Switching from UI to SDI benefits - completely lost with the EDD disability application process

You need to file a new SDI claim right away. UI and SDI are separate programs, but you can't receive both at the same time. The form you need is DE 2501, which you can complete online through SDI Online (create an account if you don't have one). Your doctor will need to complete their certification portion electronically or via form DE 2501C. There will likely be a 7-day waiting period before SDI benefits begin, and you should stop certifying for UI as soon as you're unable to work/look for work. Your weekly SDI amount will be similar to your UI amount since they're both based on your base period wages.

i switched from ui to disability last yr. u gotta STOP ur ui right away!!! dont certify anymore!! then make new sdi acct (different system) and apply there. doctor part is IMPORTANT - they gotta sign form or do online. my doc took 2 weeks to do his part and they wouldnt process without it.

I work in a medical office and help patients with disability paperwork all the time. Here's what you need to do: 1. Tell your doctor you need the DE 2501 Medical Certification completed ASAP - be clear it's for EDD SDI benefits 2. File your SDI claim online immediately (don't wait for the doctor's part) 3. Stop certifying for UI as of your date of injury/disability 4. Your claim effective date should be May 9, 2025 (day after your accident) 5. There's a 7-day unpaid waiting period, so benefits would start May 16 The key is getting your doctor to complete their portion quickly. Some offices take weeks, which delays your payment. Make sure they include all your restrictions and an estimated recovery time of at least 3 months based on what you've described.

Sorry about your accident! I broke my leg skiing while on unemployment last year. The worst part of switching to disability was getting through to an actual person at EDD to make sure everything was processed correctly. I kept calling the main number for days and could never get past the automated system.

The EDD system is so confusing!!! When my husband got disability after his appendix burst, we did everything RIGHT and still had to wait almost 4 weeks for the first payment. Make sure you check your SDI Online account daily for any messages or forms they need. They won't call or email you if something's missing - the notification only shows up in your account. Also, screenshot EVERYTHING just in case.

I'm currently on SDI for pregnancy and can tell you the medical certification is EVERYTHING! If your doctor doesn't complete their part correctly or misses any information, your claim will sit in pending status forever. Call your doctor's office daily until they confirm it's been submitted. If they fax it instead of doing it electronically, add another week of processing time. The system is completely broken. Good luck!

UPDATE: I took everyone's advice and stopped certifying for UI. I created an SDI Online account and filed my claim yesterday. My doctor submitted his portion this morning! Now waiting for approval. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned to call EDD and actually got through to a representative who confirmed I did everything correctly. She said my SDI weekly benefit amount will be $520 (a bit less than my UI was) and to expect about 10-14 days processing time once the doctor certification is received. She also said I don't have to worry about the UI overlap since I reported my disability date accurately. Thank you all so much for the help! I'll update again when/if I get approved.

Great to hear you got through to someone at EDD and have your claim submitted! Just wanted to add a few tips for while you're waiting: 1) Check your SDI Online account every morning - sometimes they request additional info and the clock starts ticking from when they post it, not when you see it, 2) Keep all your medical records handy in case they need more documentation, and 3) If you don't hear anything in 2 weeks, don't hesitate to call again. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with EDD. Hoping for a quick approval so you can focus on healing instead of stressing about money! 🤞

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and the stress you're dealing with on top of your injuries! I went through a similar situation last year when I had to switch from UI to SDI after a work injury. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple tracking sheet to monitor my claim progress - I wrote down dates for when I submitted each part, when my doctor completed their portion, and any reference numbers EDD gave me. It sounds like you're doing everything right by stopping UI certification and getting your doctor's part submitted quickly. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when you're worried about rent, but it sounds like you'll get backpay once approved which should help. Also, if you run into any issues with your landlord about late rent, California has some tenant protections for people experiencing temporary financial hardship due to disability - might be worth looking into just in case. Wishing you a speedy recovery and quick approval! 💪

I went through this exact transition two years ago after a workplace injury while on unemployment. One thing I wish someone had told me - make sure you save/screenshot your final UI certification where you report that you became unable to work. This documentation can be super helpful if there are any questions later about the transition timeline. Also, once your SDI claim is approved, you might want to ask EDD about the timing for when your UI claim will automatically close - sometimes there's a delay and you want to make sure you're not accidentally leaving it open. The good news is that your SDI weekly amount should be pretty close to what you were getting on UI since both are calculated from the same base period wages. Hang in there - the hardest part is the waiting and uncertainty, but it sounds like you're doing everything right!

I'm really glad to see you got your claim submitted and your doctor was quick with the paperwork - that's huge! One thing I learned during my SDI experience is to keep a written log of any symptoms or limitations that might change during your recovery period. If your condition gets worse or you need to extend your disability beyond the initial 3 months your doctor estimated, having detailed notes about your daily struggles can really help when it's time for re-evaluation. Also, don't feel guilty about taking the full recovery time your doctor recommends - I made the mistake of trying to go back to work too early and ended up extending my disability even longer. Focus on healing and let the system work for you. You've been through enough stress already with the accident and the EDD runaround!

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your accident and the EDD process! I went through something similar when I had to transition from UI to SDI after a motorcycle accident last year. One thing that really helped me was preparing a "disability packet" before calling EDD - I gathered my claim confirmation numbers, doctor's contact info, injury date, and a clear timeline of events. This made the conversation much smoother when I finally got through to a representative. Also, if you're worried about rent while waiting for approval, some local churches and community organizations have emergency assistance programs for people dealing with temporary disability situations. I found a small grant that helped cover utilities while I waited for my first SDI payment. The stress of worrying about finances definitely doesn't help with recovery, so don't hesitate to look into temporary assistance options in your area. You're handling this really well considering everything you're dealing with - stay strong! 💪