State Disability Insurance: who can get it and how long it pays

This page explains how State Disability Insurance works and how much it pays. It is general information, not legal or medical advice.

What is State Disability Insurance?

State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a California program that pays part of your wages when you cannot work. It has two parts:

• Disability Insurance (DI): for your own illness, injury or pregnancy that did not come from your job. That is what this page covers.
• Paid Family Leave (PFL): for caring for a seriously ill family member, bonding with a new child, or a family member's military deployment. See Paid Family Leave to care for a sick family member.

Workers pay for it through a deduction from each paycheck. In 2026, that deduction is 1.3% of wages, and since 2024 there is no cap on the wages it applies to.

Who can get it?

You may qualify if:

• You cannot do your regular work for at least 8 days in a row because of an illness, injury or pregnancy
• You lost wages because of it
• You earned at least $300 in your base period, with SDI taken out of your pay
• A licensed health professional certifies your condition

Your immigration status does not matter. EDD says citizenship and immigration status do not affect eligibility. Without a Social Security number, you apply on paper. See How to get disability or Paid Family Leave pay without papers.

Not sure if SDI came out of your pay? Look at your pay stub for a State Disability Insurance deduction, or ask EDD when you call.

Hurt at work? Disability Insurance is for problems that did not come from your job. A job injury usually goes through workers' comp. See Hurt at work? How to get workers comp.

How much will I get?

Your weekly benefit amount is about 70% to 90% of your weekly wages from a 12 month base period. EDD uses the quarter (three months) in that period when you earned the most. People who earn less get the higher percentage.

Which months count? It depends on when your claim starts. For claims that begin on or after January 1, 2026, EDD uses:

So a claim that starts in November 2026 uses wages from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Wages from the weeks just before you got sick usually do not count.

How much? Here is EDD's table. EDD does not print a year on it. Its $50 minimum and $1,765 maximum match the 2026 figures in EDD Quick Statistics:

Example: if you earned about $800 a week, 90% would be about $720 a week. This is our own math, an estimate only. EDD tells you your real amount after you file.

• Estimate your amount (EDD calculator)

What about 2027? EDD had not posted 2027 amounts as of October 21, 2026. If your claim starts in 2027, check EDD's benefit amounts page for the new numbers.

How long does it pay?

• Up to 52 weeks for one illness, injury or pregnancy.
• The first 7 days are unpaid. This is called the waiting period. Pay starts on day 8.
• Payments stop when your doctor says you can work again, when you go back to work, or when you reach the maximum.

When and how do I file?

1. Wait until day 9. Do not file before the 9th day after your disability begins.
2. File by day 49. If you are late, file anyway with a letter explaining why.
3. Get the medical part done. It is your job to have your health professional complete and sign the certification, within 49 days of when your disability started. Without it, your claim is not complete.
4. Choose how to be paid. Direct deposit is only for claims filed online. Paper claims are paid by debit card or check.

You can file online through SDI Online, which needs your own Social Security number, or on paper with form DE 2501. The paper form must be ordered from EDD; it cannot be downloaded.

What happens after I file?

• EDD says it can take up to 14 days to process a complete claim. Missing information takes longer.
• You get a Notice of Computation (DE 429D) that estimates your weekly amount from your wages. It does not mean you are approved.
• If the wages on your notice look wrong or are missing, call EDD right away.

How do I keep getting paid?

Read every letter from EDD and answer on time. If you do not, payments stop.

• If you are paid automatically, after 10 weeks EDD sends form DE 2593 to check that you are still disabled. Send it back.
• If you are not on automatic payments, EDD sends form DE 2500A every two weeks. Fill it out and send it back each time.
• Still not well when your claim is about to end? Your doctor must fill out form DE 2525XX to extend it.

What if I go back to work early, or part time?

• Back early? If you return before the date your doctor gave, tell EDD on your DE 2500A or through SDI Online.
• Part time? You may still get partial benefits if you lose wages. If your part time pay plus your benefit would be more than your usual pay, EDD lowers your benefit by the difference. Report all your earnings so you do not owe money back.
• Sick again later? If you recovered and then become disabled again, you file a new claim.

Does SDI protect my job?

No. Disability Insurance pays you. It does not hold your job. Other laws may protect your job while you are out, depending on your employer's size and how long you have worked there. See Will my job be safe while I take family or medical leave?

You may also be able to use paid sick days for the unpaid first week. Ask your employer.

What mistakes should I avoid?

• Filing too early. Wait until the 9th day.
• Missing the 49 day deadline.
• Forgetting the doctor's part. Your claim is not complete without it.
• Ignoring mail from EDD. Benefits stop if you do not send back the forms.
• Not reporting work or pay. You could have to pay money back.

Who can help?

These are free public offices and nonprofit clinics. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• EDD Disability Insurance: 1-800-480-3287, Spanish 1-866-658-8846, TTY 1-800-563-2441. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free interpreters: say or press 3. Disability Insurance (edd.ca.gov)
• Legal Aid at Work, Workers' Rights Clinic: free help for people within its income limits, or age 60 and over, in Spanish and many other languages. East Palo Alto line: (415) 404-9093. Workers' Rights Clinic

Common questions

Can I get SDI and unemployment at the same time? They are different programs with different rules. Unemployment requires a Social Security number, or work authorization for non-citizens, and you must be able to work. EDD's page for undocumented workers adds that non-citizens must have a Social Security number and show work authorization for the wages used and each week claimed. Disability Insurance is for when you cannot work. Ask EDD about your situation before you file for both.

My claim was denied. What now? Read the denial letter. You can appeal within 30 days with form DE 1000A (EDD). A legal aid clinic can help.

Does SDI cover pregnancy? Yes. Pregnancy is one of the reasons Disability Insurance covers. See Pregnant and working: your leave and pay.

Is there a checklist I can print?

Being too sick to work is hard enough. This money is there for you. Take the first step today.