How to extend SDI claim when extension option doesn't appear on EDD portal?

youre not going to find an extend button, thats not how it works. your doctor has to submit a new cert form saying you need more time. they should know this.

Your doctor needs to submit another DE 2501 certification for the extension period. This needs to be done BEFORE your current claim period ends to avoid payment gaps. The extension should connect to your existing claim - you don't create a new claim. Make sure your doctor includes that it's for an extension of your current disability period and references your ongoing medical condition. Most importantly, your doctor must clearly document that your recovery is taking longer than initially estimated due to your surgical complications. I went through this last year when I developed an infection after my procedure. As long as the medical documentation supports your need for additional recovery time, the extension should be approved without issues.

I was in this exact situation last month and couldn't get through to EDD to save my life. After spending 3 days trying, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual EDD rep in about 25 minutes! They have this cool demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The EDD agent explained that extensions aren't something we can do ourselves online - it's entirely handled through the medical certification process. They also told me exactly what my doctor needed to include in the form to prevent delays. Saved me so much stress during an already difficult time.

Medical extensions for SDI claims require a new medical certification (DE 2501) from your healthcare provider indicating that you need additional recovery time. Here's the proper process: 1. Your doctor must submit the extension certification 5-10 business days before your current benefit period ends 2. The diagnosis code should match your original claim 3. The form should clearly indicate this is a continuation of the existing disability 4. Your doctor needs to provide a new estimated recovery date 5. Make sure they include detailed notes about your complications You don't need to file a new claim or do anything in the portal. However, you should follow up with both your doctor and EDD to ensure the extension request was received properly. Also, extensions may require additional medical documentation if your recovery time extends significantly beyond what's typical for your condition.

DONT LISTEN TO ALL THIS DOCTOR STUFF!!! I wasted 3 weeks last year because my doctor DID submit the extension paperwork but EDD "never received it" 🙄 The ONLY way to actually get your claim extended is to CALL THEM!!! They pretend the online system works but it DOESN'T. You'll be sitting there broke waiting for money while they "process" forms that probably got deleted. The phone system is rigged too - I called 47 TIMES in one day!!! The whole system is designed to make you give up!!!

I work in a doctors office and handle disability paperwork all day. Your doctor needs to submit a "supplemental certification" not a completely new DE 2501. They need to check the box that says it's a continuation of an existing disability. If they submit it as a new claim it'll cause all kinds of problems. Also if your disability is changing (like new symptoms) they need to document that clearly. Make sure they submit at least 5 days before your claim ends!

my cousin went thru this last yr. her benefits ended and she didnt get paid for like 3 weeks even tho her dr sent the form in. she had to keep calling edd. they told her the extension was "under review" whatevr that means. so start calling EARLY and keep bugging them.

One important note: After your doctor submits the extension certification, you'll need to continue completing your bi-weekly claim forms as usual. Many people think the extension automatically continues their payments, but you still need to certify. Also, check your SDI Online account 2-3 days after your doctor submits the extension. You won't see an "extension approved" notice, but you should see your claim end date updated. If you don't see the updated end date within 5 business days, that's when you should contact EDD because it likely means they haven't processed the extension certification yet.

Has anyone here actually done this recently? I've heard EDD changed their extension process in 2025 but I can't find clear info. My friend said now you have to do a video call with a disability evaluator before extensions over 30 days get approved??

Update: I just spoke with my doctor's office and they're submitting the supplemental certification today! They said they'll check the continuation box and include notes about my surgical complications. They're sending it electronically and gave me a confirmation number to reference if needed. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help - I was seriously panicking about this. I'll keep certifying as usual and watch for the end date to update in my account. Feeling much more hopeful now!

Great to hear you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add one more tip - screenshot or print your EDD account page showing the current end date before the extension, then do the same after it updates. This gives you proof of the extension if any issues come up later. I learned this the hard way when EDD claimed my extension was never approved even though I was receiving payments. Having those screenshots saved me weeks of hassle. Hope your recovery goes smoothly from here!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I see you got your doctor to submit the form - that's great! One thing that really helped me was calling EDD's SDI line (not the UI line) at exactly 8:00 AM when they open. The wait was still long but much shorter than calling later in the day. When you do call to confirm they received your doctor's submission, have your Social Security number, claim number, and that confirmation number from your doctor ready. The rep can tell you immediately if they have the form in their system and what the status is. Also, don't worry if you see a brief gap in your online account where it shows your claim "ended" - this sometimes happens during the processing period before the extension shows up. As long as you keep certifying and they have your doctor's form, you should be fine. The payments might be delayed a few days but they'll backdate them to cover the gap. Good luck with your recovery!

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago and I was just as panicked! Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like everyone has given you really solid guidance. Just wanted to add that when your doctor submits that supplemental certification, make sure they're specific about WHY you need the extension - not just that you do. In my case, my doctor initially wrote something vague like "patient needs more recovery time" and EDD came back asking for more detail. The second submission included specifics about my healing progress and complications, and it went through without any issues. Also, one thing that helped reduce my anxiety was setting up text alerts in my SDI account so I'd get notified immediately when there were any updates to my claim status. That way I wasn't constantly logging in to check. Sounds like you're on the right track with getting your doctor to submit today - that timing should work perfectly to avoid any payment gaps!