Timelines for EDD SDI approval? First-time applicant with chronic back pain

When I filed for disability last fall, it took exactly 14 days from when I submitted my claim to get approved. But that was after my doctor had already submitted their certification. The 7-day waiting period doesn't count toward your payment, but it's part of the disability period. If your doctor hasn't submitted their certification yet, that will delay the process. You might want to check SDI Online to see if it shows your doctor's certification was received.

In my experience helping people navigate disability claims, the typical processing time for a straightforward new SDI claim is 10-14 business days after BOTH your claim and your doctor's certification have been received. This is separate from the mandatory 7-day unpaid waiting period that begins on your first day of disability. Since your SDI Online account shows "medical certification received," that's excellent news! Your claim is complete and in the processing queue. You can expect a decision within about two weeks from your filing date, though sometimes it can be faster. A few important notes: 1. Your first payment will be for the period starting AFTER the 7-day waiting period 2. Payments are typically issued via EDD debit card or direct deposit if you've set that up 3. Your claim status should update online before you receive any physical mail If it goes beyond 14 business days with no update, that's when you might want to contact EDD for a status check.

GOOD LUCK even getting through to EDD if there's any problem with your claim!!!! I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone when my claim got stuck in "pending" status last year. Called literally 30+ times a day and either got a busy signal or was told "we're experiencing high call volume" and got disconnected. The whole system is a JOKE. Just pray your claim goes through smoothly because if not, you're basically screwed.

i got my first payment in like 9 days last month but my sister waited almost a month so i think it depends

Something no one has mentioned yet - make sure your mailing address is correct on your SDI Online account! My first disability claim took forever because my approval notice and debit card were sent to my old address. Double-check this now to save yourself headaches later. Also, if your claim takes longer than 14 business days to process, you should contact EDD. While the previous poster is right that getting through on the phone can be challenging, you can also use the message function within your SDI Online account to inquire about delays. For back pain specifically, sometimes EDD requests additional medical documentation, which can extend the timeline. If your doctor included detailed information about your condition, treatment plan, and estimated recovery time, you're less likely to face delays for additional documentation requests.

I filed for disability for the first time back in January for a herniated disc (similar to your situation I guess). My timeline was: - Filed claim on Jan 10 - Doctor submitted certification on Jan 12 - Claim showed "processing" on Jan 17 - Approval notification on Jan 22 - First payment on EDD debit card Jan 25 So about 15 days total from filing to money in hand. The waiting period was the first 7 days of my disability period, and I didn't get paid for those days. Just to prepare you, the benefit amount will be less than your normal pay - I think it's about 60-70% of your regular salary up to a maximum. One thing - don't stress if the online status doesn't update frequently. Mine jumped from "processing" straight to "paid" without any intermediate steps showing online.

did u set up ur direct deposit? thats way faster than waiting for the edd card!! go to the benefit payments section in ur account and u can add ur bank info there

Just to follow up on what others have mentioned - since your claim involves back pain, which can sometimes be a red flag for EDD (unfortunately they scrutinize these claims more closely), make sure your doctor has provided very specific information about: 1. Diagnosis (hopefully with imaging results referenced) 2. Functional limitations (specifically what work activities you cannot perform) 3. Treatment plan 4. Estimated recovery time or need for accommodations If all of this information was included with your medical certification, you're much less likely to face delays. In my experience, degenerative disc disease claims with proper documentation typically process within the standard timeframe. Also, once you're approved, remember that you'll need to complete certification forms every two weeks to continue receiving benefits. These will be available in your SDI Online account. Setting a calendar reminder for certification periods can help you avoid payment interruptions.