Can I apply for SDI after being laid off if work caused severe anxiety/depression?

This is a tricky situation, but you might have options. The key question is whether your doctor will certify that your disability (anxiety/depression) prevents you from doing your "regular or customary work" regardless of the layoff. The fact that you had documented mental health issues before the layoff is important. You need to talk to your doctor ASAP about whether they'll support an SDI claim. Timing matters here - if too much time passes after the layoff, it becomes harder to connect your disability to your previous employment. Also worth noting that SDI pays approximately 60-70% of your wages, which might be more than UI depending on your income. I went through something similar in 2023 (different industry, similar situation). My doctor certified my claim 3 weeks after my layoff because my anxiety/depression made me unable to work or effectively job search. EDD initially questioned it but ultimately approved my claim.

I don't think u can get both UI and disability at the same time. UI means ur able to work but just don't have a job. SDI means u CANT work bc of medical issues. Its one or the other from what I know. My roomate tried to do both last year and got a nasty letter saying he had to pay money back.

Okay but WHY were you going to take medical leave BEFORE the layoff but now suddenly need disability AFTER? Sounds like you're just trying to get more money since UI isn't enough. The system is for people who are ACTUALLY disabled not just stressed about money. Sorry to be harsh but some of us have real disabilities and it's frustrating when people try to game the system.

Have you tried calling EDD directly to ask about your situation? I think they'd give you the most accurate answer about switching from UI to SDI. The problem is actually REACHING someone at EDD - I spent 3 weeks trying to get through about my disability claim last month and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an EDD representative in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd that shows how it works. It was worth it because the EDD agent was able to explain exactly what documentation I needed and how to handle my specific situation. Might be worth checking out since your case is complicated.

Another important point: If your doctor does support your disability claim, you'll need to submit the claim within 49 days of when your disability began. This is why it's critical to talk to your doctor right away and be clear about when your condition began affecting your ability to work (which sounds like it was before the layoff). Also, be prepared that your claim might require additional review since it's coming after a layoff. EDD sometimes flags these cases for extra scrutiny to prevent exactly what the other commenter was suggesting (people using SDI to get higher benefits). Having clear medical documentation from before the layoff will help your case. I'd recommend downloading the DE 2501 form from the EDD website and reviewing it with your doctor before they submit it electronically. The way your doctor describes your condition and its impact on your ability to work is crucial.

I went thru similar in 2024!! Lost my nursing job and was already seeing therapist for anxiety from work stress. My doc put me on SDI for 3 months even tho I got laid off 2 wks before filing. Had to provide LOTS of documentation tho and theey kept asking for more info. took almost 5 wks to get approved but it did work. Helped me get back on my feet mentally b4 job hunting again.

Since you've already filed for UI but haven't received payments, here's what you need to do if your doctor supports an SDI claim: 1. Contact EDD to withdraw your UI claim (document this communication) 2. Have your doctor complete the medical certification for SDI 3. File your SDI claim through SDI Online (https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/SDI_Online.htm) 4. Provide clear documentation of your pre-existing condition 5. Be prepared to explain the timeline of your condition in relation to the layoff Also, as someone mentioned, look into Covered California immediately rather than COBRA. If you have no income currently, you'll likely qualify for Medi-Cal or heavily subsidized coverage that will be FAR cheaper than COBRA while providing comparable benefits for your mental health needs. Finally, some mental health providers offer sliding scale fees for patients without insurance. Ask your current providers if they have such options while you're sorting out your coverage.

I wanted to add something that might help with your situation. If your doctor does support your SDI claim, make sure they're very specific about how your anxiety and depression symptoms prevent you from performing work tasks - not just that you have these conditions. EDD looks for functional limitations like inability to concentrate, make decisions, interact with others, or handle stress. Also, since you mentioned the Bay Area and tech work, you might want to check if your former employer offered any Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits that could help with mental health costs during this transition. Some companies extend these benefits for 30-90 days after termination. One more thing - if you do get approved for SDI, you can potentially extend it beyond the initial period if your doctor continues to certify that you're unable to work. This could give you more time to properly address your mental health before jumping back into the stressful job market. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow!

