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Mikayla Davison

How to get EDD's DE 2525XX extension form before final payment?

My disability claim is set to expire in 3 weeks, but my doctor wants to file an extension now since my recovery is taking longer than expected. My doctor prefers filling out paper forms rather than using SDI Online (he's old-school). The problem is that the extension form (DE 2525XX) typically arrives with your final payment, but we want to submit the extension BEFORE my benefits run out to avoid any gap in payments. I've searched everywhere on the EDD website under 'Forms & Publications' but can't find this specific form to download. Has anyone successfully requested this extension form early? Can I call EDD to have them mail it sooner? I'm worried about a delay between benefits if we wait for the final payment to arrive with the form. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

You have to wait till the very end to get that extension form. I tried calling for it early last year and the rep told me they ONLY mail it with your final payment. My doc ended up just using SDI Online because we couldn't find any other way. Ended up with a 3 week gap in my payments because of this stupid system!!

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Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Did you have any issues with the online extension process once your doctor submitted it? How long did it take to get approved?

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call edd and ask them to mail the form to you directly! I did this when i had shoulder surgery in january - told them doctor needed more time to fil l out paperwork. took 3 tries to get thru but eventually got a nice lady who sent it immediately. recieved the form 4 days later!

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This is good advice but also consider that some EDD reps will tell you different things. Sometimes it depends on who you talk to! I had one tell me no way, then called back next day and got the form sent to me.

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I'm an advocate who helps people with EDD claims, and there are actually a few options here: 1. Your doctor CAN file the extension online through SDI Online even if they prefer paper forms. Many medical providers resist this at first but it's actually faster and more reliable. 2. You CAN get the DE 2525XX form early by calling the EDD Disability branch directly at 1-800-480-3287. However, be prepared for extremely long wait times (often 2+ hours) or getting disconnected. 3. Some EDD offices will provide the form in person if you explain your situation, though this option varies by location. 4. Your doctor's office can also call EDD's medical provider line to request the form directly. One important thing to know: even with the form in hand, EDD won't process the extension until your current claim is within 5-7 days of ending. So getting the form early just gives you time to complete it, but won't necessarily speed up the approval process.

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Thank you for such a detailed response! This is incredibly helpful. I'll try calling the disability line first thing tomorrow morning. My doctor said he'll do online if we have to, but he's had issues with the SDI Online system in the past which is why he prefers paper forms.

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when i was on disability for my pregnancy complications last year they NEVER sent me the extension form with my last payment! had to go 3 weeks without any income while tracking down the form. its totally messed up how they handle extensions. my friend said just have your doctor do it online because the paper forms get lost all the time anyway

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THIS!!! The paper forms are a nightmare. My doctor's office filled it out and faxed it in, but EDD claimed they never received it. Took another 2 weeks of back and forth to sort out. The online system at least gives you confirmation.

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I managed to get the DE 2525XX form early by having my doctor's office call the Medical Provider Helpline at 1-855-342-3645. They can request the form be sent directly to the doctor's office. This is actually the preferred method since it bypasses you as the middleman. Also, just so you're aware, even with the form submitted early, there's often a gap in payments while EDD processes the extension. Make sure you have some savings to cover 2-3 weeks of expenses in case there's a delay. If calling doesn't work, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD representative faster. I was skeptical at first, but after spending days trying to get through on my own, I tried their service and got connected within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Good luck with your extension!

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Thank you for the Medical Provider Helpline number! I'll definitely pass that along to my doctor's office. And thanks for the heads-up about potential gaps in payment - I'll make sure to plan accordingly. I might try Claimyr if I continue having trouble reaching someone at EDD.

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When I needed an extension, my doctor just logged into SDI Online and submitted it that way. It was processed much faster than the paper form (which my friend used and had all kinds of delays). I know your doctor prefers paper, but the online system is really more reliable from what I've seen. Maybe explain to your doctor that using the online system could prevent a gap in your benefits? Most doctors will understand when it affects your financial situation.

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That's a good point. I'll definitely try to convince him to use the online system if we can't get the paper form soon. How far in advance of your claim ending did your doctor submit the extension online? And how quickly was it processed?

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My doctor submitted it about 10 days before my claim ended. It was processed within 4 days, and I didn't have any gap in payments. The SDI Online system gives you status updates too, which was reassuring. With the paper form, you're kind of in the dark about whether they received it or not.

