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I went through almost the exact same situation after my knee surgery last year! The key thing that helped me was getting my doctor to write a very detailed letter specifically stating that I could NOT perform my "usual and customary work duties" due to the medical restrictions - not just that I had restrictions. My orthopedic surgeon had to list out specific job tasks I couldn't do (lifting over 10 lbs, standing for more than 2 hours, climbing ladders, etc.) and explain how these restrictions made it impossible for me to do my warehouse job. I also had to get HR to write a formal letter stating they had no light duty positions available that would accommodate my restrictions. The appeal took about 6 weeks but I did get approved for continued SDI and received all the backpay. Don't give up - this is definitely appealable! The wording on the medical forms is everything with EDD.
This gives me so much hope! Six weeks feels like forever when you have no income, but knowing there's light at the end of the tunnel helps. I'm definitely going to ask my surgeon to be that specific about which job tasks I can't perform. Did you have any issues with EDD during the appeal process, or did they accept the detailed documentation once you submitted it? I'm worried they'll find some other reason to deny it even with better paperwork.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! I went through something very similar after my rotator cuff surgery in 2023. The gap between medical clearance with restrictions and what your actual job requires is so frustrating, and EDD really doesn't make it easy to understand. Based on everyone's advice here (which is all spot-on), I'd prioritize three things immediately: 1) Get your surgeon to complete that DE 2525XX form ASAP - make sure they specifically mention you cannot perform your warehouse duties like lifting packages, moving inventory, etc. 2) Get written documentation from your employer that they cannot accommodate your 15lb restriction, and 3) File that appeal within your 30-day window. One thing I learned the hard way - when you talk to your doctor, bring a copy of your actual job description if you have one. It helped my surgeon understand exactly why the restrictions made my job impossible. Also, if your employer has an employee handbook that lists physical requirements for your position, bring that too. The more specific documentation you can provide, the stronger your appeal will be. Hang in there - I know the financial stress is overwhelming, but this is definitely winnable with the right paperwork. Keep certifying during the appeal process so you don't miss out on any backpay when you win!
This is such comprehensive advice, thank you! I never thought about bringing my actual job description to the doctor - that's brilliant. My employer does have a physical requirements section in the employee handbook that specifically mentions "ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly" so that would be perfect documentation to show why a 15-pound restriction makes the job impossible. I'm calling my surgeon's office first thing Monday morning and will bring both documents. The idea of getting backpay for all these stressful weeks definitely helps motivate me to fight this properly. Thanks for giving me hope that this isn't hopeless!
Sofia, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusion on top of recovering from surgery! I went through the same shock with the waiting period when I had my thyroid surgery last fall. It really is frustrating that they don't make this clearer upfront. The good news is that since you mentioned complications and might need more recovery time, if your doctor extends your disability beyond 14 total days, you'll get that first week paid retroactively. At your appointment tomorrow, be completely honest about your pain levels and energy - don't try to be a hero! I made that mistake initially and it definitely prolonged my recovery. Also, if you do get an extension, make sure to keep checking SDI Online for certification requirements. The system can be glitchy about notifications. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping your appointment goes well tomorrow!
Thanks Connor! It's really comforting to hear from so many people who've been through similar experiences. Thyroid surgery sounds like it would be a tough recovery too. I really appreciate the reminder about being honest with my doctor - I think there's this pressure to "bounce back" quickly, but you're absolutely right that trying to be a hero could just make everything worse. I'm definitely still dealing with more pain and fatigue than I expected, so I'll make sure to give my doctor the full picture tomorrow. That's a great tip about checking SDI Online regularly too - I hadn't thought about potential glitches with notifications. Thanks for all the encouragement and practical advice! I'll keep everyone posted on how the appointment goes.
I'm really sorry you're going through this, Sofia! The SDI waiting period is one of those "gotcha" policies that catches so many people off guard. I had my gallbladder surgery about 18 months ago and went through the exact same confusion and frustration when I saw that $0 for the first week. It's especially tough when you're already dealing with surgical recovery and medical bills. Since you mentioned complications, please don't feel any pressure to rush back to work before you're truly ready. Gallbladder surgery can be more involved than people realize, and complications can definitely extend the healing process. If your doctor extends your disability beyond the original 14 days at tomorrow's appointment, you'll get that first week paid retroactively - which would be such a relief! Be completely honest about your pain levels, energy, and how you're feeling overall. Your body is telling you what it needs, so listen to it. Recovery isn't a race, and taking the proper time now will help prevent setbacks later. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow, and I hope you get the extension you need to heal properly!
idk if this helps, but I heard they're super backlogged bc of all the fraud cases they're dealing with. Doesn't make the wait any easier tho 😕
That's been a huge issue lately. They need more resources to handle the volume.
I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Sent my SDI documents about 5 weeks ago and haven't heard a peep from EDD. It's so stressful not knowing if they even received everything. I've been checking my online account obsessively but there's no update. Has anyone had success with sending documents multiple times through different methods? I'm starting to wonder if I should resend everything via certified mail just to be safe. This whole process is so nerve-wracking when you really need the benefits to come through.
