Can I continue receiving EDD SDI benefits after being terminated from my job?

Your SDI benefits are NOT tied to your current employment status! As long as you were employed and paying into SDI when you became disabled, and your doctor continues to certify your disability, you'll keep getting benefits until your doctor releases you or you hit the maximum benefit period (usually 52 weeks). Your employer terminating you doesn't affect your SDI claim at all. I know this because I went through it last year when my company downsized while I was out on disability.

Oh thank goodness! That's such a relief to hear. I've been so stressed thinking I might lose everything at once. Do you know if this affects any return-to-work rights I might have had?

ur fine i got fired when i was on disability 2 months in and still got my benefits for another 4 months no problem just make sure ur doctor keeps submiting those forms on time

Just adding some important info: while your SDI benefits will continue, be aware that losing your job DOES affect your health insurance if you had it through your employer. You'll get a COBRA notice, but it's usually expensive. You should look into Covered California right away as losing employer coverage is a qualifying event. Also, keep in mind that when your doctor releases you, you won't be eligible for unemployment benefits right away because you need to be \

That's a really good point about the insurance! I hadn't even thought about that yet. I'll look into Covered California options right away. Thanks for the warning about unemployment too - I'll need to plan for that gap.

The whole system is such GARBAGE!! My brother got fired while on disability and then EDD kept \

That's not accurate. While EDD can be frustrating, being terminated doesn't automatically trigger a review. If your brother's payments stopped, something else was likely going on - maybe his doctor didn't submit certification forms on time or there was another issue. The system isn't perfect but spreading misinformation just causes unnecessary anxiety.

LOL ok whatever you say. My brother's doctor submitted EVERYTHING on time and they STILL froze his account for \

Hi there, I'm an HR manager and want to clarify something important - while your SDI benefits will continue, you should be aware that terminating you while on medical leave could potentially violate FMLA/CFRA protections depending on several factors (company size, how long you've worked there, if you properly requested leave, etc.). Even if your 12 weeks of protected leave are exhausted, there might be ADA or FEHA reasonable accommodation considerations. I'd recommend consulting with an employment attorney about your termination, as you may have additional rights beyond just continuing SDI benefits.

That's really helpful information. I've been with the company for 4 years and they have about 80 employees. I did formally request FMLA when this started, but that was back in March so I guess the 12 weeks would be used up already. Do you think it's still worth talking to an attorney?

Yes, it's definitely worth consulting with an employment attorney. Even after FMLA/CFRA protection ends, the ADA and California's FEHA may require your employer to provide additional leave as a reasonable accommodation unless they can prove it creates an undue hardship. Most employment attorneys offer free consultations. The fact that your doctor has a specific return date (October) rather than an indefinite leave makes your case stronger.

Thank you so much. I'll look into finding an attorney for a consultation. Really appreciate the expert advice!

Has anyone been able to get through to an actual EDD representative about this kind of issue? I had something similar happen last year and spent DAYS trying to reach someone. Eventually I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep in under 25 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd\n\nIf you're worried about your specific case, I'd recommend talking directly to EDD rather than relying solely on advice here. They can verify that your benefits will continue and note your employment change in their system.

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been trying to call EDD all week with no luck. I'll check out that service - at this point I just need definitive answers from someone official.

i used that claimyr thing too worked good but its stupid we gotta pay extra just to talk to edd when its there job to answer the phone lol

I know, right? I was annoyed too but after spending like 3 days redialing constantly I figured my time was worth something. At least I got actual answers instead of just stressing about it.

my cousin works at EDD and she says for sure you keep getting SDI after getting fired. but she also says its super important to tell EDD about the job change. you should report it through your SDI Online account AND try to call them (good luck with that tho lol). if you dont report it and they find out later from your employer it might cause problems.

That's good to know! I'll definitely report the change through my SDI Online account. Do you happen to know which section of the portal I need to use to report an employment change? I've logged in but couldn't find anything obvious about updating employment status.

i think you need to go to

Perfect - thank you! I'll do that today.

Just to wrap things up with accurate information:\n\n1. Your SDI benefits WILL continue regardless of employment status as long as you remain disabled and your doctor certifies it\n2. Report your job change to EDD through your SDI Online account (Contact DI section)\n3. Look into healthcare options immediately (COBRA or Covered California)\n4. Consider consulting an employment attorney about possible FMLA/ADA/FEHA violations\n5. Keep all your termination paperwork for future reference\n6. When you're eventually cleared to work, be aware you may need to wait before qualifying for unemployment\n\nHope everything works out for you!

