How long between EDD SDI payments? Second payment delay after 3 weeks
I got my first disability payment on February 2nd (took about 10 days after filing), but I'm still waiting on my second payment and it's been over 3 weeks now! I submitted my continuing certification form on time through SDI Online on February 21st. The website shows my certification as 'received' but no payment has been processed. Is this normal? My doctor has already submitted all the required medical documentation for my back injury (work-related herniated disc), and I'm supposed to be on disability for at least 4 months. I'm getting worried because rent is due next week and I've already used most of my savings to cover medical expenses. Does anyone know how long the gap between payments usually is? I tried calling EDD but just get the automated system saying they're experiencing high call volume.
28 comments


Mohammed Khan
Second payments shouldn't take that long if everything is in order. The standard processing time is 7-10 days after they receive your certification. Have you checked your SDI Online account to see if there are any pending issues or notifications? Sometimes they'll flag a certification for review but won't tell you directly - you have to look in your account for a message or status change. Also, make sure you completed all sections of the DE 2502 continuing certification form correctly - one missing field can stall the whole process.
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Ella Russell
•Thanks, I just checked and don't see any flags or issues in my account. Everything still shows as 'received' with no other status. I'm pretty sure I filled out the certification correctly... is there someone specific I should ask for when I call? The automated system is impossible to get through!
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Gavin King
my second payment took like a month cuz they randomly decided to "review" my claim. didnt even tell me, i had to call like 20 times to find out. super frustrating!!!! they mite be doing the same to u
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Ella Russell
•Ugh, that's exactly what I'm afraid of! Did they eventually resolve it? Did you have to provide additional documentation?
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Gavin King
•yea it got fixed but only after i FINALLY got thru to someone. they said something about needing "additional verification" but turns out they just hadnt processed it. once i talked to someone it was fixed in like 2 days!
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Nathan Kim
I had this EXACT issue last month! The system is completely broken right now. My first payment came right on time, then nothing for almost 4 weeks despite submitting my certification forms correctly. I finally got through to an EDD representative after using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they have this service that gets you connected to an actual human at EDD without waiting all day. There's even a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Turns out they had my claim flagged for "medical review" but never notified me. The EDD rep pushed it through when I finally reached someone. Got paid 2 days later. Worth trying if you're getting desperate!
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Eleanor Foster
•Does that Claimyr thing really work? I've been trying to reach EDD for 2 weeks about my disability claim.
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Nathan Kim
•Yeah, it actually worked for me. I was skeptical but got connected to EDD in like 25 minutes after trying for days on my own. The rep told me they're dealing with a huge backlog right now, especially for second payments because they're reviewing more claims than usual.
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Lucas Turner
For accuracy's sake, I want to clarify a few things about EDD SDI payment timing: 1. First payments typically process in 7-14 days if there are no issues with your claim. 2. Subsequent payments should process within 7-10 days after your certification is received, BUT there are several reasons they can be delayed: - Random claim reviews (happening more frequently in 2025) - Discrepancies between your reported information and your doctor's certification - System flags for claims with specific medical conditions or industries (back injuries from certain job types often get extra scrutiny) - Administrative backlogs (which fluctuate throughout the year) 3. Important: If it's been more than 14 days since your certification was received, you should definitely contact EDD. The "received" status without movement to "processing" or "paid" for more than 14 days usually indicates your claim is stuck somewhere in their system. One tip: When you call, specifically ask if your claim has been selected for review or if there are any "stop payments" on your account. Those are the terms the representatives use internally.
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Ella Russell
•Thank you so much for this detailed information! It's been 21 days now since my certification was received, so something is definitely wrong. I'm going to try calling again tomorrow morning and specifically ask about reviews and stop payments. I didn't know back injuries got extra scrutiny but that could explain it.
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Kai Rivera
I went through something similar last year but for me it turned out I had accidentally checked the box saying I returned to work part-time on my certification form. Double-check that you didn't make any errors like that - even small mistakes can cause major delays! Also, I found that calling right when they open (8am) gives you the best chance of getting through.
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Anna Stewart
actually sometimes they skip weeks if they think you're getting better?? happened to my cousin. her disability was for anxiety/depression and they randomly decided she was better even tho her doctor said she wasn't! she had to get her doctor to send in another form saying she still needed disability. check if maybe that happened???
