How to extend EDD disability benefits in California? Doctor's note until next month, need more time
Hey everyone, I need some advice on extending my disability benefits. My doctor has me out until next month, but I'm pretty sure I'll need more time. How do I go about extending my benefits with EDD? I initially filed back in March, and I'm not sure what steps I need to take to keep my benefits going. Any help would be appreciated!
67 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve extending disability benefits quickly, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LjIK6ZzgCk
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Carmella Popescu
Hot take: the whole disability system needs an overhaul. It's not working for anyone except maybe the bureaucrats 🤷♀️
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Kai Santiago
•Preach! 🙌 It's like they designed it to be as frustrating as possible.
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Lim Wong
•Totally agree. We need to start a petition or something. This is ridiculous!
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Carmella Popescu
•For real tho. Maybe we should all run for office and fix this mess ourselves 😂
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Gemma Andrews
Has anyone had luck getting through to an actual person at EDD? I'm losing my mind trying to get someone on the phone!
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Pedro Sawyer
•Omg, I found a way! There's this site called claimyr.com that has a calling tool. It dials the menu, waits on hold, and then calls you when a real person picks up. It costs $20 but it totally works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Mae Bennett
•Wait, seriously? That sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Beatrice Marshall
•$20 just to talk to someone? That's highway robbery! 😡
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Pedro Sawyer
•I know it sounds sketchy, but I swear it worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo.
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Melina Haruko
•Claimyr could be a lifesaver, but always weigh the cost against the time you spend trying to reach someone. Some find it invaluable; others think it's a hefty fee.
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Demi Lagos
Have you considered applying for long-term disability instead? Might be worth looking into if you think this is gonna be a long-term thing.
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Mason Lopez
•Great point! Long-term disability could offer a more sustainable solution if your situation extends beyond short-term expectations.
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Oliver Brown
I heard theres a new online portal for submitting extension requests. Anyone tried it yet? Wondering if its any faster than the old way
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Mary Bates
•Yeah, I used it last month. It's a bit glitchy but def faster than mailing forms. Give it a shot!
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Naila Gordon
•Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely look into that. Anything to speed up the process is welcome.
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Demi Hall
Here's what you need to do, step by step: 1. Get your doctor to update your medical certification. This is crucial! 2. Log into your EDD account online and go to the 'Manage Claim' section. 3. Submit the updated certification through your account or mail it in if you prefer. 4. When you talk to an EDD agent, be clear that your doctor has advised extending your leave. 5. Ask them specifically what additional info or steps they need from you. 6. Keep copies of EVERYTHING. Trust me, you'll need them. 7. Follow up regularly. Don't assume they're processing your extension automatically. Remember, there's no set limit on how long your doctor can request. It's based on your medical needs. Good luck!
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Mateusius Townsend
•This is solid advice. I'd add: make sure you submit the extension before your current claim ends to avoid any gaps in payment.
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Naila Gordon
•Thanks so much! This is really helpful. Do you know if there's a specific form I need to download for the updated certification?
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Demi Hall
•Yep! Look for something called 'Continuation of Disability' form on the EDD website. Your doc needs to fill that out.
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Noah huntAce420
Anyone else feel like they need disability benefits just from the stress of dealing with EDD? 😅 It's a vicious cycle!
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Clay blendedgen
Word of advice: start the extension process EARLY. Like, at least 2 weeks before your current claim ends. Trust me on this one.
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Dallas Villalobos
Anyone know if theres a limit to how many times you can extend? My situation is ongoing and im worried theyll cut me off eventually
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Naila Gordon
•That's a good question. I'm wondering about that too. Hopefully someone here knows!
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Reina Salazar
•As far as I know, there's no hard limit. It depends on your medical situation and doctor's recommendations.
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
Pro tip: if ur doctor gives u an extension, make sure they're SUPER specific about dates and reasons. EDD loves to nitpick that stuff 🙄
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Brielle Johnson
Just a heads up, EDD has been extra slow lately due to budget cuts. Expect delays and be patient (easier said than done, I know 😅
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Rosie Harper
Ugh, dealing with EDD is such a pain. I've been there, buddy. Good luck getting through to anyone on the phone. It's like trying to win the lottery 🙄
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•Seriously, they need to make the phone system less of a nightmare. Have you tried reaching out during non-peak hours? Sometimes that helps.
