Based on everything shared here, I'd recommend you: 1. Apply for the DE 1446W waiver or reduction right away - don't wait for them to start collecting 2. Be prepared for some amount of offset (25% for non-fraud is typical) 3. Contact your local EDD office directly if possible - sometimes in-person visits can get faster results than phone calls 4. Look into local rental assistance programs as a backup plan for your upcoming rent The good news is that they can't take 100% of your benefits unless it was a fraud determination, so you will receive at least some money while this gets sorted out.

I went through something similar last year and want to share what I learned. The offset usually starts with your second or third payment, not the first one, so you might get one full payment before they start taking the deduction. Also, if you're really struggling financially, you can ask for a temporary suspension of collections for up to 60 days while you get back on your feet. You'll need to provide proof of financial hardship (like eviction notice, past due utility bills, etc.) but it can give you some breathing room. The key is to be proactive and contact them BEFORE they start taking money out, not after. Good luck!

New member here dealing with the same SDI calling nightmare! I've been trying to reach them about my pregnancy disability claim for over a week now and getting nowhere. This thread is incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were specific timing strategies that could make such a difference! I'm definitely going to try the 8:07am approach tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I'll attempt the afternoon 3:15-3:20pm window that seems to have worked for several people here. It's both frustrating and reassuring to see I'm not the only one struggling with this broken system. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and specific tips - it gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off! Has anyone had success using the online messaging system that was mentioned? I might try that as a backup option while continuing to call.

New member here and wow, this thread is exactly what I needed to find! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to reach SDI for the past 4 days about my own disability claim. The automated system just keeps hanging up on me after the "high call volume" message. I'm so grateful everyone shared their specific timing strategies - I had no idea there was actual science behind when to call! I'm going to create a calling schedule based on all the suggestions here: 8:07am sharp, then 10:30-11:15am if that fails, and finally the 3:15-3:20pm afternoon window. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to strategize like this just to access our benefits, but I'm willing to try anything at this point. Thank you all for being so generous with your hard-earned knowledge - this community is a lifeline when dealing with California's broken systems!

One more important detail: if you've missed several certification periods already, request retroactive certification when you get through to a specialist. You'll need to complete form DE 1475A for each missed certification period. The specialist should be able to help you with this - make sure to emphasize that you were unable to certify due to system limitations during your appeal, not because you forgot or chose not to certify.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - filed my appeal in late August and still waiting for a hearing date. The UI Online system completely locks me out of certification too. I've been trying to call EDD for weeks but can never get through. Reading all these responses is both helpful and terrifying - I had no idea I was supposed to keep certifying during the appeal! I've already missed about 8 weeks of certifications. Does anyone know if there's a limit to how many retroactive certifications they'll allow? I'm worried I've already waited too long to fix this mess.

I'm going through this EXACT same thing right now and finding this thread has been such a relief! Had my eligibility interview 4 days ago, and just like everyone else here, my status changed from "pending review" to "no weeks to certify" with my initial weeks showing as disqualified. I was absolutely convinced they had denied my claim without any notification - the anxiety has been through the roof! But reading all these experiences, especially from people like @Omar Zaki and @Ella Harper who went through the same thing and eventually got approved with retroactive pay, has given me so much hope. What really gets me is how EDD gives you zero explanation for what these status changes actually mean during their review process. Like @Yuki Tanaka said, a simple "your claim is under review, certification temporarily suspended" message would prevent so much panic! Instead we're all here trying to decode their mysterious system together. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're depending on these benefits for rent and groceries. I keep refreshing my UI Online account hoping something will change, but I'm going to try to follow everyone's advice and wait the full two weeks before calling. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - knowing this confusing limbo is actually normal makes it so much more bearable. This community is amazing for helping newcomers understand EDD's frustrating process!

I'm literally going through this exact same nightmare right now! Had my eligibility interview yesterday and woke up this morning to see my status had changed from "pending review" to "no weeks to certify" - I immediately started panicking thinking they denied me overnight without any notice. Reading through all these comments has been such a huge relief! I had no idea this was such a common experience. @Omar Zaki and @Ella Harper - thank you so much for sharing that your "disqualified" weeks eventually got approved retroactively. That gives me actual hope instead of just doom-scrolling through my UI Online account every 20 minutes. The lack of clear communication from EDD is absolutely insane. Like @Harper Hill said, a simple "Claim under review - certification temporarily suspended" message would prevent so much unnecessary anxiety! Instead we're all here playing detective trying to figure out if we should panic or be patient. I'm going to follow everyone's advice and try to wait the full 2 weeks before calling, but the financial stress is real when you're counting on those benefits for basic survival. At least now I know this confusing status limbo is apparently "normal" for their review process. Thank you @LunarLegend for asking this question - this thread has been a lifesaver for my mental health right now!

DONT FORGET TO APPEAL IF YOU GET DENIED! A lot of people give up after the first rejection, but many cases get approved on appeal. Keep fighting!

Thanks for starting this thread, Liam! I went through the SDI application process about 6 months ago and it was definitely overwhelming at first. One thing I'd add to the great advice already shared - make sure you're applying for the right program. SDI (State Disability Insurance) is different from SSDI (Social Security Disability). SDI is for short-term disabilities and you need to have paid into the system through payroll deductions. The good news is SDI applications are usually processed faster than federal disability claims. Also, don't be discouraged if you need to provide additional documentation - it's totally normal for them to request more info. You've got this! 💪