FAQs – DI Eligibility

• Who is eligible for State Disability Insurance (SDI)?
• Who does Paid Family Leave cover?
• I quit my job (or was laid-off) and now I’m disabled. Am I eligible for SDI?
• I work two jobs. Will my SDI benefits reflect both salaries?
• Do I have to be working for a certain number of days/months/years to be eligible for SDI?
• Can I collect SDI and Unemployment Insurance at the same time?
• I worked for the government for a couple of years. Can I collect SDI?
• Will SDI benefits cover me if I have elective or cosmetic surgery?
• How many days must you be off work to receive SDI benefits?
• Can I receive DI benefits if my employer is going to pay me vacation/sick/holiday pay during my DI claim?

Who is eligible for State Disability Insurance (SDI)?
See Disability Insurance Eligibility.

Who does Paid Family Leave cover?
Employees covered by State Disability Insurance (SDI) are also covered by Paid Family Leave insurance. If a Voluntary Plan Insurer provides your company's disability insurance coverage (in lieu of SDI), then it must also provide Paid Family Leave insurance coverage.

I quit my job (or was laid-off) and now I’m disabled. Am I eligible for SDI?
It depends on your situation. To qualify for SDI benefits, you must be actively connected to the labor market, either working or looking for work at the time your disability begins. We encourage you to file a claim for benefits, even if you are unsure of your labor market status.

I work two jobs. Will my SDI benefits reflect both salaries?
Yes, if both employers deducted the SDI contribution from your paycheck. To ensure that we have correct information regarding both jobs, you need to tell us about them on your application form. You do this by listing the name, address, telephone number, and last day you worked for each employer.

Do I have to be working for a certain number of days/months/years to be eligible for SDI?
Eligibility for SDI is based on the earnings shown in your base period. The wages you earn approximately 6 to 18 months before the disability claim begins are included in the base period (they must have been subject to the SDI tax/contribution). Your base period does not include wages paid at the time your disability begins.

Can I collect SDI and Unemployment Insurance at the same time?
No. The laws governing the SDI program state that you are not eligible to receive SDI during a period of time for which you are eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance. For more information on California Unemployment Insurance Code, Section 2628, please go to the California law website.

I worked for the government for a couple of years. Can I collect SDI?
Perhaps. Some government workers, including school employees, may be entitled to SDI benefits as a function of collective bargaining. Also, if you have wages from a private employer during the base period, you might qualify even though your present employer is a local government entity. If in doubt, file a claim.

Will SDI benefits cover me if I have elective or cosmetic surgery?
Elective and cosmetic surgeries are covered by SDI. Your doctor must certify that you are disabled and cannot do your regular or customary job duties because of the surgery, and you must meet the basic eligibility requirements.

How many days must you be off work to receive SDI benefits?
Since every claim for SDI has a seven-day, non-payable waiting period, you must be disabled at least eight calendar days to collect benefits.

Can I receive DI benefits if my employer is going to pay me vacation/sick/holiday pay during my DI claim?
Vacation pay is not in conflict with DI benefits so you can receive DI benefits at the same time.
You cannot receive DI benefits for any period in which you also received sick leave wages that are equivalent to your full salary. If you are receiving only partial sick leave wages, you may be eligible for full or partial SDI benefits.
All other pay (i.e., holiday pay) must be reported for the EDD to determine your eligibility for benefits. The first seven days of the DI claim is a non-payable waiting period, therefore, wages paid by the employer are not in conflict (i.e., sick leave, holiday).