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Ava Thompson

When does EDD SDI pay after first payment - daily or biweekly schedule?

Hey everyone, I'm new to the whole disability thing and am confused about the payment schedule. I just got my first disability payment covering 4/15 to 5/13/2025, but I have no idea when to expect the next one. Is SDI like unemployment where they pay every two weeks on a set day after certification? Or do they just randomly deposit money whenever they process claims? My rent is due on the 1st and I need to know if I should be pestering my landlord for an extension. Any insights on how the payment schedule works would be super helpful!

Miguel Ramos

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congrats on getting paid! mine took forever. sdi pays out whenever they process ur certification, not on a schedule like ui. sometimes its quick sometimes not.

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Ava Thompson

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Thanks for responding! So there's no way to predict when the next payment hits my account? That makes budgeting really difficult...

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SDI payments aren't on a set schedule like UI. They'll send you a certification form approximately every 2 weeks that you need to complete and return. Once they process that form (which can take 3-10 days), they'll issue your payment. If you have Direct Deposit set up, it will arrive 1-2 business days after processing. If you're getting checks by mail, add 5-7 days for delivery. My advice: mark your calendar for approximately 14 days after the last day of your previous payment period, and expect to receive your certification form around then. Complete and return it immediately (online is fastest if you can).

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Ava Thompson

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Thank you! This helps a lot. So I should be looking for a certification form around May 27th since my last payment covered through May 13th? And do they send it automatically or do I need to request it somehow?

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StarSailor

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I've been on SDI twice and both times it was SO frustrating trying to figure out when I'd get paid!!! They sent my certifications at different times, sometimes early, sometimes late, and the processing time varied from 2 days to almost 2 WEEKS!!!!! I ended up having to call my mortgage company for an extension TWICE because I couldn't predict when money would arrive. The EDD website is absolutely USELESS for telling you when to expect things!!!! Why can't they just have a regular schedule like unemployment?????

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This is actually by design. SDI and UI are two completely different programs with different funding sources and requirements. UI is designed for regular, predictable payments because job loss typically affects everyone in similar ways. SDI varies widely because medical conditions and recovery periods differ dramatically between individuals. Some people need payments for 2 weeks, others for months. The certification process allows medical providers to verify your ongoing condition, which UI doesn't require.

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Yara Sabbagh

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When I was on SDI for my surgery in January, I noticed they were sending my certifications about every 12-14 days, and payments usually hit my account about 4-5 days after I submitted the forms online. But yeah, no fixed schedule like unemployment.

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Quick tip to add: You can sometimes see in your SDI Online account when the next certification form is scheduled to be sent. Log in, click on "View Payment Activity", then look for the "Next Certification Date" field. It's not always 100% accurate, but gives you a general idea.

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Paolo Rizzo

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I went through the same confusion last year! Got so frustrated trying to reach EDD to ask about payment schedules. After spending days trying to get through on the phone, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an EDD representative in about 20 minutes. They confirmed that SDI payments process after each certification is reviewed, and gave me tips on how to speed up the process. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Really helped me get clarity on my specific payment situation instead of guessing.

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StarSailor

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Is that service legit? I've seen people mention it before but I'm always skeptical of these third-party things... Did they actually get you through or was it a waste of time?

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Paolo Rizzo

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It worked for me! I was desperate after trying for 3 days to get through on my own. They connected me to an actual EDD rep who answered all my questions about payment timing. Worth it when you need answers about your specific claim.

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Miguel Ramos

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btw dont wait for the paper form if ur doing online stuff. u can just login to ur account and check if theres a new certification ready.

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Ava Thompson

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Oh that's super helpful! I didn't realize I could check online instead of waiting for something in the mail. Will definitely keep an eye on my online account.

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To directly answer your original question: For your situation with a payment period ending May 13th, you should expect to receive your certification form around May 27th. Once you complete it (do it online for fastest processing), it typically takes 3-7 business days for them to process and issue payment. So you'd likely receive your next payment sometime between May 30th and June 5th, depending on their current processing times and whether you have direct deposit set up. If your rent is due on the 1st, you might want to discuss with your landlord, as there's a chance the payment could arrive after that date.

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Ava Thompson

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Thank you so much! This timeline really helps me plan. I'll definitely talk to my landlord about possibly paying a few days late just in case. Really appreciate everyone's help in understanding how this works!

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QuantumQuest

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I had pregnancy disability last year and they were all over the place with payment timing! Sometimes I'd get paid within 3 days of certifying and sometimes it would take over a week. Just a heads up that it's not super predictable even when you get the hang of the certification process.

