I'm new to this community and currently going through my first SDI claim experience. Filed about 6 days ago and my doctor submitted the medical certification 3 days ago, so I'm still early in the process but already feeling anxious reading about everyone's longer wait times! It's really eye-opening to see that the reality is 2-4 weeks instead of the 14 days they advertise. I'm trying to stay patient but it's tough when you're dealing with a medical condition and worried about finances. Has anyone noticed if certain types of conditions or diagnoses get processed faster than others, or is it pretty much just luck of the draw with the workload? Thanks for all the helpful information in this thread - it's making me feel less alone in this stressful process!

I'm also new here and dealing with my first SDI claim! Filed mine about 5 days ago and my doctor just submitted the medical certification yesterday, so I'm right at the beginning of what sounds like a long wait based on everyone's experiences. It's honestly both helpful and stressful reading through all these timelines - on one hand it's good to know what to expect, but on the other hand realizing it could be a month or more is pretty overwhelming when you're already dealing with health issues and financial stress. I've been checking the portal obsessively every day even though I know it's way too early for any updates. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and tips - it really helps to know there's a community going through the same thing. I'll definitely try the 8 AM calling strategy once I get closer to the 2-week mark!

I'm in a similar situation right now - filed my SDI claim on March 10th after shoulder surgery and it's been stuck on "waiting period" for over two weeks too. Reading through this thread gives me hope that it might just be a system glitch or documentation issue. I'm going to try calling my HR department first to make sure they submitted everything on their end, and then look into that Claimyr service if I still can't get through to EDD directly. It's so frustrating when you're already dealing with recovery and then have to stress about whether your benefits will come through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my SDI claim on March 15th after carpal tunnel surgery and it's been stuck on "waiting period" for almost 2 weeks. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there could be so many hidden issues that don't show up in the online portal. Based on what everyone's shared, I'm going to: 1. Call my HR department tomorrow to verify they submitted their portion 2. Contact my doctor's office to double-check they didn't mark any uncertain boxes about return-to-work dates 3. Try that Claimyr service if I can't get through to EDD directly It's so reassuring to know this is a widespread issue and not something I did wrong. The stress of not knowing what's happening while you're already dealing with recovery and medical bills is just awful. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this community is a lifesaver!

Hey Michael! I was in a similar situation last year - mailed my SDI application and felt completely lost without a reference number. Here's what worked for me: Call the SDI customer service line at 1-800-480-3287 first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp). Have your Social Security number and the approximate date you mailed your application ready. Even without a reference number, they should be able to look up your application by SSN. Also, if you have a copy of your mailed application or any receipts from certified mail, keep those handy. The wait times are brutal, but don't give up - persistence is key with EDD! You got this! 💪

I feel your frustration! I went through this exact same thing a few months back. Here's what I learned: EDD processes mail applications in batches, so even though they received it 3 weeks ago, it might not be entered into their system yet. When you do get through on the phone (and you will eventually!), ask them to check if your application has been "scanned into the system" - that's the magic phrase. Also, don't panic about the timeline - SDI applications can take 14-21 business days just for the initial review, and that clock doesn't start until it's actually in their computer system. Keep your chin up and keep calling! 📞✊

Hi Logan! I'm currently going through a very similar situation - 28 weeks pregnant and on SDI for pregnancy complications. This thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's experiences, it sounds like the consensus is to expect a 1-2 week processing gap even when everything goes smoothly, but that EDD will backdate payments to cover that period. The most valuable tips I'm taking away are: 1) File PFL claim 8-10 days before SDI ends, 2) Make sure your doctor puts specific end dates (not "until further notice") on disability forms, 3) Set aside money from current SDI payments to cover the potential gap, and 4) Have all documentation ready to upload immediately when filing. I'm planning to have a conversation with my OB about the importance of precise timing on the forms since several people mentioned doctor wording causing issues. It's so reassuring to hear from people who have actually navigated this transition successfully! Thanks for starting this discussion - the real-world experiences shared here are way more helpful than trying to decipher the EDD website alone.

Hi Logan! I just went through this exact transition last month and wanted to share my experience. I was on SDI for pregnancy complications starting at 30 weeks and successfully transitioned to PFL after giving birth with only a 10-day payment gap that was fully backdated. Here's what worked for me: I filed my PFL claim 9 days before my SDI was scheduled to end, made sure my doctor put the exact end date on my disability certification (not just "cleared for work"), and had all my documentation ready to upload immediately through the SDI Online portal. The key thing that saved me stress was setting aside about $500 from my SDI payments specifically for the potential gap period. Even though I eventually got all the money back, having that cushion meant I wasn't panicking about bills during the processing time. Also, I called EDD about 3 days after filing my PFL claim just to confirm they received everything correctly. The representative was super helpful and confirmed my claim was processing normally, which gave me peace of mind. One important note: make sure your doctor understands that the end date of your disability needs to align perfectly with when you want your PFL bonding leave to start. My OB initially wanted to extend my recovery longer than necessary, which would have delayed my bonding time with my baby. The system isn't perfect, but if you file everything correctly and on time, it does work! Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions about the process.

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar situation - just applied for SDI and trying to understand the payment process. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about most of these tips like waiving the replacement fee, setting up automatic transfers, or even that you can track the card shipment. Quick question for those who've been through this: do the EDD payments come on a consistent schedule once they start, or is it pretty random? I'm trying to budget for my time off and wondering if I can expect payments on certain days of the month or if it varies. Also, has anyone had experience with the appeals process if there are payment delays or issues? Just want to be prepared for any potential hiccups. Thanks so much for sharing all this practical knowledge - it's exactly what I needed to feel more confident about navigating this system!

Welcome to the community! I went through this exact process about 8 months ago and can confirm what everyone's saying about the BofA debit card being the only option. Regarding payment timing, mine were pretty consistent - every two weeks on Tuesdays, though occasionally they'd come on Wednesday. The first payment took about 10 days after approval, and the card arrived about a week after that first payment hit. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here: if you're planning to be out for 3 months like you mentioned, make sure you understand the weekly certification process. You'll need to certify for benefits every two weeks online or by phone, even while you're recovering from surgery. It's pretty straightforward but easy to forget when you're dealing with medical stuff. Missing a certification can delay your payments. Also, regarding the automatic transfer setup - I found it helpful to set up text alerts through BofA so I'd get notified immediately when payments hit the card. That way I knew the transfer to my regular account would happen the next day. Best of luck with your surgery and recovery! The payment system is clunky but once you get the rhythm down, it becomes pretty manageable.