Can I certify for EDD SDI weeks intermittently instead of consecutively?

u cant do that. SDI is for continuous disability. if ur going back to work even part time u gotta report that and theyll adjust ur benefit amount. u cant just skip weeks and expect to get full payment later.

The previous comment isn't entirely accurate. With SDI, you do need to certify consecutively, but you can report partial return to work. If your doctor prescribed an intermittent work schedule as part of your recovery plan, you should continue certifying every benefit period (usually every two weeks) and report any wages earned during that period. SDI will then calculate a reduced benefit amount for periods when you worked partially. This is called Partial Disability Benefits. You cannot, however, choose to skip certifications and then claim them later. The certification schedule is fixed based on your claim start date, and you must certify for each period when it's due, reporting any work/wages accurately.

Same thing happened with my cousin last year! She had to do every single certification on time or they CLOSED her claim and she had to start ALL OVER AGAIN with paperwork!! The EDD is so strict about this stuff its ridiculous!!!!

To add to what others have said, your situation sounds like what's called a "reduced work schedule" under SDI. You need to certify for all periods, but you report how many hours you worked and how much you earned during each certification period. EDD then calculates your partial disability benefits using a specific formula. Important: Your doctor needs to specifically certify that this reduced/alternating work schedule is part of your medical treatment plan. Otherwise, EDD might interpret your return to work (even partial) as evidence you're no longer disabled. Make sure your medical provider completes the appropriate section on the DE 2501 form indicating the reduced work schedule is medically necessary. Also, keep in mind that your SDI claim has a maximum benefit amount. Spreading out benefits with partial work doesn't make the total amount larger - it just stretches the same amount over a longer period.

I tried calling EDD about something similar last month and was on hold for HOURS. Never got through. Such a broken system!

One more thing to be aware of: when you certify for SDI with partial work, you must report your gross wages (before taxes) for the days you worked during that certification period, even if you haven't been paid yet. Many people make the mistake of only reporting what they've actually received in their paycheck during that period, which can lead to overpayment issues later. Also, your weekly benefit amount is reduced by the amount of wages you earn, but you can still receive some SDI benefits as long as your wages are less than your weekly benefit amount. This approach of combining part-time work with partial SDI benefits can sometimes help you extend your claim period, but as I mentioned before, it doesn't increase the maximum benefit amount you're eligible to receive.

I went through this exact situation in 2024 with my shoulder injury! My physical therapist recommended I work 2 days on, 3 days off each week. Here's what I learned: you MUST certify for EVERY period when it becomes available. On your certification form, there's a question asking if you worked during the period. You say YES, and then you enter which specific days you worked and how much you earned on those days. The EDD system will then automatically calculate your partial benefits. In my case, I was earning about 40% of my normal wages from my part-time work, and SDI gave me about 60% of my usual benefit amount. It worked out pretty well. But don't skip certifications! That's the biggest mistake you could make. Your claim will be suspended if you miss certifications.

my sister tried to do someting similar last year and ended up owing EDD money back because she didnt report correctly. be super careful with how you fill out those forms!!!!

Based on all the advice here, your next steps should be: 1. Continue certifying for every period when prompted by EDD 2. Accurately report any days worked and wages earned during each certification period 3. Make sure your medical provider has properly documented that your intermittent work schedule is part of your treatment plan 4. Keep detailed records of your work schedule and earnings for at least 3 years (in case of an audit) 5. If you have trouble understanding how to report properly, consider contacting EDD directly for guidance specific to your situation This approach will ensure you receive the appropriate benefits while following the rules, and will help you avoid any issues with overpayments or claim suspensions.

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I was dealing with a similar situation - make sure to take screenshots or print copies of each certification you submit, especially the pages where you report your work days and wages. I learned this the hard way when EDD claimed they never received information I was sure I had submitted. Having those records saved me from a huge headache when they did an audit of my claim six months later. Also, if your employer pays you weekly vs. bi-weekly, make sure you understand which pay periods align with your EDD certification periods - they don't always match up perfectly and it can get confusing when reporting wages.

I'm new here but dealing with a similar situation right now! I've been on SDI for a knee injury and my physical therapist wants me to start working 3 days a week next month. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - I had no idea about the partial disability benefits option. One question I have is about timing - if my doctor clears me to start the reduced schedule mid-way through a certification period, do I report the work for just the days I actually worked in that period, or do I need to wait until the next certification period starts? Also, has anyone had experience with EDD questioning the medical necessity of the reduced schedule? I'm worried they might think I'm trying to game the system even though it's legitimately part of my recovery plan.