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whatever u do, DON'T ignore this!! my friend did and ended up owing thousands 😱 deal with it now before it snowballs
I went through something similar about 6 months ago! Turned out their system had a bug that was automatically adding years to recovery dates. The rep I spoke with said it was happening to a bunch of people. The good news is they were able to fix it retroactively once I explained the situation. Just make sure to ask them to put a note in your file about the system error so it doesn't happen again. Also, if you have any medical documentation showing your actual recovery timeline, have that ready when you call - it helped speed up my case resolution.
This exact same thing happened to me about 6 months ago when I was on disability for my shoulder surgery! The timing was absolutely infuriating - I got the identity verification letter on a Thursday asking for documents by the following Tuesday, but then Saturday morning I woke up to see my claim was disqualified. Like, seriously?? How am I supposed to respond to your request when you deny me before I even have a weekend to gather the paperwork? What worked for me was doing exactly what others have suggested - I immediately uploaded everything to the online portal AND sent certified copies by mail, then filed the appeal the same day. The whole thing took about 4 weeks to fully resolve, but once I got connected with a knowledgeable EDD rep, they confirmed it was 100% a system error and reversed everything. The most frustrating part is knowing this happens to SO many people and they just... haven't fixed it? It's like they're intentionally making it harder for people who are already dealing with injuries and medical issues. But don't give up - you WILL get through this and get your benefits. Just keep all your documentation organized and stay persistent with the calls. This community has been a lifesaver for navigating EDD's broken system!
Wow, reading all these experiences really drives home how systemic this problem is with EDD! It's both reassuring and infuriating to see so many people dealing with the exact same automated system failure. The fact that you got your verification request on Thursday with a Tuesday deadline, only to be disqualified on Saturday, perfectly illustrates how broken their timing is. Thank you for sharing that it took about 4 weeks to resolve - that helps me set realistic expectations while I'm going through this mess. It's honestly criminal that they haven't fixed this known issue when it's clearly causing so much stress for people who are already vulnerable due to medical conditions. But I'm grateful for communities like this where we can support each other through EDD's dysfunction!
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - it's absolutely infuriating that EDD's broken system is causing you stress while you're already trying to recover from a back injury. Reading through all these similar experiences just confirms what a widespread problem this is with their automated systems. Based on what everyone has shared, it sounds like you're on the right track by uploading your identity documents immediately and filing the appeal. I'd also recommend calling them daily if possible - I know it's exhausting, but sometimes persistence is the only thing that works with EDD. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to reach out to your state assembly member's office for help. Many of them have caseworkers who specialize in EDD issues and can sometimes cut through the red tape faster than going through normal channels. It's worth a shot if the regular appeals process drags on too long. Keep documenting everything and don't let their broken system discourage you from fighting for the benefits you're entitled to. From what I'm seeing here, these identity verification glitches almost always get resolved eventually - it's just a matter of pushing through their dysfunction. Hang in there!
Quick question - what kind of injury do you have? Some specific injuries might qualify you for other types of assistance.
I'm really sorry you're going through this! Being injured with such little work history is a tough spot. Since you likely won't qualify for SDI with only a month of employment, definitely look into those local assistance programs Lucas mentioned. Also, don't forget about food banks and utility assistance programs - they can help stretch whatever income you might have. Have you checked if your county has a 211 helpline? They usually have info on all the local resources available. Wishing you a speedy recovery! 🙏
Thank you so much for the kind words and suggestions! I hadn't heard of the 211 helpline before - that's really helpful. I'll definitely look into that and the food bank options too. It's scary being in this situation but this community has been amazing with all the advice. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to help out! 💙
I'm new here but going through something similar - my SDI is ending next month after a car accident and I'm still not cleared to work. Reading through these responses has been so helpful! I had no idea about the DE 2525XX form or that extensions were even possible. My case worker never mentioned this option. Does anyone know if there's a limit to how many times you can extend SDI, or is it just the one extension up to 52 weeks total that Miguel mentioned? Also, for those who got extensions approved, how long did the review process typically take? I'm worried about having a gap in benefits while they decide.
Welcome to the community! From what I understand, the 52 weeks is the maximum total for SDI (including your initial claim plus any extensions), not 52 weeks of extension on top of what you've already received. So if you've already used 6 months of SDI, you'd potentially have about 6 more months available through extension. As for processing time, it can vary a lot - I've seen people get approval in 1-2 weeks when the paperwork is complete, but others wait 4-6 weeks. The key is getting your doctor to submit the forms promptly and following up with EDD. Definitely don't wait until your benefits actually end to start the process! You can begin the extension request a few weeks before your current benefits expire to avoid any gaps.
As someone who's been through this exact situation, I want to echo what others have said about acting quickly on the SDI extension. One thing I'd add is to consider reaching out to a disability advocate or legal aid society in your area if you run into roadblocks. Many offer free consultations for SDI issues. Also, while you're waiting for the extension decision, look into local emergency assistance programs - some counties have temporary financial assistance for people caught in these benefit gaps. Food banks and utility assistance programs can help stretch whatever resources you have. It's frustrating that the system has these gaps, but there are people and organizations who understand and can help navigate it. Don't be afraid to ask for help from multiple sources while you're recovering.
This is such valuable advice, thank you! I never thought about reaching out to disability advocates or looking into emergency assistance programs. The stress of potentially losing income while still recovering makes it hard to think clearly about all the options available. Do you happen to know if these local assistance programs typically have long waiting lists, or are they usually able to help fairly quickly? I'm trying to plan ahead in case the SDI extension takes longer than expected to process. Also, did you find any particular type of organization more helpful than others when you went through this?
Austin Leonard
guys. GUYS. i just got my money today after waiting for 3 months. there is hope! hang in there! 🎉🎉🎉
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Austin Leonard
•honestly, i just waited. called a few times but never got through. i guess sometimes the system actually works? 🤷♂️
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Dylan Baskin
•That's awesome! Gives me some hope. Enjoy your hard-earned money!
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Vince Eh
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 6 weeks ago and radio silence since then. It's so frustrating because you're dealing with a disability AND financial stress at the same time. I've been reading through all these comments and it sounds like persistence is key. Maybe we should start a support group for people stuck in EDD limbo 😅 Seriously though, thanks for posting this - it helps to know we're not alone in this mess.
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