What you need to do to explore for California SDI

To explore for California State Disability Insurance (SDI), you submit a claim form to the state, not to your doctor or employer. The state reviews your medical records and work history to decide whether your condition prevents you from working. Most people explore online through the state's SDI portal, though you can also mail or fax a paper form. The whole process typically takes four to six weeks from the day the state receives your claim.

You do not need a lawyer, and there is no fee to explore. The state handles everything — contacting your doctor for records, verifying your employment history, and sending you a decision letter. Your job is to fill out the form accurately and provide the medical information the state asks for.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore directly to California's SDI program using form DI 100 or the online portal at onlineservices.edd.ca.gov.
  • Your doctor must complete a medical form (DI 514) describing your condition and how long you cannot work — the state will request this directly from them.
  • You need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your recent jobs and income.
  • The state sends you a decision letter within four to six weeks; if you disagree, you can request a hearing within 30 days of the decision.

The three ways to submit your claim

The fastest way is to create an account on the state's online portal and file your claim there. You go to onlineservices.edd.ca.gov, create a login, and answer questions about your condition, work history, and income. The system guides you through each section and tells you when ready if something is missing. Once you submit, the state has your claim the same day.

If you prefer paper, you can read form DI 100 from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) website, fill it out by hand, and mail it to the address on the form. Mailing takes longer — the state may not receive it for a week, and processing begins only when it arrives. You can also fax the form to the number listed on the EDD website, which is faster than mail but slower than online.

Some people call the SDI hotline at 1-800-480-3287 and ask for a form to be mailed to them. This is the slowest option because you have to wait for the form to arrive, fill it out, and mail it back. Use this only if you cannot access the online portal or print a form yourself.

What information and documents you need before you start

Gather these items before you open the process:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your California driver's license or ID number
  • The dates you stopped working or reduced your hours (month and year)
  • Names and addresses of all jobs you held in the past 12 months
  • Your gross income (before taxes) from each job
  • Your doctor's name, phone number, and address
  • A description of your medical condition and why you cannot work

You do not need to attach medical records to your process. The state will contact your doctor directly and ask them to fill out form DI 514, which describes your condition and how long you are expected to be unable to work. Your doctor's response is the most important part of your claim — the state uses it to decide whether you meet the definition of disability under California law.

If you have seen multiple doctors, list all of them. The state will reach out to each one. If you have recent test results, imaging, or hospital records, you can upload them to your online account or mail them with your paper form, but this is optional — your doctor's form is usually enough.

What happens after you submit your claim

Once the state receives your claim, it is assigned a claim number. You will receive a notice in the mail with this number; save it because you will need it to check the status of your claim or call the SDI hotline with questions.

Within a few days, the state sends a form to your doctor asking them to describe your medical condition and expected recovery time. Your doctor has about two weeks to return this form. If your doctor is slow to respond, the state may send a reminder, but delays on the doctor's end can slow down your entire claim. You can speed this up by calling your doctor's office and asking them to prioritize the SDI form.

The state also verifies your work history and income by contacting your employers. This usually happens without you having to do anything — the state has access to wage records through the Unemployment Insurance program. If you worked for an employer that did not report wages to the state, you may need to provide pay stubs or a letter from your employer.

Once the state has your doctor's form and verified your work history, it makes a decision. You will receive a letter in the mail saying whether your claim was approved or denied. If approved, the letter tells you when your benefits start and how much you will receive each week. If denied, the letter explains why and tells you how to request a hearing.

What to do if your claim is denied

If the state denies your claim, you have 30 days from the date on the decision letter to request a hearing. You do this by filling out form DE 1000-1 and mailing it to the address on your decision letter, or by calling the SDI hotline and asking to file an appeal.

At a hearing, you and your doctor can present more information about your condition. Many people win on appeal because they have additional medical records or a clearer explanation from their doctor about why they cannot work. You do not need a lawyer, but some people hire one to help them prepare. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can ask the state about free legal services in your area.

The hearing usually happens by phone or video within two to three months of your request. After the hearing, an administrative law judge sends you a written decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal again, but this process is more complex and many people seek legal help at this stage.

How much you receive and when payments start

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your income during a specific period before you stopped working. The state calculates this automatically using your wage records. The amount varies depending on how much you earned, but it is typically 60 to 70 percent of your regular weekly wage, up to a maximum amount set by the state each year.

The maximum weekly benefit amount changes every January. You can find the current maximum on the EDD website, but do not assume you will receive it — most people receive less because their income was lower than the maximum.

If your claim is approved, benefits usually start the week after the state makes its decision. You do not have to do anything to receive the money — the state deposits it directly into your bank account or sends it to a debit card, depending on how you set it up during your process. The first payment may take an extra week to process.

Common reasons claims are denied and how to avoid them

The most common reason for denial is that the state decides your condition does not prevent you from working. This often happens when your doctor's form does not clearly explain why you cannot work, or when there is a gap between when you stopped working and when you saw a doctor. If you are explore, see a doctor before you stop working if possible, and make sure your doctor understands that you are filing for disability.

Another common reason is that you do not have enough recent work history in California. SDI requires you to have earned income in California during a specific base period. If you recently moved to California or just started working, you may not meet this requirement. The state's decision letter will tell you if this is the reason you were denied.

Some claims are denied because the state cannot reach your doctor or your doctor does not return the form. If this happens, you can request a hearing and bring your own medical records or have your doctor testify by phone. You can also ask your doctor to submit the form again if the state says it never received it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while receiving SDI benefits?

You can work part-time or do light duty, but only if your earnings do not exceed a certain amount set by the state each week. If you earn more than this amount, your benefits are reduced or stopped. Tell the state when ready if you return to work, even part-time, because you are required to report your earnings.

What if I disagree with how much the state says I earned?

The state uses wage records from your employers and the Unemployment Insurance program. If you believe the amount is wrong, you can provide pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing your actual earnings. You can submit this information when you explore or later if you discover the error after your claim is decided.

How long do SDI benefits last?

Benefits can last up to 52 weeks if your condition prevents you from working for that long. Your doctor's form tells the state how long you are expected to be unable to work, and benefits end when that period is over or when you return to work, whichever comes first. If your condition does not improve, you may be able to extend benefits, but this requires a new medical form from your doctor.

Do I have to pay taxes on SDI benefits?

SDI benefits are considered income and may be subject to federal income tax, depending on your total income for the year. The state does not withhold taxes automatically, so you may owe taxes when you file your return. Talk to a tax professional or the IRS about whether your benefits are taxable.

What if I cannot access the online portal?

Call the SDI hotline at 1-800-480-3287 and ask them to mail you a paper form. You can also visit a local EDD office in person, though wait times are often long. The paper form is the same as the online version — it just takes longer to process because the state has to manually enter your information.