How to Apply for Temporary Disability in California: Eligibility, Payments, and Filing Steps

California employees may qualify for temporary disability payments through SDI when a certified medical condition stops them from working. Check eligibility, typical benefit amounts for 2025, and filing steps with the EDD to submit a timely, complete claim.

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Which Workers Can Get Short-Term Disability Insurance in California?

3. What Does California SDI Consider to be a Disability?

4. When Can Workers Lose Their SDI Eligibility?

5. How to Time Your Base Period to Optimize Your Benefits

6. What Is California’s Short-Term Disability Pay?

7. SDI benefits: For how long can you take them?

8. How to File a California Short-Term Disability Application

9. Receiving Other Disability Benefits Along With California SDI

10. Does Obtaining Short-Term Disability Benefits Require Legal Assistance?

Introduction

Payroll deductions are required for all employees to contribute to the State of California’s short-term disability insurance (SDI) program. When an employee’s disability prevents them from working, they may obtain a short-term disability absence. They can access the program’s temporary disability payments until they are ready to return to the workforce or their benefits expire.

If you’re wondering, “How to apply for temporary disability in California?” it all starts with the state’s Short-Term Disability Insurance (SDI) program.

The Employment Development Department (California) is responsible for administering the SDI program. As per the EDD, the average benefit per week in 2025 will be $850.

Which Workers Can Get Short-Term Disability Insurance in California?

Before learning “How to apply for temporary disability in California?” you must understand its eligibility.

Employees are entitled to SDI benefits if they have earned no less than $300 during the base period, provided that SDI deductions were actually deducted from their salary. The agency will compute an employee’s payout based on a proportion of earnings within the specified duration (the “base period”) after the EDD concludes that the worker qualifies for short-term disability insurance. The 12 months that conclude right before the final full calendar quarter until the employee submits an SDI claim are referred to as the base period.

What Does California SDI Consider to be a Disability?

In relation to the EDD, you are considered handicapped if your physician certifies that you are unable to perform your job duties. You only need to be incapable of performing the routine and customary tasks associated with your profession; you don’t need to be incapable of performing any kind of work. Therefore, you need to be treated by a physician who certifies that you are unable to work to be entitled to short-term disability insurance in California.

For SDI reasons, elective surgery and pregnancy are also considered impairments. SDI is typically available between two and four weeks prior to your scheduled delivery date and for 4 weeks following the birth of your child (6 weeks following a C-section). As long as the doctor confirms that you will be unable to return to work for a certain amount of time following surgery, SDI will pay for your recovery from optional and cosmetic procedures.

Before proceeding with “How to apply for temporary disability in California?” make sure your doctor provides the required medical certification.

When Can Workers Lose Their SDI Eligibility?

Employees will not be eligible for the benefits of SDI under certain circumstances. If any of the following apply to you, you will not be eligible for short-term disability coverage:

The EDD scheduled a doctor’s appointment. You didn’t show up.
You’re on unemployment insurance.
The amount of sick leave you receive is equivalent to your entire income or regular earnings.
You are benefiting from paid family leave.
Your workers’ compensation benefits are greater than what SDI would pay you.
You have a felony that prevents you from working.
After being found guilty of a crime, you are imprisoned.

You should be eligible for California short-term disability compensation if you don’t meet any of the aforementioned requirements.

How to Time Your Base Period to Optimize Your Benefits

The average of your earnings for the three-month fiscal quarter of the base period, when you earned maximum money, is the basis for your short-term disability benefits. The date you make your claim may have an impact on the sum of benefits you get because California bases your weekly payment on the highest-income quarter for the base period. You have to submit a claim to the EDD within seven weeks after becoming incapable of working, but you can take advantage of this by selecting the day of filing that will provide you with the base period having the highest pay.

The Employment Development Department determines your base period based on when you file your claim.

Month You File Your Claim	Your Base Period Covers
January, February, or March	The twelve months ending the previous September 30
April, May, or June	The twelve months ending the previous December 31
July, August, or September	The twelve months ending the previous March 31
October, November, or December	The twelve months ending the previous June 30

Understanding your base period is crucial before starting the process of “How to apply for temporary disability in California?”

What Is California’s Short-Term Disability Pay?

You will get 70% to 90% of your typical salary from the base period’s highest-earning fiscal quarter while on temporary disability leave. Your average pay will take into account the earnings from both occupations if you held two jobs throughout your base period.

Employees with annual incomes under $62,025 can get as much as 90% of the average pay. Those with higher incomes would receive as much as 70%. The maximum weekly compensation amount for short-term disability is $1681 (2025).