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Vera Visnjic
Ugh, I feel for you. I've been playing phone tag with EDD for weeks. It's like they're allergic to answering calls or somethin 🤦♂️
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Jake Sinclair
•LOL allergic to answering calls. That's a good one. Maybe we should send them some Benadryl 😂
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Vera Visnjic
•Haha for real tho. Maybe if we all chip in for allergy meds, they'll finally pick up the phone! 🤣
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Lena Schultz
Quick tip: make sure you keep certifying for benefits even while you're waiting for the extension to be processed. Don't wanna miss out on any payments!
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Ayla Kumar
Does anyone know if the rules r different for mental health related disability? Asking for a friend 👀
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Lorenzo McCormick
•The process is pretty much the same, but make sure you have a psychiatrist or psychologist fill out the forms, not just a GP.
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Ayla Kumar
•Thx for the info! I'll let my 'friend' know 😉
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Cynthia Love
First things first, you need to get an updated medical certification from your doctor. That's the key to extending your benefits. Make sure they fill out the right form - you can usually find it on the EDD website.
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Darren Brooks
•I'd also suggest checking if your doctor is familiar with the EDD process. Sometimes they have tips for their patients that can make this a bit smoother.
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Dananyl Lear
LPT: Set up direct deposit if you haven't already. Makes getting your benefits way faster and easier.
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Kara Yoshida
I'm in the same boat. Been trying to extend my benefits for weeks now. The system is so broken, I swear 😤
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Philip Cowan
•Tell me about it. I've been on hold for hours and still can't get through. It's ridiculous!
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Kara Yoshida
•Hours? Try days! I've basically made it my full-time job to try and reach these people 🤡
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Caesar Grant
•It really is a full-time job. You'd think they'd have more resources to handle all the calls, especially now.
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Honorah King
Hey OP, don't forget to check if your employer offers any additional disability coverage. Sometimes they have programs that can supplement EDD benefits.
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StarSeeker
@Naila Gordon, I went through this exact same situation last year! Here's what worked for me: Contact your doctor ASAP and ask them to fill out a "Continuation of Disability" form (you can find it on the EDD website). Make sure they're specific about your condition and expected return date. Then submit it through your EDD online account under "Manage Claim" - it's way faster than mailing it. I'd also recommend calling EDD early in the morning (like 8am sharp) to avoid the worst wait times. Don't wait until your current benefits expire to start this process - give yourself at least 2-3 weeks buffer time. The whole system is frustrating but you CAN get through it! 💪
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GalaxyGuardian
•This is super helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation and was wondering - do you know if there's a specific deadline for when the doctor needs to submit the continuation form? Like, does it need to be submitted before my current benefits run out, or can there be a small gap? I'm trying to get my timing right so I don't mess this up!
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Miguel Ramos
•@StarSeeker This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I was looking for! Thank you so much for breaking it down step by step. I'm definitely going to get that Continuation of Disability form to my doctor this week. Quick question though - when you say "early in the morning like 8am sharp" - is that when they actually start taking calls, or do you mean calling right when they open? I've been trying to call at random times and getting nowhere, so having a specific strategy would be amazing!
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Fatima Al-Sayed
@Naila Gordon, I just went through this same process a few months ago! The key is definitely getting that updated medical certification from your doctor ASAP. I'd recommend calling your doctor's office and specifically asking for the "Continuation of Disability" form - sometimes they're not familiar with it by name, so you might need to download it from the EDD website and bring it to them. One thing that really helped me was having my doctor be super detailed about my condition and why I need more time - EDD seems to process these faster when there's clear medical justification. Also, definitely submit online through your EDD account rather than mailing if you can. The online system is glitchy sometimes but way faster than waiting for mail processing. Good luck! 🤞
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Talia Klein
•@Fatima Al-Sayed Thanks for sharing your experience! I m'new to this whole process and feeling pretty overwhelmed. When you mention having the doctor be super "detailed -" what kind of specific information did they include that seemed to help? I want to make sure I give my doctor good guidance on what EDD is looking for so we don t'have to go back and forth with revisions. Also, did you have any issues with the online submission system? I keep hearing it s'glitchy but I definitely want to avoid the mail delays if possible!
