SDI claim denied before form submission deadline - any hope for reconsideration?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with my SDI claim. They denied my benefits saying they needed more info from my doctor, but I got the denial notice before the deadline to submit the form. Has anyone else dealt with this? I'm wondering if there's any way to get the claim reconsidered or if I'm just out of luck. Also, does anyone know if SDI ever pays out after a claim is disqualified? I'm really stressed about this and could use some advice.
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Ravi Malhotra
Ugh, that sucks! I've been there before. The SDI system is such a mess. Have you tried calling them to explain the situation? Sometimes you can get it sorted out if you talk to the right person.
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StarSurfer
•I've been trying to call but it's impossible to get through. It's so frustrating!
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Freya Christensen
•Pro tip: call right when they open. I got through after only 30 minutes on hold that way.
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Omar Hassan
•30 minutes? You got lucky! I was on hold for 3 hours last week ðŸ˜
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Chloe Robinson
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone. 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 about it: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ
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Diego Chavez
•Sounds too good to be true. Does it really work?
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Chloe Robinson
•Yeah, it does! I was skeptical at first too, but I got through in about an hour. Saved me a ton of time and frustration.
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NeonNebula
•$20 seems steep just to make a phone call...
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Chloe Robinson
•I get that, but think about how much time you waste trying to call yourself. For me, it was worth it to actually get my issue resolved.
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Anastasia Kozlov
Here's what you need to do: 1. Get the medical info form (DE 2501 Part B) from your doctor ASAP. 2. File an appeal immediately. You usually have 30 days from the denial date. 3. Include a letter explaining the timeline and why you couldn't submit the form before the deadline. 4. If possible, get a letter from your doctor explaining the delay. 5. Keep calling SDI until you reach someone who can help. Don't give up! The system is frustrating, but persistence usually pays off. Good luck!
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StarSurfer
•Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'll definitely follow these steps. Fingers crossed it works out 🤞
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Sean Kelly
•This is solid advice. I'd add: keep copies of EVERYTHING you send them. SDI has "lost" my documents before 🙄
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Zara Mirza
idk about SDI, but when i had issues with unemployment, i reached out to my state assembly member's office. They have liaisons who can help cut through the red tape. Might be worth a shot!
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Luca Russo
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but once a claim is disqualified, it's really hard to get them to pay out. Your best bet is to appeal ASAP and hope for the best. The whole system is a joke tbh 🤡
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Nia Harris
•Facts. It's like they WANT us to give up 😤
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GalaxyGazer
Have you considered getting a lawyer? Some specialize in SDI appeals and might be able to help. Many offer free consultations.
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StarSurfer
•I hadn't thought of that. Do you know if it's expensive to hire a lawyer for this kind of thing?
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GalaxyGazer
•It can be, but some work on contingency. Meaning they only get paid if you win. Might be worth looking into if your appeal doesn't work out.
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Evan Kalinowski
I went through something similar last year! The key is to act fast - definitely file that appeal within 30 days like others mentioned. When I had my denial, I wrote a detailed timeline showing exactly when I received the denial vs. when the form was due, and that helped my case. Also, if you can get your doctor's office to write a letter explaining any delays on their end, that can be really helpful. The appeals process took about 6 weeks for me, but I did eventually get approved. Don't lose hope - the initial denial doesn't mean it's over!
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Paolo Longo
•This is really encouraging to hear! Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about documenting the timeline. It's so reassuring to know that someone else went through this and came out successful on the other end. 6 weeks feels like forever when you're waiting, but at least there's light at the end of the tunnel. Did you have to do anything special during the appeals process, or was it mostly just waiting after you submitted everything?
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CosmicCadet
•@Evan Kalinowski This gives me so much hope! I m'in almost the exact same situation right now. Quick question - when you wrote that detailed timeline, did you submit it as part of your initial appeal or did you have to send it separately? Also, did you include any other documentation besides the doctor s'letter? I want to make sure I m'covering all my bases when I file my appeal. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you!
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