Just a warning - when I transitioned from disability back to work, EDD CONTINUED sending me payments I wasn't entitled to for THREE WEEKS after I reported returning to work!!! Then 6 months later they sent me an OVERPAYMENT NOTICE demanding I pay back $2,800!! Their system is COMPLETELY BROKEN. Make sure you document EVERYTHING and call to confirm they processed your return to work when that time comes.

Just wanted to add from my recent experience - I was on SDI for 7 months after knee surgery and the process was actually smoother than I expected. My orthopedic surgeon was really familiar with the EDD forms and made sure to be conservative with the initial certification (6 weeks) then proactive with extensions. The key was staying in regular contact with my doctor's office about 2 weeks before each certification period ended. They have a system for handling these extensions since they deal with them frequently. Also, make sure your surgeon's office knows you're planning to file for SDI BEFORE your surgery - some doctors prefer to have the paperwork ready to go rather than scrambling after the fact. The 7-day waiting period starts from when you stop working, not when you apply, so get that application in as soon as possible after your surgery date.

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - you can also get a cashier's check or money order from many grocery stores and pharmacies using your Money Network card. Places like Kroger, Safeway, and CVS usually offer this service. There's typically a small fee ($1-3) but you can get a cashier's check for your full rent amount without dealing with daily withdrawal limits or waiting for bank transfers. I did this last month when I needed to pay $1,800 for rent and my landlord only accepts checks. Just go to the customer service counter, tell them you want a money order, and they'll run your Money Network card like a regular debit purchase. The money order is as good as cash to most landlords and you get it immediately. Also wanted to second what others said about credit unions - they're usually much more helpful with cash advances than big banks. My local credit union has never charged me a fee for cash advances and the staff actually knows how to process them quickly.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just got my Money Network card and was so confused about the $300 ATM limit. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the cash advance option at bank tellers or that you could get money orders at grocery stores with the card. One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen mentioned - has anyone tried using the card for large purchases and then returning the item for cash? Like buying something expensive at a store that gives cash refunds instead of store credit? Probably not the most practical solution but just curious if anyone's tried that workaround. Also, for anyone still struggling with this - I called Money Network customer service directly (the number on the back of your card) and they actually walked me through all the withdrawal options. The rep confirmed that bank teller cash advances are legit and there's no fee from their side. Took about 10 minutes on hold but way easier than trying to reach EDD directly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - you've saved me a lot of frustration!

I'm in a similar situation - filed about 3 weeks ago and still waiting on paperwork. From reading through all these comments, it sounds like 2-6 weeks is pretty normal, though definitely frustrating. I'm going to try checking the online portal like @Amina Sy suggested - sometimes they upload documents there before mailing them out. If you're really worried, maybe try calling early in the morning when they open (around 8am) or consider reaching out to your local state representative if it goes much longer. Hang in there!

I've been through this exact same anxiety! Filed my claim about 5 weeks ago and was getting really worried when nothing showed up in my mailbox. Turns out my paperwork was stuck in some kind of processing queue - when I finally got through to a rep (took like 50+ calls over 3 days), they were able to see it and push it through. Got everything within a week after that call. The waiting is absolutely the worst part because you have no idea if something went wrong or if it's just normal delays. Based on what I've learned from my experience and reading through this thread, I'd say: - Check your online portal daily (some docs appear there first) - If you hit the 6-week mark, definitely start calling persistently - Keep all your filing confirmation info handy when you do get through The system is frustrating but most people do eventually get their stuff. Hang in there! 🤞

I went through a similar situation last year! The postmark date is definitely what counts - I actually called the CUIAB office directly and they confirmed this. What helped me was also sending a follow-up email through their online portal with a copy of my appeal letter and the postal receipt showing the postmark date. That way I had digital proof they received it. Don't stress too much - you did everything right by mailing it on February 10th. The system is slow but they do honor the postmark rule. Just make sure to keep that postal receipt safe in case they ask for proof later during your hearing!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my appeal on the last possible day and have been anxiously checking my mailbox every day for any response from EDD. Reading everyone's experiences here is so helpful - I had no idea about the CUIAB online portal or that I could email them a digital copy of my appeal. The postmark rule makes total sense legally but you're absolutely right that EDD should make this WAY clearer in their communications. It shouldn't take a whole Reddit thread for people to figure out basic appeal procedures! Kennedy, sounds like you handled everything correctly - that February 10th postmark gives you plenty of cushion before the 14th deadline.

I went through this exact situation 8 months ago and it was incredibly stressful! One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline and tackling multiple approaches simultaneously since you're working against that 10-day deadline. Here's what I'd recommend based on my experience: 1) Download and start filling out the WG-007 form from the CA courts website immediately as your safety net, 2) Call your assemblyman's office first thing Monday (Connor's advice about this is spot-on - they got me connected within 48 hours), 3) Look up the DE 1446W waiver form while you're waiting for callbacks. The key is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Even if you think you might get the waiver or payment plan, having that WG-007 completed and ready to file gives you peace of mind. Also, document EVERYTHING - dates you called, who you spoke with, reference numbers, etc. This whole process taught me that EDD's left hand doesn't always know what the right hand is doing, so having a paper trail saved me multiple times. You've got this - the community here gave you excellent advice and you still have 7 days to work with!

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - if you're a union member, many unions have legal aid services that can help with wage garnishment issues for free. I used my teacher's union legal services when I got hit with a similar situation last year. Even if you're not currently working in a union job, if you were ever a member they sometimes still provide assistance for unemployment-related issues. Also, some credit unions and community banks offer free financial counseling services that include help with debt negotiation and understanding legal documents like the WG-007. It's worth checking if you have any of these memberships that could provide additional support while you're working through all these other options everyone mentioned!