SDI Extension: Do I need to file a new claim or extend current one?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle here. My disability got extended, which is great, but now I'm not sure if I need to file a new claim or if there's a way to extend my current one. Has anyone been through this before? What's the process like? I'm worried about messing something up and losing my benefits. Any advice would be really appreciated!
32 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve disability claim extension confusion, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHPGayuc4Es
0 coins
Chloe Martin
I've been through this before. Usually, you don't need to file a new claim if your disability is extended. The insurance company or your employer should handle the extension process. But it's always best to double-check with them directly. Give them a call to confirm what steps you need to take, if any.
0 coins
AstroAce
ā¢Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely give them a call. Do you remember how long the process took when you went through it?
0 coins
Chloe Martin
ā¢For me, it was pretty quick - maybe a week or two. But I've heard it can vary depending on your situation and the insurance company. Good luck!
0 coins
Diego Rojas
ā¢Just a heads up, sometimes these calls can take forever to get through. I was on hold for like 2 hours last time I tried to reach them š
0 coins
Anastasia Sokolov
Ugh, the disability system is such a mess. I swear they make it confusing on purpose š¤¦āāļø Good luck navigating this bureaucratic nightmare!
0 coins
Sean O'Donnell
I found a way to get someone on the phone quickly. 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. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
ā¢Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit? Has anyone else tried it?
0 coins
Sean O'Donnell
ā¢Yep, it's legit! I was skeptical at first too, but it saved me hours of hold time. Totally worth the $20 imo.
0 coins
StarStrider
ā¢I've used it too. Works like a charm. Just make sure you're ready when they call you back!
0 coins
Luca Esposito
Here's what you need to know about disability claim extensions: ⢠If your disability is extended by the same condition, you usually don't need to file a new claim. ⢠Contact your claims examiner or insurance provider ASAP to inform them of the extension. ⢠They may require updated medical documentation from your doctor. ⢠There might be forms you need to fill out for the extension process. ⢠Keep track of all communication and document submission dates. ⢠If your extension is denied, you have the right to appeal. Remember, every case is unique, so it's crucial to communicate directly with your provider. Don't assume anything!
0 coins
AstroAce
ā¢Wow, thank you so much for this detailed information! This is incredibly helpful. I'll make sure to follow these steps.
0 coins
Nia Thompson
ā¢This should be pinned at the top of the subreddit. So many people ask about this!
0 coins
Mateo Rodriguez
am i the only 1 who thinks its crazy we gotta jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we deserve? smh
0 coins
Aisha Abdullah
ā¢Preach! š The system is broken af
0 coins
Ethan Wilson
ā¢It's designed to wear you down so you give up. Stay strong and keep fighting for what's yours!
0 coins
NeonNova
Quick tip: set up an online account with your disability insurance provider if you haven't already. Sometimes you can submit extension requests or check your claim status there without having to call.
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
Has anyone had experience with [specific insurance company]? I'm dealing with them and wondering if the process is different.
0 coins
Carmen Diaz
ā¢I have! They're actually pretty good about extensions. Just call their customer service line and they'll walk you through it.
0 coins
Andre Laurent
ā¢Oof, good luck. I had them and it was a nightmare. Document EVERYTHING.
0 coins
Emily Jackson
Pro tip: if you're having trouble getting through on the phone, try calling right when they open in the morning. The wait times are usually shorter then.
0 coins
Liam Mendez
Anyone else feel like they need a law degree just to understand all this disability stuff? š¤£
0 coins
Sophia Nguyen
ā¢LOL for real tho. I'm convinced they write these policies in alien language š½
0 coins
CosmosCaptain
I went through this exact situation last year! Don't panic - in most cases, you won't need to file a completely new claim. Here's what worked for me: 1. Contact your claims examiner immediately to report the extension 2. Get a letter from your doctor stating the extension and expected duration 3. Fill out any continuation forms they send you (usually just updating your current status) 4. Keep paying attention to any deadlines they give you The key is staying proactive with communication. I made the mistake of waiting too long to contact them and it caused a temporary gap in my benefits. Learn from my mistake! Also, if you're dealing with EDD specifically, their website has a pretty decent FAQ section about extensions that might help clarify things. Good luck! š¤
0 coins
Noah Torres
ā¢This is super helpful, thank you! I'm definitely going to check out that EDD FAQ section you mentioned. Did you have to submit new medical paperwork when you reported the extension, or was the doctor's letter enough?
