I'm so sorry you're dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare! I just went through a very similar situation a few months ago and it was incredibly frustrating. The DE 2547A form absolutely exists - it's the official "Physician/Practitioner's Supplementary Certificate" required for disability extensions. The problem is that you've been talking to the wrong department at Kaiser this entire time. Medical records cannot help you with EDD forms at all - they only handle sending medical records, not completing certification paperwork. You need to call Kaiser's main number and specifically ask for their "Work Status Department" or "Disability Services" - this is a specialized team that exclusively handles all EDD-related forms. Here's the key strategy that worked for me: When you call, DON'T mention the form number "DE 2547A" initially because it seems to confuse their general staff. Instead, just say "I need help getting my disability extension certification completed for EDD." Once you're transferred to the Work Status department, they'll know exactly what you're talking about. Also try calling early in the morning when they open - you're more likely to get through to someone knowledgeable who can transfer you correctly. In my case, once I finally reached the Work Status team, they coordinated with my doctor and had everything submitted electronically to EDD within a week. They even provided a confirmation number so I could track that EDD received it. This whole system is terribly designed, but don't give up - this is absolutely solvable once you get connected to the right people at Kaiser!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar extension issue right now with a different health provider, and reading everyone's experiences has given me so much insight into how these bureaucratic systems work (or don't work). What strikes me most is how consistent everyone's advice has been about finding the RIGHT department at Kaiser - the Work Status/Disability Services team. It's crazy that this specialized department exists but is so hard to find! It really shouldn't require this level of detective work just to access benefits we're entitled to. For those still working through similar issues, I'd also suggest documenting everything in writing after each phone call - who you spoke with, what they said, any case or reference numbers. I've found this really helpful when you have to explain the situation to new representatives. The tip about calling early in the morning seems really smart too. I'm going to try that strategy with my own provider. It's unfortunate that timing your calls strategically can make such a difference, but if it helps cut through the phone tree maze, it's worth it. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences so openly - this kind of community knowledge sharing is invaluable when you're stuck in bureaucratic limbo!

Not to freak you out more, but make sure your identity verification is up to date. They've been cracking down on fraud lately and sometimes legit claims get caught in the crossfire.

Hey Lauren, this exact thing happened to me about two months ago and I totally understand the panic! First, definitely check your EDD online portal to see if there are any alerts or if your claim status has changed. Sometimes they'll flag something for review without sending proper notification. Also, double-check that your bank info is still correct in your profile - I've heard of cases where people's routing numbers got corrupted somehow. If everything looks normal online, try calling the 833-978-2511 number right at 8am sharp. I know everyone says this, but it really does work better than calling later in the day. Hang in there - in most cases these delays get resolved within a few business days, even though it feels like forever when you're waiting for money you need!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare and this thread has been a lifesaver! My February SDI check also went missing and I'm on day 13 of waiting for the replacement after submitting the DE 2501R form. Reading everyone's experiences here has given me so much more insight than EDD's useless website ever could. The 8 AM calling strategy that multiple people mentioned actually worked for me this morning - got through after 22 attempts and the rep confirmed my request is "in processing" but couldn't give specifics on timing. She did note my rent situation though which hopefully helps with prioritization. The Tuesday/Friday batch processing info that Aisha shared is gold - I never would have known that otherwise. Planning to try the in-person office visit next week if nothing changes, since Savannah's experience shows it can actually get results. Thank you to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - it really helps to know we're all fighting the same frustrating battle together. Will definitely be setting up direct deposit the second this replacement arrives!

I went through this exact situation about 3 months ago and it was incredibly stressful! My SDI check got lost in January and I was panicking about rent too. Here's what I learned from the experience: The 8 AM calling strategy really works - I got through on attempt #31 and the rep was actually helpful. She told me that replacement checks typically take 14-21 business days but can be expedited if you're facing eviction or utilities being shut off. Mine took exactly 19 days from when I submitted the DE 2501R form. One thing that really helped was calling my landlord proactively and explaining the situation with documentation - most are understanding when you show proof of the EDD process. Also, make sure you're checking your SDI Online account daily because sometimes the status updates there before you get any other notification. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're already dealing with disability and financial stress, but the check will come! And definitely switch to direct deposit immediately after - I did and it's been such a relief not worrying about mail delivery anymore. Hang in there!

Yes, mental health disabilities often do face more scrutiny unfortunately. I went through this exact transition from pregnancy to postpartum depression/anxiety last year. EDD required additional documentation from my psychiatrist including specific functional limitations (like concentration issues, inability to handle work stress, etc.) that they didn't ask for during my pregnancy claim. My doctor had to be very detailed about how my symptoms specifically prevented me from doing my job duties. They also requested a follow-up review after just 2 weeks instead of the usual 4-week certifications. It was frustrating but my claim was approved - just took longer than expected. One thing that helped was having my doctor include references to established medical guidelines for postpartum mental health conditions. Also make sure your PCP is comfortable certifying mental health disabilities - some primary care doctors prefer to refer to specialists for these types of claims, which could complicate your transition timeline. Stay strong - the extra paperwork is worth it to get the support you need during recovery! And definitely prepare for the possibility of shorter certification periods initially.

I'm currently going through a similar transition right now - from pregnancy SDI to continuing disability for chronic pain and depression. My experience so far has been that the key is really staying on top of the timing like everyone mentioned. I actually had my PCP submit the DE 2525XX form about 10 days before my OB's certification expired, and I called EDD the day after to confirm they received it. The rep I spoke to said that was smart because it gives them time to process it before any gap occurs. One thing I learned that might help - when you talk to your PCP, ask them to be as specific as possible about your functional limitations. Don't just say "back pain" - have them document things like "unable to sit for more than 30 minutes" or "cannot lift more than 10 pounds." The more detailed they are about how your conditions prevent you from doing your specific job duties, the smoother the approval process seems to go. Also, I'd recommend keeping copies of everything - your claim number, the dates from your OB's certification, and confirmation that your PCP submitted their forms. Having all that info handy made my follow-up calls with EDD much easier. Good luck with your transition!

I'm currently in a very similar situation with a herniated disc! I returned to work after 10 weeks on SDI because my pain had decreased, but after just 3 weeks back I'm in worse shape than when I first got injured. Reading through everyone's experiences with the DE 2501R form has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea you could reopen a claim within the benefit year instead of filing completely new. I was dreading starting over with a new waiting period and potentially hitting benefit caps. The tip about calling right at 8am is brilliant - I've been trying to get through for days with no luck, but I'll definitely try that strategy tomorrow morning. It's both frustrating and comforting to see how common this "returning too early" situation is. Doctors really do seem to underestimate recovery time, especially for back injuries. Sarah, I hope your surgery went perfectly and that you're healing well! Thank you for asking this question - it's helping so many of us who are dealing with the exact same challenge.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now with a lower back injury! I was on SDI for about 3 months, returned to work thinking I was ready, but only lasted 2 weeks before the pain became unbearable again. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had been struggling with the online portal for days trying to figure out how to continue my claim rather than start over. The DE 2501R form that everyone mentioned is exactly what I needed to know about! I called EDD this morning using the 8am tip and actually got through in about 30 minutes, which felt like a miracle. They confirmed that since I was only back for 2 weeks with the same condition, it should be processed as a continuation of my original claim. My doctor's office is working on completing the DE 2501R form now. Sarah, I really hope your surgery went well and that your recovery is progressing smoothly! It's so reassuring to see how many people have successfully navigated this process. Thank you for starting this discussion - it's been a lifesaver for those of us dealing with the frustrating reality of returning to work before our bodies were truly ready.