California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a state program that provides partial wage replacement to workers who cannot work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Unlike federal Social Security Disability Insurance, SDI is funded through payroll deductions and covers shorter-term disabilities—typically up to one year, though some conditions may extend longer. Workers in California who have paid into the system through their paychecks may have access to these benefits during periods when they cannot earn their regular income.
The articles here explain how SDI works, what documentation you need to submit a claim, how long the process takes, and what to do if your claim is denied. You'll learn about the difference between SDI and other disability programs, how much you might receive, and the steps involved from filing through receiving payments.