SDI payment confusion after return to work - do I get a final payment?

Yes, you should receive a final SDI payment that covers through your last official day of disability (5/15/25). However, the payment might be prorated since it's not covering a full two-week period. EDD calculates SDI benefits on a daily basis, so you'll be paid for each day you were certified as disabled through your last day. I had similar timing when I returned from disability last year.

just fyi ur probably NOT gonna get paid on the 20th.... my last payment took like 10 days after my final certification went thru. the timing gets messed up at the end.

The whole SDI ending process is SO confusing! When I went back to work in January, I actually got overpaid because I didn't notify them quickly enough that I was returning. Then I had to deal with repaying some of the money which was a COMPLETE NIGHTMARE. Make sure you submit your return-to-work date through your SDI Online account ASAP or call them to confirm. If you're having trouble getting through to an agent, check out Claimyr.com - they helped me connect with an actual EDD rep in under 20 minutes when I was dealing with my overpayment. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Totally worth it because otherwise I would've been on hold for HOURS.

When you return to work, your employer has to report your wages to EDD. This can sometimes cause a delay in your final payment since the system needs to verify you weren't working during the disability period. In my experience (returned from disability twice), there's almost always a gap between your last SDI payment and your first paycheck. It's super frustrating! Have you talked to your HR about possibly getting an advance on your first paycheck to cover the gap?

Let me clarify a couple things about SDI payments when returning to work: 1. SDI is calculated at a daily rate (your weekly benefit amount ÷ 7) 2. You'll be paid through your last certified day of disability (5/15/25) 3. The final payment processing typically follows your normal payment schedule 4. You MUST report your return-to-work date through SDI Online or by phone 5. If your doctor had certified you for longer than you actually needed, you should update that too The transition back to regular paychecks can create a cash flow gap, so plan accordingly. Most employers won't process your first paycheck until the end of their normal pay cycle. Some companies offer a partial advance, but it's not common.

I ran into EXACTLY the same situation last fall!! I was supposed to go back on a thursday but ended up not returning until the following monday and IT COMPLETELY MESSED UP MY FINAL PAYMENT!!! Ended up having to call EDD like 46 times before getting through to fix it. They claimed I was trying to double dip but I WASNT!! Just be super clear with both your employer and EDD about exact dates. Document EVERYTHING!!!!

When I was on disability for my pregnancy last year I had a similar question about the final payment. My experience was that I got the last payment about 5 days after my disability end date. It was for a partial amount (just for the days I was still on SDI). But here's something weird - they actually sent me a paper check for the final payment instead of direct deposit like all my other payments! So keep an eye on your mail too just in case.

One more important thing to note: If you've been on SDI for a medical condition (not pregnancy), you might be eligible for Partial Return to Work benefits if your doctor approves you to return on a reduced schedule. This would allow you to receive partial SDI benefits while working part-time. This requires specific certification from your doctor. If you're returning full-time, this wouldn't apply, but I mention it because many people don't know about this option.

Just to update everyone - I called EDD this morning about my similar situation (returning next week after 4 months on disability). They confirmed that the final payment will be processed after my last day of disability, and it should follow the regular payment schedule. The representative said there's typically no delay for the final payment as long as you've reported your return-to-work date properly through SDI Online. Hope this helps!

I went through this exact same transition last summer! You should definitely get your final SDI payment, but here's what I learned the hard way - make sure to keep all your documentation organized because sometimes EDD needs additional verification for that final payment. I also recommend setting aside some emergency funds if possible because that gap between your last SDI payment and first paycheck back can be longer than expected. My employer's payroll department was super helpful in explaining exactly when my first check would come, so definitely have that conversation with HR. Also, if you're feeling anxious about returning to work after a stress-related disability, don't hesitate to ease back in if your doctor and employer allow it. The transition can be overwhelming! Good luck with your return - you've got this!

