Can I collect UI benefits during 3-week gap before doctor puts me on EDD SDI?
I got injured at work about 3 weeks ago, but my doctor only just yesterday decided to put me on disability. I've been collecting unemployment during this time since I couldn't work but wasn't officially on disability yet. My question is: can I continue claiming UI for those past 3 weeks, then switch to SDI starting from yesterday (when my doctor officially disabled me)? Or will collecting both benefits for different time periods cause problems? I really need the money for those 3 weeks, but I don't want to mess up either claim or get accused of fraud. Has anyone dealt with this transition period between UI and SDI?
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Sean Fitzgerald
u cant get both at same time. UI means ur able 2 work but just dont have a job. SDI means ur NOT able 2 work cuz of disability. they contradict each other so EDD will make u pay back one of them
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•But what if they're for different time periods? I'm saying I was on UI first (before doctor disabled me), and now switching to SDI after my doctor's decision. I'm not trying to collect both simultaneously.
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Zara Khan
This is actually a bit complicated. When you certify for UI, one of the questions asks if you were able and available to work each day. If you were injured but still technically able to work (just couldn't find a job), then UI was appropriate. Once your doctor determined you're unable to work due to disability, that's when SDI becomes appropriate. The key issue is whether you truthfully answered the UI certification questions during those 3 weeks. If you were genuinely able to work (despite the injury) until yesterday when your doctor disabled you, then you should be fine. If your injury actually made you unable to work during those 3 weeks (before the doctor's official determination), then collecting UI during that time could be problematic.
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MoonlightSonata
•I went thru something similar last year!!! My doctor backdated my disability by 2 weeks after initiall telling me to just "take it easy" at work. EDD questioned me about the overlap and I had to submit extra paperwork explaining the timeline. SUCH A HEADACHE!!! Make sure your doctor documents EXACTLY when your disability began.
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Mateo Gonzalez
The rule is simple - you can't collect both for the same time period. But for your situation, you should call EDD directly and ask them how to handle the transition. Their rules can be confusing.
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Nia Williams
•Good luck trying to get through to anyone at EDD! I spent 6 days trying to reach them about my disability claim status last month. After hundreds of calls with no answer, I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Totally worth it to get a clear answer on something like this that could affect your benefits. The agent I spoke with was actually helpful and explained exactly how my situation needed to be handled.
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Luca Ricci
I'm an employment attorney who frequently handles these cases. Here's the technical answer: UI requires that you certify you were able and available for work during each week you claim benefits. SDI requires medical certification that you were unable to perform your regular or customary work. If your doctor is stating that your disability began yesterday, and you were technically able to work (even with the injury) prior to that, then you can claim UI up until the day before your SDI begins. There is no formal "waiting period" between programs if the eligibility criteria don't overlap. However, if your doctor determines that your disability actually began 3 weeks ago (and documents this on your claim form), you would need to cancel any UI payments received during that period and transition to SDI for the entire period. The crucial factor is what your physician documents as the official beginning date of your inability to perform regular work. This date should align with when you stop claiming UI.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•Thank you SO MUCH for this clear explanation. My doctor specifically said my disability starts as of yesterday, even though I've been injured for longer. But I was technically still "able to work" according to her assessment until yesterday when my condition worsened. So based on what you're saying, it sounds like I should be okay keeping my UI for those 3 weeks and starting SDI from yesterday forward.
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Aisha Mohammed
THE EDD SYSTEM IS A FREAKING NIGHTMARE!!!! I went through something similar and they hit me with an overpayment notice SIX MONTHS LATER claiming I wasn't eligible for benefits I'd already spent. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and SAVE ALL YOUR CERTIFICATION RESPONSES!!! They will try to trap you later!
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Ethan Campbell
•omg this is giving me anxiety... i just applied for SDI and im so worried about doing something wrong accidentally!!
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Zara Khan
Just to follow up on this thread - make sure that when you file your SDI claim, you accurately report the last day you worked AND the first day you were disabled (which sounds like yesterday in your case). The DE 2501 form has specific questions about this. Your doctor will need to certify this date as well. As long as these dates are consistent with your UI certifications, you should be fine. If there's any discrepancy, EDD may investigate and potentially determine there was an overlap in benefits.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
•Update: I spoke with my doctor again and she confirmed she's marking my official disability start date as yesterday on the DE 2501 form. I've also printed out all my UI certifications showing I reported being able and available for work during those previous 3 weeks. Hopefully this documentation will prevent any issues. Thanks everyone for your help!
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