helped me navigate this: 1. **Call EDD at exactly 8:00 AM** - I set multiple alarms and called the second they opened. Still had to wait 45 minutes but got through on my second day trying this method. 2. **Bring cash payment offer to your psychiatrist** - I know this sounds crazy, but when I offered to pay my doctor $50 out of pocket to complete the form immediately during my appointment, they agreed. Sometimes the EDD billing process takes months and they'd rather have immediate payment. 3. **Ask for a "treatment summary letter"** - If your psychiatrist is being really difficult about the official EDD form, ask them to write a simple letter on their letterhead stating your diagnosis, current symptoms, and that you remain unable to work. EDD sometimes accepts these in place of their forms, especially for mental health claims. 4. **Document everything** - I started a simple notebook tracking every phone call, form submission, and conversation. It saved me when EDD claimed they never received my paperwork (they had, I had the tracking number). The system is definitely broken and seems designed to exhaust people into giving up, but you deserve these benefits. Don't let them wear you down! Your mental health recovery is more important than their bureaucratic maze.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the combination of mental health struggles and EDD bureaucracy is absolutely exhausting. I went through a similar nightmare with my anxiety/depression claim extension last year. Here's what I learned that might help you: **Getting the DE 2525XX form:** - Call EDD at exactly 8:00 AM when they open (set multiple alarms!) - Have your claim number and SSN ready - Ask them to email or mail the form immediately - If calling doesn't work, try the SDI Online portal - sometimes the form appears there under "Correspondence" even if it's not in the main forms section **Dealing with your uncooperative psychiatrist:** - Mention the billing code DI-310 - they can bill EDD directly for completing the form - Offer to fill out all the non-medical sections yourself beforehand - Consider offering a small cash payment ($25-50) to complete it during your appointment - If they still refuse, ask for a treatment summary letter on their letterhead as a backup **Timeline tips:** - Submit the extension request 10-15 days before your current benefits end - If there's a gap, you CAN get retroactive payments once approved - Keep copies of EVERYTHING and send via certified mail The most important thing is not to panic. I know it feels overwhelming when you're already struggling mentally, but you WILL get through this. Your benefits are there for a reason, and you deserve support while you recover. Hang in there! ❤️

I'm going through the exact same thing right now with my PTSD/depression claim! The stress of dealing with EDD paperwork when you're already struggling mentally is just cruel. Here's what's worked for me so far: **For getting the DE 2525XX form quickly:** - Try the EDD website chat feature if calling doesn't work - sometimes it's faster than phone - You can also have your doctor's office call the EDD provider line directly (they often get through faster than patients) **For your difficult psychiatrist:** - Print out the EDD fee schedule and show them they can bill $85 for completing disability forms (code DI-310) - Ask if they have a nurse or medical assistant who handles forms - sometimes they're more cooperative than the doctor - If all else fails, consider getting a one-time consultation with a different psychiatrist just for the paperwork **Important timing note:** Submit your extension AT LEAST 2 weeks before your current claim ends if possible. I submitted mine exactly 10 days before and there was still a 3-day gap that caused me major anxiety. The whole system feels designed to make us give up, but don't let them win. Your mental health recovery is valid and you deserve these benefits. Keep advocating for yourself - you've got this! 💪 Also, once you get through this extension, start preparing early for any future ones. The stress gets easier when you know the process.

I completely understand your frustration - I'm currently going through my second SDI extension for anxiety and depression, and the whole process is absolutely overwhelming when you're already struggling mentally. Here's what I've learned that might help: **Getting the DE 2525XX form:** - Call EDD at exactly 8:00 AM when they open (I literally set 5 alarms) - Try the SDI Online portal under "Forms" - sometimes it appears there even when you can't find it elsewhere - As a last resort, your doctor can call the EDD provider line directly to request it **Dealing with uncooperative psychiatrists:** - Tell them about billing code DI-310 - they can bill EDD $85 for completing disability forms - Offer to pre-fill all the patient information sections so they only handle medical parts - Bring the form to your appointment and ask them to complete it while you wait - If they still refuse, ask for a treatment summary letter on their letterhead as backup **Timeline is crucial:** Submit everything at least 14 days before your benefits end. I made the mistake of waiting until the last week once and had a gap that nearly gave me a panic attack. The system feels designed to make us give up, but you deserve these benefits while you recover. Don't let their bureaucratic maze discourage you from getting the support you need. Your mental health comes first! Feel free to message me if you need someone to talk through the process - sometimes having support from someone who's been there makes all the difference.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress on top of your mental health struggles. I went through a similar situation with my bipolar disorder claim extension about 6 months ago, and the combination of EDD bureaucracy and an uncooperative psychiatrist nearly sent me into a complete breakdown. Here's what finally worked for me: **Getting the form:** I had success using the SDI Online portal - log in and check under both "Forms" and "Correspondence" sections. Sometimes the DE 2525XX appears in unexpected places. If that doesn't work, calling at exactly 8:01 AM (not 8:00 - everyone calls then) gave me better luck. **Doctor cooperation:** What changed everything was printing out the EDD provider fee schedule showing they can bill $85 for form completion. I also brought my laptop to my appointment and offered to type while they dictated their responses. This cut the "paperwork burden" down to just answering questions verbally. **Backup plan:** If your psychiatrist continues being difficult, ask them for a simple letter on their letterhead stating your diagnosis, current symptoms, treatment plan, and that you remain unable to work. EDD often accepts these for mental health claims, especially if the letter is detailed about functional limitations. **Timeline:** Submit everything 2+ weeks early if possible. Mental health extensions seem to take longer to process than physical disability claims. The system is absolutely broken for people with mental health conditions. Don't let them make you feel like you're asking for too much - you paid into this system and deserve support while recovering. You've got this! The community here has your back. 💙

I'm currently going through my first SDI extension for anxiety and panic disorder, and reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and eye-opening. The whole process feels so unnecessarily complicated when you're already struggling with mental health issues. A few things I've learned that might add to the great advice already shared: **Alternative contact method:** If calling EDD at 8:00/8:01 AM doesn't work, try using their callback feature if it's available. You can request a callback and they'll call you when an agent is free - this saved my sanity because waiting on hold was triggering my anxiety attacks. **Doctor communication tip:** I found it helpful to email my psychiatrist's office a summary of what forms I needed and why, along with the EDD provider information, BEFORE my appointment. This gave them time to review everything and come prepared rather than being caught off guard during the visit. **Mental health specific consideration:** For those of us with mental health conditions, it might be worth asking your doctor to be extra detailed about functional limitations in their assessment. Things like concentration difficulties, social anxiety, panic attacks, etc. that might not be obvious but directly impact work ability. The support in this community has been incredible to read through. It's so validating to know others understand how overwhelming this process becomes when you're already dealing with mental health challenges. We shouldn't have to fight this hard for benefits we've earned, but at least we can help each other navigate the maze. Hang in there everyone - your recovery matters more than their bureaucracy! 💙