Can I apply for EDD SDI after Workers' Comp settlement with ongoing medical conditions?

You CAN'T get unemployment after workers comp because unemployment requires you to be ABLE to work and LOOKING for work. If you have medical conditions preventing you from working, you don't qualify for unemployment. But you MIGHT qualify for SDI based on your autoimmune condition IF your doctor certifies you're disabled because of it. The key is that SDI would be for a DIFFERENT medical condition than what your workers comp covered.

went thru something like this last year. make sure your dr is willing to certify ur disability from the autoimmune thing SEPARATE from the back injury. my doc was super confused about the paperwork and it caused a huge delay. also there's a 7 day waiting period before sdi benefits start so plan for that gap!!

I had a similar situation in 2021. Here's what you need to know: 1. Yes, you can apply for SDI after Workers' Comp IF you're disabled due to a condition not covered by your WC claim 2. Your doctor must complete the medical certification form (DE 2501) specifically focusing on your autoimmune condition 3. Be prepared to explain the timeline and separation between your WC claim and your current disability 4. There's a 7-day waiting period before SDI benefits begin 5. Your benefit amount will be based on your highest quarter of earnings during your base period (which may be affected by your time on WC) When you apply, clearly document that you're applying based on a separate medical condition. This helps avoid confusion and delays.

You can technically apply for SDI as soon as your doctor certifies you're unable to work due to your autoimmune condition, even right after your WC case settles. However, EDD will likely scrutinize your claim more carefully when there's a recent WC claim. Make absolutely sure your medical documentation clearly distinguishes between the conditions. If you're having trouble reaching EDD to discuss your specific situation (which is common), I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual EDD representative in under 5 minutes when I had a complex situation similar to yours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Made a huge difference in getting my claim sorted out correctly.

One thing nobody mentioned yet is that your SDI benefit amount might be lower than you expect. Since you've been on Workers' Comp for 9 months, your base period earnings (the earnings EDD uses to calculate your weekly benefit amount) will be affected. EDD looks at earnings from 5-18 months before your claim. So depending on when you file, some of those quarters might show reduced earnings because of your time on WC. I learned this the hard way when I went from WC to SDI and my benefit was about 30% less than I expected.

i was on workers comp then got sdi for different thing. MAKE SURE to tell your doctor exactly what to write on the form!!!! my first attempt got rejected cuz the doctor mentioned my work injury along with my other condition. had to get the doc to submit a NEW form that ONLY mentioned the non-work condition. such a pain!!!!!

Thank you all so much for the advice! I have a much clearer picture now. Here's my plan: 1. Talk to my rheumatologist THIS WEEK about certifying my autoimmune condition separately 2. Prepare written instructions for her about keeping the conditions separate on the form 3. File for SDI as soon as my Workers' Comp settlement is finalized 4. Be prepared for the 7-day waiting period before benefits start 5. Use Claimyr if I run into problems reaching EDD (which seems likely based on your experiences) I'm still nervous about the benefit amount being lower due to my base period earnings, but at least now I understand how it works. I'll post an update once I get through the process!

Just wanted to add something that might help - when you're gathering your medical documentation, ask your rheumatologist for a detailed letter explaining how your autoimmune condition has worsened and specifically how it impacts your ability to work. This goes beyond just the DE 2501 form and can really strengthen your case if EDD has questions. Also, since you mentioned the stress made your autoimmune condition worse, make sure your doctor documents that progression with dates if possible. It helps establish a clear timeline that shows this is an ongoing, separate disability from your back injury. One more thing - if your autoimmune condition qualifies you for FMLA or any workplace accommodations you never used, mention that in your application. It shows you have a documented history of this being a legitimate medical issue that affects your work capacity.

Hey Emma, I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago - workers comp for a shoulder injury, then applied for SDI for my diabetes complications that got worse during the stress. A few things that really helped me: 1. Get your rheumatologist to write a letter stating your autoimmune condition existed BEFORE your work injury and has worsened independently. This was crucial for my case. 2. When you file, use the online portal if possible - it's faster than mailing forms and you get confirmation receipts. 3. Don't mention your back injury AT ALL in your SDI application. Focus only on how your autoimmune condition prevents you from working. 4. If EDD asks about your recent workers comp (which they probably will), be ready to explain that these are completely separate medical issues affecting different body systems. The transition from WC to SDI was smoother than I expected once I had all the right documentation. Your plan sounds solid - just make sure that rheumatologist letter is really detailed about your limitations!

Emma, I'm currently going through something very similar - just settled my workers comp case for a knee injury last month and now applying for SDI for my chronic fatigue syndrome that's gotten much worse. A few additional tips from my recent experience: Make sure you have at least 3-6 months of recent medical records from your rheumatologist showing ongoing treatment and worsening symptoms. EDD really wants to see that you're actively being treated and that the condition is current, not just something from years ago. Also, when you meet with your rheumatologist, ask them to be very specific about your functional limitations in the letter - things like "cannot sit for more than 30 minutes" or "requires frequent breaks due to fatigue" rather than just general statements about being disabled. EDD loves specific, measurable limitations. One thing that caught me off guard - they may ask for records from your workers comp doctor too, just to verify that your conditions are truly separate. Having a letter from your rheumatologist stating she's been treating you independently of any work injury really helps here. The process is definitely stressful but it sounds like you're preparing well! Feel free to reach out if you run into any specific roadblocks during the application process.

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!