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Mohammed Khan
•That's not how SDI works. They don't randomly decide you're better or skip payments. What likely happened with your cousin is that her medical certification had an end date, and she needed her doctor to extend the disability period with additional documentation. EDD requires ongoing medical certification to continue payments. This is completely different from "skipping weeks" or EDD deciding someone is better.
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Ella Russell
UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! Turns out my claim was flagged for review because my employer submitted information that didn't match exactly what my doctor submitted (different estimated return-to-work date). The representative removed the hold and said I should receive payment within 48 hours. She also mentioned they're understaffed right now and reviews are taking longer than usual. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
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Lucas Turner
•Glad you got it resolved! This is actually a common issue - when your employer's information doesn't align with your medical provider's information, it triggers an automatic review. For anyone else reading this in the future, always make sure your doctor and employer are communicating the same timeline for your disability. And yes, reviews that used to take 3-5 days are now taking 14-21 days due to staffing issues at EDD.
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Nathan Kim
•Great news! How did you finally get through to them? Did you try early morning calling or something else?
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Ella Russell
•I actually used that Claimyr service that you mentioned! Was connected to someone in about 35 minutes. Totally worth it since I'd already wasted hours trying to get through on my own.
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Toot-n-Mighty
So glad you got this resolved! This is a perfect example of why it's so important to keep calling until you reach someone. For anyone else dealing with similar delays, here are a few key takeaways from your experience: 1. Mismatched information between your employer and doctor is a common trigger for reviews 2. The "received" status staying unchanged for 3+ weeks is definitely a red flag 3. EDD won't proactively notify you about most review holds - you have to call to find out 4. Current review times are much longer than normal due to staffing issues Your situation also highlights why it's worth investing in services like Claimyr when you're dealing with urgent financial needs. Sometimes that small cost is worth it to avoid weeks of uncertainty, especially when rent and bills are due. Thanks for updating us - it really helps others in similar situations!
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NebulaKnight
•This is such helpful information! I'm new to this community and going through my first disability claim experience. It's really reassuring to see how supportive everyone is here and how willing people are to share their experiences. The point about mismatched employer/doctor information is especially valuable - I never would have thought to check that both parties were providing consistent timelines. Thanks for taking the time to summarize the key lessons from Ella's situation. It gives me confidence that if I run into issues with my claim, there are real solutions and people here who understand the process!
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Miguel Silva
Welcome to the community, NebulaKnight! This is definitely one of the most helpful groups I've found for navigating EDD disability claims. Ella's situation is unfortunately pretty common - I went through something similar last year where my claim got stuck in review limbo for almost a month. The community here really helped me understand what questions to ask when I finally got through to EDD. One thing I'd add to the great advice already shared: keep detailed notes of every call attempt, including dates and times you tried calling. If you do end up needing to escalate your case, having that documentation can be helpful. Also, don't hesitate to ask questions here - everyone's been through the stress of waiting for disability payments and people are genuinely helpful about sharing what they've learned. Good luck with your claim!
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Ethan Taylor
•Thank you so much, Miguel! That's really great advice about keeping detailed notes of call attempts - I hadn't thought about the importance of documentation if things need to be escalated. I'm actually in the early stages of my claim right now (just submitted my initial application last week), but reading through Ella's experience and everyone's responses has given me a much better understanding of what to watch out for. It's such a relief to find a community where people actually understand how stressful and confusing the EDD process can be. I'll definitely be active here and ask questions if I run into any issues. Thanks for the warm welcome!
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Amara Okonkwo
This whole thread is so helpful for understanding the EDD disability payment process! I'm currently dealing with my first disability claim and seeing how everyone supported Ella through her situation gives me hope. The key points about mismatched employer/doctor information and the importance of persistence in calling really stand out to me. I'm saving this discussion as a reference in case I run into similar delays. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate such a stressful system. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!
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Sara Unger
•I completely agree, Amara! As someone who's also new to this community and the whole EDD disability process, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. The fact that Ella got such detailed, practical advice from everyone really shows how valuable this community is. I'm especially grateful for the specific tips like asking about "stop payments" and "claim reviews" when calling EDD - those insider terms could save so much time and frustration. It's reassuring to know that even when the system seems broken or unresponsive, there are people here who've been through it and can guide you toward solutions. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread too! Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive environment for people dealing with these challenges.
