While the Social Security Administration administers the federal government's disability insurance programs, some states offer additional income-replacement benefits to people with short-term or permanent disabilities that keep them from working.If you are a California resident who can't work because of a physical or mental injury or illness, you can apply for State Disability Insurance.
Step 1: You have a disability.
Any mental or physical condition that keeps you from working is a disability.If your disability kept you from looking for work for at least a week, you may still be eligible for SDI.Any medical condition can be an SDI disability.If you are pregnant or recently gave birth, you may be eligible for SDI.If you are in treatment for alcohol or drug addiction, you may be eligible for benefits.
Step 2: Do you know if your employer was covered?
Some types of employment do not allow employees to receive SDI benefits if they don't meet other requirements.Athletes, independent contractors, and students employed through work-study programs are not eligible.If you or your employer paid into the program, you can be eligible.Some employers offer their own benefits if they opt out of SDI.You should check with your employer before applying for benefits if you aren't sure.To be eligible for benefits, you must have been working for a covered employer in California for at least 18 months.
Step 3: You are not receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits.
California law does not allow anyone to claim or receive both SDI andUI benefits at the same time if they are unemployed.
Step 4: Show enough base period earnings.
Between 15 and 17 months before the date of your application, the EDD looks at your income to determine if you are eligible for the benefits.You will be divided into three-month quarters by the EDD.You must have earned at least $300 to be eligible for the program.The EDD will use the quarter in which you made the most money to calculate your benefits.If you were unemployed during any of those quarters, the EDD will start your base period a quarter earlier.The base period starts earlier for each unemployed quarter until it covers a period in which you were employed.You should file your application in April.The base period is the 12-month period ending December 31 of the previous year.The quarter in which you earned the most money would determine your benefits.If you worked full time from January to April of last year, you made $1,100 a month.You found a part time job in June after being laid off in May.When you found more full-time work, you continued your job until October.If you made the most money in the last quarter of your base period, the EDD would calculate the amount of benefits you are eligible for each week.The amount of money you earned during your base period affects how long you will receive benefits and how much you'll be paid each week.
Step 5: Information and documents should be gathered.
If you apply online or through the mail, you will need to have basic documents proving your identity, as well as information about your disability and your most recent employment.The identity information includes your name, date of birth, phone number and address.You will need to give your social security number and California driver's license.Employment information includes the business name, telephone number and address of your most recent employer, the last day you worked your regular duties and hours, and wages you have received or expect to receive from vacation or other leave.If you worked for a period of time on modified duty to accommodate your disability, you should provide those dates when you submit your claim.If you have filed a workers' compensation claim, you should include that information on your claim form.If you have received treatment at an alcohol or drug abuse treatment facility, you should give the facility's name, address and phone number on your claim form.
Step 6: You can create an online account or order a claim form.
You can apply online or order forms through the EDD and send them back in.If you want to apply online, you have to provide your identity information.You can order forms online or by phone if you want to apply through the mail.You may not receive forms for two to four weeks if you order online.You can get a paper claim form from your doctor or your employer.
Step 7: If you want to file a new claim, log on and fill out the claim forms.
After setting up an online account or receiving a paper claim form, you can fill out Part A of the form to start the application process.
Step 8: The doctor's certificate should be completed by you.
A doctor's certificate is part of the claim form.This should be done by the doctor or other health care provider who is treating you for the disability.Basic details about your diagnosis, disability and treatment must be provided by your doctor.The physician/practitioner's certificate found in Part B of your claim form must be used by health care providers.If your doctor is registered with SDI Online, she can submit the doctor's certificate right after you file your claim, and it will be processed faster than if she mails in a hard copy.If you are under the care of an accredited religious practitioner for your disability, you must call to get a different form, the DE 2502 Practitioner's Certificate, for that person to fill out and sign.
Step 9: You can mail your application to the EDD office.
If you choose to fill out paper forms, you can complete your application by mailing your claim form along with your doctor's certificate to your nearest SDI office.
Step 10: Wait for the EDD to review your claim.
Within two weeks of the EDD receiving the completed claim form and doctor's certificate, most benefits are issued.All claims have a seven-day waiting period during which benefits are not paid, even if your claim is approved before that time.If your claim is approved, you will receive a letter with a card for your benefits.
Step 11: You need to fill out the appeal form.
You can fill out a form if you believe the disqualification was in error, if your claim is disqualified.The claims are often denied because they were late.49 days is the time when claims must be filed.Many Californians don't file for benefits in time because they're not aware of the deadline.If you show good cause as to why you missed the deadline, you can have your claim considered.If you were in a coma for two months, that would be considered a good cause.To be eligible for benefits, you need to have been working in California for at least 18 months for an employer who contributed to the state program.People with shorter work histories in the state will not be given benefits.A lack of medical documentation is one of the reasons for many denials.If you didn't submit a lot of medical information when you filed your claim, you might want to file an appeal.Explain why you think you are qualified to receive benefits.Attach any additional medical or employment records to back up your claim.
Step 12: Send the form and documentation back.
You have 20 days to appeal your disqualification notice.You can either print the form from the EDD's website or send a detailed letter to the office that processed your claim.Your name, address, and Social Security number are printed on the letter.
Step 13: Wait for the EDD to review your appeal.
You will receive benefits if you send in more information.Your appeal has been forwarded to the Office of Appeals.
Step 14: The Office of Appeals has a hearing notice.
The EDD's Office of Appeals will schedule a hearing for you if they receive your appeal.If you can't make it to your hearing on time, you have to call the office at the number on the notice.Your appeal will be dismissed if you don't show up for your hearing.
Step 15: Attend the appeal hearing.
Appeals are less formal than a court hearing, and you don't need an attorney.If your case is complex or confusing, you might want to speak to an attorney with experience in public benefits.An Administrative Law Judge will hear your appeal.An independent third party called the ALJ will listen to both sides of the case and decide if benefits should be awarded.The testimony is under oath.Most of the time, the only testimony will be from you and an SDI representative.The decision will be sent to everyone.The decision is final.