Just want to add one more important point that might help others - if you're in that gray area where you're not sure if you're truly "disabled" enough for SDI, err on the side of caution and don't certify for UI. I made the mistake of thinking my condition wasn't "serious enough" for SDI and kept certifying for UI while my claim was pending. Turns out my doctor's note was sufficient for SDI approval, but I ended up with a $1,800 overpayment because I certified for UI during weeks I was technically disabled. The stress of dealing with that overpayment was worse than just waiting for the SDI decision in the first place. Better to be safe than sorry!

I went through something similar last year and learned the hard way that timing is everything with these claims. The key thing to understand is that your SDI claim has an "onset date" - the date your doctor says you became unable to work. From that date forward, you legally cannot certify for UI because you'd be stating you're "able and available" for work when medically you're not. I made the mistake of continuing to certify for UI "just until my SDI got approved" and ended up with a mess to clean up later. Even though it seems logical to keep getting UI payments while waiting, the system sees it as you claiming two conflicting things - that you can work (UI) and can't work (SDI) for the same time period. My advice: stop certifying for UI immediately if your disability onset date has passed. Yes, waiting for SDI approval while bills pile up is stressful, but dealing with overpayment demands later is way worse. SDI will pay you retroactively once approved, so you won't lose those benefits - you'll just get them as a lump sum instead of weekly payments. If you've already certified for weeks that overlap with your disability period, call EDD ASAP to report it. They're usually more lenient about fixing honest mistakes than discovering fraudulent claims later.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to apply for CalFresh today through BenefitsCal.com and make sure I have all my documentation ready. I'll also call EDD to ask about possible extensions using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Really appreciate all the guidance - navigating these different benefit systems is pretty overwhelming.

Good luck with your CalFresh application! One more thing to keep in mind - if you do get approved for CalFresh before your unemployment runs out, make sure to report to EDD that you're receiving food assistance. It shouldn't affect your UI benefits at all (CalFresh isn't counted as income), but it's better to be transparent about all benefits you're receiving. Also, once you start receiving CalFresh, you'll need to do periodic reviews (usually every 6 months) to maintain your benefits, so keep all your documentation organized. The system can be confusing but you've got this!

I work as a benefits specialist and see these administrative leave situations frequently. You're absolutely on the right track selecting "laid off" - this is the standard approach for unpaid administrative leave cases. The key points to remember: 1. Be completely transparent in your application about being on administrative leave pending investigation 2. Keep all documentation from your employer about the leave status 3. During your eligibility interview (which you'll likely get), emphasize that this is involuntary and unpaid 4. Your employer suggesting you apply for UI actually works in your favor - document that conversation if possible Administrative leave cases are more common than you might think, especially in larger companies. EDD has established procedures for handling them. The fact that you're not receiving wages through no fault of your own is the crucial factor for eligibility. One tip: if you do get that eligibility interview, have your employer's HR contact information readily available. Sometimes EDD will want to verify the details directly with your company, and having that info handy speeds up the process. Don't let the confusing application categories stress you out too much - the detailed explanation section and interview process are designed to capture situations that don't fit neatly into the basic dropdown options.

I'm currently going through something very similar - been on administrative leave for about a month now while my company deals with some HR issues. I was also confused about which option to select on the EDD application, but after reading everyone's advice here, I went with "laid off" and explained my situation thoroughly in the details section. One thing I want to add that I learned from my experience: make sure you keep copies of EVERYTHING related to your leave. I saved all emails, any written notices, and even took notes on phone conversations with HR. When I had my eligibility interview last week, the EDD representative was really impressed that I had everything documented and it made the whole process much smoother. Also, regarding the work search requirement - they did adjust mine during the interview once I explained that I have a reasonable expectation of returning to my current job. I still have to do some job search activities, but it's much more manageable than the standard requirements. The waiting is really tough financially and emotionally, but hang in there. The system does work, it's just slow and the initial application doesn't capture every possible scenario. That's what the interviews are for!

As someone who works in government benefits administration (not EDD but similar state agency), I can confirm that paper processing is always the slowest option across all unemployment systems. The 13-day timeline you experienced is actually quite reasonable - I've seen paper certifications take 3-4 weeks during peak periods. A few additional tips for anyone who might end up in this situation: 1) Always date your paper forms clearly and legibly - unclear dates can cause processing delays, 2) Use black ink only (blue ink sometimes doesn't scan well in their systems), and 3) If you're ever unsure whether your form was received, you can request a "proof of mailing" receipt at the post office for regular mail, or upgrade to certified mail like others mentioned. The good news is that once EDD processes your certification, the payment timeline for checks is pretty consistent at 3-5 business days. Your check should definitely arrive before your next certification period begins.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually in a similar situation right now - mailed my certification 8 days ago and still waiting. Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel better about the timeline. One thing I wanted to add for anyone else dealing with this: if you're really strapped for cash while waiting, some local food banks and community organizations have emergency assistance programs that can help with rent or utilities. I found out about this through 211 (you can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) and they connected me with a local nonprofit that helped cover part of my rent while I waited for my EDD payment to process. Also, @Paige Cantoni I'm glad your payment finally went through! Gives me hope that mine will process soon too. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - this community is amazing for practical advice.

I'm really glad to see you're getting such great advice here! As someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago, I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me during the EDD process. When you have your eligibility interview, they might ask you something like "Did you consider any other options before quitting?" Be prepared to explain what you tried - like reporting to HR, talking to your manager directly (if you did), or even looking into transfers within the company. The key is showing that quitting was truly your last resort. Also, if you haven't already, try to get a copy of your company's harassment policy from the employee handbook. If they failed to follow their own procedures after you reported the harassment, that can actually strengthen your case for good cause. The emotional toll of dealing with workplace harassment is real, and it sounds like you made the right choice for your health and wellbeing. The unemployment process can feel overwhelming, but you're clearly being thorough and proactive about documenting everything. That preparation will really pay off during your interview. Best of luck - you've got this!

I'm so sorry you had to endure that kind of workplace harassment - it's incredibly brave of you to prioritize your mental health and leave that toxic environment. From what you've described, you absolutely have a valid case for "good cause" unemployment benefits. A few additional tips that might help strengthen your claim: 1. **Medical documentation is key** - When you get that updated doctor's note, ask them to specifically link your health issues (anxiety, insomnia) to the workplace harassment. The more medically detailed, the better. 2. **Prepare for the employer pushback** - Your former employer will likely contest your claim and may try to frame this as a performance issue. Having your detailed documentation will be crucial to counter their narrative. 3. **Be ready for specific questions** - During your eligibility interview, they'll want to know exactly what steps you took before quitting. Walk them through your reports to HR, any conversations with management, and why those efforts failed to resolve the situation. 4. **Save everything** - Keep all your documentation organized and easily accessible. Include emails, text messages, your journal entries with dates, medical records, and any witness information. The process can be lengthy and EDD often denies legitimate claims initially, but don't let that discourage you. Many people win on appeal with proper documentation. You're already doing everything right by being so thorough with your record-keeping. Stay strong - you made the right choice for your health, and you deserve those benefits while you look for a better work environment!