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Just went through this exact same thing a few months ago! When my payment showed up online on a Friday afternoon, I was so anxious about when it would actually hit my account. Ended up getting it Monday morning around 8:30am with Wells Fargo. The weekend wait felt eternal when you're stressed about bills, but at least once you see it in the SDI system you know it's coming for sure. Pro tip: set up text alerts with your bank so you get notified the moment it deposits - saved my sanity during those first few weeks of disability payments!
That's such a great tip about setting up text alerts! I never thought of that but it would definitely help with the anxiety of waiting. I'm dealing with my first disability claim right now and the whole process has been so overwhelming - from the initial application to now waiting for payments. It's really comforting to hear from people who've been through this and know what to expect. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I'm going through something similar right now - just had my first SDI payment show up online yesterday and I'm anxiously waiting to see when it hits my account. It's so stressful being out of work and having to wait for these payments, especially when you have bills due. Reading everyone's experiences here is really helpful though. It sounds like most people get their deposits within 1-2 business days of seeing it online, which gives me hope. The whole disability process has been such a learning curve - I had no idea what to expect with any of this when I first got injured. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips!
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You know what's weird about EDD is that UI and SDI are like completely different departments that don't talk to each other. When I switched last fall my doctor told me they were seeing tons of patients with this exact problem. The whole system needs an overhaul.
This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation but mine's a bit different - I'm currently on UI but just found out I might need surgery in a few weeks. Should I wait until after the surgery to file for SDI, or can I file now even though I'm still technically able to work for another week or two? My doctor said the surgery date depends on when they can schedule it. Don't want to mess up the timing and end up in that overlap nightmare everyone's talking about!
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Update: I certified for UI this Sunday and reported that I was unable to work Wednesday through Saturday due to my injury. The system prompted me with some additional questions about my medical situation. I've also started my SDI application online and my doctor has the medical certification form. Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll post again if I run into any issues with the transition.
Sounds like you're on the right track! The system is working as intended. Your UI benefits should stop as of the day you became disabled, and once your SDI claim is processed (after the waiting period), you should start receiving those benefits. Good luck with your recovery!
Great to hear you got everything sorted out! That's exactly how the process is supposed to work. One thing to keep in mind - make sure your doctor submits that medical certification form as quickly as possible since the 49-day deadline starts from when your disability began (Wednesday in your case). The sooner EDD gets the medical docs, the faster your SDI claim will be processed. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
That's really good advice about the medical certification timing! I didn't realize the 49-day clock starts ticking from the actual disability date rather than when you file the claim. I'll definitely follow up with my doctor to make sure they get that form submitted ASAP. Thanks for the encouragement on the recovery too - hopefully this back injury heals faster than expected!
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Hey Javier! I just went through the SDI process myself about 6 months ago for a back injury. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: The approval timeline really does vary, but most people I've talked to (including myself) got approved within 2-3 weeks if everything was submitted correctly. The key is making sure your doctor knows this is urgent - mine didn't realize there was a deadline and almost missed it! For your benefit amount at $500/week, you're looking at around $300-350/week as others mentioned. One thing that surprised me was that you can actually work part-time while on SDI and still get partial benefits if your doctor clears it - might be worth asking about for the tail end of your recovery. Also, don't stress too much about the 7-day waiting period. It sounds scary but it just means your benefits start on day 8 of your disability, and you still get paid retroactively for that period once approved. You've got this! The process is way less complicated than it seems when you're anxious about it. Focus on getting better and let the system work for you. 💪
This is such reassuring advice, thank you Ravi! I had no idea about being able to work part-time while still getting partial benefits - that could be really helpful during the later stages of recovery when I might be cleared for light duty but not ready for full-time yet. I'll definitely ask my doctor about that possibility. It's good to know the 7-day waiting period isn't as scary as it sounds too. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience - hearing from people who've actually been through it makes this whole process feel much more manageable! 🙏
