Will my psychiatrist need to file an EDD extension or new claim after my PCP disability approval ends?

This is considered a new claim since you're changing both the medical condition and the doctor. Your psychiatrist will need to complete a new DE 2501 form rather than an extension on the existing claim. You should file this new claim about 1-2 weeks before your current claim ends to avoid any gaps in payment. Make sure your psychiatrist understands they need to certify a completely new disability rather than continuing the hypertension diagnosis.

im so sorry about ur mom, i went thru something similar last yr. my therapist put me on disability after physical injury healed but i wasnt mentaly ready to work. do the new claim thing and MAKE SURE to file it b4 the old one ends!!!!!

Technically this is considered a new disability claim since it's for a different medical condition. However, you won't need to serve another waiting period if the second claim begins within 60 days of your first claim ending. The key is making sure your psychiatrist completes the medical certification (DE 2501) for the mental health condition and that you submit it before your current benefits end. I recommend starting this process at least 10 days before your current claim period is over. Source: I've been through this exact scenario, switching from a physical to mental health claim last year.

When I tried calling EDD about switching doctors on my claim the automated system kept hanging up on me! So frustrating. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person in about 20 min. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. The agent I spoke with confirmed what others are saying - you need a new claim for different condition/doctor, but no new waiting period if within 60 days. Worth calling to get everything straight from them directly.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS DELIBERATELY COMPLICATED TO DENY US BENEFITS!!!! I had almost the exact situation last year and they made me file a whole new claim, then they DENIED it saying it should have been an extension, then when I appealed THEY SAID it should have been a new claim after all!!!!! The whole thing took 3 months to resolve and I almost lost my apartment. Whatever you do GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING and make copies of EVERYTHING you submit!!!

My situation wasn't exactly the same, but I did have to transition from regular SDI to PFL (Paid Family Leave) last year. Even though they're both handled by EDD, I had to fill out entirely new paperwork and it was basically like starting over. The only good thing was not having another waiting period. The forms for mental health claims are the same as physical health claims (DE 2501), but your psychiatrist will need to use specific medical coding for the mental health diagnosis. Make sure they're familiar with EDD certification or it could cause delays.

One important thing to add: when you file the new claim, you'll need to provide your current claim information so EDD knows they're related. This helps ensure you don't have to serve another waiting period. Also, there's a specific place on the application where you should indicate that this is a claim for a different condition following another disability period. The online application has a section specifically for this scenario.

Anyone know if OP needs forms filled out by BOTH doctors for the transition period? My cousin had to get both her specialists to submit paperwork during her claim transition and it was a huge hassle.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I'm going to talk to my psychiatrist tomorrow about completing a new DE 2501 form. I'll make sure to file the new claim at least 10 days before my current one ends and provide all the details about my existing claim. It's a relief to know I won't have to do another waiting period since I'll be filing within the 60-day window. I'll also follow the advice about keeping copies of everything. Hopefully the transition goes smoothly!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ravi. Grief can be incredibly overwhelming and it's completely understandable that you need additional time off to process everything. I went through something similar when I lost my father a few years ago - the mental health impact was much harder to deal with than I expected. Just to add to what others have said: when you meet with your psychiatrist, make sure they understand that EDD requires very specific language about how your grief is functionally impairing your ability to work. Generic statements won't cut it. They need to document things like concentration problems, sleep disturbances, anxiety levels, and how these symptoms specifically prevent you from performing your job duties. Also, don't feel bad about needing this time - mental health is just as valid as physical health when it comes to disability claims. Take care of yourself first, and the paperwork will work itself out. Wishing you the best during this difficult time.

I'm really sorry for your loss, Ravi. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things we go through, and it's completely understandable that you need time to grieve properly. Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like you have a clear path forward with filing a new claim. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful: when you're working with your psychiatrist on the DE 2501 form, ask them to include how your grief symptoms specifically impact your work performance. Things like difficulty concentrating during meetings, inability to make decisions, frequent crying episodes, or panic attacks can all be documented as functional limitations. Also, if you haven't already, consider asking your psychiatrist about connecting you with grief counseling resources. Having that additional support documented in your treatment plan can actually strengthen your disability claim by showing you're actively working on recovery. The fact that you're being proactive about this transition shows you're handling a difficult situation really well. Take it one step at a time, and don't hesitate to reach out here if you run into any issues with the process. This community has been through it all and we're here to help each other navigate these complicated systems.