California is one of only five states that provide short-term disability benefits through a state-mandated program, the California State Disability Insurance (SDI). Workers can receive from 70-90% of what they earned before becoming disabled.
SDI provides short-term benefits for up to 52 weeks. If you have a disability that prevents you from working for longer than 12 months, disability benefits through programs administered by the Social Security Administration may be where to turn.
The disability benefits professionals at Sackett and Associates, Northern California’s premier disability benefits law firm, can help you apply for California state disability for medical conditions of a short duration and Social Security disability for long-term disability. Here they provide an explanation of the California program, how to file SDI claim, and what to do if your claim is denied.
Who is covered by the SDI program?
The SDI covers most people employed in the state. You must have worked at jobs that withheld SDI taxes from your earnings.
Workers who may not be covered by the SDI plan include:
- Federal, state, or local government employees.
- Domestic workers.
- Self-employed individuals.
- Interstate railroad workers.
If you have questions about whether you have coverage under SDI, speak to a disability lawyer at Sackett Law.
SDI pays benefits to covered employees who cannot work, provided they are under the care of a licensed physician or medical practitioner for one of the following reasons:
- An illness or injury that is not work-related.
- Pregnancy or childbirth.
- Elective or non-elective surgery.
- Rehabilitation for alcohol or drug use.
Work-related injuries and illnesses resulting in loss of time from work should be reported to your employer or directly to your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
Information To Gather Before Starting The SDI Application Process
You may file a CA SDI application online. Before you begin, gather the information that you will need to complete the application process:
- A valid California driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
- Social Security number.
- Name and contact information of your most current employer.
- Last date of working regular duties, or the date that your duties were modified because of your medical condition.
- Wages you received or expect to receive from your employer, including money you receive for vacation and sick leave.
- If receiving care at an inpatient alcohol or drug rehabilitation facility, its name, address, and telephone number.
If you have a workers’ compensation claim pending, you will be asked on the SDI application to provide information about the claim.
Applying For SDI Benefits
You may apply for SDI benefits online or by using a paper application. Before applying online, you must create a “myEDD” account. This account gives you access to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) benefit services.
Using your myEDD account, register for SDI Online by following the instructions. You will receive an EDD Customer Account Number and an email comfirming completion of the registration process.
File the claim for SDI by logging into your my EDD account. Select “SDI Online,” and follow the prompts to begin the application. Upon completion of the application, you will receive a receipt number.
The receipt number must be given to your healthcare provider to use to access your online application. Your medical provider must complete and sign the medical certification form. Without a completed certification, you will not be approved for SDI benefits.
The application, including the medical certification, must be submitted within 49 days from the date your disability began to protect your right to receive benefits. Stay in touch with your medical provider because your claim will not be processed without the certification.
The online application process may not be used under the following circumstances:
- You do not have a Social Security number.
- You do not have a valid California driver’s license.
- You recently changed your name or have a name that is longer than 12 characters.
- You are younger than 18 years of age.
If you cannot use the online California disability process, you should request a paper application. The paper application has two parts: Part A: Claimant’s Statement, and Part B: Medical Certification. Mail the completed and signed forms using the pre-addressed envelope you received with the application.
You can start the application process online or in paper form no sooner than nine days after the start of your disability. It must be completed and filed within 49 days from the onset of the disability.
Consult Sackett Law For Disability Benefits Assistance
When a disabling medical condition prevents you from working, do what people throughout California have done for 45 years, and turn to the disability attorneys at Sackett and Associates. Our team of disability professionals provides advice and representation when you need it for California state disability and Social Security Disability. Contact Sackett Law today for a free consultation.
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