Can EDD disability be denied if fired during medical leave? Terrified of losing everything

omg thats so illegal!! they cant fire u for medical reasons, its discrimination!!! u should sue them and report to labor board immediately!!

To answer your main question: No, being fired should NOT affect your SDI claim as long as you were employed when your disability began. SDI is based on your medical condition, not your current employment status. Regarding the firing - that's potentially problematic. California has protections under FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act) and potentially FMLA/CFRA if your company is large enough. Document everything - the timing of your disability paperwork, the conversation when you were fired, any witnesses, etc. For your immediate concern though, your SDI should process normally if you've already submitted everything and your doctor certified your condition.

I went thru something similar last year!!! Got fired right after telling my boss about my back surgery. EDD still approved my disability but it took FOREVER. Like 6 weeks before I saw any $$$. I had to borrow money from family just to make it by. HOWEVER - the good news is that my SDI was approved even tho I was fired. They don't care about that part, just that your doctor says you can't work. My weekly benefit amount was based on my previous earnings so getting fired didnt change that.

Have you tried contacting an EDD agent directly to ask about your specific situation? That would probably give you the most accurate answer.

If you're having trouble getting through to EDD on the phone (which is super common), I'd recommend checking out Claimyr. I was in a similar panic about my disability claim and couldn't get through to anyone. Their service got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying to call. They have a video that shows how it works here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The agent I spoke with confirmed that being fired doesn't affect your SDI claim as long as your disability began during your employment. You paid into SDI while working, so those benefits are yours regardless of your current employment status.

Just to add another perspective on the employment issue - what your employer did might violate FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) or CFRA (California Family Rights Act) depending on how large your company is and how long you've worked there. These laws protect your job when you take medical leave. But for your immediate SDI concern, others are correct - your disability claim shouldn't be affected by being fired. When I processed these claims, eligibility was based on: 1. Having a qualifying medical condition certified by a doctor 2. Having paid into SDI during your base period 3. Filing within the appropriate timeframe Notice how "current employment status" is not on that list. The SDI program cares about your medical condition and past contributions, not whether you're currently employed.

My cousin works in payroll and says its about TIMING. If u were already disabled before getting fired, SDI still covers you. But if u got fired FIRST, then tried to claim disability, thats where problems happen. From what u wrote it sounds like ur doctor ordered the leave before they fired u, so ur probably ok.

Just to clarify some confusion in this thread: 1. Employment status: Being fired after your disability begins does NOT disqualify you from receiving SDI benefits. SDI eligibility is based on your medical condition and your contributions during your base period (typically 5-18 months before your claim). 2. Processing time: Standard processing for SDI claims in 2025 is averaging 14-21 days for straightforward claims. If there are any issues that require manual review, it can take 30+ days. 3. Legal protections: Your situation potentially involves both disability benefits (SDI) and employment law (FMLA/CFRA/FEHA). These are separate issues handled by different agencies. For the SDI claim: Continue with the process, respond promptly to any requests for additional information, and make sure your doctor submits all required medical certification forms. For the potential wrongful termination: Contact the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or consult with an employment attorney about your specific situation.

Just wanted to check back - were you able to get through to EDD? Did they confirm your benefits are still valid?