SDI extension process - do I need new forms in my online account?
My current disability claim ends on 1/15/2025 but my doctor says I'll need at least another 4-6 weeks of recovery after my back surgery complications. I'm confused about how the extension process works. Will EDD automatically send me a new certification form through my SDI Online account? Or do I need to download a specific form somewhere and give it to my doctor? And how soon before my current claim ends should my doctor submit the extension paperwork? I'm panicking a bit because my bills don't stop just because I can't work. I definitely can't return to my warehouse job yet - I can barely walk to the bathroom without pain meds. Anyone been through this extension process recently?
25 comments


Sergio Neal
u dont get anything automatic. your dr has to fill out another de2501 form. its the same form as when u first applied. tell them to submit it like 1-2 weeks before ur current one ends so theres no gap in payments.
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Leslie Parker
•Thank you! Is that something my doctor should already have or do I need to bring them the form? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I've just never had to extend before.
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Savanna Franklin
Your doctor needs to complete a Supplemental Certificate (DE 2525XX) form, not a new initial claim form. Many doctors have these forms in their office, but you can also download it from the EDD website if needed. The extension should be submitted 5-10 days before your current claim ends to avoid payment delays. Make sure your doctor specifically notes that this is an extension of your current disability with the same diagnosis code, otherwise EDD might mistakenly process it as a new claim which could trigger a new waiting period (though technically you shouldn't have a new waiting period for the same condition). I've gone through three extensions for my shoulder surgery recovery last year, so I understand the stress. Just keep track of your certification periods and stay on top of your doctor to submit the paperwork on time.
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Leslie Parker
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you so much! I didn't realize there was a specific extension form different from the initial claim form. I'll call my doctor tomorrow to make sure they're familiar with the DE 2525XX form.
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Juan Moreno
hey I just went through this!! my claim was supposed to end 12/20/24 but got extended to 3/1/25. it was super easy actually! doctor just submited the extension form and i kept getting paid no problems. just make SURE your doctor submits before current claim ends!!!!!
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Amy Fleming
The whole system is DESIGNED to be confusing. They're hoping you'll miss deadlines or file the wrong paperwork so they can deny benefits and save money. I've been through FOUR extensions for my disability and every single time there was some problem. One time they "lost" my doctor's paperwork. Another time they claimed I didn't qualify for an extension even though NOTHING had changed with my condition. Make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of your SDI Online account too. And start calling EDD about 3 days after your doctor submits anything to confirm they received it, because if something goes wrong, they won't tell you until your payments stop completely!
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Leslie Parker
•That's really concerning... I definitely can't afford any payment gaps. If my doctor submits the form and nothing updates on my account after a few days, I'll make sure to follow up.
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Alice Pierce
I work in a medical office that handles a lot of disability claims. Here's what you need to know about SDI extensions: 1. Your doctor needs to complete a Supplemental Certificate (DE 2525XX) form before your current claim period ends. 2. The timing is important: 7-10 days before your end date is ideal. Too early and EDD may set it aside, too late and you might have a gap. 3. Your doctor should indicate it's a continuation of the same condition, which avoids triggering a new waiting period. 4. You can view if the extension was processed in your SDI Online account under "Claim History" - it should show an updated "End Date" once processed. 5. The benefit amount stays the same during extensions. If your doctor isn't familiar with the extension process, you can download the form from the EDD website and bring it to them, but most medical offices that deal with workers' comp and disability have these forms on hand.
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Juan Moreno
•this is so helpful!! wish id had this info when i was freaking out about my extension lol
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Esteban Tate
Had similar back issues and went thru the same. If u have trouble getting through to EDD to check if they got ur extension (which i recommend doing), try using Claimyr.com. It got me through to a actual person at EDD in like 20 mins instead of calling for days. They have a video showing how it works https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd helped me when my extension wasnt showing up in the system and my payment was late.
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Leslie Parker
•I hadn't heard of that service before. Definitely going to bookmark it in case I run into issues. The thought of calling EDD over and over is so stressful when you're already dealing with medical problems.
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Sergio Neal
•does it really work? i tried calling edd like 50 times last month and never got thru
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Esteban Tate
•ya it worked for me twice now. not cheap but worth it when ur desperate and need ur money
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Ivanna St. Pierre
When my doctor extended my disability claim last year, I almost missed a payment because there was confusion about which form to use. Make sure your doctor uses the Supplemental Certificate form (DE 2525XX) rather than starting a new claim with the original DE 2501 form. Some doctor's offices get these mixed up. Another tip - don't rely on SDI Online messages to communicate with EDD about extension issues. Those messages often don't get answered for weeks. If you see any problems with your extension (like if the end date doesn't update after your doctor submits paperwork), you need to call them directly. Hope your recovery goes well! Back injuries are tough, I've been there.
