Required Documentation

A complete, accurate claim with proper documentation processes faster. Here's everything you need.

Core Required Information

Have this information ready before you start your online application:

1. Personal Details

• Full Name (as it appears on your SSN card)
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Driver's License or ID card number
• Email address & Phone number
• Mailing Address (Crucial for receiving your benefit debit card)

2. Employment Information

When filling out state forms, use the following contact information for your supervisor and for any employment verification requirements:

• Employer: Federal Express Corporation
• Address: 3620 Hacks Cross Rd, Building B, 3rd floor, Memphis, TN 38125
• Contact Person: Sheila Voye (Pilot Administration Center - Fleet Operations, Emp# 275964)
• Phone: 901-434-5000

• Last Day Worked: The date of your last flight or duty period
• Employment Status: Still employed (if on leave)
• Reason for Not Working: Medical/Disability
• Compensation: Be prepared to report any sick pay, vacation pay, or other income received after your last day worked.

3. Medical Information

• Treating Physician's Name
• Physician's Mailing Address
• Physician's Phone & Fax number
• Physician's Medical License Number
• Date the disability began
• General nature of your disability

The Physician Certification (Critical Step)

The most common cause of claim delays is the lack of medical certification (Part B). Your claim is not complete until your doctor submits this.

How to Ensure it Happens:

1. Online (Preferred): After you file Part A, you will receive a Claim Receipt Number. Provide this number to your doctor. They use it to link their certification to your claim in the SDI Online portal.
2. Paper (Slow): If using mail, you must mail the Form DE 2501 Part B to your doctor to complete and mail in.

Supporting Documentation

These items help EDD verify your wages and pilot pay structure:

Wage Documentation

• Your last 4 pay stubs (to prove CA SDI was withheld)
• Your most recent W-2

What FedEx Submitted to EDD (If Issues Arise)

If your claim is denied or delayed due to wage or pay-date confusion, request a copy of the data FedEx transmitted to EDD. See Understanding Your Pay Structure for why this matters and who to contact.

Pilot Pay Explanation Cover Letter

Because airline pilot pay (trips, per diem, offsets) is unusual, we recommend submitting a cover letter explaining your pay structure.

What to include:

• Semi-monthly pay frequency
• Explanation of Trip Pay vs. Per Diem
• Clarification that Sick Pay may be listed as "Regular Pay"
• Note that light duty is not available for pilots

Who Can Certify Your Disability?

EDD accepts certifications from the following licensed practitioners:

• Medical Doctors (MD)
• Doctors of Osteopathy (DO)
• Nurse Practitioners (NP)
• Physician Assistants (PA)
• Chiropractors (for musculoskeletal only)
• Psychologists (for mental health)
• Dentists (for dental)
• Optometrists (for eye conditions)
• Podiatrists (for foot)
• Nurse Midwives (for pregnancy)

Work History Clarification

If your last months show mixed regular/sick pay:

WORK HISTORY CLARIFICATION

Month       | Status          | Type of Pay
------------|-----------------|------------------
January     | Working         | Flight Pay
February    | Working         | Flight Pay
March       | Partial Sick    | Mixed
April       | Full Sick Leave | Sick Pay Only
May         | Disabled        | No Pay

Documentation for In-Person Filing

If filing in person, bring:

Required:

• Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
• Social Security number (memorized is fine)
• Doctor's information (printed)

Helpful:

• Last 3 pay stubs
• Most recent W-2
• Written explanation of pilot pay
• Calculator results showing your expected benefit
• List of dates (last worked, disability start, etc.)

What NOT to Include

Don't submit unless specifically requested:

• ❌ Complete medical records beyond what certifies the current disability — EDD does not adjudicate medical history
• ❌ More than 4 recent pay stubs — extra stubs do not change the base period EDD uses
• ❌ Duplicate documents — re-submission without noting the prior submission date causes manual review delays

If EDD Requests Additional Documents

1. Identify what's actually missing — EDD's request letter specifies Part A or Part B; a missing Part B means your doctor has not yet submitted, not that you need to re-file
2. Send exactly what's requested — over-submission (full medical history, years of pay stubs) does not speed processing and can trigger manual review
3. Note "Previously submitted on date" if re-sending something you've already provided — EDD sometimes re-requests documents already in the file

Document Checklist

Use this checklist before filing:

Core Requirements:

• Doctor's name, phone, address, license number verified
• Social Security Number ready
• Photo ID information ready
• Last day worked date confirmed
• Bank account info for direct deposit

Supporting Documents Ready:

• Recent pay stubs (if needed)
• W-2 forms (if needed)
• Pilot pay explanation (if including)

Organized and Accessible:

• Confirmation number saved and given to physician for Part B
• Printed copies if filing in person at an EDD office

Next Steps

• Step-by-Step Filing - Detailed filing instructions
• After Filing - What to expect next
• Checklist - Track your progress