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this whole system is a joke. you can't get the forms when you need them, then when you finally submit everything they take forever to process! when i was on disability for my back injury the extension took almost a MONTH to process even though my doctor submitted everything correctly. i had to borrow money from family just to pay rent. EDD doesn't care at all about people who are suffering!!

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Same thing happened to me!!! They expect people with serious medical conditions to jump through all these ridiculous hoops. How are disabled people supposed to deal with all this bureaucracy when we're sick or injured??

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have u tried asking ur doctor if they still have a copy of the form from a previous patient? my doctor had one in his files and just photocopied it for me - worked fine! EDD accepted it no problem

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I should caution about this approach. While EDD sometimes accepts photocopied forms, they can reject them if they don't have the correct form number/revision date. The DE 2525XX forms are occasionally updated, and using an outdated version might cause processing delays. If you go this route, make sure the form is a recent version.

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Just wanted to update everyone - I called the EDD Disability office this morning and after being on hold for over an hour, I finally got through to a representative. She initially said they don't send the forms early, but when I explained my doctor's preference and concerns about a gap in benefits, she agreed to mail me the DE 2525XX form! Should arrive in 5-7 business days. As a backup plan, I also let my doctor know about the online submission option through SDI Online in case the form doesn't arrive in time. Thank you all for your helpful advice!

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That's great news! Glad you were able to get through to someone helpful. This is a perfect example of how persistence pays off with EDD. Sometimes you have to clearly explain your situation to get what you need. Smart move having the online option as a backup plan too.

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You got lucky with a good rep! When I called they flat out refused no matter what I said. The EDD system is so inconsistent. Hope everything goes smoothly with your extension!

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So glad you got through and found a helpful rep! This gives me hope for others in similar situations. It really does seem to depend on who you get on the phone. Quick tip for anyone else reading this - when you call, be polite but firm about your medical situation and the potential gap in benefits. That seemed to be the key factor that made the difference. Thanks for updating us on your success!

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This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with EDD extensions! I'm currently in a similar situation with my workers' comp case transitioning to state disability, and I was dreading the potential gap in payments. Your experience shows that it's definitely worth calling multiple times if you get different answers from different reps. I'm bookmarking this thread - the Medical Provider Helpline number and the tip about explaining the financial impact seem like game-changers. Thanks for sharing your journey and keeping us updated on the outcome!

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Glad this thread could help with your workers' comp to state disability transition! That's actually a tricky situation that doesn't get talked about much. Make sure you coordinate the timing carefully between the two systems - sometimes there can be overlaps or gaps that cause issues. The Medical Provider Helpline number that @Lindsey Fry shared earlier 1-855-342-3645 (might) be especially helpful for your doctor since they ll'be dealing with the transition paperwork. Good luck with everything!

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As someone who just went through this process last month, I can confirm that persistence really does pay off with EDD! I had to call three different times before getting someone who would send me the form early. The first two reps said absolutely not, but the third one was willing to help when I explained that my doctor needed time to properly evaluate my condition before the deadline. One thing I learned is that if you mention you're trying to avoid a gap in benefits due to medical necessity, they're more likely to accommodate the request. Also, calling right when they open (8 AM) seems to get you connected to more helpful representatives. For anyone still struggling with this, don't give up after one "no" - the system is frustratingly inconsistent but eventually you'll find someone who can help!

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This is so helpful to hear from someone who just went through it! The tip about calling right at 8 AM is really smart - I bet you get more experienced reps who are fresh and haven't dealt with difficult calls all day yet. Your point about mentioning "medical necessity" is great too - that probably triggers their understanding that this isn't just someone trying to game the system, but someone with a legitimate medical need. Thanks for sharing your experience and encouraging others not to give up after the first "no"!

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This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my disability claim ends in about 2 weeks and my physical therapist says I need at least another month of treatment before I can return to work. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like calling EDD directly is worth trying, but I'm also going to ask my PT about using the SDI Online system as a backup plan. One question for those who've been through this - if there is a gap in payments while the extension is processing, does EDD backpay you for those missed weeks once it's approved? Or do you just lose that income entirely? I'm trying to figure out how much I need to have saved just in case there's a delay.