I just went through this exact situation in February! You should receive your final SDI payment, but in my experience it came about a week later than the normal schedule. The payment was prorated for just the days I was still on disability. One thing that really helped me was creating a small buffer fund beforehand because there's almost always a gap between your last SDI payment and first regular paycheck. I also found it helpful to reach out to my bank about temporarily reducing automatic payments during the transition period. The stress of financial uncertainty while recovering from a stress-related condition is the last thing you need! Make sure to celebrate this milestone - returning to work after disability is a big accomplishment. Wishing you a smooth transition back!

I'm currently in a similar situation - returning to work next month after being on SDI for stress-related issues. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the consensus is that you should receive a final prorated payment, but the timing might be a bit unpredictable. I'm definitely going to take the advice about creating a buffer fund and talking to my bank about automatic payments. One question I have - for those who experienced delays with their final payment, did you eventually receive the full amount you were owed, or were there any deductions or complications? I'm trying to budget for the worst-case scenario but hoping for the best. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource during these transitions!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when returning from SDI for anxiety/depression. Here's what happened in my case: I did receive my final payment, but it came about 3-4 days later than my usual Wednesday schedule. The amount was prorated correctly for my last few days of disability. One thing I'd recommend is taking a screenshot of your SDI Online account showing your reported return-to-work date - I had to reference this later when there was a small hiccup with processing. The financial gap between SDI ending and first paycheck is real, so if you can swing it, try to have a week or two of expenses saved up. Also, don't be surprised if you feel a bit overwhelmed your first week back - the transition from disability to full-time work can be more challenging than expected, especially for stress-related conditions. Take it one day at a time and don't hesitate to use any employee assistance programs your company offers. You've made it this far in your recovery, so you've got the strength to handle this transition too!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - returning to work next week after 2.5 months on SDI for burnout/stress. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so reassuring! Based on what everyone shared, it sounds like I should expect my final prorated payment but maybe plan for it to be a few days late. I've already updated my return-to-work date in SDI Online and took screenshots like someone suggested. The advice about creating a buffer fund is spot on - I'm glad I saved up a bit because my company's payroll cycle means I won't get paid until almost 3 weeks after I return. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone dealt with partial return-to-work situations? My doctor mentioned possibly starting with reduced hours for the first two weeks, and after reading about partial SDI benefits, I'm wondering if that might be a good way to ease the financial transition. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community has been incredibly helpful during what feels like a really overwhelming time!

I'm going through this exact transition right now too! Just wanted to add that when I called EDD yesterday (finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned), they told me something important: if your last day of disability falls on a weekend or holiday, it can sometimes delay the final payment processing by a few extra days. Since your last day is Friday 5/15, you should be fine, but it's worth keeping in mind. Also, I learned that if you have any unused sick days at work, some companies will let you use those for your first few days back to help bridge the gap until your regular paycheck kicks in. Might be worth asking HR about that option too. The whole process is definitely stressful when you're already dealing with recovery from a stress-related condition, but it sounds like you're being really proactive about planning ahead. That's going to serve you well! Hang in there - we're all rooting for each other through these transitions.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! You should definitely receive your final SDI payment covering through 5/15, and it will be prorated for those partial days. In my experience, the payment came right on schedule (my normal Wednesday), but some people here have experienced delays of 3-5 days. One thing that really helped me was calling my bank ahead of time to temporarily reduce or pause automatic bill payments during the transition period - that gap between your last SDI payment and first regular paycheck is real! I also highly recommend keeping detailed records of all your dates and taking screenshots of your SDI Online account showing your return-to-work date. The transition back after stress-related disability can be emotionally challenging too, so be patient with yourself as you readjust. You might want to ask HR about using any available sick days for your first few days back to help bridge that financial gap. Wishing you a smooth return to work - you've got this!

I'm new to this community but going through a very similar situation - returning to work in two weeks after being on SDI for anxiety/depression. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! It sounds like the consensus is that you should receive your final prorated payment, though the timing might vary by a few days. I'm definitely taking the advice about creating a financial buffer and documenting everything in SDI Online. One question I have - for those who used sick days to bridge the gap when returning to work, did you need any special documentation from your doctor, or was it just a matter of requesting them through HR like normal sick time? Also, has anyone had experience with their employer being flexible about start dates if there are any delays with the final SDI payment? I'm trying to plan for all scenarios since my company has a pretty rigid payroll schedule. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's so comforting to know we're not alone in navigating these transitions!

