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I went through this exact situation last month! Here's what happened with me: I submitted my extension request online and it took about 10 days to get approved. The key thing is to make sure your doctor submitted the updated medical certification directly to EDD - that's usually what holds things up. My payments continued automatically once the extension was processed, but there was about a 1-week gap between my original end date and when the new payments kicked in. Keep checking your account daily and don't panic if you see a brief interruption - that's normal during the transition. If it's been more than 2 weeks with no update, definitely try the calling strategies others mentioned or use the online contact form. Hang in there!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thanks for sharing your experience. I was starting to worry about that gap in payments, but knowing it's normal makes me feel so much better. Did you have to do anything special to make sure your doctor submitted the medical certification directly, or did they handle that automatically?
I'm going through the same thing right now and it's so stressful! I submitted my extension about a week ago and haven't heard anything back yet. Reading through these comments is really helpful though - especially knowing that a 1-2 week gap in payments might be normal. I had no idea about the doctor needing to submit the medical certification directly to EDD, so I'm definitely going to double-check on that. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare! 🤞 Hoping both our extensions get processed soon @Jamal Carter!
@Caden Turner Hang in there! I m'new to this community but going through something similar. It s'reassuring to see so many people willing to help each other out with these confusing processes. Definitely sounds like following up on that doctor s'medical certification is key - I had no idea that was a separate step either. Fingers crossed for quick approvals for everyone! 🤞
This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with both programs! I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago and can confirm everything that's been shared here. The key things to remember are: 1) CalFresh and SDI are completely separate - use your CalFresh benefits without worry, 2) Once SDI starts, report it to CalFresh within 10 days to avoid overpayments, and 3) Be super precise with employment dates on your initial SDI application. One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of when you report your SDI income to CalFresh - take screenshots or get confirmation numbers if possible. This protects you if there are any questions later about when you reported the income change. Good luck with getting your claim resolved!
This is such great advice about keeping records! I learned this the hard way with another benefit program where they questioned when I reported an income change. Having documentation saved me from a potential overpayment situation. It's also worth noting that some counties have online portals where you can report changes electronically, which automatically creates a record with timestamps. Definitely easier than trying to remember if you called or mailed something in. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I'm really glad to see this conversation and how helpful everyone has been! As someone who's been navigating disability benefits for a while now, I just wanted to emphasize a couple of points that might help others in similar situations. First, don't feel guilty about using CalFresh while waiting for SDI - that's exactly what these safety net programs are designed for. They're meant to help you during gaps like this. Second, regarding the processing delays with EDD - it's unfortunately become much more common since the pandemic. I've seen claims take anywhere from 3-8 weeks recently, even with complete documentation. The employment date discrepancy issue mentioned above is spot-on - I've seen that delay so many claims. One tip that hasn't been mentioned yet: if you have access to a local disability advocacy organization or legal aid clinic, they often have staff who are experienced with navigating EDD delays and can sometimes help expedite cases or identify missing documentation. Many offer free services for people with pending disability claims. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but most claims do eventually get approved if the medical documentation supports disability.
Thank you so much for mentioning disability advocacy organizations! I had no idea those existed and that they could help with EDD issues. Do you happen to know how to find local ones? I'm in the Bay Area and wondering if there are any specific organizations you'd recommend. This whole process has been so overwhelming and having someone who knows the system help navigate it sounds amazing. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's made me feel so much less alone in dealing with all this.
Hey Darcy! I went through the EDD appeal process about 6 months ago and totally understand the stress you're feeling right now. One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline of events leading up to my termination - it made it easier to present my case clearly during the call. Also, don't be afraid to ask the hearing officer to repeat questions if you need clarification. They're actually pretty patient and want to make sure they get all the facts right. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from appeal to decision, so try to be patient. You've got tons of great advice in this thread already - sounds like you're in good hands with this community! 🤞
Thanks for sharing your experience, Ryan! Creating a timeline is such a smart idea - I never would have thought of that. It's really reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through this and came out successful. Did you end up winning your appeal? Also, any specific tips on what kind of documentation helped you the most?
I'm really sorry to hear about your denial, Darcy. The EDD appeal process can definitely feel overwhelming at first, but you're taking the right step by reaching out for advice. From what I've seen in similar cases, the key is being super organized with your documentation and staying calm during the hearing. Make sure you have copies of everything - your original application, any correspondence from EDD, pay stubs, and especially anything that contradicts their reason for denial. Practice explaining your situation out loud beforehand so you sound confident. The hearing officers are generally fair, but they need clear facts to work with. Also, don't hesitate to ask for a postponement if you need more time to prepare - it's better to be ready than to rush. Keep your head up, you've got this! 💪
This is really solid advice, Lara! I'm also going through an appeal right now and the organization tip is so important. I made the mistake of not having everything sorted properly for my first call and it was a mess. One thing I'd add is to write down key points you want to make beforehand - when you're nervous it's easy to forget important details. Also, if anyone's interested, there are some free legal aid clinics that help with EDD appeals if you qualify based on income. Might be worth looking into if you're feeling really lost with the legal stuff.
ugh im so tired of EDD's broken website. why cant they just hire some decent programers and fix this mess???
I'm dealing with the exact same address issue! It's so frustrating. I found that sometimes if you log out completely, clear your browser data, and then log back in during off-peak hours (like 6-7 AM), the fields become editable again. Also, for the phone number issue, I had to mail in a form to get it corrected - it's form DE 4581. You can download it from the EDD website. Takes forever but it's the only way they'll accept phone number changes if the online system won't let you do it. Hang in there! 💪
Andre Moreau
guys i just got my backpay after 6 weeks of radio silence. there's hope! hang in there OP
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Chloe Robinson
•That's great news! Congrats! Did you do anything special to make it happen?
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Andre Moreau
•honestly, i just kept calling and eventually got lucky with a super helpful rep. persistence pays off!
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Ava Thompson
This is so frustrating! I'm dealing with something similar right now - been waiting 3 weeks for my continuation paperwork to process. What I've learned is that calling the main number is pretty much useless, but if you can get your doctor's office to call directly (they have a provider line that supposedly gets through faster), that sometimes helps. Also, double-check that your doctor used the correct forms - apparently there are different versions and using an outdated one can cause delays. Sending you good vibes that this gets sorted out soon! 🤞
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