0 coins
Zainab Ibrahim
I just went through this process a few months ago! From my experience, you typically don't need to file a brand new claim - the extension should continue your existing one. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Call your disability office ASAP (I know, the wait times are brutal š©) 2. Have your doctor's documentation ready showing the extension is medically necessary 3. Ask specifically if they need any additional forms or if your current claim auto-extends 4. Get a reference number for your call and the name of who you spoke with In my case, they just needed updated medical records and had me sign one form. The whole process took about 10 business days. Don't stress too much - they don't want to cut off people who legitimately need extensions. You've got this! šŖ Also, definitely try that early morning calling tip someone mentioned - worked way better for me than calling midday.
0 coins
Omar Farouk
ā¢Thanks for sharing your experience! That 10 business day timeline is really reassuring. I'm curious - when you say they needed updated medical records, did your doctor have to fill out specific forms from the disability office, or were regular medical notes sufficient? I want to make sure I have everything ready before I call so I don't have to go through the phone queue multiple times! š
0 coins
Rosie Harper
I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been a lifesaver! Just wanted to add that if you have a case worker assigned to your claim, they're usually the best person to contact first before going through the general customer service line. They already know your case details and can give you specific guidance faster than the general hotline. If you don't know who your case worker is, it should be listed on any recent correspondence you've received. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING - emails, letters, forms, medical records, even notes from phone calls with dates and times. I learned this the hard way when there was a miscommunication about my paperwork and I had to prove what was discussed in a previous call. One more thing - some disability offices have specific "extension request" forms on their websites that you can download and fill out ahead of time. Might save you some back-and-forth! Hope this helps and wishing you a smooth process! š
0 coins
Aisha Khan
ā¢This is such solid advice about the case worker! I didn't even know I might have one assigned. I'm going to dig through my paperwork tonight to see if there's a specific person listed. The documentation tip is gold too - I've been pretty bad about keeping track of everything, but after reading all these horror stories about miscommunications, I'm definitely going to start a dedicated folder. Thanks for taking the time to share what you've learned! šāØ
0 coins
Nia Wilson
Based on everyone's helpful advice here, I want to add something that saved me a ton of stress when I went through my extension last year - create a simple tracking spreadsheet! I made columns for: date of contact, person spoken to, reference numbers, documents submitted, and follow-up dates. It might seem overkill, but when you're dealing with multiple phone calls and paperwork over weeks or months, having everything organized in one place is a game changer. Also, if you have a smartphone, consider recording voice memos right after important phone calls while the details are fresh in your mind. I can't tell you how many times I thought I'd remember what someone told me, only to forget the specifics a few days later. The system definitely has its frustrations, but most of the people working there genuinely want to help - they're just overloaded. Being organized and patient (easier said than done, I know!) will make the whole process smoother for everyone involved. Hang in there! šš±
0 coins
Lucas Bey
ā¢This spreadsheet idea is brilliant! š” I wish I had thought of this when I first started dealing with disability claims. I've been keeping everything in random notes on my phone and it's such a mess. Definitely going to set this up before I make any calls. The voice memo tip is genius too - I always think I'll remember everything and then completely blank out later. Thanks for sharing such practical advice! This thread has honestly been more helpful than any official government website I've found. š
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now and was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the whole process. Reading everyone's experiences and tips has given me so much more confidence about moving forward. I especially appreciate the practical advice about keeping detailed records and the spreadsheet idea - that's something I never would have thought of but makes total sense. It's also reassuring to hear that most people didn't need to file completely new claims for extensions. One question for those who've been through this: did anyone experience any gaps in their benefit payments during the extension process, even when everything was handled correctly? I'm trying to budget and plan ahead just in case there are any delays. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and creating such a supportive community here! It really makes navigating this confusing system feel less daunting. š
0 coins