Can I get EDD SDI benefits for injuries from car accident causing herniated discs?

You CAN apply for SDI! It's not just for work injuries. As long as ur doctor will certify that u can't work due to disability, doesn't matter if it was car accident. I got SDI after breaking my leg skiing, nothing to do with my job.

Yes, you absolutely qualify for State Disability Insurance (SDI) benefits in California. SDI covers disabilities regardless of whether they're work-related or not. The important factors are: 1. Your doctor needs to certify you're unable to perform your regular work due to your condition 2. You must have paid into SDI through previous employment (check your paystubs for "SDI" deductions) 3. You need to apply within 49 days of becoming disabled, though there are exceptions for "good cause" delays In your case, the disability is clear, but the timing might be tricky. If your doctor only recently determined you can't work at all, you may still be within the filing window. When did your doctor officially say you couldn't work anymore?

ya but be careful cuz if ur getting any car insurance payments for lost wages that might impact ur SDI benefits!! my cousin had something similar happen and he had to report his insurance settlements

I went through something very similar in 2024 after a motorcycle accident left me with spinal injuries. I had the same question and almost didn't apply because I thought SDI was only for work injuries. My lawyer actually told me I should apply. Here's what you need to know: 1. Your doctor needs to complete the medical certification form (DE 2501) explaining why you can't work 2. Apply ASAP through SDI Online - even if you're slightly late, apply anyway and explain the delay 3. You'll need to provide your income information from the past 18 months 4. The benefit is approximately 60-70% of your regular wages My benefits were approved within 2 weeks and it saved me financially while I was waiting for my case to settle. The SDI payments had nothing to do with my legal case - they're completely separate systems.

no no no this is NOT what SDI is for!!!!! SDI is for WORK injuries, you need to file for disability through social security!!! don't waste your time with EDD they'll deny you

Have you tried calling EDD to ask about your situation? Good luck with that - I spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone about my disability claim. Constant busy signals, disconnects, or being on hold for hours only to get hung up on. So frustrating!! I finally found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD representative in about 20 minutes after weeks of failed attempts. It's at claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Talking to an actual person at EDD made all the difference with my claim - they explained exactly what documentation I needed and even helped identify why my claim was stuck in processing. Definitely worth checking out if you're struggling to reach someone.

I'm a workers' comp attorney, and while your situation isn't workers' comp related, I can confirm that CA SDI absolutely covers disabilities from non-work injuries like your car accident. Here's what you need to know: - The 49-day filing deadline starts from when your doctor certifies you cannot work, NOT from the date of injury - If your doctor certified you 3 weeks ago, you're still within the timeframe to file - Your SDI claim is completely separate from any car insurance settlement - Your benefits will be based on your highest quarter of earnings in the 5-18 months before your disability began SDI typically pays around 60-70% of your regular wages up to the maximum benefit amount (currently $1,620/week in 2025). File online through SDI Online for the fastest processing. Make sure your doctor submits the medical certification promptly, as that's often what delays claims.

I just remembered!!!! you should ask ur doctor if you qualify for BOTH SDI and maybe partial disability??? sometimes you can get both if ur like kinda able to work but not full time?? my friend did that

To answer your question about starting benefits before surgery - YES, you can! You don't have to wait for the surgery to start receiving benefits. As long as your doctor has certified that you're unable to work NOW due to your medical condition, you qualify immediately. I was in the same boat last year. My doctor certified my disability while I was waiting for surgery approval from insurance. I received SDI benefits during that waiting period, through the surgery, and during recovery. The key is the doctor's certification that you cannot perform your regular work. One tip: make sure your doctor is specific about your work limitations on the medical certification form. Some doctors write vague notes that can cause EDD to request more information, which delays your claim.

One more important thing - your SDI claim is completely separate from any personal injury claim you have against the other driver. Receiving SDI benefits won't reduce your settlement. However, you should tell your personal injury attorney that you're applying for SDI benefits, as they need to know about all sources of income related to your injury for their calculations. Also, prepare for the possibility that you might need to extend your SDI claim depending on your recovery time. Initial SDI claims typically cover up to 52 weeks, but your doctor will need to continue certifying your disability periodically throughout your recovery. Mark your calendar for when recertifications are due to avoid any interruptions in benefits.

I just want to add that when you apply online through SDI Online, make sure you have all your employment history for the past 18 months ready - including that Instacart gig work you mentioned. Even though it was recent and brief, you'll need to report all income sources. Also, don't let the online application intimidate you if some questions seem confusing. You can always call for help or even submit it incomplete and provide additional info later. The most important thing is getting your claim started ASAP since you're already 3 weeks from when your doctor certified you can't work. One last tip: take screenshots of everything you submit online and keep copies of all documents. EDD systems can be glitchy and having your own records will save you headaches if anything gets lost in their system.