Congratulations on your approval! What a relief that must be after waiting so long in pending status. I just wanted to add something that helped me when I went through this process - you can actually set up account alerts through your EDD SDI Online portal to get notifications when new payments are issued. This way you'll know right away when future payments hit without having to constantly log in to check. Also, once you do get your debit card, I'd recommend testing a small ATM withdrawal first just to make sure everything is working properly before you need to access larger amounts. The whole system can feel overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hope your card arrives soon!

Congratulations on your approval! That pending period is such a stressful time, so I'm really happy for you that it finally went through. I just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact same process about two months ago. My EDD debit card took exactly 9 days to arrive after my first payment was issued, which was right in that 7-10 business day window everyone mentions. One thing I wish someone had told me is that when you do call Bank of America to check on shipping status, they can also confirm your mailing address over the phone - this gave me peace of mind that it was going to the right place. Also, I'd recommend downloading the Bank of America mobile app as soon as you get your card, even if you're planning to set up direct deposit. The app makes it really easy to check your balance and transaction history, plus you can transfer money instantly if needed (though there is a small fee for instant transfers like others mentioned). The direct deposit setup was much easier than I expected - just make sure you have your bank routing and account numbers handy. Hope your card arrives quickly and everything goes smoothly!

This thread is absolutely phenomenal! As someone who's been putting off dealing with my DE 2501 because the whole process seemed so intimidating, reading through everyone's experiences has completely changed my perspective. The collective knowledge here is incredible - from the basic logistics like downloading the current form and making copies, to the more strategic advice about working with doctors and documenting limitations properly. I'm especially grateful for the tips about scheduling dedicated disability paperwork appointments, keeping symptom diaries for invisible conditions, and the various ways to actually get through to EDD (that claimyr service sounds like a lifesaver!). What really stands out to me is how supportive everyone has been in sharing their hard-won knowledge. This system is clearly designed to be confusing and discouraging, but seeing how this community comes together to help each other navigate it gives me so much hope. Thank you all for turning what felt like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into something that actually feels doable with the right preparation and guidance! 🙏💪

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who's currently dealing with a chronic condition and was completely overwhelmed by the idea of navigating EDD's disability process, I can't express how grateful I am for everyone sharing their experiences and practical advice here. The collective wisdom you've all shared - from the basic logistics like downloading the current DE 2501 form and making copies, to the more nuanced strategies like scheduling dedicated disability paperwork appointments, creating symptom diaries, and working with specialists who understand functional limitations - has transformed what felt like an impossible bureaucratic maze into something that actually seems manageable. I'm especially appreciative of the tips about documenting cognitive impacts, advocating for yourself with doctors, and the various methods for actually reaching EDD representatives. It's clear this system is designed to frustrate people into giving up, but seeing how this community rallies together to support each other through it gives me so much hope. Thank you all for your generosity in sharing your hard-earned knowledge - you're literally helping strangers navigate one of the most stressful processes imaginable! 🙏💙

I'm new to this community but unfortunately here because I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! Had my rotator cuff surgery three weeks ago and just got hit with the "cannot identify physician" denial yesterday. My orthopedic surgeon was absolutely floored when I called - he said his name, license number, and signature are all completely legible on the form and he's been doing EDD certifications for over 15 years without a single issue. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and maddening. It's crystal clear this is a widespread systematic problem with EDD's processing system, not actual issues with our doctors' forms. The fact that so many experienced surgeons across different specialties are all equally bewildered by these denials really tells the whole story. I'm going to follow the proven game plan everyone has outlined - getting a typed physician attestation letter with his full credentials including both medical license AND NPI numbers, checking if his office is set up for electronic submission through the EDD provider portal, and having him complete a fresh DE 2501 with everything printed instead of handwritten. The detailed strategy from @Ethan Brown about what to include in the attestation letter is exactly what I needed. It's completely outrageous that while we're trying to heal from major surgery and stressing about finances, we have to become EDD appeals specialists just to get benefits we've been paying into our whole careers. But I'm so thankful to have found this supportive community where people are sharing actual solutions. I'll definitely update everyone on how my appeal goes - hopefully we can all get these bogus denials reversed and get the support we need during recovery!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately here because I'm dealing with this exact same infuriating situation! Had my appendectomy two weeks ago and just got the "cannot identify physician" denial letter today. My surgeon was completely bewildered - she said her handwriting and license information are perfectly clear on the form and she's never had this problem in 12 years of practice. What's really striking about reading everyone's experiences is seeing this obvious pattern of systematic failures with EDD's processing system across so many different surgeries and experienced doctors. It's clearly not a physician competency issue when surgeons with decades of experience are suddenly being told their forms are "illegible." I'm going to follow the comprehensive strategy that @Ethan Brown outlined - getting a typed physician attestation letter with her complete credentials including both medical license AND NPI numbers, asking if her office can submit electronically through the EDD provider portal, and having her complete a brand new DE 2501 with everything printed clearly. The detailed advice everyone has shared here about what to include has been incredibly valuable. It's absolutely ridiculous that while we're trying to recover from surgery and manage financial stress, we have to become EDD bureaucracy experts just to access benefits we've been paying into. But I'm grateful to have found this supportive community where people are sharing real solutions and helping each other navigate this broken system. I'll definitely keep everyone updated on my appeal progress - hopefully we can all get these bogus denials overturned and receive the support we need during recovery!

