Can I apply for CA SDI with an EDD overpayment penalty? Broke my wrist!

Good news - your UI overpayment penalty generally doesn't affect your eligibility for SDI! They're completely separate programs with different funding sources. UI comes from employer contributions while SDI comes from deductions from your paycheck. As long as you've paid into SDI through payroll deductions during your base period, you should be able to file a claim for your wrist injury regardless of what happened with your UI claim. The 3-year penalty typically applies only to future unemployment claims, not disability. I went through something similar last year and was able to get SDI despite having an unresolved UI issue.

Not 100% sure but I think SDI is different from UI so ur probably ok??? I had a friend who got UI overpayment but still got pregnancy disability later. The systems don't seem connected at all lol

The key is understanding what type of overpayment determination you received. There are two types: 1. Non-fraud overpayment: This doesn't impact SDI eligibility at all 2. Fraud determination: This CAN potentially impact other EDD benefits You mentioned getting the notice "like a year ago" - the penalty period would start from the date specified in the letter, not from when you received it. If you can't find the letter, you should call EDD directly to clarify before applying for SDI. Getting through to EDD by phone can be tough though. I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with a live EDD agent quickly. They have a service that gets you through the phone system and to a real person. Saved me hours of frustration when dealing with a similar situation. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd that shows how it works.

Apply for SDI RIGHT NOW!!! Don't wait! Even if there's an issue, you need to get your claim in the system ASAP because the clock is ticking. SDI has a 7-day waiting period before benefits start, and they won't backdate claims if you delay filing. Your doctor also needs to submit their certification within 49 days of your disability start. The sooner you get everything filed, the better.

I had EXACTLY the same situation last year!!! Got an overpayment notice for pandemic unemployment and then needed disability three months later for back surgery. I was so worried they'd deny me but guess what? My SDI claim went through totally fine! The EDD is completely disorganized - their UI department barely talks to their DI department. I actually think the overpayment stuff only applies to future unemployment claims, not disability or paid family leave. The SDI folks never even mentioned my UI overpayment when I filed. BUT be super careful filling out your disability application - make sure all your employment info is 100% accurate because they're extra suspicious of people who've had issues before!!!!

I filed online - WAY faster! Just make sure you have your employment history for the past 18 months ready (company names, addresses, phone numbers). And don't forget to follow up with your doctor to make sure they submit their part. My doc almost forgot and I had to keep bugging them!

Quick clarification on the overpayment penalties: The 3-year disqualification period typically begins on the mailing date of the determination, not from your benefit year. Check the decision letter for the specific dates. Important: If your overpayment was classified as "willful misrepresentation" (fraud), that's different from a simple overpayment. Fraud penalties can potentially impact other benefit programs. That said, in practice, I've rarely seen SDI claims denied due to UI overpayments unless there was a major fraud case involved. The programs are separately funded as others have mentioned.

UPDATE: I just submitted my SDI application online! It was actually much easier than I expected. My doctor already submitted his certification (I confirmed with his office). I carefully reviewed that old overpayment letter and it doesn't mention anything about fraud - it just says there was an overpayment because I "received benefits I wasn't eligible for" during certain weeks when I had partial income. So I'm hopeful this won't affect my disability claim. Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'll update again once I hear back from EDD about my claim status.