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Dylan Mitchell
@Naila Gordon, I'm going through something similar right now! One thing I learned the hard way is to make sure you keep certifying for benefits every two weeks even while your extension is being processed - I almost missed a payment because I thought I should wait until the extension was approved. Also, if your doctor thinks you might need even more time beyond next month, ask them to be conservative with the return date on the form. It's easier to return to work early than to go through this whole extension process again. The online portal for submitting the continuation form is definitely the way to go, just make sure to save screenshots of everything you submit as proof. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but you'll get through it! 💪
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Dmitry Smirnov
•@Dylan Mitchell This is really good advice about continuing to certify! I didn t'realize you should keep doing that during the extension process - that could have been a costly mistake. Quick question: when you say ask the doctor to be conservative "with the return date, do" you mean they should put a date further out than they think I ll'actually need? I m'trying to balance not wanting to go through this process multiple times vs. not wanting to seem like I m'trying to extend things unnecessarily. Also, thanks for the tip about screenshots - I ve'learned the hard way with other government stuff that documentation is everything!
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Mateo Gonzalez
@Naila Gordon, I just finished dealing with this exact situation a couple months ago! Here's what I wish I had known from the start: First, download the "Continuation of Disability" form from the EDD website and take it directly to your doctor - don't wait for them to figure out what form they need. Second, ask your doctor to be really specific about your medical condition and functional limitations, not just a vague "needs more time." Third, submit everything online through your EDD portal if possible - I tried mailing first and it took forever. Fourth, start this process NOW, don't wait until your current benefits are about to expire. I made that mistake and had a scary gap in payments. And finally, keep calling EDD early in the morning (like right at 8am) - I know it's frustrating but persistence pays off. You got this! The system is broken but people do get through it every day. Feel free to ask if you have specific questions about any of these steps! 🙏
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Grace Johnson
•@Mateo Gonzalez This is such comprehensive advice, thank you! I m'in a similar boat and really appreciate you breaking down the timing aspect - I had no idea I should start this process so early. Quick question about the doctor visit: when you say ask them to be really "specific about medical condition and functional limitations, did" you find it helpful to bring any kind of list or notes about your symptoms/limitations to help guide them? I want to make sure my doctor includes all the relevant details but I don t'want to seem like I m'coaching them on what to write. Also, did you run into any issues with EDD questioning the extension or asking for additional documentation? Trying to prepare for all possibilities here!
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Zachary Hughes
@Naila Gordon, I just went through this exact same process earlier this year! The most important thing is to get that medical certification updated BEFORE your current benefits expire. Here's what worked for me: 1) Download the "Continuation of Disability" form from the EDD website and bring it directly to your doctor's appointment - don't assume they'll know which form to use. 2) Ask your doctor to be very specific about your condition, symptoms, and why you can't return to work yet. Vague statements like "needs more time" often get rejected. 3) Submit everything through your online EDD account under "Manage Claim" - it's way faster than mailing. 4) Keep certifying for benefits every two weeks even while the extension is being processed! I almost missed payments because I thought I should wait. 5) Call EDD right at 8am when they open for the shortest wait times. The whole process is super frustrating but totally doable. Since you filed in March, you should still have time left on your claim. Just make sure to get that paperwork in ASAP! Good luck! 🍀
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Zoe Stavros
•@Zachary Hughes This is incredibly helpful! I m'new to this community and facing a similar situation with my disability benefits. Your step-by-step breakdown is exactly what I needed. I had no idea about continuing to certify while waiting for the extension - that could have been a disaster! Quick question: when you mention calling right at 8am, do you mean exactly when they open or should I try calling a few minutes before? I ve'been struggling to get through to anyone and I m'willing to try whatever strategy works. Also, did you have any issues with the online submission system being glitchy? I keep hearing mixed things about whether it s'reliable. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience - it gives me hope that I can get through this process too! 🙏
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Yara Nassar
@Naila Gordon, I totally feel your stress about this! I just went through a similar extension process a few months back and it was definitely nerve-wracking at first. Here's my experience: The key is really getting ahead of it - don't wait until the last minute like I did! Your doctor will need to fill out a "Continuation of Disability" form (you can download it from the EDD website). Make sure they're super detailed about why you need the extension and what your specific limitations are. I submitted mine online through the EDD portal and it was processed way faster than I expected - about 2 weeks. One thing that really helped me was keeping a little journal of my symptoms and limitations to share with my doctor so they could be thorough on the form. Also, keep certifying every two weeks while you're waiting! I was so confused about that part but it's important to maintain your payments. The whole system is frustrating but you'll get through it. Sending you positive vibes! 💙