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Great question about the backpay! From what I've seen in this community, EDD typically DOES backpay you for any weeks you were eligible but didn't receive benefits due to processing delays on their extension. However, there's usually a lag - sometimes several weeks - between when your extension gets approved and when you actually receive those retroactive payments. So you'll eventually get the money, but you still need savings to cover your expenses during that gap period. I'd recommend having at least 3-4 weeks of expenses saved up just to be safe. Also, make sure your PT documents everything clearly about your continued disability - that helps speed up the approval process!

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Ava Kim

Yes, EDD will backpay you for approved weeks during processing delays, but @Jamal Anderson is absolutely right about needing savings for the gap period. I went through this exact situation last year and it took about 5 weeks total to get my backpay after the extension was approved. The retroactive payments came as separate deposits, not with my regular benefits, which was confusing at first. Also, make sure your physical therapist is specific about functional limitations and expected recovery timeline in their documentation - vague statements like needs "more time can" slow down approval. The more detailed medical justification they provide, the smoother the process tends to go. Having 4-6 weeks of expenses saved would be ideal if possible!

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Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - if you have a local EDD office that's open for in-person visits, they can sometimes print the DE 2525XX form for you on the spot. I went to the Oakland office last fall when I was in a similar situation, explained that my doctor needed the form early to avoid a gap in benefits, and the clerk was able to print it right there. It saved me weeks of waiting compared to calling and requesting it by mail. Not all offices do this, and you'll probably need to wait in line for a while, but it might be worth checking if you have an office nearby and are getting nowhere with phone calls. Just bring your disability award letter or some proof of your current claim to show them.

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This is such a great tip about visiting the local office! I had no idea they could print the form on the spot. That would definitely be faster than waiting for mail delivery. Do you remember if they required any specific documentation beyond the disability award letter? And how long was the wait time at the Oakland office? I'm in the Bay Area too, so this could be a perfect solution for me if calling doesn't work out. Thanks for sharing this option - it's not something I would have thought to try!

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This entire thread has been so helpful! I'm a newcomer to this community but dealing with a very similar situation - my disability claim ends next month and my surgeon wants to extend it due to complications with my recovery. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that there are multiple approaches that can work: 1. Calling EDD directly (multiple times if needed) and emphasizing medical necessity 2. Having your doctor call the Medical Provider Helpline at 1-855-342-3645 3. Visiting a local EDD office in person if available 4. Using SDI Online as a backup option What strikes me most is how inconsistent the system seems to be - some reps will help immediately while others refuse, which is frustrating when you're dealing with a medical condition. I'm planning to try calling first thing Monday morning at 8 AM (thanks for that tip!), and if that doesn't work, I'll have my surgeon's office try the medical provider line. For anyone else in this situation, it sounds like having a backup plan is crucial, and saving up 4-6 weeks of expenses is essential in case there's a payment gap. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is a lifesaver!

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Welcome to the community, Yara! You've done an excellent job summarizing all the different strategies from this thread. As someone new here, I'd also suggest documenting everything - keep records of who you talk to at EDD, when you call, and what they tell you. This can be really helpful if you get conflicting information from different reps. Also, if your surgeon's office has dealt with EDD extensions before, they might have their own tips or preferred methods. Some medical offices actually have dedicated staff who handle all the EDD paperwork because they know how tricky the system can be. Hope your extension goes smoothly and your recovery continues to progress well!

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As someone who just joined this community after dealing with my own EDD disability extension nightmare, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing such detailed experiences! I'm currently waiting for my DE 2525XX form after calling EDD three times - the first two reps said no, but the third one finally agreed to mail it when I explained my doctor needed time to properly evaluate my ongoing symptoms. One thing I learned from my case worker at the disability advocacy center is that you can also ask EDD to note your file that you've requested the form early for medical reasons. This creates a paper trail that can help if there are any processing issues later. They told me to reference this note number when I submit the completed form. Also, for anyone considering the online option - my doctor was initially resistant but changed his mind when I showed him that SDI Online actually has better security than fax machines, which can lose paperwork. Sometimes framing it as a more secure option rather than just "easier" helps convince old-school providers. The system definitely shouldn't be this complicated when people are dealing with serious health issues, but this thread proves that persistence and having multiple backup plans really does work. Keeping my fingers crossed that my form arrives this week!

