I went through SDI for my carpal tunnel surgery last summer and this thread is bringing back all the memories! The 7-day waiting period was definitely frustrating, but what helped me mentally was thinking of it as just part of the process rather than some unfair penalty. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned - if you're someone who gets paid bi-weekly or monthly, the timing of when your disability starts relative to your normal pay schedule can actually impact your cash flow significantly. I was lucky that my surgery fell right after a payday, so I had my regular paycheck to help bridge that first week gap. But if your surgery is scheduled right before payday, you might want to consider adjusting the timing if possible. Also, make sure you understand exactly what "unable to work" means for your specific job. My office job meant I was cleared to return part-time after 3 weeks with some restrictions, and the partial disability benefits actually worked out well for transitioning back. Just something to keep in mind when planning your recovery timeline with your surgeon!

I'm also preparing for a scheduled surgery and have been researching the SDI process - this thread has been incredibly informative! One additional tip I wanted to share that my financial advisor mentioned: if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you can actually use those funds not just for medical expenses, but also to help cover your living expenses during the reduced income period, as long as you're using the money for qualified medical expenses related to your surgery and recovery. Also, I've been working with my employer's benefits coordinator and learned that some companies have supplemental disability insurance policies that employees might not even know about. It's worth checking your employee handbook or asking HR directly - these policies sometimes cover that first week waiting period or provide additional benefits beyond what SDI offers. In my case, we have a voluntary short-term disability plan that I wasn't even aware of until I started asking questions about my upcoming leave. The planning process is definitely overwhelming at first, but everyone's shared experiences here make it feel much more manageable. Thanks to everyone who's contributed their insights - it's really helping those of us who are just starting this journey!

Hey Yuki! Just wanted to add that I literally just finished reporting my wages about an hour ago. One thing that caught me off guard was that the system automatically logs you out after being idle for just 15 minutes, so make sure you have everything ready before you start! I had to re-enter everything twice because I got distracted looking for paperwork 🤦‍♀️ Also, if you get any kind of confirmation number at the end, screenshot it or write it down - it's super useful if you need to reference your submission later. You're gonna do great though, and everyone here has given you amazing advice!

Hey there! Just wanted to chime in as another newcomer who's still figuring this all out. I actually tried to report my wages for the first time last week and made the classic mistake of not having all my documents organized beforehand - ended up timing out like LordCommander mentioned! 😭 One thing I learned is to also check if your employer reported your wages correctly on their end, because sometimes there can be discrepancies. My friend had an issue where her employer's report didn't match what she submitted and it caused a whole mess. Also, if you're getting any kind of workers comp or disability payments, make sure you know how to report those too - the categories can be confusing at first. This thread has been so helpful though, I'm bookmarking it for future reference! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences 🙏

I'm also dealing with this exact situation right now! My orthopedic surgeon is in Arizona and I filed my SDI claim online about 10 days ago. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been absolutely invaluable - I had no idea about most of these requirements and was totally confused about the process. Based on all the detailed advice shared in this thread, I called my surgeon's office yesterday and spoke with their insurance coordinator. Here's what I learned that might help others: They were actually really familiar with disability forms in general, but had never dealt with California's specific SDI requirements. Once I explained that they needed to fax the DE 2501 directly to EDD (using the fax number on the form itself) and include my claim number prominently, they were completely cooperative. One thing that really helped was creating a simple email summary beforehand with all the key points, then following up with a phone call. They appreciated having everything in writing to reference while we talked. They also told me they keep a log of all faxed disability paperwork with timestamps, which gives me peace of mind about being able to track when it was sent. My surgeon's office said they'll complete and fax the form within 2-3 business days, and they'll email me a copy of the fax confirmation page. I plan to wait about a week after they send it, then call EDD to confirm receipt (might try that Claimyr service others mentioned to get through faster). It's definitely frustrating that the system is so outdated, but this community has made the whole process so much clearer. Thanks everyone for sharing your detailed experiences - you've turned what felt like an impossible bureaucratic maze into a manageable step-by-step process!

I'm in this exact same situation! My surgeon is in Nevada and I filed my SDI claim online about 5 days ago. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I was completely confused about the process and thought I could somehow submit the medical form myself once completed. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm calling my surgeon's office tomorrow to clarify that they need to mail or fax the DE 2501 form directly to EDD (not back to me). I'm going to ask to speak with whoever handles disability paperwork and make sure they understand: 1) Use the fax number printed on the actual form, 2) Include my claim number prominently, 3) Send me confirmation when it's done. It's so frustrating that in 2025 we're still dealing with fax machines for something this important, but I'm grateful for this community breaking down the process step by step. The reassurance that benefits will be backdated to the disability start date really helps with my anxiety about potential delays. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver for understanding what felt like a completely overwhelming bureaucratic process!

I went through something similar a few months back. Three weeks without payment and zero communication from EDD - it's incredibly stressful, especially when you're depending on that money. In my case, it turned out there was a "pending issue" on my account that wasn't showing up clearly in the online portal. Here's what finally worked for me: I sent a message through the "Contact EDD" feature in my UI Online account explaining the situation and asking for a specific timeline. It took about a week, but I got a response that helped clarify what was happening. Also, if you have access to a fax machine, sometimes faxing directly to your local office gets faster results than calling. Don't lose hope - the money is usually retroactive once they sort it out. Keep documenting everything (screenshots, dates, etc.) in case you need it later. Hang in there! 🤞

I'm so sorry you're going through this - 3 weeks without payment and no explanation is absolutely unacceptable. I had a similar situation last year where my payments just stopped with zero notice. Here's what I learned from that experience: First, check if there are any "determination" letters or notices buried in your UI Online inbox that you might have missed - sometimes they don't send email notifications for these. Second, if you can't get through by phone (and let's be real, who can?), try the "Ask EDD" feature in your online account. Be very specific: "My payments have been delayed for 3 weeks starting [date] with no notices or explanation. Please provide status and expected resolution timeline." Third, and this might sound weird, but try checking your account at different times of day. Sometimes pending issues or updates only show up during certain hours when they're processing. If none of that works, definitely reach out to your state assembly member's office like others have mentioned. They have a direct line to EDD and can often get answers within 24-48 hours. Document EVERYTHING - dates, times you called, screenshots of your account. This whole situation is probably going to resolve with back pay, but having that documentation helps if there are any issues later. You're not alone in this mess, and it WILL get sorted out eventually. The system is broken, but your money is still coming. Stay strong! 💪

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - my doctor's office submitted my forms electronically but they got an error message, so now they're telling me I need to mail the paper version. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like I should definitely send it certified mail and call EDD after about a week to confirm they received it. The tip about uploading a copy to the online portal is brilliant too - I hadn't thought of doing both. It's reassuring to see that even with the delays, people are getting their claims processed eventually. Thanks for sharing your journey, Yara - it really helps to know what to expect!

Based on what I've seen with disability claims in my area, paper forms definitely add extra processing time compared to online submissions. The mail delivery alone can take 5-10 business days depending on your location, and then EDD has to manually process and scan everything into their system. I'd estimate you're looking at an additional 2-3 weeks compared to if it had been submitted electronically. Since you mentioned being tight on money and having rent due soon, I'd recommend calling EDD in a few days to confirm they received your paperwork and explaining your financial situation. They sometimes have expedited processing for hardship cases. Also, make sure you're checking your SDI Online account daily for any updates - they'll post status changes there as soon as they process each step. The waiting is definitely stressful when you're depending on those benefits, but hang in there! Most people do eventually get their claims processed, even with the paper form delays.