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Ravi Malhotra
•@Yara Nassar That s'such a smart idea about keeping a symptom journal! I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense - it would definitely help the doctor write a more detailed and accurate form. I m'dealing with a chronic condition that has ups and downs, so having that documentation would probably really strengthen my case. Did you find that EDD asked any follow-up questions about your extension, or did they pretty much approve it based on the doctor s'form? I m'trying to prepare myself for what to expect once I submit everything. Also, thank you for the reminder about the 2-week certification - I m'definitely adding that to my calendar so I don t'forget! This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating this confusing process. 🙏
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Gianna Scott
@Naila Gordon, I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and I totally understand the stress! Here's what worked for me: First, call your doctor's office ASAP and ask them to fill out the "Continuation of Disability" form - you can download it directly from the EDD website. Make sure they're really specific about your medical condition and why you can't return to work yet (not just "needs more time"). Submit it online through your EDD account under "Manage Claim" - it's way faster than mailing. Most importantly, start this process NOW, don't wait until your current benefits are about to expire! I made that mistake and almost had a gap in payments. Also keep certifying every two weeks while waiting for approval. The whole system is frustrating but totally manageable if you stay on top of it. Since you filed in March, you should still have plenty of time left on your claim. You got this! 💪 Feel free to ask if you need help finding the specific forms or navigating the online portal!
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Anderson Prospero
•@Gianna Scott This is incredibly helpful and reassuring, thank you! I m'new to dealing with disability benefits and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed by the whole process. Your timeline of 6 months ago gives me hope that this is totally doable. I m'definitely going to download that form today and get it to my doctor this week. Quick question - when you submitted online through the Manage "Claim section," did you run into any technical issues? I keep hearing mixed things about the EDD website being glitchy. Also, I really appreciate the emphasis on starting NOW - I was thinking I had more time but clearly I need to get moving on this! The stress of potentially having a gap in payments is exactly what I was worried about. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience - it really helps to hear from someone who made it through successfully! 🙏
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Emma Wilson
@Naila Gordon, I just went through this process a couple months ago and it was way less scary than I thought it would be! Here's what saved me a ton of stress: Get the "Continuation of Disability" form from the EDD website and take it to your doctor BEFORE your current benefits expire. I gave myself about 3 weeks buffer time which was perfect. Your doctor needs to be really specific about your condition - not just "patient needs more time" but actual details about your symptoms and limitations. I actually wrote down a list of my daily struggles to help my doctor remember everything during our appointment. Submit it online through your EDD portal if you can - I was nervous about the "glitchy" system everyone talks about, but it worked fine for me and was SO much faster than mail. And definitely keep doing your bi-weekly certifications while you wait! I almost stopped doing them thinking I should wait for approval, but that would have been a huge mistake. The whole thing took about 2-3 weeks to process for me. You've got this! The system is annoying but it does work if you stay on top of it. Let me know if you need help finding the forms or anything! 🤞
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Emma Bianchi
•@Emma Wilson This is such a reassuring perspective, thank you! I love that you mentioned writing down a list of daily struggles for your doctor - that s'brilliant and something I definitely wouldn t'have thought of on my own. It makes so much sense though, because when you re'in the doctor s'office it s'easy to forget important details or downplay how much your condition actually affects you day-to-day. I m'definitely going to start keeping track of that stuff this week. Also really good to hear that the online system worked smoothly for you - all the horror stories about it being glitchy had me worried, but it sounds like it s'worth trying before defaulting to mail. The 2-3 week processing time gives me a realistic expectation too. Thanks for offering to help with finding forms - this community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all this! 🙏
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Ella Cofer
@Naila Gordon, I just went through this exact same thing a few months ago and know how stressful it can be! Here's what worked for me: Download the "Continuation of Disability" form from the EDD website and get it to your doctor ASAP - don't wait for them to figure out what form they need. Make sure your doctor is really specific about your condition and why you can't return to work yet (vague statements often get rejected). Submit everything online through your EDD account under "Manage Claim" - it's much faster than mailing. Most importantly, start this process NOW and don't wait until your benefits are about to expire! I made that mistake and almost had a payment gap. Also keep certifying every two weeks while waiting for approval - I was confused about this too but it's crucial. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for me. Since you filed in March, you should still have time left on your claim. The system is frustrating but totally manageable if you stay organized. You got this! Feel free to ask if you need help navigating the online portal! 💪