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QuantumQueen

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Just to add another perspective - I've been on SDI for a chronic condition for about 8 months now, and while the timing isn't perfectly predictable, I've found a few patterns that might help you plan better. EDD tends to send certification forms on the same day of the week (mine always come on Tuesdays), and if you submit online immediately, payments usually process faster during the middle of the week vs. Fridays/Mondays. Also, keep an eye on state holidays - they can delay processing by a day or two. I started keeping a simple spreadsheet tracking my certification dates and payment dates, which has helped me predict timing within a few days. Good luck with your claim!

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Natalie Khan

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This is really helpful! I love the idea of tracking everything in a spreadsheet - that's so smart. I'm definitely going to start doing that once I get my next certification. The tip about submitting mid-week for faster processing is something I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks for sharing your experience with the chronic condition claim - it's reassuring to know that even though it's unpredictable, there are still some patterns you can pick up on over time.

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Amina Sy

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I'm currently on SDI too and can relate to the confusion! One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through the SDI Online portal - they'll send you a notification when a new certification is available, which takes some of the guesswork out of checking constantly. Also, if you're really tight on money between payments, some banks offer small overdraft protection or short-term loans that might help bridge the gap until your payment arrives. Just make sure you understand the fees involved. The uncertainty is definitely stressful when you're dealing with rent and other fixed expenses!

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JaylinCharles

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The text alerts are a game changer! I had no idea that was an option in the SDI portal. I'm definitely going to set those up right now so I don't have to keep logging in to check if my certification is ready. And you're right about the overdraft protection - my credit union actually has a small emergency loan program specifically for situations like this where you're waiting on benefit payments. It's worth asking your bank what options they have. Thanks for the practical tips!

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Been on SDI for 6 months now and here's what I've learned about timing: They typically send certifications every 14 days, but it can vary by 1-3 days either way. Processing time really depends on their current workload - I've had payments arrive anywhere from 2 days to 10 days after submitting my certification online. One thing that really helped me was calling my utility companies and landlord when I first started SDI to explain the situation. Most were understanding and willing to work with me on payment dates since disability payments are less predictable than regular paychecks. Also, if you're really stressed about timing, you can try calling EDD around 8:02 AM (right when they open) - I've had better luck getting through then vs later in the day. The key is just being proactive with your other creditors about the irregular payment schedule.

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Sean Flanagan

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This is such valuable advice, especially about being proactive with creditors! I never thought about calling my landlord upfront to explain the situation - I was just planning to deal with it if payments were late. The 8:02 AM tip for calling EDD is brilliant too. I tried calling a few times last week around lunch and could never get through. It's really reassuring to hear from someone who's been navigating this for 6 months - gives me hope that I'll figure out the rhythm eventually. Thanks for taking the time to share what you've learned!

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Talia Klein

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I've been dealing with SDI payments for about 4 months now and totally understand your frustration with the unpredictable timing! One thing that's helped me budget is setting aside a small emergency fund from my first few payments to cover the gaps between certifications. Even just $100-200 can make a huge difference when rent is due and you're waiting on processing. Also, I discovered that if you call your local EDD office directly (not the main number), sometimes they can give you more specific info about your claim status. The numbers are harder to find but you can usually get them from the "Contact Us" section when you're logged into your SDI account. It's still a pain compared to the predictable UI schedule, but these little tricks have made it more manageable for me. Hang in there - it does get easier once you get used to the rhythm!

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Paolo Longo

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This is really smart advice about building that small buffer fund! I wish I had thought to set aside some money from my first payment - now I'm stressed about timing for next month. The tip about calling local EDD offices directly is interesting too. I didn't even know that was an option since everyone always talks about the main phone line being impossible to get through. Do you happen to remember roughly how long it took you to get comfortable with the rhythm? I'm hoping by month 2 or 3 I'll have a better sense of my personal timing patterns. Thanks for the encouragement - it's really helpful to hear from people who've made it work!

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Ezra Bates

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One thing I wish someone had told me when I first started SDI is to screenshot or save your certification submission confirmations! I had a payment get delayed once because they claimed they never received my form, but I had the confirmation number and timestamp which helped resolve it quickly when I called. Also, if you're really concerned about rent timing, some areas have emergency rental assistance programs specifically for people waiting on disability payments - worth checking with your county's social services department. The unpredictability is definitely the hardest part to adjust to, but most landlords are pretty understanding if you communicate upfront about the situation.

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Dmitry Popov

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This is such a great tip about saving the confirmation screenshots! I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense - having proof of submission could save so much hassle if there's ever a dispute. I'm definitely going to start doing that right away. The rental assistance program idea is really smart too - I had no idea that existed. I'll call my county office tomorrow to see what's available. It's amazing how many resources and tricks you only learn about from other people who've been through this process. Thanks for sharing what you've learned from experience!

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