California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a partial wage-replacement insurance plan for California workers. The SDI program is state-mandated and funded through employee payroll deductions. SDI provides affordable, short-term benefits to eligible workers. Workers covered by SDI are covered by two benefits: Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL).
The eligibility requirements are:
- PFL was established for workers who suffer a loss of wages when they need to take time off from work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent or registered domestic partner, or to bond with a new child
- Workers who suffer a loss of wages when they are unable to work due to a nonwork-related illness or injury
- Pregnancy or childbirth
- May be eligible for DI benefits
- PFL was established for workers who suffer a loss of wages when they need to take time off from work to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent or registered domestic partner, or to bond with a new child
Individuals must meet the following requirements:
- Be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight consecutive days
- Be employed or actively looking for work at the time you become disabled
- Have lost wages because of your disability or, if unemployed, have been actively looking for work
- Have earned at least $300 from which
State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions were withheld during a
previous period
- Be under the care and treatment of a
licensed doctor or accredited religious practitioner during the first
eight days of your disability. The beginning date of a claim can be
adjusted to meet this requirement. Must remain under care and
treatment to continue receiving benefits.
- Complete and mail a claim form within 49 days of the date you became disabled or you may lose benefits.
- Doctor must complete the medical
certification of your disability. A licensed midwife, nurse-midwife, or
nurse practitioner may complete the medical certification for
disabilities related to normal pregnancy or childbirth.
If you are
under the care of a religious practitioner, request a “Practitioner’s
Certificate,” DE 2502, from the SDI office. Certification by a religious
practitioner is acceptable only if the practitioner has been accredited
by Employment Development Department.