SDI benefits: For how long can you take them?

The maximum duration of SDI benefits is 52 weeks if you are incapable of being employed for that amount of time. You are only eligible to get benefits for 39 weeks, though, if you work for yourself and have contributed to the SDI system.

For 30 days, you may be eligible for SDI benefits if you are undergoing treatment for alcohol use disorder. You may receive an extra sixty days of SDI benefits if your doctor certifies that you require ongoing rehabilitation and you must stay for more than 30 days.

SDI benefits are available for 45 days if you are undergoing treatment for a drug addiction. Provided your stay is longer than forty-five days, you can receive an extra 45 days of payments, provided your doctor certifies that you need to continue your rehabilitation.

How to File a California Short-Term Disability Application

You can apply for short-term disability compensation within 49 days of becoming disabled. There are a number of ways you can apply when you’re prepared.

1. Filing SDI Online

Using the EDD website to submit an online claim is the most straightforward way to begin receiving disability payments. Several forms of identification, including your Social Security number and a valid ID card or driver’s license, must be on hand. You will need to mail the application if you do not have an authorized California ID or if your name has changed recently.

Verify that your doctor can finish their part of the online application process before beginning yours on the EDD website.

2. Put Your Claim in the Mail

Your application for an SDI claim may also be submitted by mail. A blank copy of Form DE 2501, Application for Disability Insurance Compensation, must be obtained first. The EDD can send one to you upon online request. You may send the pre-addressed envelope included with the form back to the corresponding address.

You can also call 800-480-3287 and choose DI Information, option 3, to obtain a print form.

3. Stop by at a Disability Insurance Office

You can also use the agency’s address search to find the closest Disability Insurance & Paid Family Leave facility and pick up a blank Form 2501. Your inquiries concerning the short-term disability scheme can be addressed by office representatives.

You must collect and submit the company’s information and your physician’s disability certification, irrespective of how you submit. A notification of eligibility with your projected weekly benefit amount will be issued to you after your finished claim is received, provided the EDD accepts it. Benefits from SDI are normally disbursed two weeks after approval.

Understanding “How to apply for temporary disability in California?” ensures that you don’t miss out on the benefits you’re entitled to.

Receiving Other Disability Benefits Along With California SDI

The amount for your SDI payment may be lowered if you are also receiving employer-paid sick leave or another federal or state disability benefit. (Your SDI payment will also be deducted from any wages you get from part-time employment.)

Your SDI compensation amount will be reduced by any paid sick leave or paid time off you take while receiving SDI. (However, your SDI payment will not be impacted by simple vacation time.)

Asking the company to “integrate” the SDI benefits with your PTO or sick pay may be an option. If your employer consents, they will provide you with enough sick leave to equal your regular salary when paired with SDI.

You can accomplish this by noting “Integrated Benefits” in your application form, which refers to the type of compensation you receive from your job, or by filing online. Additionally, since SDI payments don’t begin until the eighth day after your disability, you are eligible for sick leave or paid time off for the initial week following your disability.

Your state may deduct the SSDI benefit sum from the SDI payment if you apply for and are granted the federal government’s Social Security disability benefits. Only those who are getting close to the conclusion of their fifty-two weeks of disability (short-term) will probably be eligible for this option, as Social Security disability benefits are limited to those who have been disabled for a minimum of twelve months or who are permanently incapacitated.

Does Obtaining Short-Term Disability Benefits Require Legal Assistance?

You might wish to consult an employment attorney if the company isn’t assisting you or the EDD with your disability insurance request. You may also talk to a lawyer if you’re unsure of your leave entitlements. You do not have reinstatement privileges or job protection under the SDI scheme.

There is a chance that other federal & state laws, such as the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), and California’s Family Rights Act, provide you with employment security. If you’re unsure about how to apply for temporary disability in California, visit the EDD website or consult a professional to guide you through the process smoothly.

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How to Apply for Temporary Disability in California: Eligibility, Payments, and Filing Steps

Introduction

Which Workers Can Get Short-Term Disability Insurance in California?

What Does California SDI Consider to be a Disability?

When Can Workers Lose Their SDI Eligibility?

How to Time Your Base Period to Optimize Your Benefits

What Is California’s Short-Term Disability Pay?

SDI benefits: For how long can you take them?

How to File a California Short-Term Disability Application

Receiving Other Disability Benefits Along With California SDI

Does Obtaining Short-Term Disability Benefits Require Legal Assistance?

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