Filing for UI after SDI benefits exhaust - how to answer 'Date Last Worked' and separation reason?

i went thru this last year after my pregancy disability. put the actual last day u worked before disability for the date last worked question. for the reason put Laid Off bc thats basically what happened if ur position is gone

Thanks! The Laid Off option makes sense since the position isn't there anymore. Did they contact your employer to verify?

You're in what's called a \

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! This makes perfect sense. I'll use \

When I went from disability to unemployment after my surgery, EDD kept rejecting my application because I put the wrong date!!!! I put the date my disability ended instead of my actual last day of work before disability. HUGE HEADACHE. Took me 3 weeks of calling to fix it. Make sure you put your last actual working day before disability started!!!!

Oh wow, that's good to know! I'll definitely use my last physical work day from October. Did you have to call them multiple times to get it sorted out?

YES! Called like 20 times and kept getting disconnected! So frustrating. FINALLY got through to someone who fixed it, but my payments were delayed by almost a month. Don't make my mistake!!!

I had a really similar situation in January. I used up my disability after surgery and then needed UI. I spent DAYS trying to get through to EDD to ask these exact questions and kept getting disconnected or waiting forever.\n\nI finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They have this service that calls EDD for you and gets you connected with an agent. They even have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd\n\nThe agent I spoke with confirmed I needed to use my original last day worked before disability, and for the reason, they told me to use \

does that claimyr thing actually work? ive been trying to get thru to edd for 2 weeks about my disability extension

Yeah, it worked for me. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for days on my own. Got through to an actual person who could help with my claim questions. Worth it to avoid the endless calling and hanging up cycle.

You're getting mostly correct information but I want to clarify one thing. When transitioning from SDI to UI, your claim is evaluated differently than a standard UI claim. If your position was eliminated while you were on disability, this is considered a \

This is super helpful. I do have my doctor's release form stating I'm cleared to return to work with minor lifting restrictions (nothing over 50 lbs). Should I upload this with my initial application or wait until they request it during the phone interview?

Upload it with your initial application if there's an option to do so. Otherwise, have it ready for the phone interview. The more documentation you provide upfront, the smoother the process usually goes. The lifting restriction shouldn't be an issue for UI eligibility as long as you're able to perform work in your usual occupation or are willing to accept suitable alternative work.

Anybody know how long the waiting period is between ending SDI and starting UI? Do you have to wait a week like with regular unemployment or is it different when coming off disability?

Yes, the standard one-week waiting period for UI still applies even when transitioning from SDI. This means you won't be paid UI benefits for the first week you're eligible. The waiting period is a separate requirement from the base period earnings qualification, and it applies to all UI claims regardless of whether you're coming off disability or not.

its stupid they dont have a special option for ppl coming off disability! like this must happen all the time right??? edd is so confusing

RIGHT?? The whole system is designed to be as confusing as possible! And forget trying to talk to an actual person to get help. It's like they WANT people to make mistakes on their applications.

One more important thing to note: When you transition from SDI to UI, the base period for your UI claim is determined differently. \n\nTypically, the base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. However, if your disability affected this period, you might qualify for a \

I had no idea about this! My disability started in October 2024, so that would definitely affect my base period. I'll make sure to ask about the special base period calculation. That could make a big difference in my weekly amount.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - just got cleared to return to work after 5 months on SDI for a knee injury, but my company downsized while I was out. Reading through all these responses is so helpful! Quick question for anyone who's been through this - did EDD ask for any documentation proving your position was eliminated while you were on disability? Like a letter from HR or something? I want to make sure I have everything ready before I submit my application. Also @Lim Wong - definitely listen to everyone about using your actual last work day from October. That seems to be the mistake that causes the most headaches based on what people are saying here.