For anyone still manually calling - make sure you have snacks, water, and a phone charger ready. This process can take literally all day and you don't want to stop when you're finally making progress.

Has anyone calculated how much their time is worth vs just paying for a callback service? I'm curious about the break-even point.

Just got off a successful call! Finally reached someone after 6 days of trying. Called at 1:45pm (right after their lunch break) and got through on attempt #63 today. Waited 1 hour 52 minutes on hold but the call didn't drop. There is hope!

I'm in the exact same boat - been trying for 2 weeks straight and getting nowhere with the 1800 edd number. The busy signals are driving me insane. Reading through these comments, it sounds like Claimyr might be worth trying since so many people are having success with it. Has anyone here actually had their claim issue resolved once they got through, or do they just tell you to wait more? I'm worried I'll finally reach someone and they won't even be able to help.

I'm a retired teacher who just found this thread and wow, what a wealth of helpful information! I've been collecting my CalSTRS pension for about 20 months and just got laid off from a retail management position I'd held for 16 months. I was really anxious about applying for unemployment because I wasn't sure how my pension would affect things. Reading through all these success stories from other retired teachers in nearly identical situations has been incredibly reassuring. It sounds like the crucial factor is that since I worked at the retail job for over a year, my teaching employment won't be included in the base period that EDD uses to calculate benefits. I'm going to apply online tomorrow and be completely transparent about my CalSTRS pension and employment dates like everyone has recommended. The consistency of positive outcomes in this thread for retired teachers working in non-education fields really gives me confidence that I'll receive full benefits without any pension offset. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice that's impossible to find on official websites. I'll definitely come back to update with my results to hopefully add another success story for future retired teachers navigating this confusing process!

I'm a retired teacher who just discovered this thread while researching my own situation - what an incredibly helpful discussion! I've been receiving my CalSTRS pension for 14 months and just got laid off from a customer service job at a tech company where I worked for 15 months. Like many of you, I was really confused about whether my pension would disqualify me or reduce my unemployment benefits. Reading through all these success stories from retired teachers in almost identical situations has been so encouraging! It's clear that the key factor is whether your teaching job falls within the base period, and since I worked at the tech company for over a year, my teaching employment shouldn't be included. What really stands out to me is how consistent the positive outcomes have been for everyone who worked in non-education fields after retirement. From @Nia Davis to @Chloe Taylor and all the recent success stories, it seems like EDD is properly applying the base period rules when the pension comes from a different employer than the one in your claim. I'm going to apply online this week and be completely transparent about my CalSTRS pension and employment timeline like everyone has suggested. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences - this thread is a treasure trove of practical advice that you just can't find anywhere else! I'll definitely update with my results to hopefully add another positive outcome for future retired teachers.

Hey Ethan! I went through something similar last year when I had to take medical leave for a knee surgery. Just wanted to add a few things that helped me navigate the SDI process: First, make sure you download the DE 2501 form from the EDD website - that's the official SDI claim form. You'll fill out the employee portion and your doctor fills out the physician/practitioner certification section. Second, I'd recommend setting up your EDD online account NOW if you don't already have one. It makes tracking your claim status so much easier than calling constantly. One thing that really helped me was asking my doctor's office if they had experience with SDI forms - some offices are really familiar with the process and can help ensure everything is filled out correctly the first time. My orthopedist's office said they process tons of these forms and knew exactly what EDD looks for. Also, just to ease your mind a bit - while there can be delays like others mentioned, my claim was approved in about 8 days with no issues. The key really is having complete and accurate medical documentation from the start. Good luck with your procedure and recovery!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the SDI process twice - once for surgery and once for a work-related injury. The advice everyone's giving here is spot on! A few additional tips that might help: Make sure you apply for SDI within the window Mei mentioned (9-49 days after your first day off work) - this is crucial and they're pretty strict about it. Also, when your doctor fills out their portion, ask them to be as specific as possible about functional limitations. Instead of just "cannot work," having them write something like "cannot lift over 10 pounds, cannot stand for more than 15 minutes" gives EDD a clearer picture. One thing I wish I'd known the first time - you can actually start the application process before your surgery date as long as you file it after your disability begins. This way you're not scrambling to complete paperwork while you're recovering. And definitely keep Jamal's suggestion about Claimyr in your back pocket if you need to reach EDD by phone. The regular phone lines can be brutal. Best of luck with your procedure, and don't stress too much about the SDI process - it's way more straightforward than it seems at first!

Great advice from everyone here! I went through something similar last year and want to add a few practical tips: 1. Start gathering your employment documents NOW - pay stubs, tax forms, etc. You'll need these when filing your claim. 2. If your company offers any career transition services or job placement assistance as part of the severance package, take advantage of those. They often count toward your work search requirements. 3. Consider setting up direct deposit for your EDD payments when you apply. It's faster than waiting for debit cards or checks to arrive. 4. Screenshot or save confirmation pages when you certify online. Sometimes the system has glitches and having proof you submitted on time can save you headaches later. You're smart to plan ahead - January gives you time to get organized instead of scrambling after your last day. The combination of severance, part-time work, and EDD benefits should help bridge you to your next full-time opportunity. Don't panic, you've got this!

As someone who's been through the EDD process multiple times, I want to emphasize one thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - keep DETAILED records of everything! Create a simple spreadsheet or notebook to track: - Your severance payment dates and amounts - Every hour worked at your part-time job with exact earnings - All your work search activities (job applications, interviews, networking events) - Screenshots of your certification submissions I learned this the hard way when EDD requested documentation during an eligibility review. Having everything organized saved me weeks of stress trying to reconstruct my records. Also, if you haven't already, create your EDD online account now so you're familiar with the system before you actually need to file. The interface can be confusing when you're already stressed about losing your job. One more tip: if your severance comes as a lump sum, ask your HR department exactly which pay period it will be reported under for tax purposes. This helps you report it correctly on the right certification weeks. Good luck!