SDI payment schedule - automatic payments or biweekly certification needed?

SDI payments are typically automatic once your claim is established and your doctor has certified your disability. Unlike unemployment, you don't need to certify every two weeks. Your doctor will need to periodically recertify your disability (usually every 1-2 months depending on your condition), but EDD will notify you when that's needed. As for payment days, there's no fixed schedule like "every other Friday" - payments are processed as they're due, and it usually takes 1-2 business days to show up on your card after processing.

the payments just come automatic u dont gotta do nothing but ur doctor needs 2 keep saying ur still disabled. they usually pay every 2 weeks but sometimes its weird and comes at random times. i got paid on a sunday once lol

My wife just went through this for pregnancy disability before switching to PFL. The payments came automatically but sometimes they would be a day early or a day late which was really frustrating when we were trying to pay bills on time!!! Just keep checking your card balance or set up alerts.

Speaking from experience, don't rely on automatic payments working perfectly every time. I was getting SDI last year and suddenly payments stopped because my doctor's certification expired and neither of us received any notification! I had to frantically call EDD to figure out what happened. If you notice a payment is late by more than a few days, don't wait - try to contact EDD right away. And good luck actually reaching them... I spent 2 weeks calling daily before getting through.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS!!! I've been on SDI three different times over the past decade and EVERY SINGLE TIME there's been some kind of problem. Sometimes payments just STOP with zero explanation. Sometimes they're late. Sometimes they're for the wrong amount. And trying to get ANYONE on the phone to help is IMPOSSIBLE!!! They design it this way on purpose to make people give up on benefits they DESERVE. My advice - document EVERYTHING, watch your payments like a hawk, and the second something seems wrong, start calling and don't stop until you reach someone.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm feeling much more clear about how this works now. I'll keep an eye on my account and set a reminder to check with my doctor about recertification before the 8 weeks ends. It's frustrating that the system isn't more predictable with payment timing, but at least I know not to panic if a payment is a day or two off from what I expect. I appreciate all the advice!

when i was on disability last year i had the same question lol. the payments just come automatic but sometimes theres random delays. i had one payment that was like 5 days late for no reason and i freaked out but then it just appeared. EDD is weird like that. my doctor had to fill out new paperwork after 6 weeks tho so watch out for that

I'm new to SDI and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I called EDD yesterday about payment timing and the representative told me that while payments are automatic, they're processed in batches throughout the week rather than on specific days. She mentioned that most people see a pattern emerge after a few payments - like consistently getting paid on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - but it's not guaranteed. Also, she emphasized keeping your address updated in the system because missed mail notifications about certification renewals are one of the biggest reasons payments suddenly stop. Hope this helps others who are navigating this system for the first time!

As someone who recently went through the SDI application process myself, I wanted to share a few additional tips that helped me stay on top of my payments. First, I highly recommend downloading the EDD mobile app - it's not perfect but it does send push notifications when there are updates to your account, which can be faster than waiting for mail. Second, I keep a simple spreadsheet tracking my payment dates and amounts so I can quickly spot if something seems off. Finally, if you're comfortable with it, ask your doctor's office to give you a heads up when they submit recertifications to EDD - my doctor's assistant now sends me a quick text when the paperwork goes out, which gives me peace of mind. The system definitely has its quirks, but being proactive really helps minimize stress!

I'm currently going through the SDI process for a workplace injury and this whole thread has been so reassuring! I was getting really anxious about the payment timing since my regular paycheck stopped three weeks ago and bills don't wait. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like I should expect some variability in when payments hit my account, but the key thing is making sure my doctor stays on top of the recertification paperwork. I'm definitely going to use some of the tips mentioned - setting up the mobile app notifications, tracking payments in a spreadsheet, and asking my doctor's office to keep me in the loop about when they submit forms. It's frustrating that the system isn't more transparent about timing, but knowing what to expect helps a lot. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

I've been on SDI for about 6 months now and wanted to share something that really helped me with the payment anxiety - I started taking screenshots of my EDD account balance and payment history every few days. It sounds obsessive, but it actually gave me peace of mind because I could see the exact pattern of when my payments were processed versus when they hit my card. What I discovered is that there's usually about a 24-48 hour delay between when EDD shows "paid" in their system and when the money actually appears on the debit card. This helped me stop checking my card balance multiple times a day! Also, regarding the doctor recertification - my orthopedist's office told me they typically submit the forms about a week before the current certification expires, which explains why there's usually no gap in payments if everything goes smoothly. Hope this helps other people stress less about the process!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been helping family members navigate SDI for years. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually call the EDD debit card customer service line (not EDD directly) to set up text alerts for when deposits are made to your card. This was a game-changer for my mom when she was on disability - instead of constantly checking her balance, she'd get a text within minutes of the deposit hitting. The number is on the back of your EDD debit card and their wait times are usually much shorter than trying to reach EDD directly. Also, if you're ever concerned about a delayed payment, check the EDD website first - sometimes they post system-wide delays or maintenance notices that explain what's going on. It's saved me from panicking more than once!

As someone who just started my SDI claim last week, I can't thank everyone enough for all this detailed information! I was so confused about whether I needed to do something every two weeks like unemployment, and Maya's original question perfectly captured my anxiety. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring. I'm definitely going to set up those debit card text alerts that Santiago mentioned - that sounds like it will save me so much stress. I'm also going to talk to my doctor's office about keeping me informed when they submit recertification paperwork. One question though - does anyone know if there's a way to see the exact dates of your certification period in your EDD online account? I want to set up calendar reminders like Isaac suggested but I'm not sure where to find those dates.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm in the process of applying for SDI due to a chronic condition and was really worried about the payment process. Reading everyone's experiences - from Maya's initial confusion to all the practical tips from members like Santiago, Oliver, and Grace - has made me feel so much more prepared for what to expect. The idea that payments are automatic but can have timing variations makes total sense, and I love all the proactive strategies people have shared like setting up debit card alerts, tracking payments, and staying in touch with your doctor's office about recertifications. It's reassuring to know there's such a supportive community here sharing real experiences rather than just official government website info that doesn't always tell the whole story. Thank you all for taking the time to help newcomers navigate this system!