What California's Short-Term Disability Program Covers
California's short-term disability insurance, officially called State Disability Insurance (SDI), pays part of your wages if you cannot work because of a non-work illness or injury. The program is run by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and funded through payroll deductions from your paychecks—not from general tax money.
SDI covers medical conditions like surgery recovery, pregnancy and childbirth, severe flu, or a broken bone that keeps you from your job. It does not cover injuries that happened at work (those go through workers' compensation instead) or time off you choose to take. The program replaces roughly 55 to 60 percent of your regular wages, up to a maximum amount that changes each year.
You receive payments while you recover, typically for up to 52 weeks in a 12-month period. The exact length depends on your condition and how long your doctor says you cannot work. Most people return to work before the 52 weeks end.
Key Takeaways
- SDI is a state insurance program that replaces part of your wages if illness or injury keeps you from working, and it is funded through small payroll deductions you may not have noticed.
- You must have worked in California and paid into SDI for at least five months before you can receive benefits, and your employer must have had you on payroll during that time.
- The EDD processes claims through an online portal or by mail, and you will need a doctor's statement saying you cannot work and when you might return.
- Payments typically arrive within two to three weeks of approval, and you can track your claim status online through the EDD website.
- SDI does not cover work injuries, time off you choose to take, or situations where you quit your job—only medical conditions that prevent you from working.
Who Can Receive SDI Benefits
To receive SDI, you must have worked in California and paid into the program for at least five months before your claim begins. Those five months do not have to be continuous—they can be spread across a longer period. You also must have earned at least a minimum amount during that time, which the EDD sets each year.
You must be unable to work because of a medical condition, and a licensed California doctor must confirm this in writing. The condition can be physical or mental—depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions count if they prevent you from working. You must also be ready and willing to return to work once you recover.
If you are self-employed, you may have chosen to participate in SDI when you registered your business. Self-employed workers who did not opt in cannot receive benefits. If you are unsure whether you are covered, the EDD can tell you based on your Social Security number and work history.
How to File a Claim
You start by submitting a claim form to the EDD. You can file online through the EDD website, by mail, or by phone. The online portal is usually fastest—you create an account, enter your work and medical information, and upload documents.
You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your employer (name, address, and dates you worked there). You will also need a statement from your doctor saying you cannot work and, if possible, when you might be able to return. The doctor does not have to fill out a special form—a note from your appointment or a letter from your medical provider works.
After you submit your claim, the EDD sends you a notice by mail confirming they received it. They will also send a form to your doctor asking them to verify the medical information. This back-and-forth usually takes one to two weeks. Once the EDD approves your claim, payments begin within a few days.
How Much You Receive and When
SDI replaces between 55 and 60 percent of your regular weekly wages. The exact percentage depends on how much you earned in the base period (usually the first four of the five most recent calendar quarters before your claim). The EDD calculates this automatically when they process your claim.
There is a maximum weekly benefit amount that changes each year. For 2024, the maximum is $1,540 per week, but most people receive less because their regular wages are lower. There is also a one-week waiting period—you do not receive payment for the first week you are unable to work.
Payments arrive by debit card (the EDD's preferred method) or by check, depending on how you set it up. Most people see their first payment within two to three weeks of approval. You can check the status of your claim anytime through the EDD's online portal by logging into your account.
What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied
The EDD may deny your claim if you do not meet the work history requirement, if your doctor's statement does not show you cannot work, or if your condition is not covered (for example, if it is a work injury). You will receive a written notice explaining the reason.
You have the right to appeal a denial. You must request an appeal within 20 days of the denial notice. You can appeal by mail, online, or by phone. During an appeal, you can submit additional medical evidence or a new doctor's statement if your first one was unclear.
If your appeal is denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. The EDD will send you information about how to request a hearing in the appeal denial notice. Many people win on appeal because they provide clearer medical documentation the second time.
How SDI Affects Other Benefits
SDI payments do not reduce your Social Security benefits if you are receiving them. However, SDI counts as income for some other programs—it may affect Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food information), or housing information. If you receive any of these programs, contact them to report the SDI income.
If you are receiving workers' compensation for a work injury, you cannot receive SDI at the same time. Workers' compensation covers work injuries; SDI covers non-work illnesses and injuries. The two programs are separate.
If you return to work part-time while still recovering, you can continue receiving partial SDI benefits. The EDD reduces your payment based on how much you earn. You must report any work income to the EDD, even if it is just a few hours per week.
Returning to Work and Ending Your Claim
When you are ready to return to work, you should notify the EDD. You do not have to wait for a formal end date—you can return whenever your doctor clears you. The EDD stops sending payments once you go back to full-time work.
If you return to work but then become unable to work again because of the same condition within 60 days, you may be able to reopen your claim without waiting another five months. This is called a recurrence. You will need a new doctor's statement, but the process is faster than a new claim.
If your condition lasts longer than 52 weeks in a 12-month period, SDI ends. You may then be able to file for State Temporary Disability Insurance (STDI) if you are pregnant or have a new non-work injury. You can also explore other programs like SSDI (federal Social Security Disability Insurance) if your condition is expected to last longer than one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay back SDI if I return to work sooner than expected?
No. SDI is an insurance benefit you paid for through payroll deductions. Once the EDD approves your claim and you receive payments, you do not have to repay them if you recover faster than your doctor predicted. You only stop receiving new payments once you return to work.
Can I receive SDI while I look for a new job?
No. SDI requires that you be unable to work because of a medical condition. If you are well enough to job hunt, you are well enough to work, and the EDD will stop your benefits. You must be under a doctor's care and have a medical reason you cannot work.
What if my employer says I do not have a job to return to?
SDI does not may provide your job back—that is covered by other laws like FMLA or California's Family Rights Act. However, SDI itself does not require your employer to hold your position. If you have questions about your job protection, contact the California Labor Commissioner's office or a workers' rights organization.
How long does it take to get my first payment after I am approved?
Most people receive their first payment within two to three weeks of approval. The exact timing depends on how quickly your doctor returns the medical verification form and whether the EDD needs any additional information from you. You can check your claim status online anytime.
Can I file for SDI if I am on unpaid leave from my job?
Yes, as long as you meet the work history requirement and have a medical reason you cannot work. Unpaid leave does not disqualify you. However, if you are on leave and your employer is not paying you, your SDI benefit will be based on your regular wage before the leave started, not on zero income.