I'm sorry you're going through this difficult situation. As someone who has navigated similar challenges, I wanted to share a few additional considerations that might help: First, document everything from your therapy sessions and medical visits that occurred BEFORE your layoff. This timeline is crucial for establishing that your condition predates the job loss. Request copies of all your medical records from the past year if you don't already have them. Second, consider asking your therapist to write a letter supporting your claim, in addition to your primary doctor's certification. Mental health professionals often have detailed documentation about how work stress was affecting your daily functioning, sleep, appetite, and ability to concentrate - all of which are relevant to SDI eligibility. Third, if you do switch to SDI, remember that you'll need to continue following your treatment plan (therapy, medication compliance, etc.) to maintain eligibility. EDD sometimes requests updated medical information during longer claims. Finally, don't let anyone make you feel guilty about needing these benefits. You've been paying into the system, and severe anxiety/depression absolutely can be disabling conditions. The fact that you were already planning to seek medical leave shows this isn't a sudden decision made just for financial reasons. Take care of yourself, and I hope your doctor's appointment goes well tomorrow.

I've been following this thread as someone who went through a very similar situation last year. I wanted to add that when you meet with your doctor tomorrow, it's helpful to bring a written summary of your specific symptoms and how they impact your ability to work. Things like "I can't concentrate for more than 10 minutes at a time," "I have panic attacks when I think about job searching," or "I'm only sleeping 2-3 hours per night" give doctors concrete examples to include in their certification. Also, if you do get approved for SDI, the weekly benefit amount is usually higher than UI for most people since it's based on your highest quarter of earnings in the base period. For tech workers in the Bay Area, this often means significantly more than the UI maximum. One thing I wish someone had told me: if your claim gets initially denied (which sometimes happens with mental health claims), don't give up. You can appeal with additional documentation. My initial claim was denied because my first doctor wasn't specific enough about my functional limitations, but I got approved on appeal with a more detailed medical report. Hang in there - prioritizing your mental health isn't selfish, it's necessary. The job market will still be there when you're ready to handle it.

I'm so glad you're taking the step to prioritize your mental health - that takes real courage. Just wanted to add one more practical tip for your doctor appointment: bring a list of all your current medications and any side effects you've been experiencing. Sometimes anxiety/depression medications can cause fatigue, brain fog, or other symptoms that further impact your ability to work, and this can strengthen your SDI case. Also, if your doctor does support your claim, ask them about the expected duration of your disability. They can always extend it later if needed, but having their initial assessment of how long you might need for recovery can help with your financial planning and give you peace of mind. One last thing - while you're waiting for SDI approval (which can take several weeks), look into local food banks and mental health resources. Many Bay Area organizations offer sliding-scale therapy and support groups specifically for people dealing with work-related trauma and job loss. San Francisco Mental Health Association and similar organizations in other counties often have great programs. You're going to get through this. Taking care of your mental health now will set you up for much better success when you're ready to re-enter the workforce. Rooting for you!

I'm really glad to see how supportive this community has been for you, Zainab. As someone who works in HR and has seen many employees struggle with similar situations, I wanted to add that if your SDI claim is approved, you might also want to ask your doctor about whether you'd qualify for reasonable accommodations when you do return to work - things like flexible schedules, work-from-home options, or reduced responsibilities during your transition back. Many people don't realize that having a documented mental health condition that qualified for SDI can also entitle you to workplace accommodations under the ADA when you're ready to work again. This could help you avoid ending up in another toxic work situation that triggers your anxiety and depression. Also, since you mentioned being in tech, there are some industry-specific mental health resources like Open Sourcing Mental Illness (OSMI) that focus on reducing stigma around mental health in tech workplaces. They have support groups and resources that might be helpful as you navigate both recovery and eventually job searching in a healthier way. Best of luck with your doctor appointment - you're taking all the right steps to take care of yourself.

I just wanted to echo what others have said about the importance of timing - definitely get that doctor's appointment scheduled ASAP if you haven't already. I was in a similar situation about 6 months ago (different field, but same work-related anxiety/depression issues) and the 49-day window from when your disability began is really crucial. One thing that helped me was keeping a simple daily log of my symptoms and how they affected my ability to function - things like hours of sleep, panic attacks, inability to concentrate on basic tasks, etc. Even if you start this now, it can show the ongoing nature of your condition and help your doctor understand the severity. Also, regarding the UI vs SDI question - you definitely can't collect both simultaneously, but switching from UI to SDI is totally legitimate if your medical condition prevents you from working. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're gaming the system. Mental health conditions are real disabilities, and you've been paying into SDI for exactly this type of situation. The fact that you have documented therapy sessions from before the layoff is huge for your case. Make sure to get copies of those records to provide with your claim. Wishing you the best with your doctor appointment!