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Welcome to the community, Freya! That's a brilliant tip about asking EDD to note your file with the request - I wish I had known about that when I was going through this process. Creating that paper trail could definitely help prevent issues down the line. Your point about framing the online option as "more secure" rather than just easier is really smart too. Doctors seem more receptive when you focus on patient privacy and data security rather than convenience. Fingers crossed your form arrives quickly! It sounds like you've got a good handle on all the different strategies now. Thanks for sharing the advocacy center tip - that's a resource I didn't even know existed but could be really valuable for others dealing with complex EDD situations.

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As someone who recently went through this exact situation, I want to echo what others have said about persistence being key with EDD. I called four different times over two weeks before finally getting a rep who would send me the DE 2525XX form early. What seemed to make the difference was when I specifically mentioned that my doctor needed adequate time to complete a thorough medical evaluation before my benefits expired, rather than just asking for the form. One additional tip that helped me: I asked the helpful rep for their direct extension and name so I could reference our conversation if needed later. She actually told me that supervisors are more likely to authorize early form requests when there's a clear medical justification documented in the file. Also, for anyone whose doctor is hesitant about SDI Online - mine was the same way until I printed out the step-by-step guide from the EDD website and showed him exactly how the process works. Sometimes doctors just need to see that it's not complicated before they're willing to try it. The whole system is frustrating when you're dealing with health issues, but this community has been invaluable for sharing strategies that actually work. Hoping everyone gets their extensions processed smoothly!

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This is such valuable advice, Miguel! The tip about asking for the rep's name and extension is brilliant - I never would have thought of that, but it makes total sense for creating accountability and documentation. Your point about framing it as needing "adequate time for thorough medical evaluation" is really smart too - that sounds much more professional and medically necessary than just saying you want the form early. I'm also glad to hear that printing out the SDI Online guide helped convince your doctor. It's amazing how much of this process comes down to knowing the right words to use and having the right documentation ready. Thanks for sharing what worked for you - these specific strategies are so much more helpful than generic advice!

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As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed advice shared here! I'm currently facing a similar situation - my disability claim expires in about 2 weeks due to a knee injury that's taking longer to heal than expected. My orthopedic surgeon wants to file an extension but also prefers paper forms over the online system. After reading through all these experiences, I'm planning to try calling EDD first thing Monday morning at 8 AM using the language suggestions from @Miguel Diaz about needing "adequate time for thorough medical evaluation." If that doesn't work, I'll have my surgeon's office try the Medical Provider Helpline at 1-855-342-3645 that @Lindsey Fry mentioned. It's frustrating that the system is so inconsistent - some people get helpful reps immediately while others have to call multiple times. But I'm encouraged by @Mikayla Davison's success story and will definitely ask for the rep's name and extension if I get someone willing to help, as @Miguel Diaz suggested. I've already started saving up for potential gaps in payment based on the 4-6 weeks recommendation from @Ava Kim. Thank you all for sharing such specific, actionable advice - this thread should be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with EDD extensions!

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Welcome to the community, Statiia! Your plan sounds really solid - you've clearly absorbed all the key strategies from this thread. The timing aspect is so important with knee injuries since orthopedic recovery can be unpredictable. One additional tip that might help with your surgeon: if they're concerned about the online system, you could mention that SDI Online actually provides immediate confirmation receipts, unlike faxed paper forms which can get lost in the system. Also, since you're dealing with an orthopedic case, make sure your surgeon documents specific functional limitations (like weight-bearing restrictions, mobility limitations, etc.) rather than just general statements about needing more time. EDD seems to process extensions faster when there are concrete, measurable medical restrictions listed. Good luck with your call Monday morning - hope you get one of the helpful reps right away!

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Just wanted to share my recent experience that might help others! I was in the exact same situation last month - disability claim ending soon, doctor preferring paper forms, worried about payment gaps. After reading through similar advice in other forums, I ended up calling the EDD Disability line at 1-800-480-3287 three times over two days. The first two reps said they absolutely couldn't send the DE 2525XX form early, but the third rep was incredibly helpful when I explained that my doctor needed adequate time for a thorough medical evaluation to avoid any gaps in my treatment coverage. She not only agreed to mail the form immediately but also put a note in my file documenting the early request for medical reasons. The form arrived in exactly 5 business days as promised! My doctor was able to complete it with plenty of time to spare, and we submitted it about a week before my claim expired. The whole extension was processed smoothly with no payment interruption. Key takeaways from my experience: persistence really does pay off, the specific language you use matters (emphasize medical necessity), and having a backup plan is crucial. I also had my doctor prepared to use SDI Online if the paper form didn't arrive in time. Don't give up after the first "no" - keep calling until you find someone willing to help! The system is frustrating but there are definitely reps who understand the importance of avoiding benefit gaps for people with ongoing medical needs.

