I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Faxed my paperwork 10 days ago and still haven't heard anything. The waiting is so stressful, especially when you're counting on that payment. From what I've learned here, it sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal unfortunately. I'm planning to call tomorrow to at least confirm they received it - that seems to be the consensus advice from everyone. Maya, did the agent give you any reference number or anything to help track your paperwork while it's in that backlog? Might be worth asking for that if you call again. We're all in this together! 💪

As someone who's been through this process multiple times, I can confirm that faxing to EDD is incredibly unreliable. I've had documents "lost" twice, which is why I now always send via certified mail AND fax, then follow up with a phone call within a week. It's overkill but it's the only way to have peace of mind. Maya, since you confirmed they have your paperwork, you're actually in a better position than most people - at least you know it's in the system! The 4-week timeline they gave you is probably accurate unfortunately. In the meantime, if you're facing financial hardship, definitely look into that expedited processing option that Finnegan mentioned earlier. You'll need documentation of your hardship, but it could cut your wait time significantly. Hang in there - I know the waiting is brutal but you're closer to resolution than you think! 🙏

am i the only 1 who thinks its crazy we gotta jump thru all these hoops just to access our own accounts? 🤡 system is broken af

I went through something similar when my daughter was born. Here's what worked for me: First, try the "Forgot Username" option on the EDD site - sometimes that works better than password recovery. If that fails, call the technical support line (not the regular claims line) at 1-833-978-2511. They specifically handle account access issues. Also, make sure you're using the same browser and clearing your cache first. The system is super finicky about that stuff. Hang in there - PFL is worth the hassle once you get it sorted! 💪

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusing situation! As someone who works in disability advocacy, I see cases like yours unfortunately often. Your employer absolutely should have guided you to the correct program from the start - a work-related injury while lifting inventory is textbook workers compensation, not private short-term disability. The good news is you still have options! Everyone here has given excellent advice about filing both SDI and workers comp claims immediately. I want to emphasize a few additional points: 1. When you file your SDI claim online, there's a specific section where you can explain your reason for late filing. Be detailed about how your employer initially directed you to their private insurance and then changed course. 2. For workers comp, if your employer continues to stall on providing the DWC-1 form, you can download it directly from the CA Department of Industrial Relations website and submit it yourself. 3. Consider reaching out to your state assembly member's office - they often have staff who specialize in helping constituents navigate EDD issues and can sometimes expedite claims. 4. Document your current financial hardship caused by this delay - if your employer's misguidance caused you to miss rent or other essential expenses, that strengthens your case for both programs. You're not alone in this, and the system does have protections for exactly this type of employer error. Don't let their confusion cost you the benefits you've earned!

I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in because I went through something very similar last year. Your employer's handling of this situation is completely unacceptable - they should have known from day one that a work-related lifting injury needs to go through workers compensation, not their private STD insurance. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about filing both claims immediately. I just wanted to add that when I was in a similar situation, I found it really helpful to create a timeline document with dates, who I spoke with, and what was said. This became crucial evidence when I eventually had to appeal some decisions. Also, don't feel bad about not knowing the difference between these programs - that's literally your employer's job to educate you about! The fact that they approved your private insurance claim initially and then suddenly changed course suggests they realized their mistake and are now trying to shift the burden to you. File those claims tonight if you can. The "good cause" exception for late filing exists exactly for situations like this. You trusted your employer to guide you correctly, and they failed in their legal obligation. That's not on you - that's on them. Hang in there! The process is frustrating but you have strong grounds for approval on both fronts.

lmao welcome to the wonderful world of bureaucracy 🤡 where nothing makes sense and the rules are made up. Good luck, you're gonna need it!

I went through something similar last year and it was such a headache! The key thing that helped me was getting everything in writing. When I called EDD, they told me it was a workers' comp issue, so I immediately emailed my HR department asking for clarification about my work-related injury claim status. Turns out my employer hadn't even filed the workers' comp paperwork yet! 🤦‍♀️ That "state disability offset" on your paystub is probably your employer reducing your regular pay because they expect you to receive disability benefits elsewhere. But if no one has actually processed your claim properly, you're stuck in limbo getting neither your full pay nor the disability benefits. My advice: Email both your HR department AND follow up with EDD in writing. Give them a deadline to respond (like 5 business days) and escalate if they don't. You shouldn't have to choose between eating and getting proper medical care while they figure out their paperwork!

I'm going through something similar right now - submitted all my docs in person at the local office and still got hit with a disqualification. It's incredibly frustrating when you feel like you've done everything right. From what I've learned lurking in this community, the appeal process seems to be a waiting game but people do get through it. Make sure you keep detailed records of every interaction and document you've submitted. The system might be broken, but don't give up - you paid into this and you deserve those benefits. Hang in there! 🙏

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that helped me during my SDI identity verification nightmare. After getting my initial disqualification, I realized that the EDD often doesn't properly link documents submitted in-person to your case file - it's like their internal systems don't talk to each other properly. When I wrote my appeal letter, I included a sworn declaration (you can find templates online) stating exactly when, where, and to whom I submitted my documents, plus I attached new copies of everything again. I also requested my case file through a FOIA request to see what they actually had on record - turns out they were "missing" half my docs. The whole process took about 10 weeks total, but the appeal was successful. Don't lose hope - their system is broken but appeals do work if you're thorough and persistent! 🙏