Emma, I'm a disability advocate and see cases like yours frequently. Here's what I always tell clients in your situation: First, YES - you can absolutely apply for SDI for your autoimmune condition after your WC settlement. The key is keeping them completely separate in all documentation and communications. A few critical points everyone touched on but I want to emphasize: 1. **Timing is crucial** - Apply as soon as your doctor will certify you're disabled from the autoimmune condition. Don't wait unnecessarily as it won't improve your base period calculation. 2. **Medical narrative is everything** - Your rheumatologist's letter should tell a clear story: "Patient has had autoimmune condition since [date before work injury], condition worsened due to stress/other factors during [timeframe], current symptoms prevent all work activity due to [specific limitations]." 3. **Prepare for the review** - With a recent WC case, EDD will scrutinize your claim. Have a simple, consistent explanation ready: "I'm applying for disability benefits based on my autoimmune condition, which is separate from and unrelated to my resolved workers compensation claim for a back injury." 4. **Documentation checklist**: Medical records pre-dating your work injury, treatment notes during WC period showing ongoing autoimmune care, current functional capacity evaluation focused solely on autoimmune symptoms. The fact that you paid into SDI for years absolutely works in your favor. You've earned these benefits. Just keep everything focused on that autoimmune condition and you should be fine. Good luck!

Emma, I just want to add one more thing that saved me a lot of headaches - keep a detailed timeline document for yourself with dates of everything: when your work injury happened, when you first saw your rheumatologist, when symptoms worsened, settlement date, etc. I had to reference these dates multiple times during my SDI application process and having it all written down made me sound much more credible when talking to EDD representatives. Also, if you're worried about the income gap between your WC settlement and SDI approval, look into whether your county has any emergency assistance programs. Some counties in California have short-term help for people transitioning between benefit programs. It's not much but every bit helps during the waiting period. Your plan sounds really solid and you're asking all the right questions. The fact that you're being so thorough upfront is going to make this process much smoother than it is for most people. Wishing you the best with your settlement meeting next week!

@Gabriel Freeman - Your situation with the overpayment is definitely tricky, but don't panic! I went through something similar in 2022. When workers comp gets approved after you've already received SDI, EDD will typically set up a repayment plan, but you may still be entitled to keep part of the SDI if your workers comp rate was lower. Here's what I learned: EDD has to do a "coordination calculation" to figure out exactly how much you owe back. If your workers comp weekly benefit was less than your SDI weekly benefit, you might only owe the difference, not the full amount. For example, if SDI was paying you $400/week and workers comp is only $300/week, you'd only owe back $300 per week, not the full $400. The key is to request a formal review of your overpayment calculation. Don't just accept whatever number they initially give you - make sure they're properly accounting for the coordination rules. You can usually do this by calling the overpayment department and asking them to explain exactly how they calculated what you owe. Also, keep making your scheduled overpayment payments while this gets sorted out - stopping payments can cause bigger problems. But definitely push for that calculation review!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's amazing how many different scenarios can come up with workers comp and SDI coordination - I had no idea these supplemental benefits were even possible until reading everyone's experiences here. @Ethan Anderson - Really glad you were able to get through to EDD and get clear guidance on your situation. Your step-by-step breakdown of what the rep told you to submit will definitely help others who find themselves in similar situations. One thing I wanted to add that might be useful for anyone else reading this: if you're currently injured at work, it's worth asking your HR department or workers comp case manager upfront whether you should also file for SDI to supplement your benefits. It seems like a lot of people (myself included) only find out about this coordination option after the fact, which makes everything much more complicated with the retroactive filing requirements. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - this community is so valuable for navigating these confusing systems!

I went through this exact same situation with my lower back injury last year! The independent medical exam was actually less intimidating than I expected. Here's what helped me prepare: 1. Write down all your symptoms and limitations beforehand - when you're nervous, it's easy to forget important details about your pain levels or what activities are difficult. 2. Bring a complete list of all medications you're taking, including dosages and how they affect you (drowsiness, nausea, etc.). 3. If you use any mobility aids (heating pads, back brace, special cushions), bring them or at least mention them during the exam. 4. Be prepared to demonstrate your range of motion limitations - they may ask you to bend, twist, or lift light objects to assess your functional capacity. The doctor was professional and seemed genuinely interested in understanding my condition rather than trying to "catch" me in anything. My benefits continued without any issues after the exam. The key is just being completely honest about both your bad days AND your better days. One tip: if you're driving to the appointment, they might observe how you get in/out of your car, so don't try to hide any difficulty you have with that movement. Good luck!

I just went through this process a few months ago for my shoulder injury claim! The independent medical exam really isn't as scary as it seems. Here's what I wish someone had told me beforehand: The doctor will likely spend time reviewing all your medical records before examining you, so make sure everything is organized and complete. They asked me detailed questions about how my injury affects my work duties specifically - like can I lift, reach overhead, type for extended periods, etc. One thing that surprised me was they asked about my sleep quality and how pain affects my rest. Apparently that's a big factor in determining functional capacity for work. Also be prepared for questions about what household tasks you can/can't do - cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. The physical exam was thorough but respectful of my limitations. They tested strength, range of motion, and watched how I moved naturally. The whole appointment took about 45 minutes. Most importantly - if you're legitimately injured and following your doctor's treatment plan, you have nothing to worry about. These exams are really just to verify that your disability is ongoing and that you're not able to perform your job duties. My benefits continued without any interruption, and the process actually gave me peace of mind knowing everything was properly documented. Stay calm and just be honest about your limitations. You've got this!

Just went through this exact same thing a few months ago! When my payment showed up online on a Friday afternoon, I was so anxious about when it would actually hit my account. Ended up getting it Monday morning around 8:30am with Wells Fargo. The weekend wait felt eternal when you're stressed about bills, but at least once you see it in the SDI system you know it's coming for sure. Pro tip: set up text alerts with your bank so you get notified the moment it deposits - saved my sanity during those first few weeks of disability payments!

I'm going through something similar right now - just had my first SDI payment show up online yesterday and I'm anxiously waiting to see when it hits my account. It's so stressful being out of work and having to wait for these payments, especially when you have bills due. Reading everyone's experiences here is really helpful though. It sounds like most people get their deposits within 1-2 business days of seeing it online, which gives me hope. The whole disability process has been such a learning curve - I had no idea what to expect with any of this when I first got injured. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips!

You know what's weird about EDD is that UI and SDI are like completely different departments that don't talk to each other. When I switched last fall my doctor told me they were seeing tons of patients with this exact problem. The whole system needs an overhaul.

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation but mine's a bit different - I'm currently on UI but just found out I might need surgery in a few weeks. Should I wait until after the surgery to file for SDI, or can I file now even though I'm still technically able to work for another week or two? My doctor said the surgery date depends on when they can schedule it. Don't want to mess up the timing and end up in that overlap nightmare everyone's talking about!