Can I get EDD SDI benefits for injuries that happened outside of work?

Yes! SDI is absolutely available for non-work injuries and illnesses. Unlike workers' comp (which is only for injuries that happen at work), State Disability Insurance covers ANY medical condition that prevents you from doing your regular work, regardless of where the injury happened. As long as you've paid into SDI through payroll deductions (check your paystub for "CASDI") and have a doctor who will certify your disability, you should qualify. You'll need to file a DE 2501 claim and have your doctor complete their portion. Apply online through SDI Online for fastest processing.

i broke my leg skiing last year, got SDI no problem

Be prepared for the waiting period though! There's a mandatory 7-day waiting period before benefits start, and then it usually takes them at least 2 weeks to process the claim after you submit everything (if there are no issues). So financially plan for at least 3 weeks with no income, probably longer honestly. And they'll only pay you for 52 weeks MAXIMUM but that's only if your doctor keeps certifying that you can't work. Most claims are shorter.

Make sure when your doctor fills out their part they are VERY specific about your work restrictions and WHY you can't do your normal job. My claim got delayed for weeks because my doctor just wrote "patient needs time off" instead of detailing exactly what my limitations were. The EDD wants to know specifically why you can't perform your "regular or customary work.

THE EDD IS THE WORST!!! I had a non-work injury last year and they denied my claim saying I didn't provide enough medical evidence even though my doctor sent EVERYTHING they asked for. Then they "lost" my appeal paperwork TWICE!!! And you can NEVER get anyone on the phone to explain anything. The whole system is designed to make you give up!!!

Just to add some clarification here: California SDI is specifically designed to cover both non-occupational injuries (like what happened to you) and illnesses. The confusion happens because many people mix up Workers' Compensation (for work injuries) with State Disability Insurance (for any medical condition regardless of cause). Your SDI benefit amount will be approximately 60-70% of your wages (depending on your income level) up to the maximum benefit amount. Make sure you have your doctor submit their certification promptly after you file your claim online through SDI Online. The sooner everything is submitted completely, the faster your claim will be processed.

wait im confused does this mean i could get disability for my surgrey last month?? it wasnt work related but i was out for 3 weeks. can i still apply or is it too late??

Update: I filed my claim online yesterday and my doctor submitted their certification this morning! The SDI Online system was actually pretty straightforward. Now it's just waiting to see if it gets approved. Thanks everyone for the advice and help!

Great to see you got everything submitted so quickly! Just wanted to add one more tip - if you need to extend your disability beyond the initial 6 weeks your doctor estimated, make sure to have them submit a continuation claim (DE 2525C) before your current certification period expires. Don't wait until the last day because there can't be any gaps in coverage. Also keep all your medical records and documentation organized in case EDD requests additional proof later. Hoping for a smooth approval process for you!

As someone who's been through the SDI process a few times, I wanted to add that you should also notify your employer about your disability claim even though it's not work-related. They can't legally retaliate against you for filing, and some employers have supplemental disability policies that might provide additional benefits. Also, make sure you understand that SDI benefits are taxable income - they don't withhold taxes automatically, so you might want to set aside some money for tax season or request voluntary withholding when you file. The ankle fracture should be pretty straightforward for approval since it's an obvious physical limitation that prevents you from performing normal work duties. Good luck with your recovery!