What California's Temporary Disability Insurance Covers

California Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), also called State Disability Insurance (SDI), pays part of your wages if you cannot work because of a non-work injury, illness, or pregnancy. The program is run by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and funded by payroll deductions from your wages—not by your employer or general taxes.

TDI replaces roughly 60 to 70 percent of your regular wages, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. In 2024, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,540, though your actual payment depends on what you earned in the base period (typically the first four to five months of the year before you file). The program covers most private-sector workers in California, but not federal employees, the self-employed, or certain government workers.

You can receive TDI for up to 52 weeks in a 12-month period, though most claims last between four and eight weeks. The clock starts when your doctor certifies you cannot work, not when you file the claim.

Key Takeaways

  • TDI replaces about 60 to 70 percent of your wages while you recover from a non-work injury, illness, or pregnancy, with a maximum weekly amount that changes yearly.
  • You must have earned at least $300 in the base period and have a doctor's certification that you cannot work to receive payments.
  • The EDD processes most claims within two to three weeks, but you should file as soon as your doctor says you cannot work.
  • TDI is separate from workers' compensation (which covers work injuries) and SSDI (which is for permanent disabilities), and you cannot collect all three at the same time.

Who Can Receive TDI in California

To receive TDI, you must have worked in California, earned at least $300 during the base period, and have a doctor's statement saying you cannot work. The base period is usually the first four to five months of the calendar year before you file—so if you file in September 2024, your base period is January through May 2024. Your employer must have withheld SDI taxes from your pay during that time, which happens automatically for most California workers.

You do not need to have worked for the same employer the whole time. The EDD adds up earnings from all your California jobs during the base period. If you earned $300 or more across multiple employers, you meet the earnings requirement.

Self-employed workers, federal employees, and railroad workers are not covered by TDI. Some government employees are excluded, though many state and local workers are covered. If you are unsure whether your job is covered, the EDD website has a list by employer type, or you can call their SDI line.

How to File a TDI Claim

File your claim with the EDD as soon as your doctor says you cannot work. You can file online through the EDD website, by mail, or by phone. Online filing is fastest—most claims are processed within two to three weeks if you submit all required documents at once.

You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your job (employer name, address, dates worked). You will also need a doctor's statement on the EDD's form (DE 2501 or DE 2502U for pregnancy claims), which your doctor fills out and sends directly to the EDD. Do not send it yourself; the EDD needs it to come from the medical provider.

If you file online, you can upload documents or mail them. If you mail everything, include a cover letter with your name and Social Security number so the EDD can match documents to your claim. Keep copies of everything you send.

What Happens After You File

The EDD sends you a notice within two to three weeks telling you whether your claim was approved or denied. If approved, you receive a debit card (the EDD's standard payment method) with your first payment. Payments are usually deposited weekly or every two weeks, depending on your claim.

While you are receiving TDI, you must report any work you do, even part-time or unpaid work. If you work and earn money, your TDI payment is reduced by the amount you earned. The EDD calls this "partial disability"—you can work part-time and still receive a reduced benefit if your earnings are less than your normal wage.

You must also keep your doctor updated. If your doctor says you can return to work, notify the EDD when ready. If you continue to receive TDI after you are able to work, you may have to repay the overpayment.

TDI and Other Disability Programs

TDI is temporary and covers short-term disabilities. It is separate from workers' compensation, which covers injuries or illnesses that happen at work. You cannot receive both TDI and workers' compensation for the same period of time—if you are may be able to access for workers' comp, you receive that instead.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program for people with disabilities expected to last 12 months or longer. TDI and SSDI can overlap, but if you receive both, your TDI payment is reduced by the SSDI amount. Many people use TDI while waiting for an SSDI decision, since SSDI takes months or years to process.

Paid Family Leave (PFL) is another California program that pays benefits if you take time off to bond with a new child or care for a family member. You cannot receive TDI and PFL at the same time for the same period. If you are pregnant and unable to work, you receive TDI; after the baby is born, you can switch to PFL if you want to stay home to bond.

Common Reasons TDI Claims Are Denied

The most common reason for denial is not meeting the earnings requirement—you earned less than $300 in the base period. This often happens to people who started a new job late in the year or had a gap in employment. If this is your situation, you cannot receive TDI, but you may be able to receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) if you lost your job.

Another common denial reason is missing or incomplete medical certification. Your doctor must state that you cannot work and provide dates for the disability. A note saying "patient is under my care" is not enough; the EDD needs a specific statement that you cannot perform your job duties.

Some claims are denied because the condition is not covered—for example, cosmetic surgery recovery, voluntary surgery without medical necessity, or a condition caused by your own illegal act. Pregnancy itself is covered, but elective procedures related to pregnancy may not be.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied

If the EDD denies your claim, you receive a notice explaining the reason. You have 20 days from the date on the notice to file an appeal. You can appeal online through the EDD website, by mail, or by phone. Include any new documents that support your case—for example, a more detailed doctor's statement or pay stubs showing you earned more than you initially reported.

Many denials are overturned on appeal because the initial claim was incomplete or the EDD made an error. If you appeal, keep working with your doctor to get the medical documentation the EDD needs. If you cannot afford to wait for the appeal, you may be able to receive UI or other emergency information while your case is being reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive TDI if I am self-employed?

No. TDI is only for employees whose employers withheld SDI taxes from their pay. Self-employed workers do not pay into the system and are not covered. If you are self-employed and cannot work due to illness or injury, you may be able to receive UI if you have other employees and meet other requirements, but this is rare.

How much will I receive each week?

Your weekly benefit is about 60 to 70 percent of your average weekly wage during the base period, up to the maximum amount (which changes yearly—$1,540 in 2024). The EDD calculates this automatically based on your earnings record. You can see an estimate on the EDD website before you file.

What if I am still unable to work after 52 weeks?

TDI ends after 52 weeks in a 12-month period. If your disability continues, you may be able to receive SSDI if your condition is expected to last 12 months or longer. You should file for SSDI before your TDI ends so there is no gap in income. Talk to your doctor about whether your condition meets SSDI's definition of disability.

Do I have to pay taxes on TDI?

TDI is considered taxable income by the federal government, though California does not tax it. You do not pay SDI taxes on TDI benefits. When you file your federal tax return, you must report TDI as income. The EDD sends you a 1099-G form at the end of the year showing the total you received.

Can my employer fire me while I am on TDI?

California law protects your job while you are on TDI for up to four months (or longer in some cases). Your employer cannot fire you because you took TDI leave. However, if your employer has a legitimate reason unrelated to your disability (such as layoffs), they can still let you go. If you believe you were fired because of TDI, you can file a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner.