Can I get EDD SDI benefits for 3 weeks off work when I only have 24 hours of sick leave?

Yes, you can absolutely apply for SDI for a 3-week period! There's no requirement that you exhaust your sick leave first, though many people do use it simultaneously or before SDI kicks in. Here's what you need to know: 1. SDI has a 7-day waiting period before benefits begin (this is unpaid) 2. Your doctor will need to complete the medical certification portion 3. You can receive approximately 60-70% of your wages while on disability I'd recommend applying as soon as your doctor confirms the surgery date. You can file online through SDI Online, and your doctor will need to submit their portion electronically too. Don't wait until after surgery to start the process.

went thru this exact thing last year!! use ur sick days during the waiting period, thats what i did. then SDI kicks in after. my HR dept helped me with the paperwork it wasnt that bad

Good luck getting approved in time for your surgery!! EDD is a NIGHTMARE to deal with. I was denied twice for my legitimate disability claim and had to appeal. The system is BROKEN and they barely answer phones. You have to call literally 50+ times to get through and even then they'll probably hang up on you. Just warning you to start the process NOW if you need the money by next month.

I went through this exact situation in 2023. To answer your specific questions: 1. You don't have to use sick leave first, but it makes financial sense to use your sick leave during the 7-day waiting period since SDI won't pay for those days anyway. 2. Three weeks definitely qualifies - the minimum is 8 consecutive days of disability. 3. Apply online through SDI Online as soon as possible: https://edd.ca.gov/disability/ 4. Your doctor will need to certify your disability by completing their portion of the DE 2501 form. 5. Make sure your name matches exactly between your ID, work records, and medical records or you could face delays. If you run into trouble reaching EDD by phone (which happens a lot), I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes when I was having claim issues. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Hope your surgery goes well!

My situation was kinda similar but I was out for 8 weeks instead of 3. I used my PTO first then went on SDI. Just make sure your doctor fills out all the paperwork correctly or it'll get denied. Also the first payment took almost 3 weeks to come through so have some savings ready if possible.

wait am i the only one confused why you wouldn't just use sick time? isnt that what its for?

I just went through this whole process in February! One thing no one mentioned yet - make sure your employer knows you're applying for SDI. Some companies require you to use all your sick time first (even though the state doesn't require it). My company also had me fill out FMLA paperwork at the same time to protect my job while I was out. Also, the EDD website says they process claims in 5-7 days but mine took 12 days to get approved, then another week before I got paid. Just FYI so you can plan accordingly!

To answer your follow-up question - you can qualify for multiple SDI claims in a year as long as they're for different medical conditions. Each claim has its own 7-day waiting period though. The maximum benefit period is 52 weeks, but that's the total across a 12-month period. Regarding your approval timeline question: For straightforward surgical procedures with clear recovery timelines, approval typically takes 7-14 days if all documentation is submitted correctly. The first payment usually arrives 2-3 days after approval if you choose the EDD debit card option.

Btw does anyone know if the vacation/sick pay affects how much SDI you get? Like if I use some PTO during disability does that reduce my SDI payment for that week?

did you ask if ur doctor takes SDI online? some still use paper forms and that takes FOREVER. my friend had to wait like 6 weeks to get paid bc her doctor did paper forms