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Thank you for sharing such a detailed success story, Sofia! Your experience perfectly demonstrates what many others in this thread have discovered - that persistence and using the right language really makes all the difference with EDD. I love that you got the rep to document the early request in your file too, which creates that important paper trail. Your timeline is really helpful to know - 5 business days for mail delivery and about a week buffer before claim expiration sounds like the sweet spot for planning. It's so encouraging to hear that you had zero payment interruption when everything was timed properly! For anyone reading this who's still on the fence about which approach to try, your story shows that the phone strategy can definitely work when you're prepared with the right talking points and don't give up after the first rejection. Thanks for taking the time to share the specific details - this kind of real-world success story is exactly what people in similar situations need to hear!

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Amina Bah

As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but just created an account, I had to jump in and thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! I'm currently dealing with this exact situation - my disability claim ends in about 10 days and my psychiatrist wants to file an extension for my ongoing mental health treatment. Reading through all these experiences has been both reassuring and eye-opening. I had no idea there were so many different approaches to getting the DE 2525XX form early, or that the system was so inconsistent between different reps. The specific language suggestions about "medical necessity" and "adequate time for thorough evaluation" are gold - I'm definitely going to use those when I call tomorrow. I'm also grateful for the heads up about potential payment gaps and the recommendation to save 4-6 weeks of expenses. With mental health conditions, any financial stress can really impact recovery, so knowing what to expect helps me plan better. One question for the group: has anyone dealt with extensions specifically for mental health conditions? I'm wondering if there are any particular documentation requirements or if the process is generally the same as for physical injuries. My psychiatrist mentioned that mental health extensions sometimes take longer to process, but I'm not sure if that's accurate. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to save me so much stress and confusion!

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Welcome to the community, Amina! I'm glad you found the courage to create an account and join this discussion. Regarding mental health extensions specifically, I can share what I've learned from others in this community who've gone through similar situations. The process is generally the same as for physical conditions, but you're right that mental health extensions can sometimes face additional scrutiny or take longer to process. The key is having your psychiatrist be very specific about functional limitations - things like concentration difficulties, anxiety levels affecting daily activities, medication adjustments needed, etc. Rather than just stating "ongoing depression" or "needs more treatment time," detailed documentation about how your condition specifically prevents you from returning to work seems to help speed up approval. Some people have mentioned that having your psychiatrist reference specific treatment goals and estimated timelines for achieving them also strengthens the case. The good news is that all the same strategies for getting the form early (calling EDD, using the medical provider helpline, emphasizing medical necessity) apply regardless of whether it's physical or mental health. Your psychiatrist might also be more comfortable with SDI Online since mental health providers often deal with electronic systems more regularly than some other specialties. Best of luck with your call tomorrow - you've got all the right strategies from this thread!

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As a newcomer who just went through this exact process two weeks ago, I wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! My disability claim was ending and my doctor (also old-school and prefers paper) needed to file an extension for my ongoing recovery from surgery. After reading similar advice online, I called the EDD Disability line at 1-800-480-3287 early in the morning around 8:15 AM. The first rep said no, but I called back the next day and got someone different who was much more helpful. When I explained that my surgeon needed adequate time to conduct a thorough medical evaluation to determine my functional capacity before my benefits expired, she immediately agreed to expedite the DE 2525XX form. The key phrases that seemed to work were "medical necessity," "avoid gap in medically necessary benefits," and "thorough evaluation of functional limitations." She also put a note in my file and gave me a reference number for the early form request. The form arrived in 4 business days via priority mail, and my doctor had it completed and submitted with a week to spare. My extension was approved with no payment interruption whatsoever. What really helped was having all my information ready when I called - claim number, doctor's contact info, and a clear explanation of why the early form was medically necessary. Also, calling right when they opened seemed to get me connected to more experienced and helpful representatives. Don't give up after the first "no" - persistence really does pay off with EDD!

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