I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar nightmare right now. My doctor's office filled in a return-to-work date on my last extension even though I specifically told them to leave it blank, and now my payments are completely frozen. Reading through everyone's advice here is giving me hope though! I'm definitely going to try the highlighting approach and calling first thing in the morning. It's so frustrating that such a small mistake can completely derail everything. Has anyone had success getting their doctor's office to actually understand why this matters so much? I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall when I try to explain it to them.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My doctor's office has done this THREE times despite me explaining the issue each time. What's really helped me is creating a one-page "cheat sheet" that I give them every time I need an extension form filled out. It has the specific field circled in red with "LEAVE BLANK - DO NOT FILL" written next to it, plus a brief explanation of why. I also started asking to speak directly with whoever will be filling out the form, not just the receptionist. It's extra work but it's saved me from more delays. Also, pro tip: if you do have to resubmit corrected paperwork, ask EDD for the confirmation number when you fax it - that way you have proof they received it if there are any issues later!

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with extension timing! I'm currently on SDI and my period ends in a few weeks, so this thread came at the perfect time. It's really eye-opening to see how different people's experiences were - some got backdated with no issues while others had to call EDD dozens of times. The consensus is clear though: avoid the gap if you possibly can! For anyone else in a similar situation, it seems like the key points are: 1) Try to reschedule your appointment before your current period ends, 2) Make sure your doctor uses the DE 2525XX form for extensions, and 3) Have them document continuous disability if there is any gap. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - it's so much more helpful than trying to decode EDD's confusing website!

I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago and can share what worked for me. I was in a similar panic because my disability period was ending on a Friday and my doctor couldn't see me until the following Tuesday. After reading horror stories about payment gaps and calling EDD multiple times, I decided to be proactive. I called my doctor's office and explained the urgency - that I needed the appointment before my disability period ended to avoid payment interruption. They were actually really understanding and squeezed me in during a lunch break slot. My doctor filled out the DE 2525XX extension form right there during the appointment, and I submitted it to EDD the same day. The whole process went smoothly with no payment gap at all. Looking back, I think the key was being upfront with the doctor's office about why the timing mattered so much. Most medical offices deal with workers' comp and disability paperwork regularly, so they understand these deadlines. Don't be afraid to explain your financial situation - they often have flexibility for urgent cases like this. Really glad you were able to get your appointment moved up to October 12th! That should give you plenty of buffer time before your October 14th end date.

pro tip: if u cant get thru on the main line, try calling one of the foreign language lines and then ask to be transfered to an english speaker. sometimes works!

Hey Sophia, I went through something similar last year! The $184 amount sounds like it might be the minimum weekly benefit or they're calculating based on incomplete wage info. A few things to check: 1) Make sure they have all your W-2s from the base period (usually 12-15 months before you filed), 2) Double-check that they switched your claim from PFL to SDI properly - sometimes the systems don't talk to each other well, and 3) Ask specifically about the "benefit year" dates on your claim. When you call, have your social security number and the claim number from the DE2500E letter ready. The wait times are brutal but don't give up - you deserve your full benefits!

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now too! My doctor submitted my renewal forms on Tuesday and I'm still waiting for my continued claim form to show up. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - I had no idea there were system-wide delays happening. I'm definitely going to try calling that Sacramento number at 8:01 AM tomorrow and also check with my doctor's office to make sure they didn't accidentally check the wrong box on the DE 2501 form. It's so stressful when you're already dealing with a disability and then have to worry about whether your payments will come through on time. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips!

Just wanted to share another tip that worked for me recently - if you can't get through by phone, try visiting your local EDD office in person if you're able to. I know it's not ideal when you're dealing with a disability, but I went to my local office last month when I had a similar delay and they were able to look up my claim immediately and resolve the issue on the spot. They have direct access to the system and can often fix things that would take weeks to resolve over the phone. You don't need an appointment for SDI issues, just bring your ID and claim paperwork. The wait time was about 45 minutes but so much better than calling 50+ times! Hope this helps someone who's still struggling to get through.

plot twist: OP is turning into an anime character 🤣

As someone who's navigated both health issues and disability benefits, I want to echo what others have said about seeing a doctor immediately. Vision changes this dramatic need professional evaluation - it could be anything from a medication side effect to something more serious that needs quick treatment. That said, I understand the spiritual curiosity too. In biblical context, there are references to spiritual sight and revelation (like Paul's experience on the road to Damascus involved vision changes), but those were clearly miraculous events, not medical conditions. Please don't delay medical care while exploring spiritual meanings. Get the physical stuff checked first - your eyesight is precious! Once you know what's happening medically, you can better understand if there's any deeper significance to your experience. Hope you get answers soon and everything turns out okay! 🙏