I went through almost the exact same situation when I returned from SDI last October! You should definitely receive your final payment covering through 5/15, and it will be prorated based on your daily benefit rate. In my case, the payment came about 2-3 days after my normal schedule, so instead of Wednesday it arrived on Friday. The amount was correct though - just covered the partial period. One thing I wish I had done better was planning for that cash flow gap. My first paycheck didn't come for almost 3 weeks after returning, and it was really stressful. I ended up having to use a credit card for some bills. If you can, try to save up a little buffer or talk to your bank about temporarily adjusting automatic payments like others have suggested. Also, don't underestimate the emotional adjustment of going back to work after stress-related disability. I thought I was ready, but the first week was harder than expected just getting back into the routine. Be gentle with yourself and don't hesitate to use any mental health resources your employer offers. You've done the hard work of recovering - you can handle this transition too!

I just went through this transition last month and wanted to share some additional insights! You should definitely receive your final SDI payment for the days through 5/15, but here's something I learned that might help with your budgeting: EDD actually processes final payments in batches, so even though your regular payments come on Wednesdays, the final one might be processed on a different day of the week. Mine came on a Monday, about 5 days after my normal schedule. One thing that really saved me was setting up a small line of credit with my bank before returning to work. Even if you don't use it, having that safety net available can reduce a lot of the anxiety around the income gap. Also, if your company offers direct deposit advances or earned wage access programs, now might be a good time to look into those options. The transition back to work after stress-related disability is no joke - I thought I was mentally prepared, but even simple things like commuting and being around coworkers again felt overwhelming at first. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself if you need accommodations during your first few weeks back. Many companies are more flexible than you might expect, especially if you communicate your needs clearly. Hang in there - you've already done the hardest part by taking care of your health and getting ready to return. The financial logistics will work themselves out!

I'm currently going through a similar transition and this thread has been incredibly valuable! Based on everyone's experiences, it sounds like you should receive your final prorated SDI payment, but the timing can vary from the regular schedule by a few days to a week. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is checking if your state tax withholding elections are still current in your SDI Online account - I discovered mine had reset during my disability period and it affected my final payment calculation. Also, if you have any outstanding issues with previous certifications, those can sometimes delay final payment processing. The advice about creating a financial buffer is spot on. I'm in week 2 of my return and that gap between final SDI and first paycheck is very real! Something that helped me was asking my utility companies if they offered any flexibility on due dates during the transition period - several were surprisingly accommodating when I explained the situation. You mentioned stress-related disability, so I'll echo what others said about being patient with yourself during the readjustment. I underestimated how mentally exhausting it would be to get back into the work routine, even though I felt ready. Having realistic expectations helped me be kinder to myself those first few days. Best of luck with your return - you've got this! Keep us updated on how the final payment timing works out for you.

I went through this exact transition about 8 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me! You should definitely receive your final SDI payment covering through 5/15 - it will be prorated for those last few days. In my case, it came about a week later than my normal payment schedule, but the amount was calculated correctly. Here's what I wish I had known: that financial gap between your last SDI payment and first regular paycheck can be brutal, especially with stress-related recovery. I ended up borrowing money from family because I hadn't planned well enough. Now I always tell people in similar situations to contact their bank ahead of time about pausing automatic payments and maybe setting up a small emergency fund if possible. Also, don't be surprised if your first week back feels overwhelming - even though you're medically cleared to return, the adjustment from disability routine to work routine can be harder than expected. I had to remind myself that feeling tired or anxious those first few days didn't mean I wasn't ready; it just meant I was human! Make sure your return-to-work date is properly updated in SDI Online (sounds like you've already done this) and keep documentation of everything. The system usually works, but having records helps if any issues come up. Wishing you a smooth transition back!