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Nia Thompson
As someone who just joined this community and is about to start my own disability claim journey, I can't express how valuable this entire discussion has been! Seeing Ella's situation unfold from initial frustration to resolution, and witnessing the incredible support and practical advice from everyone here, really gives me confidence that I'm in the right place for guidance. The specific tips about checking for mismatched employer/doctor information, using the right terminology when calling EDD ("stop payments" and "claim reviews"), and the reality that reviews are taking much longer due to staffing issues - this is exactly the kind of insider knowledge that you can't find in official EDD documentation. I'm particularly impressed by how Lucas and Mohammed provided such detailed, accurate information, and how helpful the Claimyr recommendation turned out to be for both Ella and Nathan. This community clearly understands that behind every claim number is a real person dealing with financial stress and uncertainty. Thank you all for creating such a supportive environment - I know I'll be referring back to this thread and will definitely ask questions here as I navigate my own claim process!
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Carmen Flores
•Welcome to the community, Nia! Your comment really captures what makes this group so special - the way everyone comes together to share practical, real-world knowledge that you just can't get from official sources. As another newcomer who's been lurking and learning from discussions like this one, I'm constantly amazed by how generous people are with their time and expertise here. The fact that Ella came back to update everyone on her resolution really shows the collaborative spirit of this community. I'm also starting my disability claim process soon and feel so much more prepared after reading through everyone's experiences and advice. It's comforting to know that when (not if!) I hit bumps along the way, there are people here who truly understand the stress and can offer concrete solutions. Looking forward to learning alongside you and hopefully being able to pay it forward to future newcomers once we get through our own claims!
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TommyKapitz
This thread has been such an incredible resource! As someone brand new to both this community and the EDD disability system, I'm blown away by the level of support and practical knowledge shared here. Ella's experience really illustrates how confusing and stressful the process can be, but also shows that persistence and the right information can lead to resolution. The insights about mismatched employer/doctor information being a common review trigger, the importance of using specific terminology like "stop payments" when calling EDD, and the reality of extended processing times due to staffing issues are exactly the kind of details that make all the difference. I'm particularly grateful to see how Lucas, Mohammed, and others provided such thorough explanations of the system, and how helpful tools like Claimyr proved to be for getting through to actual representatives. As I prepare to start my own disability claim, I feel so much more informed and confident knowing this community exists. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming and knowledgeable space - I'm looking forward to learning from everyone and hopefully being able to contribute helpful information as I gain experience with the process!
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Lucas Parker
•Welcome to the community, TommyKapitz! I'm also brand new here and just starting to navigate my first disability claim. Reading through this entire thread has been like getting a masterclass in the EDD system from people who've actually been through it. What really strikes me is how Ella's story went from that initial panic about delayed payments to a successful resolution, all because this community provided the right guidance and encouragement to keep pushing for answers. The specific details everyone shared - like the fact that back injuries often get extra scrutiny, or that "received" status sitting unchanged for weeks is a red flag - are the kinds of insights you'd never get from calling EDD directly. I'm bookmarking this discussion and plan to reference it throughout my own claim process. It's so reassuring to know that even when the system feels overwhelming or unresponsive, there are people here who understand exactly what you're going through and can point you toward real solutions. Thanks for adding your perspective - it's encouraging to connect with other newcomers who are starting this journey!
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Quinn Herbert
Welcome to all the newcomers joining this discussion! As someone who's been part of this community for a while, it's really heartwarming to see how this thread has become such a valuable resource for people starting their disability claim journey. Ella's experience perfectly demonstrates both the frustrations and eventual solutions that are possible with EDD claims. What I love most about this community is how people like Lucas, Mohammed, and others consistently provide detailed, accurate information that goes way beyond what you'll find in official EDD materials. The practical tips shared here - from understanding review triggers to knowing the right terminology when calling - can literally save weeks of stress and uncertainty. For all the newcomers (Nia, Carmen, TommyKapitz, Lucas Parker, and others), you're absolutely in the right place for support and guidance. This community has helped countless people navigate the EDD system successfully, and I'm confident it will do the same for all of you. Don't hesitate to ask questions as you go through your own claims - everyone here understands the anxiety and confusion that comes with waiting for disability benefits, and there's always someone willing to share their experience or offer encouragement!
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