What California Disability Insurance Covers

California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a program run by the state that replaces part of your wages if you cannot work because of a non-work injury, illness, or pregnancy. It is not the same as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is federal. SDI is funded through payroll deductions — your employer takes a small percentage from your paycheck, and you do not pay anything out of pocket to use it.

The program pays you a portion of your regular wages while you recover. The amount depends on how much you earned in the past year, but it typically replaces between 50 and 70 percent of your weekly wages. Payments are not permanent — they last only as long as your doctor says you cannot work, up to a maximum of 52 weeks in a 12-month period.

SDI covers temporary disabilities: a broken bone that will heal, surgery recovery, pregnancy and childbirth, or a medical condition your doctor expects to improve. It does not cover permanent disabilities or conditions that will not improve. If your condition is expected to last longer than a year or is permanent, you may need to look into SSDI instead, which is a separate federal program.

Key Takeaways

  • California SDI replaces part of your wages if you cannot work due to injury, illness, or pregnancy, and is funded through a small payroll deduction you do not control.
  • The program pays between 50 and 70 percent of your weekly wages for up to 52 weeks, depending on your earnings and how long your doctor says you cannot work.
  • You must have earned wages in California in the past 12 months and have a doctor's statement that you cannot work to receive payments.
  • SDI is for temporary disabilities only — if your condition is permanent or expected to last more than a year, SSDI may be the program to explore instead.
  • You report your claim to the state's Employment Development Department (EDD), not to your employer, and the process usually takes two to three weeks.

Who Can Receive California SDI Payments

To receive SDI, you must have worked in California and earned wages in the past 12 months. You also need a doctor's statement saying you cannot work. The state does not require a minimum number of hours or a minimum wage amount — even part-time workers can receive SDI if they earned any wages during the may have access to period.

You must be a California resident at the time you file your claim, though you do not have to be a U.S. citizen. If you are working out of state or have moved, you may still be covered if you earned wages in California during the past year.

The state will not pay you if you are receiving unemployment benefits at the same time, and you cannot receive SDI while you are working, even part-time. If you return to work before your condition fully improves, your payments stop.

How to File Your Claim with the EDD

You file your SDI claim with the Employment Development Department (EDD), which is California's state agency that handles both unemployment and disability insurance. You do not file through your employer or your doctor — you go directly to the EDD.

You can file online at the EDD website, by phone, or by mail. The online option is usually fastest. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your employer. You will also need to upload or mail a doctor's statement saying you cannot work and how long the condition is expected to last.

After you file, the EDD reviews your claim and your medical information. This process usually takes two to three weeks. The state will contact you by mail or phone if they need more information. Once approved, payments are deposited into your bank account or sent to a debit card the state issues.

What Your Doctor's Statement Must Say

Your doctor's statement is the most important document in your claim. The EDD has a specific form called the Physician's Certification of Disability that your doctor must complete. You can get this form from the EDD website or ask your doctor's office for it.

The form must state that you cannot work and describe why. It should include the date your condition began, the expected date you can return to work, and any restrictions on what you can do. The doctor does not have to write a long explanation — the form has boxes to check — but the dates and the statement that you cannot work are required.

If your condition lasts longer than your doctor initially predicted, you can file an updated certification. The EDD will accept a new form from your doctor extending your claim, up to the 52-week maximum.

How Much You Will Receive Each Week

The amount you receive depends on your earnings in the past 12 months. The state calculates your weekly benefit amount by looking at your highest quarter of earnings and dividing by 13. Most people receive between 50 and 70 percent of their regular weekly wage, though the exact percentage varies based on your income level.

There is a minimum weekly payment and a maximum weekly payment. The maximum changes each year — in 2024, the maximum is around $1,450 per week, but this amount increases annually. If you earned very little, your payment may be lower than the percentage suggests.

The state does not adjust your payment if you have dependents or other expenses. The amount is based only on what you earned, not on what you need.

When Payments Start and How Long They Last

There is a waiting period before your first payment arrives. The first seven days you cannot work do not count toward your benefit — this is called the waiting period. After that, you are paid for the remaining days of that week, and then for each full week you cannot work.

Payments continue as long as your doctor says you cannot work, up to a maximum of 52 weeks in a 12-month period. If you recover before 52 weeks, your payments stop. If you are still unable to work after 52 weeks, you cannot receive more SDI payments in that 12-month period, though you may be able to file a new claim if you return to work and earn wages again.

The state sends payments every two weeks by direct deposit or debit card. You do not have to do anything to receive them — once your claim is approved, the payments come automatically until your condition improves or you reach the 52-week limit.

What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied

The EDD may deny your claim if you did not earn enough wages in the past 12 months, if your doctor's statement does not say you cannot work, or if the state believes you are still able to work. If your claim is denied, the EDD sends you a written notice explaining why.

You have the right to appeal a denial. You must file your appeal within 30 days of receiving the denial notice. You can appeal by mail or online through the EDD website. During the appeal, you can submit additional medical evidence or a new doctor's statement if your condition has changed.

If you appeal, the EDD schedules a hearing where you can explain your situation. You can attend by phone or in person. Many people bring their doctor's records or a letter from their doctor to the hearing. The state then makes a final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SDI and unemployment benefits at the same time?

No. The state will not pay you SDI if you are also receiving unemployment insurance. You must choose one or the other. If you are partially disabled and can work part-time, you may be able to receive partial unemployment benefits instead of SDI, but not both.

What if I go back to work before my doctor says I am fully recovered?

Your SDI payments stop as soon as you return to work, even if it is part-time or temporary. If you work and then have to stop again because your condition worsened, you can file a new claim, but the state will review it as a separate case.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

After you file your claim, the EDD usually takes two to three weeks to review it and approve it. Once approved, your first payment arrives within one to two weeks. The total time from filing to receiving money is usually four to five weeks, though it can be faster if everything is submitted correctly the first time.

Do I have to tell my employer I am filing for SDI?

No. You file directly with the EDD, not with your employer. However, your employer will likely find out because the state may contact them to verify your wages. You do not need your employer's permission to file, and they cannot retaliate against you for filing a claim.

What if my condition improves before the 52 weeks are up?

You must report to the EDD that you can return to work. Your payments stop at that point. You do not have to repay any money you received while you were unable to work — those payments were correct at the time they were made.