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Leslie Parker
•That's a really good point about the messages vs. calling. I've been using the message system for simple questions but I'll definitely call if anything time-sensitive comes up with the extension. And thanks for the well wishes - this recovery has been much harder than I expected.
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Amy Fleming
WHATEVER YOU DO don't let your current claim end without the extension being filed!!!! If there's a gap between your original claim and extension, EDD might treat it as a new claim and force you to serve another unpaid waiting period. I lost a week of benefits because of this exact situation last spring. My doctor submitted the extension 2 days after my claim ended and EDD claimed it was a "new disability period" even though it was the EXACT SAME CONDITION!
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Alice Pierce
•This shouldn't happen if it's for the same medical condition. If you experience this issue, you should appeal the decision. The EDD policy states that extensions for the same condition shouldn't trigger a new waiting period, even if there's a small gap in paperwork. However, you're absolutely right that it's best practice to submit extension documentation before the current claim period ends to avoid these complications altogether.
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Leslie Parker
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I called my doctor's office this morning and they confirmed they're familiar with the DE 2525XX Supplemental Certificate form. They're going to submit it next week (about 10 days before my current claim ends). They also suggested I call EDD 3-4 days after they submit to verify it was received properly. I'm feeling much less anxious about the process now. Will update if I run into any issues with the extension!
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Savanna Franklin
•That's great news! You're doing everything right. One last tip - when your doctor submits the extension paperwork, ask them for a copy for your records. It can be helpful to have if there are any disputes about submission dates later on.
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Yara Sabbagh
Hope your recovery goes smoothly! Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble getting around due to your back surgery, many doctor's offices can fax the extension form directly to EDD rather than mailing it. This can speed up processing time by a few days. Also, if you're on pain medication that affects your ability to concentrate, consider having a trusted family member or friend help you monitor your SDI Online account and follow up with EDD if needed. Back injuries are no joke - take care of yourself and don't rush back to work before you're truly ready, especially with a physical job like warehouse work.
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Aidan Hudson
•That's really thoughtful advice about having someone help monitor the account - I hadn't thought about how the pain meds might affect my ability to stay on top of things. My sister has been helping me with a lot of stuff since the surgery, so I'll ask her to help me keep track of the extension process too. And you're absolutely right about not rushing back - I made that mistake with a previous injury and ended up making it worse. Thanks for the reminder to prioritize healing over getting back to work too quickly!
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ShadowHunter
Just went through this exact process for my shoulder surgery recovery! One thing I learned is that you can actually track the status of your extension in real-time through your SDI Online account. After your doctor submits the DE 2525XX form, log into your account and look under "Claim Status" - it should update within 3-5 business days to show your new end date. If it doesn't update after a week, that's when you know you need to call EDD immediately. Also, make sure your doctor includes specific details about why you can't return to your warehouse job yet - EDD sometimes questions extensions if the medical reasoning isn't clear enough. The fact that you're still having trouble walking shows you're definitely not ready for physical labor! Keep advocating for yourself and don't let anyone pressure you to return before you're medically cleared.
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Bethany Groves
•This is really helpful! I didn't know about the real-time tracking feature in SDI Online - that will definitely help reduce my anxiety about whether the extension went through properly. And you make a great point about making sure my doctor is specific about the work restrictions. I'm going to ask them to clearly note that I can't lift, bend, or stand for extended periods, which are all essential for my warehouse job. It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through a similar process successfully. How long did your shoulder recovery end up taking?
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Daniel Price
I'm going through a similar situation right now with my knee replacement recovery! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple calendar reminder system to track all the important dates. I marked when my current claim ends, when my doctor needs to submit the extension (about 7-10 days before), and when I should follow up with EDD to confirm they received it. Having it all written down helped reduce my stress about missing deadlines. Also, don't hesitate to be your own advocate with your medical team - I had to remind my doctor's office twice about submitting my extension on time. Sometimes they get busy and these things slip through the cracks. Your health and financial stability are too important to leave to chance. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping you can focus on healing without worrying about the paperwork!
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Oliver Becker
•That's such a smart idea about the calendar reminders! I'm definitely going to set that up - between the pain meds and just feeling overwhelmed, I know I could easily lose track of important dates. It's also good to know I'm not the only one who has to stay on top of their doctor's office about these things. I was worried about being pushy, but you're right that it's too important to just assume everything will happen automatically. Thanks for sharing your experience and the encouragement - it really helps to connect with others going through similar situations!
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