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Emily Thompson

SDI Claim: Confused about start dates and using PTO during waiting period

Hey everyone, I'm filing for SDI and I'm a bit confused about the dates. My disability starts on November 4th, and I'm planning to use PTO during the 7-day waiting period. When I fill out the form, should I put November 4th or November 11th as the start date for my claim? Also, how do I indicate that I'm using PTO during the waiting period? Will this affect my benefits? Any advice would be really appreciated!

I found a way to solve SDI claim date confusion, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gw1T7LXPqY

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I've been through this before, so here's what you need to know: • Put November 11th as your claim start date if you're using PTO during the waiting period. • Answer 'Yes' to the question about employer pay during disability leave. • Under 'Other Type of Pay,' specify that you're using PTO for the waiting period. • This won't delay your benefits or affect your claim negatively. • You can file your claim starting November 11th, after the waiting period ends. • For the PTO dates, input November 4th to November 10th. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Thank you so much! This is really helpful. Just to clarify, even if I use PTO during the waiting period, I should still put November 11th as the start date?

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Yep, that's right! November 11th is when your actual SDI benefits would start, after the waiting period. The PTO is just covering that gap.

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Got it, thanks again! 🙏

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Ugh, the SDI system is such a pain 🤦‍♀️ I remember going through this and it was so confusing. Good luck!

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Tell me about it! I swear they make it complicated on purpose 🙄

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Right?? It's like they want us to mess up so they can deny claims 😤

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Quick tip: make sure you keep detailed records of all your PTO usage and communications with your employer. It might come in handy if there are any issues later on.

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I'm in the same boat, due date is coming up and I'm stressing about all this paperwork. Anyone know if using holiday time during the waiting period causes any issues?

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Nah, you should be good. I used a combo of PTO and a holiday during my waiting period and it didn't cause any problems. Just make sure to report it accurately!

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Oh thank goodness, that's a relief! Thanks for sharing your experience 😊

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Hey guys, I found a way to actually get someone on the phone at SDI! I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Check out this video: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ

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Wow, really? That sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?

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I know it sounds sketchy, but I swear it's legit. Saved me hours of hold time!

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$20 tho? Idk man, seems steep just to talk to someone...

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Trust me, after spending days trying to get through, it was worth every penny. Time is money, ya know?

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Pro tip: If you're using the online system, save your progress frequently! I lost all my info once because the session timed out 😭

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Omg yes! This happened to me too. So frustrating!

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Does anyone know if theres a way to expedite the process? My rent is due soon and I'm getting nervous about the timing...

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Unfortunately, there's no real way to speed it up. Best bet is to file as soon as you're eligible and make sure all your info is correct to avoid delays.

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Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Guess I'll have to talk to my landlord 😓

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Just a heads up, sometimes they might ask for additional documentation even after you submit everything. Keep an eye on your mail and email!

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lol remember when we thought adulting would be fun? Now we're all here trying to figure out disability paperwork 🤣

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Right?? I miss the days when my biggest worry was what to wear to school 😂

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For real! Wanna trade? I'll do your homework if you fill out my SDI forms 😜

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I went through this exact same situation last year! Sophie's advice is spot on - definitely use November 11th as your claim start date. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have documentation from your employer showing the PTO usage during Nov 4-10, just in case they ask for it later. Also, don't stress too much about the form - if you make a mistake, you can usually call and get it corrected. The most important thing is being honest about using PTO during the waiting period. Good luck with your claim!

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This is super helpful! I'm new to dealing with SDI and all this paperwork feels overwhelming. Quick question - when you say "documentation from your employer showing the PTO usage," do you mean like a formal letter or would email confirmations about using PTO be enough? I want to make sure I have everything covered just in case they need proof later on.

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