I'm going through the same thing! It's such a relief to know I'm not alone in this. The waiting and uncertainty is definitely the worst part. From what I've read in the other comments here, it seems like sending via certified mail is a good backup plan - at least then you'll have proof they received it. I'm also thinking about trying that fax suggestion someone mentioned earlier, even though it feels so outdated. Hang in there - we'll get through this!
Wow, what a relief that you figured out the issue! The missing DE 2503 form from your employer is actually one of the most common causes of SDI claim delays, but EDD rarely tells people to check on this. It's so frustrating that you had to go through 6+ weeks of stress and financial hardship over something your employer should have handled automatically. For anyone else reading this thread with similar issues, this is a perfect example of why it's worth checking with your HR department early in the process. Employers are required to submit wage verification within 15 days of being notified about your claim, but many don't have good systems in place to track these deadlines. Hope your payments start flowing soon - you've definitely earned them after all this hassle!
This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with EDD delays! I'm new to this community but unfortunately going through something similar with my own claim. It's incredible how one missing form can cause such a nightmare - and how EDD doesn't proactively tell you what's actually holding things up. Quinn, I'm so glad you found the root cause! It gives me hope that my own situation might have a similarly simple (though frustrating) explanation. Definitely going to call my HR first thing Monday morning to make sure all their paperwork is in order.
This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation - filed my SDI claim 4 weeks ago and still stuck in "waiting period" status. Reading through all these responses, I realize I never thought to check if my employer submitted their required forms. It's honestly shocking how many different things can go wrong in this process, and how EDD doesn't give you any visibility into what's actually causing the delay. Quinn, I'm so glad you found the issue with the missing DE 2503 form! That must be such a relief after 6+ weeks of uncertainty. For anyone else in this situation, this thread is gold - so many different troubleshooting steps I never would have thought of. Definitely saving this for reference and going to start working through the suggestions systematically. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
Welcome to the community, Zoe! I'm sorry you're going through this too - the SDI system can be so frustrating when you're already dealing with health issues. Four weeks stuck in waiting period definitely sounds like there's an underlying issue that needs to be resolved. Based on everything shared in this thread, I'd definitely start with calling your HR department to verify they submitted the DE 2503 wage form. That seems to be a really common culprit that EDD never tells you about directly. Also worth double-checking that your last day worked matches exactly between what you reported and what your employer reported - even small discrepancies can cause major delays. Hope you get some answers soon! This thread has been a lifesaver for troubleshooting these issues that EDD should really be more transparent about from the start.
Mei Chen
I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! My pregnancy disability extension has been pending for 3 weeks now after submitting the DE 2593 form. My doctor completed the DE 2525XX back in early June and my payments stopped at the end of May too. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and frustrating - it sounds like 20-25 business days is the real processing time right now, not the 10 days EDD claims on their website. I've been stressing about bills piling up too, but knowing that everyone eventually got their full backpay once approved gives me some hope. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8:01am tomorrow like Diego suggested. The fact that his forms were just sitting under the wrong claim number for weeks shows how important it is to actually get through to someone. Hopefully both of us will get some movement on our cases soon - we're both right at that 3-week mark where approvals seem to start happening based on what others have shared. Keep us posted when you hear back! This thread has been way more helpful than anything on EDD's actual website.
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Lindsey Fry
•I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm also dealing with a pregnancy disability extension that's been pending for about 2.5 weeks now. It's really helpful to see that so many others are experiencing the same delays - makes me feel less alone in this frustrating process. The discrepancy between EDD's claimed 10-day processing time and the reality of 20-25 days is honestly ridiculous. I'm going to try the 8:01am calling strategy too since it seems like getting through to an actual person might be the only way to get real answers. Thanks for sharing your experience and timeline - it gives me hope that approval should come soon for all of us who are in this 3-week waiting period. Please keep us updated when you hear back! @Mei Chen
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Dmitry Petrov
I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! My pregnancy disability extension has been pending for almost 3 weeks after submitting the DE 2593 form. My doctor completed the DE 2525XX extension form in early June and my payments stopped at the end of May when my initial claim period ended. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both frustrating and reassuring - it's clear that EDD's website saying "10 business days" is completely outdated. The real processing time seems to be 20-25 business days based on what multiple people have reported recently. I've been stressing about bills too, but knowing that everyone eventually got their full backpay once approved gives me hope. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8:01am tomorrow like Diego suggested - the fact that his forms were just misfiled under the wrong claim number shows how important it is to actually speak with someone. Since you're at 3 weeks now and others have reported getting approved around the 3-4 week mark, hopefully you'll hear something very soon! Please keep us updated when your extension gets approved. This community has been way more helpful than EDD's actual website for understanding what's really happening with processing times. Hang in there - we're all in this together!
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Chris King
•Thank you for sharing your experience, Dmitry! It's really comforting to know so many of us are going through this exact same situation with the 3-week delays. You're absolutely right that this community has been way more helpful than EDD's website - at least here we're getting real, current information about processing times instead of that misleading "10 business days" claim. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am calling strategy tomorrow too. Hopefully since we're all hitting that 3-week mark around the same time, we'll start seeing some approvals soon! I'll make sure to update everyone once I hear back from EDD. Thanks for the encouragement - it really does help to know we're all supporting each other through this frustrating process! @Dmitry Petrov
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