Thank you so much for this clear summary. It's exactly what I needed. This community has been incredibly helpful during such a stressful time. I've already contacted an attorney and am looking at Covered California plans. I'll definitely update my SDI account with the employment change too. Really appreciate everyone's support and advice!

I'm glad you found the advice helpful! Just wanted to add one more thing that might be useful - when you do speak with the employment attorney, make sure to mention that your doctor has given you a specific return-to-work date (October) rather than an indefinite timeline. This can be really important for ADA/FEHA cases because it shows the accommodation (extended leave) has a defined end point, which courts often view more favorably. Also, document everything about your termination - save all emails, texts, and write down the details of any phone conversations with your employer while they're fresh in your memory. You're handling this situation really well by getting all your ducks in a row. Wishing you a smooth recovery!

Hey Samuel, I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through almost the exact same situation last year. I was terminated while on SDI for a workplace injury, and I was terrified about losing my benefits. But everyone here is absolutely right - your SDI will continue as long as your doctor keeps certifying your disability. The key thing is to stay on top of those medical certification forms and report the employment change to EDD promptly. I also want to second the advice about the employment attorney - I wish I had consulted one when it happened to me. Looking back, I think my employer may have violated some protections, but I was too stressed and focused on just surviving financially to pursue it. Don't make my mistake! It sounds like you're being really proactive about everything, which is great. Hang in there - this is definitely a stressful situation but you're going to get through it. Your recovery is the most important thing right now.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this double stress of injury and job loss! Just wanted to add one practical tip that helped me when I was in a similar situation - create a simple calendar or reminder system for all your important deadlines. Mark when your next doctor's appointment is, when you need to submit medical forms to EDD, your COBRA deadline if you decide to go that route, and your attorney consultation. When you're dealing with pain and stress, it's easy for important dates to slip by. I used my phone's reminder app and set alerts a few days before each deadline. Also, if you haven't already, ask your doctor's office if they can put you on a regular schedule for those EDD medical certifications - some offices will automatically send them if you're a long-term patient. Takes one thing off your plate. You're handling this really well by reaching out and getting advice from multiple sources. Keep advocating for yourself!

Hey Samuel, I've been following your thread and wanted to share something that might help ease your mind even more. I work as a benefits coordinator and deal with SDI cases regularly. One thing that's really important to understand is that SDI is actually an insurance program that YOU paid into through payroll deductions - it's not something your employer provides or controls. Think of it like car insurance - even if you sell your car, your insurance company doesn't cancel your policy for an accident that already happened. Your SDI claim was established based on your work history and contributions up to the point when you became disabled, so your employer's decision to terminate you now has absolutely no bearing on those benefits. The only things that can affect your SDI are: 1) your doctor no longer certifying you as disabled, 2) reaching the maximum benefit period, or 3) you recovering and returning to work somewhere else. Keep focusing on your recovery and don't let this employment situation add unnecessary stress to your healing process!

Hey Samuel, I just wanted to jump in here because I went through something very similar about 8 months ago. I was on SDI for a shoulder injury and got laid off during my recovery period. I was absolutely panicking just like you are now! But I can confirm everything everyone else has said - your SDI benefits will absolutely continue. The key thing that helped me was understanding that SDI is YOUR insurance that you paid for through your paychecks, not something your employer controls. When I called EDD (took forever to get through), they explained that as long as my doctor kept certifying my disability, my benefits would continue for the full period regardless of my employment status. The only paperwork I had to do was update my employment status in the SDI Online portal, which was pretty straightforward. I also want to echo what others said about the health insurance situation - that was actually my biggest headache. COBRA was ridiculously expensive for me, so I ended up going with a Covered California plan that saved me hundreds per month. Don't wait on that part! You've got this, and try not to stress too much about the SDI - that part will be fine as long as you keep up with your medical appointments and paperwork.

I'm really glad to see how supportive this community has been, Samuel! As someone who's been through a similar situation, I just wanted to add one more reassuring perspective. I was terminated while on SDI for chronic pain issues, and not only did my benefits continue seamlessly, but when I eventually recovered and started job hunting, having been on legitimate medical leave actually wasn't viewed negatively by potential employers - especially when I could show I had proper medical documentation throughout the process. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to keep copies of ALL your medical records and EDD correspondence in a dedicated folder (physical and digital). You never know when you might need to reference something, and it's much easier to stay organized from the beginning than to try to reconstruct everything later. Also, don't hesitate to ask your doctor's office for extra copies of any forms they submit to EDD - having your own records can be really helpful if there are ever any questions or delays. You're being incredibly proactive by getting legal advice and exploring all your options. That kind of self-advocacy is going to serve you well throughout this process. Focus on healing and know that the financial safety net you paid into is there for exactly this reason!

