Returning to SDI after brief work attempt - need to file new claim?

You're dealing with what EDD calls a 'recurrence claim' - good news is you DON'T need to file a completely new claim if it's within 90 days of your previous claim AND for the same or related condition. You'll need to have your doctor complete a 'Supplemental Certificate' (DE 2525XX) form instead of starting over. Call your doctor's office asap to get this process started!

I went through something similar last year!! The forms are different for continuing vs. new claims, make sure your doctor knows it's a recurrence not a new thing

Your situation is a recurrence of the same disability within 90 days, so you're eligible to reopen your previous claim without serving another waiting period. Here's exactly what you need to do: 1. Contact your doctor immediately and ask them to complete a Supplemental Certificate (DE 2525XX) 2. You need to complete a Notice of Reactivation (DE 2501A) form 3. These forms need to be submitted ASAP - your benefits won't restart until EDD receives them 4. If your doctor submits the form electronically through SDI Online, processing is typically faster Your benefit amount will remain the same as your previous period, and the good news is you won't have another waiting period since it's the same condition within 14 days of returning to work. Call EDD if you have any trouble with the online forms.

wait im confused, doesnt disability end when u go back to work? like completely end?

I had this EXACT problem in February and couldn't get through to EDD for TWO WEEKS trying to figure it out. The automated system kept hanging up on me because of "high call volume" and I almost missed rent. I finally used Claimyr.com to get through to an actual agent and got everything sorted out in one call. They connected me with an EDD rep in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd - completely worth it when you're dealing with a time-sensitive situation like this.

EDD's policy is that if you return to work for less than 15 days and then become disabled again from the same condition, you WON'T have another waiting period! Since you only worked 14 days, you're good. But if you had worked just ONE more day, you'd be subject to a new waiting period. Talk about cutting it close!

My sister's doctor filled out the wrong form when she tried to go back on disability and it delayed her payments by WEEKS!!! Make SURE they use the supplemental form and not a new claim form. Doctors offices mess this up ALL THE TIME and then you're the one who suffers!!!!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning and wanted to share what they told me in case it helps someone else. Since I returned to work for less than 15 days and it's the same medical condition, this is considered a recurrence claim. My doctor needs to submit form DE 2525XX (Supplemental Certificate) and I need to submit form DE 2501A (Notice of Reactivation). The agent confirmed I won't have another waiting period, and my weekly benefit amount will stay the same. She recommended I print the DE 2501A form from the EDD website, complete it, and mail it in ASAP while also asking my doctor to submit their form electronically if possible. Now I'm just waiting for my doctor's appointment tomorrow to get their form submitted. Thanks everyone for your help!

Thanks for sharing that update Sean! This is really helpful for anyone else who might be in a similar situation. I'm dealing with a knee injury right now and was worried about what would happen if I tried to go back to work too soon. It's good to know that EDD has these recurrence provisions in place - makes me feel more confident about attempting a return to work when my doctor clears me. Hope your doctor's appointment goes smoothly tomorrow and you get everything sorted out quickly!

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with work attempts during disability recovery! I'm currently on SDI for a shoulder injury and have been hesitant to try going back to work because I was worried about losing my benefits if I couldn't handle it. Knowing about the 90-day recurrence window and the 15-day rule for avoiding another waiting period really changes my perspective. It sounds like EDD actually encourages these trial work attempts, which makes sense from a policy standpoint. Thanks Sean for sharing your experience and everyone else for the detailed explanations - this thread should be bookmarked for future reference!