I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - it's so frustrating! One thing that helped me was sending a follow-up email to my doctor's office asking for confirmation that they sent the medical certificate, along with the date and method they used (fax, mail, etc.). Turns out my doctor's office had the wrong fax number on file for EDD! Once we got that corrected and they resent it, things moved much faster. Also, if you haven't already, try uploading a copy of the medical certificate directly to your UI Online account under the "Upload Documents" section. Even if your doctor already sent it, having it in multiple places seems to help expedite the process. The waiting is the worst part, especially when you're already dealing with medical issues. Keep pushing - you've got this! 💪

I went through something very similar earlier this year and I know how stressful it is! Here's what finally worked for me: I called my doctor's office first to confirm they actually sent the certificate and had the correct EDD fax number (turns out they were using an outdated one). Once that was sorted, I also uploaded my own copy through UI Online and sent a secure message explaining the timeline. The key thing is to keep certifying every two weeks no matter what - I made that mistake once and it caused even more delays. It took about 3 weeks total, but I eventually got all my back payments. Don't give up, the system is slow but it does work eventually! Also, if you can get a confirmation receipt from your doctor showing when/where they sent it, that really helps when you're talking to EDD reps.

This entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm currently dealing with my first EDD appeal (filed about 6 weeks ago for a job separation issue) and had no idea that certification problems during appeals were this common. I haven't had my certifications disappear yet, but now I know to keep a close eye on it and act quickly if it happens. The fact that EDD's system automatically creates technical barriers that go against their own stated policies is just mind-blowing - like, how does that even make it through their development process? It's so helpful to see the step-by-step solution from @334def0feab9 and to know that services like Claimyr exist for when the regular phone lines don't work. I'm bookmarking this thread and definitely going to share it with some friends who might need this info. Thanks to everyone for creating such a comprehensive resource about this issue - it's exactly the kind of real-world problem-solving that makes this community so valuable!

This thread is absolutely invaluable! I just started my appeal process last week after being disqualified for "voluntary quit" (even though I was laid off due to project completion) and I had no idea about this certification issue. Reading everyone's experiences here is both alarming and reassuring - alarming that EDD's system is so fundamentally broken that it contradicts their own policies, but reassuring to know there are concrete solutions. I'm definitely going to keep a close eye on my certification options and have the Claimyr info ready just in case. It's absolutely insane that we have to become experts in navigating around their technical failures just to access benefits we're entitled to. Thank you @334def0feab9 for sharing such a detailed resolution process and to everyone else for confirming this is a systemic issue. This community is honestly more helpful than any official EDD resource I've found. I'll make sure to update if I run into this problem too - the more documented cases we have, the better we can help future people facing the same nightmare!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The key thing to remember is that even though both programs are under EDD, they operate completely independently. You'll need to apply for SDI at edd.ca.gov/disability using their SDI Online system - don't use your regular UI Online account. One important tip: when you apply for SDI, you can actually backdate your claim up to 49 days from when you first became unable to work due to your medical condition. So if your doctor says you need 6 weeks off starting from a specific date, make sure to use that date on your SDI application, not just the date you're filing. Also, make sure your doctor knows they need to complete the physician/practitioner certification (the medical portion of your claim) promptly. SDI can't process your claim without it, and some doctors don't realize how time-sensitive this is. You might want to give them a heads up that they'll be receiving the form electronically or by mail depending on how they prefer to handle it. The good news is that once your SDI claim period ends, you can go right back to certifying for UI if you still have weeks remaining on your claim. Just remember - never certify for both programs during the same week!

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been so helpful! Just wanted to add that when I called the SDI number (1-800-480-3287) yesterday, I actually got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep confirmed that you definitely need to use the separate SDI Online system at edd.ca.gov/disability, not your regular UI account. She also mentioned that if you're transitioning from UI to SDI, you should stop certifying for UI immediately once your SDI claim starts - even if there's a gap between your last UI payment and first SDI payment. Better to have a brief gap than risk an overpayment situation that takes months to resolve. The whole system is definitely confusing but at least there are people here who've figured it out!

my brother had 1 of these hearings and the whole thing only took like 20min. dont overthink it just explain ur side

You've gotten excellent advice here! I went through a similar REA appeal last year and won. One thing I'd add - if you have any email filters or spam settings that might have caught the notice, be ready to explain that too. The judge asked me specifically about my email setup. Also, stay calm if the EDD representative tries to argue that they sent proper notice - let them present their evidence first, then clearly state your case. The burden really is on them to prove they notified you properly. You sound well-prepared now - take a deep breath and trust that you've got this!

Meghan, I'm so sorry you had to deal with agent Brent's unprofessional behavior - being hung up on when you're just trying to get help is completely unacceptable! While EDD calls are supposedly recorded, getting access to those recordings for complaint purposes is nearly impossible. Here's what I'd recommend: 1) Contact your local Assembly member or State Senator's constituent services office - they have direct lines to EDD and can escalate complaints effectively, 2) File a written complaint with the EDD Director's office, and 3) Reach out to the California State Auditor's office since they're actively investigating EDD's customer service problems. Document everything - date, time, agent name, and what happened. Don't let Brent's rudeness stop you from resolving your disqualification notice though! Call back, ask for a supervisor immediately, and keep trying until you get someone who will actually help. Some agents are genuinely helpful - you just have to persist until you find one. You deserve proper customer service, and your issue deserves to be resolved correctly!

Meghan, I'm absolutely appalled by your experience with agent Brent - hanging up on you for requesting a tier 2 transfer is beyond unprofessional and completely unacceptable! While EDD calls are recorded, accessing those recordings for complaints is unfortunately very difficult. Here's what I'd recommend for filing a complaint: 1) Contact your local Assembly member or State Senator's office - they have dedicated staff for EDD issues and can escalate complaints directly to management, 2) File a written complaint with the EDD Director's office, 3) Reach out to the California State Auditor's office since they're actively investigating EDD's customer service failures, and 4) Consider contacting local news outlets that cover EDD issues. Document everything - date, time, agent name, and exactly what happened. Don't let one terrible agent discourage you from getting your disqualification notice resolved though! When you call back, ask to speak with a supervisor immediately and explain that you were previously hung up on inappropriately. Some EDD representatives are actually helpful - you just have to keep trying until you get someone who will do their job properly. Your issue with the disqualification notice sounds complex and definitely needs proper attention from someone with the authority to help. Stay persistent - you deserve better treatment and you deserve to get this resolved!