Can I apply for EDD SDI retroactively for COVID isolation period after using all paid leave?
I caught a bad case of COVID in January this year that turned into Long COVID symptoms and had to isolate for almost 3 weeks (19 days total). My doctor officially advised me to stay home, but I had already used up all my paid sick leave earlier in the year for a family emergency. I've been back at work for about 2 months now but struggling financially because of that unpaid time. I just learned about SDI and I'm wondering - can I still apply for disability benefits retroactively to cover those 19 days? My supervisor mentioned something about a 7-day waiting period, but I'm confused about the whole process. Has anyone filed for SDI benefits after already returning to work? The medical documentation is all in my chart notes, but I'm not sure if I missed some deadline or if it's too late now.
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Benjamin Carter
Yea u can apply for backpay but theres a time limit. Think its like 45 days? Could be wrong tho so check the website
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Evelyn Martinez
•Thanks for the quick response! I'll check the website, but it's already been about 9 weeks since I returned to work. Do you know if they make exceptions to that timeframe?
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Maya Lewis
You can file a claim up to 49 days after your first day of disability, so you might be just outside that window at 9 weeks (63 days). However, EDD does allow for late filing if you can show "good cause" for the delay. Common acceptable reasons include not knowing about SDI benefits, being physically unable to file, or receiving incorrect information from medical providers about eligibility. You'll need to get your doctor to complete the medical certification form (DE 2501) for those 19 days. And yes, there is a 7-day unpaid waiting period, so you'd potentially be eligible for benefits covering 12 days. I'd recommend filing ASAP through SDI Online and including a detailed explanation about why you're filing late (not knowing about the program is valid). The worst they can do is deny it.
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Evelyn Martinez
•Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! I genuinely had no idea SDI existed until my coworker mentioned it last week. I'll file online today and make sure to explain why I'm late. Fingers crossed they accept the "not knowing about SDI" reason!
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Isaac Wright
when i got COVID last yr they made me wait the 7 days before benefits kicked in... so you'd only get paid for 12 days anyway, assuming they approve you. good luck getting through on the phone tho, took me HOURS
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Lucy Taylor
•If you're having trouble reaching EDD by phone, I'd recommend using Claimyr. It's a service that connects you directly to an EDD representative without the hours of waiting and redials. I used it when I had issues with my SDI claim and got through in about 15 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Definitely worth it when you need to get specific questions answered about a retroactive claim like this.
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Connor Murphy
I HATE to be the bearer of bad news, but EDD is SUPER strict about their deadlines. I was ONE DAY late filing my claim after surgery and they rejected it completely!!! Had to go through this whole appeal process which took FOREVER and still didn't get approved. The system is designed to reject people, not help them. 9 weeks is way past their deadline and I doubt the "I didn't know" excuse will work, but maybe you'll get lucky and get someone nice reviewing your claim.
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KhalilStar
•Not necessarily true. My sister was almost 2 months late filing and got approved because she had a legitimate reason (was in hospital then rehab). The key is documenting why you were late. Different claims examiners handle things differently.
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Amelia Dietrich
A bit confused here... isn't COVID quarantine covered under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance not SDI? That's what I used when I had to isolate last year. Or did that program end?
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Maya Lewis
•You're thinking of older programs. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) ended in September 2021. COVID illness is now treated like any other medical condition for disability purposes. If a doctor certifies you're unable to work due to COVID, you can qualify for regular SDI benefits, which is what the original poster is asking about.
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Evelyn Martinez
Update: I just tried applying online and the system wouldn't let me backdate that far (kept giving an error about exceeding the filing period). I guess I'll have to call and explain my situation directly to a representative. This is so frustrating - I was legitimately sick with doctor's orders to isolate, but might lose out on benefits just because I didn't know about the program.
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Lucy Taylor
•That's exactly why calling is important in your case. The online system has strict cutoffs, but representatives have some discretion for good cause situations. When you call, be sure to emphasize that you had no knowledge of the SDI program until recently, and that you have all the medical documentation to support your claim. Make notes about what the rep tells you (get their ID number if possible), as you might need to reference the conversation later.
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Benjamin Carter
u might qualify for paid sick leave under CA law even if ur company sick time is used up. covid has special rules sometimes. worth checking
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Evelyn Martinez
•That's a good point - I hadn't thought about that angle. I'll ask HR if there were any special COVID sick leave provisions I might have missed. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Evelyn Martinez
Final update: I was able to get through to EDD (thanks @profile1 for the Claimyr suggestion - it actually worked!). The rep said I can submit a late claim with a written explanation, but approval will depend on the disability determinations office. She suggested getting a detailed letter from my doctor explaining the COVID diagnosis, symptoms, and why I couldn't work during those specific dates. Going to the doctor tomorrow to get that documentation. Crossing my fingers this works out!
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Maya Lewis
•Excellent! That's exactly the right approach. Make sure your doctor's letter specifically addresses why you were unable to perform your "regular or customary work" during those dates, as that's the key language EDD looks for. Good luck, and please let us know how it turns out - your experience could help others in similar situations!
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