I just wanted to add my voice to all the excellent advice you've received here, Samuel. As someone who went through a similar situation about two years ago (terminated while on SDI for a back injury, actually), I can absolutely confirm that your benefits will continue. The hardest part for me was the emotional stress of feeling like everything was falling apart at once, but financially the SDI piece was actually the most stable part of the whole situation. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to consider reaching out to your state disability rights organization or a legal aid society if cost is a concern for the employment attorney consultation. Many of them have experience with disability employment issues and can sometimes provide free or low-cost guidance. Also, if you're dealing with chronic pain like I was, don't underestimate how much the stress of job loss can impact your physical recovery. I found it helpful to let my doctor know about the termination so they could factor that additional stress into my treatment plan. You're doing all the right things by getting organized, seeking legal advice, and taking care of the insurance situation. The community here has given you spot-on advice, and I just wanted to add my confirmation that yes, you absolutely will get through this. Your SDI benefits are secure, and this termination, while stressful, doesn't have to derail your recovery process.

Hey Samuel, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation on top of your injury! I went through something very similar about 18 months ago when I was on SDI for a knee surgery that required a longer recovery than expected. My employer couldn't hold my position either and terminated me about 3 months into my leave. I was absolutely terrified about losing my benefits, but everyone here is giving you 100% accurate information - your SDI will absolutely continue as long as your doctor certifies your ongoing disability. One thing that really helped me during that time was creating a simple weekly routine to stay on top of everything - I set aside every Sunday to review upcoming appointments, check my SDI account online, and make sure all my paperwork was current. When you're dealing with chronic pain and the stress of job loss, having that consistent check-in really helped me feel more in control of the situation. Also, I know it's been mentioned already, but I can't stress enough how important it is to report your employment change to EDD promptly. I did it through the SDI Online portal and it was actually pretty straightforward. They didn't reduce or stop my benefits at all - they just needed to update their records. You're being incredibly smart by consulting with an employment attorney and looking into health insurance options right away. Those were the two things I wish I had prioritized sooner. Hang in there - you're going to get through this, and your focus should be on healing. The safety net is there for exactly this reason!

Samuel, I'm really sorry you're going through this difficult situation! I can only imagine how stressful it must be to deal with a serious injury and then get hit with job termination on top of it. But I want to echo what everyone else has said - your SDI benefits will absolutely continue regardless of your employment status. I went through something similar about a year ago when I was on disability for a workplace accident and my company had to let me go due to budget cuts. I was panicked just like you, but my benefits continued without any interruption for the full duration my doctor certified me as disabled. The key things that helped me were: 1) staying organized with all my medical appointments and paperwork, 2) reporting the employment change to EDD right away through the online portal, and 3) not letting the stress interfere with my recovery process. One practical tip that really helped me was setting up automatic reminders on my phone for important deadlines - medical appointments, form submission dates, insurance deadlines, etc. When you're dealing with pain and anxiety, it's so easy for things to slip through the cracks. You're already doing everything right by consulting with an employment attorney and looking into health insurance options. Try to take it one day at a time and remember that thousands of people go through this exact situation and come out fine on the other side. Focus on your healing - that's the most important thing right now. You've got this!

Hi Samuel, I know you've gotten a lot of great advice already, but I wanted to add something that might help from a slightly different angle. I'm a social worker who helps people navigate disability benefits, and I see this situation fairly regularly. One thing I always tell my clients is that this termination, while incredibly stressful, might actually open up some opportunities you haven't considered yet. Since you now know you'll be off work until at least October, you can use this time not just to focus on your physical recovery, but also to explore vocational rehabilitation services through the state. California has excellent programs that can help with job retraining, education, or even accommodations for when you do return to work. Sometimes a forced career pause, as difficult as it is, can lead people to discover new paths they wouldn't have otherwise considered. Also, regarding the legal consultation - definitely ask the attorney about whether your employer offered any severance package, and if not, whether they should have under your company's policies or state law. Sometimes employers are so focused on the legal aspects of termination that they forget about contractual obligations. You're handling this with such grace and getting all the right ducks in a row. Your systematic approach to tackling each issue (benefits, insurance, legal rights) shows real strength. Wishing you a smooth recovery and a positive resolution to all of this!