Stuck in EDD SDI 'waiting period' for 6+ weeks - payments haven't started despite doctor certification

This definitely isn't normal. The waiting period is only 7 days from your disability start date, so something is wrong with your claim. The most common reasons for delays like this are: 1) Missing or incomplete medical certification (even if your doctor thinks they sent it), 2) Identity verification issues, or 3) Base period wage problems. Have you checked if there are any messages in your SDI Online inbox? Sometimes they send requests for additional information there without notifying you by email or mail. Also, did you receive an acknowledgment letter in the mail with your claim number after filing?

omg the same exact thing happened to me last fall!! stuck in waiting period for almost 2 months and no one would answer the phone. turns out my employer messed up my last day worked on their form and it didnt match what i put. check with ur HR maybe?

I had something similar happen and it turned out I checked the wrong box on my application that made it look like I was getting other benefits at the same time (workers comp). Check your copy of the application if you have it. Also the EDD website can be super glitchy - sometimes the status doesn't update even when they're processing your claim.

As someone who works with SDI claims professionally, I can tell you that claims stuck in "waiting period" status for this long usually indicate a technical problem in the system rather than an issue with your documentation. The actual processing may be complete, but the online status update failed. You need to speak with a claims examiner directly. Unfortunately, that's extremely difficult with the current call volume. I recommend trying these specific approaches: 1. Call at exactly 8:00 AM when their system opens 2. Try the alternate number (833-978-2511) which sometimes has lower wait times 3. Use the Contact Us form in your SDI Online account to specifically request a callback 4. If your medical condition has changed or worsened, have your doctor submit an updated medical certification as this can trigger a review Don't resubmit your entire claim as this could further complicate things.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY BROKEN!!! I waited NINE WEEKS for my first disability payment last year and nearly lost my apartment. They claim "high volume" but it's just incompetence. My neighbor filed the exact same week as me and got paid in 2 weeks. Their internal systems don't communicate with each other, and half the staff don't know their own rules. I filed a complaint with my state representative's office and MAGICALLY my claim was fixed 2 days later. DON'T WASTE TIME with their phone system - contact your state assembly member's office!!!

I finally got through to EDD after trying for weeks using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that basically waits on hold for you and calls when an agent is available. I was skeptical but they got me connected to a live EDD agent in about 45 minutes when I'd been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The agent I spoke with told me my claim was actually approved but stuck in their system due to a "processing flag" that needed manual clearing. They fixed it right there and my payments started showing as pending in my account the next day. Definitely worth getting through to a real person!

One more important thing to try: check if your employer filed their DE 2503 form (Statement of Wages). Sometimes the claim gets stuck if there's a significant discrepancy between your reported wages and what your employer reports. If your employer hasn't submitted this form or entered incorrect information, your claim can remain in limbo for weeks. Call your HR or payroll department to confirm they've submitted this form correctly.