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.

Welcome to the community, Omar! The workers comp to SDI transition can definitely be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with pain and medication side effects. You're asking all the right questions though. Regarding your concerns about missing communications from EDD - in addition to having someone help monitor your online account, I'd suggest setting up email notifications if you haven't already. EDD will send alerts when there are updates to your claim status or new messages in your account. For the physical therapy extension, your PT's recommendation should definitely carry weight, but make sure your primary doctor or treating physician is the one who actually completes and submits the DE 2525XX form. EDD typically wants to see the extension paperwork from an MD rather than just a PT, even though PT recommendations are absolutely valid medical justification. One thing that really helped me during my recovery was keeping a simple daily log of my pain levels and functional limitations. If EDD ever questions your extension, having documentation that shows "couldn't walk to mailbox without severe pain" or "unable to lift more than 5 pounds" can be really helpful evidence. It also helps your doctor write more detailed and specific work restrictions. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as you go through this process - everyone here has been super helpful and we all understand how stressful this can be when you're just trying to focus on healing!

Welcome to the community! I'm also navigating the SDI extension process for the first time and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm dealing with chronic pain from a workplace injury and have been really anxious about the whole extension timeline. One thing I learned from reading everyone's experiences is how important it is to be proactive rather than reactive with this process. I just scheduled a follow-up appointment with my doctor specifically to discuss the extension paperwork and timeline, even though my current claim doesn't end until next month. Better to plan ahead than scramble at the last minute! For anyone else going through this - I've been keeping all my medical records, appointment summaries, and any EDD correspondence in a dedicated folder (both physical and digital copies). My brain fog from pain medication makes it hard to remember details, so having everything organized in one place has been a lifesaver. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. It's so reassuring to know there are people here who actually understand what it's like to deal with disability bureaucracy while you're trying to focus on recovery!

Hey OP, any updates? Were you able to get through to someone?

I've been dealing with EDD for years and unfortunately this happens more often than it should. A few things to try while you're waiting to get through on the phone: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try logging in again 2. Try accessing your account from a different device or browser 3. Check if you can still see your claim on the desktop website vs just the mobile app 4. Look for any notices in your EDD inbox online The fact that your doctor sent the note on 8/23 is good - that's within the typical timeframe they require. Don't panic yet, but definitely keep trying to reach them. If the claim truly disappeared from their system (not just a display glitch), they'll need to investigate and potentially have you refile. Document everything and stay persistent!

Just wanted to add that you should also check with your grocery store's HR about any short-term disability benefits they might offer through their employee benefits package. Sometimes these can supplement your SDI benefits or cover the 7-day waiting period. Also, if you're union, they may have additional resources or advocate for you with EDD if you run into issues. Don't forget to factor in that your Social Security retirement benefits will continue uninterrupted during your recovery - that's one less thing to worry about! Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery process.

Hi Miles! I went through almost the exact same situation last year - I'm 65, on Social Security retirement, and work part-time at Target. Had to get knee replacement surgery and was terrified about the finances. The good news is that you absolutely CAN get SDI benefits while receiving Social Security retirement - they're completely separate systems! My advice: Start your SDI application online as soon as your doctor gives you a surgery date. Don't wait until after surgery like I did - I lost almost 3 weeks of benefits because of the processing time. Also, make sure your doctor knows they need to be very specific about your work restrictions and expected recovery time on the medical forms. One thing that helped me was calculating roughly what my SDI benefit would be beforehand using EDD's online calculator, so I could budget accordingly. With part-time wages, it won't replace your full income, but every bit helps during recovery. The whole process was less scary than I thought it would be once I got started. You've got this!