The Two Separate Programs and Which One You Need

California has two different disability programs, and they are run by different agencies with different rules. State Disability Insurance (SDI), officially called Temporary Disability Insurance, is a short-term wage replacement program run by the California Employment Development Department (EDD). It covers workers who cannot work for a limited time due to illness, injury, or pregnancy — typically up to one year. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are federal programs run by the Social Security Administration; they are for people with long-term or permanent disabilities and have much stricter rules.

Most people filing in California start with SDI because the process is faster and the medical bar is lower. You do not need to prove your condition is permanent or that you cannot work at all — only that you cannot perform your usual job for a period of time. If your disability lasts longer than SDI covers, or if you have never worked enough to may have access to for SDI, you would then look at SSDI or SSI through Social Security.

This article covers SDI filing. If you need information about federal programs, that is a separate process with Social Security.

Key Takeaways

  • California SDI is filed through the EDD online, by mail, or by phone, and you need a doctor's statement saying you cannot work and for how long.
  • You must have worked in California and paid into SDI in the past 12 months; self-employed people do not pay into SDI unless they opted in.
  • The EDD typically takes two to three weeks to process a claim after they receive all required documents.
  • SDI replaces roughly 55 to 66 percent of your usual wages, up to a maximum amount that changes each year.
  • You can file while still working part-time, and SDI will reduce your payment based on how much you earn.

Who Can File for California SDI

You must have worked in California and paid into the SDI program during the past 12 months. This means you were an employee — not self-employed — and your employer withheld SDI taxes from your paycheck. If you were self-employed, you did not automatically pay into SDI unless you made a specific election to do so before you became disabled.

You must also have earned at least a minimum amount during your base period, which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. For example, if you file in March 2024, your base period is October 2022 through September 2023. The EDD will tell you whether you meet the earnings requirement once you file.

You do not have to be a California resident to file, but you must have worked in California. You also do not have to be a U.S. citizen, though you do need a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

What Medical Evidence You Need

You will need a statement from a licensed healthcare provider — a doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other licensed medical professional — saying that you cannot work and for approximately how long. The provider does not need to use any special form; a letter on their letterhead that includes the dates you cannot work is enough. However, the EDD has an optional form called the Physician's Certification of Disability that makes the process clearer for both you and your doctor.

The medical statement must say you cannot perform your usual work, not that you cannot work at any job. It should also estimate when you might be able to return to work — SDI is temporary, so the EDD needs to know the expected duration. If your condition changes and you can return sooner, or if you need to extend your claim, you can update the EDD.

You do not need to submit the medical statement with your initial claim. You can file first and then send it within 49 days. However, the EDD will not pay you until they receive the medical evidence, so sending it quickly speeds up payment.

How to File: Online, Mail, or Phone

The fastest way to file is online through the EDD website at edd.ca.gov. You will create an account, answer questions about your work history and disability, and upload your medical statement if you have it. The online system tells you when ready whether your claim was received and gives you a claim number.

You can also file by mail by sending a completed process for Disability Insurance Benefits (form DE 2501) to the EDD address listed on the form. Mail takes longer — the EDD may not receive it for several days, and processing takes additional time after that.

You can file by phone by calling the EDD at 1-800-480-3287. This is useful if you do not have internet access or need help understanding the questions, but wait times are often long. Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and work history ready before you call.

What Happens After You File

Once the EDD receives your claim, they will send you a notice with your claim number and the dates of your claim period. They will also tell you if they need additional information. If you have not yet sent your medical statement, send it as soon as possible — the EDD will not pay benefits until they have it.

The EDD typically takes two to three weeks to process a complete claim. During this time, they verify your work history and earnings with your employer. If there are any discrepancies, they will contact you or your employer to clarify.

Once approved, the EDD will send you a debit card (called the EDD Prepaid Debit Card) with your first payment on it. Payments are made weekly. You do not receive a check in the mail; all payments go to the card. You can use the card like a regular debit card, or transfer the money to your own bank account.

How Much You Receive and How Long It Lasts

SDI replaces approximately 55 to 66 percent of your usual weekly wages. The exact percentage depends on your income level. The EDD calculates your benefit amount based on your earnings during your base period. There is a minimum weekly benefit and a maximum weekly benefit; both amounts change each year. For 2024, the maximum is higher than it was in 2023, but you should check the EDD website for the current year's amounts.

You can receive SDI for up to 52 weeks in a 12-month period. However, the actual length of your benefits depends on how long your doctor says you cannot work. If your condition improves and you can return to work before 52 weeks, your benefits end. If you are still unable to work after 52 weeks, you would need to look at other programs, such as SSDI through Social Security.

If you return to work part-time while collecting SDI, the EDD will reduce your weekly benefit based on how much you earn. You report your earnings each week, and the EDD adjusts your payment accordingly. This allows you to ease back into work without losing all your income support at once.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

The most common reason for delay is a missing or incomplete medical statement. If the EDD does not receive a doctor's letter within 49 days of filing, they will deny the claim. You can reopen it by sending the medical evidence later, but this adds weeks to the process. Send your medical statement as soon as you have it.

Claims are also delayed when the EDD cannot verify your work history. This usually happens if you recently changed jobs, worked for multiple employers, or worked for a very small employer. The EDD will contact your employer to confirm your earnings. If your employer is slow to respond, your claim will be on hold. You can speed this up by contacting your employer's payroll department yourself and asking them to respond to the EDD quickly.

Claims are denied if you do not meet the earnings requirement during your base period, or if you did not work in California during the past 12 months. You can appeal a denial, and the appeal process takes several weeks. If you believe the EDD made an error, file an appeal when ready — you have 20 days from the date of the denial notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for SDI if I was laid off or fired?

No. SDI is for people who cannot work due to illness, injury, or pregnancy — not for unemployment. If you were laid off or fired, you would file for Unemployment Insurance (UI) instead. If you became ill or injured after losing your job and cannot work, you can file for SDI, but you must have worked in California within the past 12 months.

What if my employer says I did not work there or disputes my earnings?

Contact your employer's payroll or human resources department when ready and ask them to confirm your employment and earnings with the EDD. If your employer refuses or cannot be reached, you can submit your own evidence — pay stubs, tax returns, or a written statement from a supervisor — to the EDD. The EDD will investigate and make a information based on the evidence available.

Do I have to tell my employer I filed for SDI?

No, but your employer will find out because the EDD contacts them to verify your work history and earnings. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for filing for SDI. If you are concerned about your job, you can speak with your employer separately about your medical situation and when you expect to return.

Can I work part-time while collecting SDI?

Yes. You report your part-time earnings to the EDD each week, and they reduce your benefit payment based on how much you earn. You can work as much as you want, but your SDI payment will decrease accordingly. Some people use this to gradually return to full-time work.

What if my disability lasts longer than 52 weeks?

SDI ends after 52 weeks in a 12-month period. If you are still unable to work, you would need to explore other options, such as SSDI through Social Security or state vocational rehabilitation programs. You can file for SSDI while still receiving SDI, but the two programs have different rules and different benefit amounts.