Can I apply for EDD SDI benefits based on wages from previous employers?
I had to leave my current job (only been there for 5 months) due to a back injury that my doctor says will require at least 8 weeks of recovery. I don't think I have enough wages at my current job to qualify for decent SDI benefits. Can I somehow use my income from my previous job where I worked for 3 years with much higher pay? I quit that job in December 2024 to take this new position that seemed better at the time. Now I'm worried I won't qualify for enough disability benefits to cover my bills while I recover. Has anyone successfully filed SDI claims using wages from previous employers? How far back do they look at your work history?
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Miranda Singer
yea they look at ur base period not just current job. its like a year or so of wages i think? u should be fine
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Aliyah Debovski
•Really? That's a huge relief! Do you know where on the application I need to list my previous employment? I don't want to mess this up.
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Cass Green
EDD uses what's called a "base period" to calculate your SDI benefits. The base period is the 12-month period ending just before the last completed calendar quarter prior to when you file your claim. So if you file in April-June 2025, your base period would be January-December 2024, which would include your previous higher-paying job. Your SDI benefit amount is based on the highest-paid quarter in your base period, so this should work in your favor if you had higher wages at your previous job. Just make sure you have your previous employer's information when you file your claim.
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Aliyah Debovski
•Thank you so much for explaining this! So it sounds like I should definitely include my previous employer's information when I file. This makes me feel much better about my situation.
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Finley Garrett
I went through something similar last year. Had only been at my new job for 4 months when I needed surgery. My benefits were calculated using my previous job's wages and it worked out fine! The system does this automatically when they check your wage records.
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Madison Tipne
Be REALLY careful about this!!! I thought the same thing but when I filed my claim EDD only used my most recent employer's wages and my benefit amount was TINY!!! When I called to complain they said something about my previous employer not reporting my wages correctly or something. I spent WEEKS trying to get this fixed and almost lost my apartment!!!!!
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Cass Green
•That's unusual and shouldn't happen if all employers properly reported your wages to EDD. When you file for SDI, EDD automatically checks their wage database for all reported wages in your base period. If an employer failed to report your wages properly, you would need to provide proof of those wages (like W-2s or pay stubs) to have them included in your benefit calculation.
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Holly Lascelles
I've helped many people with this exact situation. Your benefit amount is based on your highest quarter of earnings during the base period, which is typically the 12 months before the last completed calendar quarter. So yes, your previous job's wages will count if they fall within your base period. One tip: have your previous employer's information ready when you file, including company name, address, and dates of employment. Also, if you have your W-2 from your previous job, keep it handy in case there are any discrepancies with your wage record that need to be resolved. You can actually use the SDI benefit calculator on the EDD website to get an estimate of your weekly benefit amount: https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/Disability_Insurance_Benefit_Calculator/
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Aliyah Debovski
•Thank you for the calculator link! I just used it and it looks like my benefit will be much better than I initially feared. I'll definitely have my W-2 ready when I apply just in case.
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Malia Ponder
I had to reach EDD about a similar issue last month. Spent days trying to get through on the phone with no luck. Finally tried a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to a real agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. The agent was able to confirm that my previous wages were being included in my benefit calculation. Totally worth it to get a definitive answer instead of stressing for weeks.
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Finley Garrett
•I've heard about this service! My friend used it when she had issues with her maternity leave claim. She said it saved her from having a complete meltdown after trying to call for days.
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Kyle Wallace
•Does this actually work? I'm always skeptical of these services... Has anyone else tried it?
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Aliyah Debovski
Update: I filed my claim yesterday and included all my employment information from both jobs. The EDD representative I spoke with confirmed that they look at the base period wages, not just current employer. She said my benefit amount would be based on my highest-earning quarter, which would definitely be from my previous job. Thanks everyone for your help and advice! Such a relief.
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Holly Lascelles
•Great news! Make sure you stay on top of your claim status through your SDI Online account. If you see any unexpected delays or issues with your benefit amount when it processes, contact EDD right away. Glad things are working out!
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Madison Tipne
Wait i'm confused... does this mean i can get disability even if i've been unemployed for a while? I worked all last year but lost my job in January and now have a medical condition...
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Cass Green
•That's a different situation. To qualify for SDI, you need to have earned enough wages during your base period AND be employed or actively looking for work when your disability begins. If you're unemployed when you become disabled, you might qualify if you were actively seeking work or if you became disabled within 14 days after your last day of work. Each situation is different though, so you should contact EDD directly about your specific circumstances.
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