UPDATE: I finally got through! I took everyone's advice and tried at 1am using my phone data instead of WiFi, and it worked! The page loaded right away with no spinning circle. Just certified for both weeks. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!!

Congrats on getting through Andre! This is such a common problem that I've started keeping a list of backup times when the system usually works. For anyone else still struggling, I've found these times are usually reliable: weekday mornings 5-7am, Tuesday/Wednesday evenings after 11pm, and surprisingly Thursday afternoons around 2-4pm seem to work well too. The key is avoiding those peak Sunday rush hours when literally everyone is trying to certify at once. Also pro tip - if you're still having issues, try using a different device entirely (tablet, different phone, etc) sometimes that helps break through whatever cache/cookie issues might be happening.

When I applied last year after being let go, my former employer tried to fight my claim saying I voluntarily quit (which wasn't true). Just be prepared that your employer might contest your claim. If they do, you'll get paperwork about an appeal hearing. DON'T PANIC if this happens! It's actually pretty common. Just make sure you attend the hearing (they're usually by phone) and bring all your documentation. The judges are generally fair if you can show medical necessity and that you were essentially laid off when trying to return.

Hey Ruby! I went through something very similar about 6 months ago - medical leave followed by basically being let go when I tried to return. The whole process was way less scary than I expected. A few quick tips that really helped me: 1. Apply ASAP - don't wait! The sooner you file, the sooner your claim starts processing. 2. When you get to the part about reason for separation, be very clear that you left for medical reasons but were told you could return, then were terminated when you tried to come back. 3. Keep calling EDD if you don't hear back within 2-3 weeks. I know their phone system is awful but persistence pays off. 4. Start keeping a job search log NOW even before you get approved - it'll save you headaches later when you need to certify. Based on what you've shared about your wages, you should definitely qualify. The medical leave won't hurt you since you had good cause and documentation. You got this! 💪

lol good luck dealing with EDD. might as well try to teach a rock to swim 🪨🏊‍♂️

Has anyone here successfully switched from unemployment to disability? How long did the process take? I'm worried about having a gap in benefits while everything gets sorted out.

They typically call within 15 minutes of your scheduled time, but I'd be ready 30 minutes early just to be safe. The calls often come from blocked or unknown numbers, so make sure you answer all calls around that time. If you absolutely must miss it, call the EDD immediately to explain and reschedule.

I went through something very similar last year! The key thing that helped me was being completely transparent during the interview and having documentation ready. Since you immediately called EDD when you discovered the payment, that shows good faith on your part. For your interview, I'd suggest having these ready: - Screenshots of when you first accessed the payroll app (if possible) - Any communication from your employer about the onboarding process - Notes about your call to EDD when you reported it The interviewer will likely ask about your normal reporting process, how you discovered this payment, and why it wasn't reported initially. Just stick to the facts - you had no way of knowing about the payment since it was in a separate app you don't regularly check. Don't stress too much about the $10 amount. EDD sees cases like this regularly where employees genuinely don't know about payments. The fact that you've consistently reported all your other earnings and self-reported this immediately will work strongly in your favor. Most of these interviews are resolved quickly when there's clear evidence it was an honest mistake rather than intentional concealment.

I'm in the same boat, girl. These government systems are a joke. We're just trying to take care of our babies and they make it so hard. Sending you strength! 💪👶

I went through something similar last year! A few things that might help: 1. Check if you filed within the right timeframe - SDI has strict deadlines after childbirth 2. Make sure your doctor's certification was complete and properly filled out 3. Verify that you had enough wages reported in your base period (they look at specific quarters) 4. Sometimes it's as simple as a missing signature or date on the forms Also, try calling first thing in the morning (8 AM sharp) - I had better luck getting through then. The SDI number is different from regular unemployment, so make sure you're calling 1-800-480-3287 specifically for disability claims. Don't give up! The system is frustrating but you deserve those benefits, especially as a new mom. Keep us posted on how it goes!