Switching from UI to SDI after car accident injury - need help ASAP

just file for sdi right away. theres no way to convert UI to SDI, its 2 different systems. you have to stop your UI claim and file a completely new SDI claim. you cant collect both at the same time anyway

I had a similar situation last year. Here's what you need to do: 1. Stop certifying for UI immediately. Do not claim any weeks where you were medically unable to work, as that's UI fraud (since you must be able and available for work to receive UI) 2. File a new SDI claim online through SDI Online. Make sure to have your doctor complete the medical certification part ASAP. 3. In the SDI application, you'll need to indicate that you filed for UI recently. Be honest about the dates. 4. Your SDI claim will use the same base period wage information as your UI claim, so the weekly benefit amount might be similar. 5. There's a 7-day unpaid waiting period for SDI, so benefits won't start immediately. Don't worry about "converting" - just stop one and start the other. The systems don't talk to each other very well.

omg u cant convert them! i tried this last year and got in BIG trouble. they said i was commiting fraud by certifying for UI when i wasnt able to work!!! stop your UI claim right now!!!

Your physician will need to complete the medical certification portion of the SDI claim through SDI Online. This is called the "Physician/Practitioner Certification" and it must be submitted within 30 days of your disability beginning. Make sure to give your physician your receipt number after you submit your claim. Regarding processing times, it typically takes 14-21 days for a clean SDI claim to process, but it can take longer if there are any issues or if EDD needs additional information. The 7-day waiting period is unpaid but counts toward your total benefit period. One thing to note: since your disability occurred after you filed for UI, you need to be very clear about the exact date your disability began. If you certified for any UI benefits for weeks where you were disabled, you may need to repay those benefits. By the way, if you're struggling to reach EDD, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to an actual person at EDD when I was having issues with my claim. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Saved me hours of frustration!

Why don't you just collect both? Double the money! 🤣 JK don't do that, they'll catch you and it's fraud. Serious question though - was the other driver at fault? Because you might want to look into filing a personal injury claim too since they should be covering your lost wages.

The same thing happened to my sister-in-law two years ago and it was a NIGHTMARE. She ended up with no income for almost 6 weeks because EDD flagged her account for potential fraud when she tried to switch from UI to SDI. Eventually she got it sorted out but she had to send in all kinds of documentation proving she wasn't trying to double-dip. Just be super careful about documenting everything!

I want to add something important that no one has mentioned yet. If your car accident injuries are expected to last less than a year, then yes, SDI is appropriate. However, if your doctor believes your injuries might result in long-term disability (over a year), you might want to consider also applying for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). SDI in California only lasts up to 52 weeks, while SSDI is for longer-term disabilities. It's harder to qualify for SSDI, but the application process takes months, so some people apply for both simultaneously if they're uncertain about recovery timeframes. Also, regarding your UI claim - if you haven't certified for any weeks yet, you're in good shape. Just don't certify, file your SDI claim, and you should be fine.

One more thing I forgot to mention - keep a detailed record of all your communications with EDD, including dates, times, who you spoke with, and what was discussed. Take screenshots of any online submissions or status changes. This documentation can be crucial if there are any issues or disputes later. Also, once your SDI claim is approved, make sure you understand the certification process, which is different from UI. For SDI, you'll receive forms (DE 2500A) to certify your continued disability, usually every two weeks. Missing these certifications can cause payment delays.

For SDI certification, you have two options: 1. Online certification through SDI Online (most convenient) 2. Paper forms (DE 2500A) that are mailed to you I recommend setting up the online option if possible. It's much faster and you don't have to worry about mail delays. Regarding your earlier question about processing times - if you're facing an urgent financial situation while waiting for your SDI claim to process, you might qualify for an expedited payment. You would need to contact EDD directly and explain your hardship situation. This is another reason why getting through to an actual representative can be so important.