Can I get EDD SDI benefits after being laid off? Unemployed with medical condition

yep u can get disability even if ur unemployed. i did this last yr. as long as ur doctor fills out the paperwork saying u cant work

Yes, you can absolutely apply for SDI even if you're unemployed. The key requirement is having a medical condition that prevents you from working - which your herniated disc would qualify for if your doctor certifies it. Since you haven't filed for unemployment yet, apply for SDI instead (you can't collect both simultaneously). Make sure your doctor completes the medical certification form properly showing your condition began in January (while you were still employed). EDD will use your base period wages from the previous 5-18 months to calculate your benefit amount. One important note: since you've been unemployed since February 8th, apply as soon as possible. There's a 7-day waiting period, and benefits aren't retroactive beyond the application date in most cases.

I tried this and got DENIED!!! EDD said I wasn't eligible because I wasn't working when I filed my claim. They kept saying I should apply for unemployment instead. This whole system is BROKEN and they just want to deny everyone. Good luck but don't get your hopes up!!

This reminds me of when my cousin tried to get disability after being laid off from his construction job. He had a shoulder injury he'd been working through for months. It took him forever to get benefits because he kept getting conflicting information about whether to file for UI or SDI. I think he finally got approved but had to appeal or something. Ask your doctor to be really specific about when your condition started and how it prevents you from working.

Have you been able to reach EDD directly to ask about your situation? After struggling to get through on the phone for weeks, I discovered a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual SDI representative in under 25 minutes. They basically call EDD for you and transfer you once they get through. It saved me so much frustration when I had a complicated disability claim situation last month. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Highly recommend speaking directly with EDD about your specific situation since your case has that timeline element with the medical condition starting before termination.

To clarify some of the confusion here: You can receive SDI benefits while unemployed if you meet these requirements: 1. You were either working or actively looking for work when your disability began 2. You lost wages due to your disability (not just from being laid off) 3. You earned enough money during your base period to establish a claim 4. You have medical certification documenting your disability Your situation seems to qualify since your medical condition started in January while you were still employed, though you were trying to work through it. Make sure your doctor clearly documents this timeline. When you apply, be prepared to answer questions about when your disability began versus when your employment ended. Be honest about the February 8th termination, but also clear that your medical condition started before that date. Also, if approved, your benefit rate will be based on your previous wages, not affected by your current unemployment.

wait so if u get disability does that mean u cant get unemployment later?? im confused about how these work together

UPDATE: I wanted to let everyone know what happened. I applied for SDI and made sure my doctor documented that my condition started in January while I was still employed. I got approved! My weekly benefit amount is based on my wages from last year. It took about 10 days for the claim to be processed. I did have to call EDD once to clarify something on my application (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - worked great). Thank you all for the helpful advice!

Congratulations on getting approved! This is such a helpful success story for others in similar situations. Your case really shows how important it is to have proper documentation of when the medical condition started relative to employment. I'm dealing with a similar timeline issue with a workplace injury that happened before my hours were cut, so this gives me hope. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone - it means a lot to see positive outcomes in this community!

This is such great information everyone! I'm in a somewhat similar boat - got injured at work in December but didn't think it was serious enough to file for disability until now when I'm realizing I really can't do my job anymore. Reading through all these responses really clarifies the timeline requirements. @Evelyn Xu congrats on getting approved! Did they ask you for any specific documentation beyond just the doctor's certification? Like pay stubs or anything to prove you were working when the condition started?

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - got laid off in January but have been struggling with chronic migraines that started back in November while I was still working. I kept pushing through thinking they'd get better, but they've gotten so much worse that I can barely function some days. My neurologist has been treating me since December and has all the documentation. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially @Evelyn Xu's success story, gives me hope that I might qualify for SDI even though I'm no longer employed. It sounds like the key is really proving that the condition started while I was still working and having proper medical documentation. I'm going to start gathering my medical records from November/December and reach out to my doctor about the certification form. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - both the successes and the challenges. It's so valuable to hear real stories from people who've been through this process!

This whole thread has been so educational! As someone who's been navigating the EDD system myself, I wanted to add that it's also worth noting that even if your initial application gets denied, you have appeal rights. I've seen cases where people were initially denied because of confusion about employment status vs. disability onset dates, but won their appeals with proper documentation. The appeal process can take time, but it's definitely worth pursuing if you believe you qualify. Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit and document all your interactions with EDD. And definitely don't let one denial discourage you - sometimes it takes persistence to get through their system, especially with more complex timeline situations like many of you are describing. @Evelyn Xu's success story really shows that it IS possible to get approved even when unemployed, as long as the medical condition predates the job loss. Great job coming back to share your positive outcome!

Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly insightful! As someone who works in workers' compensation advocacy, I see cases like this regularly and wanted to emphasize a few key points that might help others: 1. **Medical onset date is crucial** - Your doctor's certification must clearly establish when your condition began, not just when you finally decided to seek treatment or file for benefits. 2. **Base period wages matter** - Even if you're currently unemployed, SDI benefits are calculated based on your earnings during the base period (typically 5-18 months prior), so gather those wage records. 3. **Don't wait** - The longer you delay filing after your condition prevents you from working, the more complicated it becomes to establish the connection between your disability and your work history. @Evelyn Xu's case is a perfect example of how proper documentation and timing can lead to approval even in complex situations. The fact that she had medical treatment records from January while still employed made all the difference. For anyone facing similar situations, consider consulting with a disability advocate or attorney if your case gets denied. Sometimes having professional help navigate the appeals process can make the difference between getting benefits or not.