I'm new to this community and just filed my first SDI claim yesterday! This thread has been absolutely incredible - I was completely panicking about the "pending medical provider form" status and had no idea what it meant. Like everyone else here, I was expecting EDD to mail me some paperwork! After reading through all your experiences, I now understand my doctor needs to submit their part through the SDI Online physician portal and that EDD basically never notifies them. It's honestly mind-blowing how unclear they make this process! I'm calling my doctor's office first thing Monday morning with my receipt number and all the info everyone shared. The 2-3 week timeline you've all mentioned once the doctor submits is such a huge relief - I was terrified this could drag on for months and was starting to stress about my mortgage payment. I'll definitely set up those text alerts and check my account daily like everyone suggested. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and making this confusing process actually understandable! This community is amazing for filling in all the gaps EDD should have explained upfront. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to help newcomers like me navigate this maze!

I'm also new to this community and just filed my first SDI claim 2 days ago! This entire thread has been such a lifesaver - I was completely lost about what "pending medical provider form" meant and honestly thought I'd be getting something in the mail from EDD. After reading everyone's experiences, I immediately called my doctor's office this morning with my receipt number, full name, and DOB. Just like so many others have mentioned, they had absolutely no idea I had filed an SDI claim and seemed confused about the whole process at first. I had to specifically mention the "SDI Online physician portal" before their billing coordinator understood what I was talking about. Thankfully, once I explained everything based on what I learned from this thread, they knew exactly what to do and said they'd submit the medical certification by end of day tomorrow. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD doesn't make this process clearer - without finding this community, I'd probably still be sitting by my mailbox waiting for paperwork that was never coming! The 2-3 week timeline everyone has shared once the doctor submits is really reassuring. I was starting to panic thinking this might take months and was worried about covering my rent. I've already set up the text alerts in my SDI Online account and will be checking daily for status updates. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences and specific timelines! This community is filling in all the crucial information that EDD should have provided upfront. It's making this stressful and confusing process so much more manageable for first-time filers like me. I'll definitely update once I see my status change to "under review"!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare, Ella! I went through something similar last year and it was absolutely devastating - the stress of being unable to work AND unable to access the help you need is just crushing. From reading through all these responses, it sounds like the multi-pronged approach is your best bet. Here's what I'd suggest trying simultaneously: 1. Download and mail the DE 2501 paper form immediately - don't wait for the online system to work 2. Contact your state assembly member's office ASAP - they often have dedicated staff for EDD issues 3. Try calling from different devices/numbers at off-peak times (early morning, mid-week) 4. Document absolutely everything - screenshots, call logs, dates, times, who you spoke with The fact that you've been dealing with this for 3 months is unacceptable. You've paid into this system and deserve access to these benefits, especially when you're facing medical bills and financial hardship. Don't let the broken system break your spirit - there ARE people here who've gotten through this mess, and you will too. Keep us posted on what works! We're all rooting for you. ❤️

I've been lurking on this community for a while but had to create an account to share what finally worked for me with the e324 error. After 4 months of the same nightmare you're describing, I got through by doing something counterintuitive - I cleared ALL my browser data (not just cache), used a VPN to change my location, and tried applying from a completely different device at my local library. Something about the combination of fresh IP address + clean browser + different device seemed to bypass whatever was causing the error. I know it sounds like tech voodoo, but I was desperate enough to try anything. The librarian even helped me troubleshoot when it still didn't work on the first try. Took three different computers there before one finally let me through. Also echoing what others said about the assembly member route - mine had a dedicated EDD liaison who was a absolute lifesaver. They can't fix the technical issues but they can flag your case as urgent once you do get through. Hang in there Ella - this system is absolutely broken but you WILL get through it eventually. Don't let them wear you down! 💪