FAQs – Benefit Payments, Certifications, and Continued Medical

• How soon will I receive my first benefit payment from State Disability Insurance (SDI) after I mail my claim form?
• I called SDI and was told a benefit payment was issued to me, but I have not received it. What should I do?
• I just found an old SDI check that I forgot to deposit. Can I still cash it?
• I am being treated by a Nurse Practitioner. Can my treating Nurse Practitioner certify my Claim for Disability Insurance (DI) Benefits?
• I received a Claim for Continued Disability Benefits form (DE 2500A). What is this and how should I complete it?
• When do I return the continued claim certification? Can I send it in early?
• I just sent back the continued claim certification verifying that I’m still disabled. When can I expect a benefit payment?
• Can I pick up my SDI benefit payment at the local field office?
• I just received a notice that says I will be issued my final SDI payment and that I am able to work, but I am still disabled. What should I do?
• I am still disabled, but my doctor will not sign the Physician’s Supplemental Certificate. What can I do?

How soon will I receive my first benefit payment from State Disability Insurance (SDI) after I mail my claim form?
Most SDI benefit payments are issued within two weeks after a properly completed claim is received by SDI. By filling in your application completely and verifying that all information is correct, you play a key role in ensuring your benefit payment is issued promptly.

I called SDI and was told a benefit payment was issued to me, but I have not received it. What should I do?
If the benefit payment is the form of a check, please allow 10 days from the date the check was issued for postal delivery or return of a check.

If it has been over 10 days since the check was issued, contact SDI. SDI will investigate to determine if your check has already been cashed and, if it has, will request that you receive a copy of the check and endorsing signature. If the signature is yours, no further action will be required. If the endorsement is not yours, contact SDI for further instructions.

If the benefit payment is being issued to your EDD Debit Card^SM account, you should expect to receive it in no more than five business days. If it has been over five days since the benefit payment was issued, contact SDI.

I just found an old SDI check that I forgot to deposit. Can I still cash it?
Checks are negotiable for one year. If your check has “expired”, contact SDI for benefit payment instructions.

I am being treated by a Nurse Practitioner. Can my treating Nurse Practitioner certify my Claim for Disability Insurance (DI) Benefits?
A Nurse Practitioner can certify for all medical conditions within his/her scope of practice. However, to certify a Claim for DI Benefits for a disability other than normal pregnancy and childbirth, the nurse practitioner must certify on a DE 2509A that he/she performed a physical examination and collaborated with a physician and/or surgeon. The nurse practitioner must complete, sign and attach the “Nurse Practitioner Certification, DE 2509A” to the “Claim for Disability Benefits, DE 2501.”

I received a Claim for Continued Disability Benefits form (DE 2500A). What is this and how should I complete it?
The DE 2500A, commonly called a continued claim certification, is your request for continued disability benefits. By signing and dating the front of the form, you certify that during the dates shown on the continued claim certification you were still disabled. If you recovered or returned to work part- or full-time, please fill in the appropriate area on the front of the continued claim certification.

When do I return the continued claim certification? Can I send it in early?
No, return the continued claim certification form on the date indicated after the “and” date, unless you have recovered from your disability or returned to work before that date. We can pay only for the days up to the postmark date or the signature date, whichever is earlier.

Remember, if you have recovered, returned to work, or are receiving money from any source, you must advise us by filling in the appropriate areas on the continued claim certification form.

I just sent back the continued claim certification verifying that I’m still disabled. When can I expect a benefit payment?
Normally, SDI benefit payments are issued within seven days after we receive a completed continued claim certification.

Can I pick up my SDI benefit payment at the local field office?
No, benefit payments are not issued from field offices.

I just received a notice that says I will be issued my final SDI payment and that I am able to work, but I am still disabled. What should I do?
SDI can issue benefits only up until the date your doctor confirms you are disabled. In the same envelope as your notice, you should have also received a Physician’s Supplemental Certificate, DE2525XX. Ask your doctor to complete the DE2525XX and send it back to the address shown on the form. If you did not receive the Physician’s Supplemental Certificate, contact SDI for further information.

If you will be disabled beyond the original period established on your claim, have your doctor complete and submit the DE 2525XX online. To complete a one-time registration to establish an online account, go to the SDI Online page and select SDI Online Registration. Once the registration is complete, you may log in and complete your claim by visiting the SDI Online Login page. To order the form, call 1-800-480-3287 or 1-888-658-8846 (en español).

I am still disabled, but my doctor will not sign the Physician’s Supplemental Certificate. What can I do?
If you feel you cannot return to work performing your regular or customary job duties, you should discuss your situation with your doctor. You may also seek the opinion of another doctor. If you do see another doctor, contact SDI to get supplemental forms for him or her to complete.