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Miguel Diaz
•@Ella Cofer This is exactly the kind of detailed guidance I was hoping to find! I m'new to this whole disability benefits process and honestly feeling pretty lost, so hearing from someone who just went through it successfully is incredibly reassuring. Your point about not waiting until benefits are about to expire really hits home - I was thinking I had more time but clearly need to get moving on this ASAP. The 2-3 week processing timeline is super helpful to know too. Quick question: when you submitted online through the Manage "Claim section," did you get any kind of confirmation that it was received? I m'always paranoid about these things disappearing into the digital void! Also, did EDD ask for any additional documentation beyond the doctor s'form, or was that pretty much all they needed? Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience - this community has been such a lifesaver! 🙏
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Drew Hathaway
@Naila Gordon, I just went through this exact process earlier this year and totally understand the anxiety! Here's what saved me: Get that "Continuation of Disability" form from the EDD website TODAY and schedule an appointment with your doctor ASAP. Don't wait - I learned the hard way that timing is everything with EDD. When you see your doctor, be really detailed about how your condition affects your daily activities and work capacity. I actually brought notes with me listing specific limitations so my doctor could be thorough on the form. Submit everything through your online EDD account under "Manage Claim" - yes, the system can be glitchy but it's still way faster than mail. Keep doing your bi-weekly certifications while waiting for approval (this is crucial!). The whole process took about 2 weeks for me once I submitted everything. Since you filed in March, you should have plenty of time left on your claim period. The system is frustrating but it absolutely works if you stay on top of it. You've got this! Feel free to ask if you need help finding specific forms or navigating the portal! 🙏
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Jamal Brown
•@Drew Hathaway This is such helpful advice, thank you! I m'actually in a very similar situation to @Naila Gordon and your step-by-step breakdown is exactly what I needed to hear. The tip about bringing notes with specific limitations to the doctor appointment is brilliant - I never would have thought of that but it makes so much sense. I ve been'struggling with how to communicate the full impact of my condition, and having a written list would definitely help ensure nothing gets missed. Quick question: when you mention the system can be glitchy, what "kind" of issues should I watch out for? Should I try submitting during certain hours, or are there any warning signs that something didn t go'through properly? I m definitely'nervous about the online submission but your 2-week timeline is really encouraging compared to what I ve heard'about mail processing. Thanks for offering to help with forms and navigation - this community has been such a lifesaver for figuring out this confusing process! 🙌
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Heather Tyson
@Naila Gordon, I just went through this exact same situation last month! Here's what worked for me: First, download the "Continuation of Disability" form from the EDD website immediately - don't wait for your doctor to figure out what they need. When you meet with your doctor, be super specific about your symptoms and limitations (I brought a written list of how my condition affects my daily life, which really helped). Submit everything online through your EDD account under "Manage Claim" - it's much faster than mailing, even if the system seems glitchy sometimes. Most importantly, keep certifying every two weeks while your extension is being processed! I almost made the mistake of stopping certifications while waiting. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for me. Since you filed in March, you should still have time left on your claim period. Start this process NOW though - don't wait until your current benefits are about to expire like I did (that was stressful!). The system is frustrating but it absolutely works if you stay organized. You've got this! 💪
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QuantumQuasar
•@Heather Tyson This is such timely advice! I m'actually new to this community and dealing with my first disability extension situation, so reading about everyone s'experiences has been incredibly helpful. Your point about bringing a written list to the doctor is something I keep seeing mentioned and it makes so much sense - when you re'dealing with chronic conditions it s'easy to forget important details in the moment. I m'definitely going to start documenting my daily limitations this week. Quick question: when you submitted online, did you get any kind of confirmation email or notification that it went through? I m'always paranoid about important documents disappearing into the system! Also, did you run into any issues with EDD asking for additional documentation, or was the doctor s'form pretty much all they needed? Thanks for sharing your timeline too - knowing it took 2-3 weeks helps me plan better. This whole process seemed so overwhelming at first but hearing from people who ve'successfully navigated it gives me a lot of hope! 🙏
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