Hey Javier! I went through SDI for the first time about 8 months ago after a shoulder surgery. The anxiety you're feeling is totally normal - I was a wreck worrying about money too! Here's what helped me get through it: I filed my claim about a week before my surgery date (as others mentioned, you can put a future disability start date). My approval took exactly 18 days from filing to first payment, which was pretty typical from what I've heard. One thing I didn't see mentioned much - if you're really tight on money during the waiting period, some local food banks and community assistance programs can help with groceries/utilities while you're waiting for benefits to kick in. I was too proud to look into it at first but honestly wish I had. Also, once you're approved, keep all your paperwork organized because you'll need to certify for benefits every two weeks. Set phone reminders - missing a certification can delay your payments. The process definitely works, just takes patience. Focus on your recovery and try not to stress too much about the timeline. You'll get through this! 🙏
Sydney Torres
I went through this exact same situation with my lower back injury last year! The independent medical exam was actually less intimidating than I expected. Here's what helped me prepare: 1. Write down all your symptoms and limitations beforehand - when you're nervous, it's easy to forget important details about your pain levels or what activities are difficult. 2. Bring a complete list of all medications you're taking, including dosages and how they affect you (drowsiness, nausea, etc.). 3. If you use any mobility aids (heating pads, back brace, special cushions), bring them or at least mention them during the exam. 4. Be prepared to demonstrate your range of motion limitations - they may ask you to bend, twist, or lift light objects to assess your functional capacity. The doctor was professional and seemed genuinely interested in understanding my condition rather than trying to "catch" me in anything. My benefits continued without any issues after the exam. The key is just being completely honest about both your bad days AND your better days. One tip: if you're driving to the appointment, they might observe how you get in/out of your car, so don't try to hide any difficulty you have with that movement. Good luck!
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Sophia Rodriguez
•This is really helpful advice! I hadn't thought about writing down my symptoms beforehand - you're right that nerves could make me forget important details. The medication list is a great point too since some of my pain meds make me drowsy which definitely affects my ability to work. I'm curious about the range of motion tests - were they painful to perform during the exam? I'm worried about aggravating my herniated disc during the physical assessment.
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Amara Adebayo
•@Sydney Torres The range of motion tests weren t'too bad - the doctor was actually pretty careful about not pushing me beyond my comfort level. They ll'typically ask you to stop immediately if something causes sharp pain or significant discomfort. For the bending/twisting movements, they mostly just want to see your natural range before pain kicks in, not force you through painful motions. Just be honest about when movements start to hurt - don t'try to push through severe pain to prove "you" re'trying, but also don t'stop at the first hint of mild discomfort if you can actually do a bit more. The key is showing your actual functional limitations. They understand that herniated discs can cause sharp, shooting pain with certain movements, so they re'usually pretty cautious during the physical assessment.
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Ravi Choudhury
I just went through this process a few months ago for my shoulder injury claim! The independent medical exam really isn't as scary as it seems. Here's what I wish someone had told me beforehand: The doctor will likely spend time reviewing all your medical records before examining you, so make sure everything is organized and complete. They asked me detailed questions about how my injury affects my work duties specifically - like can I lift, reach overhead, type for extended periods, etc. One thing that surprised me was they asked about my sleep quality and how pain affects my rest. Apparently that's a big factor in determining functional capacity for work. Also be prepared for questions about what household tasks you can/can't do - cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. The physical exam was thorough but respectful of my limitations. They tested strength, range of motion, and watched how I moved naturally. The whole appointment took about 45 minutes. Most importantly - if you're legitimately injured and following your doctor's treatment plan, you have nothing to worry about. These exams are really just to verify that your disability is ongoing and that you're not able to perform your job duties. My benefits continued without any interruption, and the process actually gave me peace of mind knowing everything was properly documented. Stay calm and just be honest about your limitations. You've got this!
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Aisha Abdullah
•Thank you for sharing your experience! The detail about sleep quality is really interesting - I hadn't considered that they'd ask about that aspect. My pain definitely disrupts my sleep significantly, especially when I try to change positions at night. It's reassuring to hear that your benefits continued smoothly after the exam. Did they give you any timeline for when you'd hear back about their decision, or did you just continue receiving payments as normal until you heard otherwise?
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