How to end EDD SDI benefits early - online options or doctor's sign-off required?
So I filed for state disability after a surgery in January and I've been receiving benefits since then. But I'm actually feeling way better now (3 weeks earlier than expected!) and want to return to work next Monday. My question is - how do I properly end my SDI claim? Can I just stop certifying or do I need to officially notify EDD somehow? Is there a way to do this through the SDI Online portal myself, or does my doctor need to submit something saying I'm cleared to work again? I don't want to accidentally commit fraud by getting payments after I'm back at work, but also don't want to deal with a ton of paperwork if I can avoid it. Has anyone gone through this process recently?
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GalacticGladiator
You need to have your doctor submit a Supplemental Certificate. It's called the DE 2525XX form. They need to provide the date you're medically able to return to work. Just stopping certification doesn't officially close your claim - your doctor needs to medically release you. You should definitely contact EDD to let them know too, because otherwise your claim stays technically open for the timeframe initially certified, which could cause problems later.
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Freya Larsen
•Thank you! So there's no way for me to do this online myself? I have to wait for my doctor to submit the form?
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Omar Zaki
i went back to work early last year and just stopped certifying. never had any problems, they just stopped sending payments. way easier than dealing with more forms imo
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GalacticGladiator
•This isn't technically the correct procedure. While stopping certification will stop payments, your claim remains open until your doctor submits the release. This could potentially cause issues later, especially if there's ever an audit or you need to file another claim soon after.
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Chloe Taylor
You MUST have your doctor submit that supplemental form! I tried just stopping my benefits when I went back to work early after my knee surgery and EDD kept paying me. Then 6 months later they claimed I committed fraud and I had to repay $3,800 PLUS a 30% penalty!!! They don't make it easy to do the right thing. And the EDD website is basically useless for this situation - you can't just click a button to say "I'm better now." The system assumes you're on disability for the full period your doctor initially certified.
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Freya Larsen
•Oh no, that sounds like a nightmare! I definitely don't want to end up with an overpayment situation. I'll call my doctor's office right away.
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Diego Flores
i had this same issue and tried calling EDD to tell them i was going back to work early but kept getting disconnected. so frustrating!!!!
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Anastasia Ivanova
•I had the same problem trying to reach EDD about ending my claim early. I finally used Claimyr to get through to a live agent in about 15 minutes instead of spending days trying to call. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd and the website is claimyr.com. Made it so much easier to explain my situation and get confirmation that they noted it in my file while waiting for my doctor to submit the release form.
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Sean Murphy
There's actually a two-part process to properly end your claim early: 1. Your doctor must submit the DE 2525XX Supplemental Certificate with your actual return-to-work date 2. You should also notify EDD directly (by phone is best, though it's difficult to reach them) While some people just stop certifying, that's risky because your claim remains open in the system. If your doctor certified you for 8 weeks but you return after 5, those 3 extra weeks remain "available" in the system. Some people have reported receiving unexpected payments later that then become overpayments. Make sure your doctor specifies the exact date you're returning to work. If they just check "able to work" without a specific date, it can cause confusion in the system.
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Freya Larsen
•This is really helpful, thank you! I'll make sure to get the exact return date on the form. Do you know how long it typically takes for the doctor's form to be processed once they submit it?
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StarStrider
My doctor told me I could just go back to work and they'd submit the paperwork from their end, but then they forgot and I got overpaid! Then I had to pay back like $1400. Make SURE your doctor actually sends in that form AND follow up with EDD directly!!!!!
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Zara Malik
i had a similar situation but with pregnancy disability. went back earlier than expected and the whole thing was a mess. wish there was just a button to click online that says "i'm done with benefits plz stop sending money" lol
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Sean Murphy
•You're right - it should be that simple! The current system is designed assuming you'll be disabled for the exact period initially estimated, which rarely happens in real life. People recover earlier or later than expected all the time. The lack of a simple online option to end benefits is definitely a major flaw in the SDI system.
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Freya Larsen
Update: I called my doctor's office and they're submitting the supplemental form today with my return-to-work date. They said they do this all the time and it should process within a week. I also tried calling EDD but couldn't get through after 7 attempts. Going to try again tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Diego Flores
•good luck getting thru to EDD!!! took me like 2 weeks of calling
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Anastasia Ivanova
•If you're still having trouble reaching EDD by tomorrow, definitely check out Claimyr. I was in the exact same situation trying to notify them about ending my claim early. After getting disconnected dozens of times, I used their service and got through to a rep who documented everything in my file. Their service really saved me from potential overpayment headaches.
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