I'm so sorry you're going through this situation - it sounds incredibly overwhelming to deal with both job loss and severe mental health challenges at the same time. From what I've seen in similar cases, the key is going to be having your doctor clearly document that your anxiety and depression were significantly impacting your ability to work BEFORE the layoff occurred, not as a result of it. The good news is that you have therapy documentation going back 9 months showing work-related anxiety, which is exactly the kind of evidence that can support your case. When you meet with your doctor, be very specific about functional limitations - can't concentrate for extended periods, difficulty making decisions, physical symptoms like panic attacks, sleep disruption, etc. The more concrete examples you can provide of how these symptoms prevent you from performing work tasks, the stronger your claim will be. Regarding the timing, you're right to be concerned about the 49-day window, but since your condition predates the layoff, you should still be within the timeframe if you act quickly. And yes, you'll need to withdraw your UI claim before applying for SDI since you can't collect both simultaneously. One thing to keep in mind - SDI typically pays 60-70% of your wages (up to a maximum), which for someone in tech could very well be more than the UI maximum of $450/week. This might actually provide better financial relief while you focus on getting proper treatment. Have you considered looking into Covered California for health insurance instead of COBRA? Given your current situation, you'd likely qualify for significant subsidies that would make coverage much more affordable than that $780/month COBRA premium. Take care of yourself, and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for seeking the benefits you've been paying into. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and severe anxiety/depression absolutely can be disabling conditions.

I'm really impressed by how thoughtfully this community has supported you through this difficult situation. As someone who's worked in disability advocacy for several years, I wanted to add a few additional points that might help: First, when you meet with your doctor tomorrow, consider bringing a "functional capacity" timeline - not just when symptoms started, but specifically when they began interfering with work tasks. For example, "Starting in June 2024, I began having panic attacks during code reviews" or "By September 2024, my concentration issues meant I couldn't debug complex problems that I used to handle easily." This helps establish the progressive nature of your work-related disability. Second, if your doctor supports your SDI claim, ask them to include specific language about your inability to handle "customary work" rather than just general work. Since you were in tech, they should mention how anxiety/depression impacts cognitive functions critical to programming - sustained concentration, problem-solving under pressure, handling criticism/feedback, etc. Also, don't underestimate the value of your therapist's documentation. Many successful SDI claims for mental health conditions rely heavily on detailed therapy notes that show the progression and severity of symptoms over time. Finally, if you do get approved, remember that SDI allows for some vocational rehabilitation services if you need help transitioning back to work with accommodations. This could be valuable given the toxic work environment that contributed to your condition. You're taking all the right steps, and it sounds like you have strong documentation to support your case. Best of luck with your appointment tomorrow!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that might be helpful for your situation. When I applied for SDI for work-related anxiety/depression in 2023, one thing that really strengthened my case was having my doctor include specific examples of how my symptoms made me unable to perform the essential functions of my job, not just that I had anxiety and depression. Since you're in tech, make sure your doctor understands and documents how your condition affects things like: sustained focus during coding sessions, ability to troubleshoot complex problems, participation in team collaborations, handling deadline pressure, and processing feedback during code reviews. These are core job functions that anxiety and depression can significantly impair. Also, the fact that you have 9 months of therapy documentation discussing work-related stress is huge for your case. That timeline clearly shows your condition was deteriorating while you were still employed, which directly contradicts any suggestion that you're just trying to get better benefits after a layoff. One practical tip: when you call EDD to withdraw your UI claim (if your doctor supports SDI), get the representative's name and a confirmation number. Document everything in writing. The transition between programs can get messy if there's any confusion about timing. You're doing the right thing by prioritizing your mental health. I was hesitant to apply for disability benefits at first because of stigma, but it gave me the time and financial stability I needed to properly address my condition. Now I'm back at work with better boundaries and coping strategies. Take care of yourself first - everything else will follow.