Can I get EDD SDI benefits while undergoing cancer treatment?

yes u can get disability for cancer treatments. my brother did last year. its why we pay into SDI on our checks. u just need ur doctor to fill out the paperwork right. good luck with ur treatment

Absolutely, you can receive SDI benefits during cancer treatment. Here's what you need to know: 1. You'll need your oncologist to complete the medical certification portion of your disability claim (DE 2501). Make sure they include details about your treatment plan and why you cannot work. 2. File as soon as possible - there's a 7-day waiting period before benefits start, and it can take 1-2 weeks for processing. 3. Your weekly benefit amount will be approximately 60-70% of your wages (up to the maximum benefit amount). 4. With cancer treatment, you can typically get approved for the full treatment period upfront, rather than having to recertify every few weeks. I went through this in 2023 during my lymphoma treatment. The key is making sure your doctor provides detailed information about why you cannot work. Wishing you strength during your treatment journey.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE FOR CANCER PATIENTS!!! When I had cancer last year, my claim was pending for 3 WEEKS with no explanation!!! I couldn't pay my bills and almost got evicted while GOING THROUGH CHEMO!!! They expect you to just wait around while you're literally fighting for your life. And then they only pay you like 65% of your salary which barely covers anything these days. The whole system needs to be completely overhauled!!!

I work with disability claims professionally. For cancer treatment, make sure your doctor specifically indicates: 1. Your diagnosis (including ICD-10 code) 2. Expected duration of treatment 3. Why treatment prevents you from performing your specific job duties Also, be aware that SDI has that 7-day waiting period before benefits begin, so plan financially for that gap. Most cancer-related claims are processed within 7-10 business days if all paperwork is complete. If your claim gets stuck in processing or shows as pending for more than 2 weeks, you absolutely need to contact EDD. The problem is getting through to them on the phone.

when i had my cancer they made me wait like 10 days for approval and then i got backpay from when i first applied except for the waiting period. my doctor had to keep submitting forms every 2 months to keep it going during my treatment tho. make sure u follow up with your doctor office because sometimes they forget to send the forms and then ur benefits stop and its a whole mess

I'm sorry about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2024 and went through the SDI process. Here's what helped me: 1. File your claim online through SDI Online - it's faster than paper 2. Have a detailed conversation with your oncologist about your inability to work during treatment - be specific about side effects and how they impact your job duties 3. Check your claim status online regularly and save screenshots of everything 4. Set a calendar reminder for when your doctor needs to recertify (they usually need to do this every 4-8 weeks depending on your treatment plan) Also, if your SDI claim is approved but you're still struggling financially, check if your employer offers any supplemental disability insurance that might cover part of the gap between SDI benefits and your regular salary. Many employers do, but don't always mention it.

My mom just went through chemo for lung cancer and got SDI the whole time. Make sure when you apply you have your ID ready and all your doctors info handy. The form asks for like every detail about your condition and work history. Its kinda confusing but just go slow and fill it all out. Good luck with your treatment, cancer really sucks but at least the disability benefits help a little bit with the financial stress.

dose anyone know if they check ur SDI claim if ur on social media? my friend said EDD looks at ur facbook n stuff to see if ur really sick? is that true with cancer claims too???

One additional tip: While you're undergoing treatment, keep a simple log of your symptoms and how they affect your ability to work. This documentation can be helpful if your claim is questioned or if you need to extend your disability period. Remember that side effects from chemotherapy can sometimes last longer than the actual treatment period, and you may be eligible for extended benefits depending on your recovery timeline. Wishing you the best with your treatment.

I went through a similar situation with my ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2022. One thing I wish someone had told me - if you're getting chemotherapy, ask your oncologist to specify in the medical forms that you'll have "chemo brain" (cognitive impairment) in addition to the physical symptoms. This really helped strengthen my case since my job required a lot of concentration and decision-making. Also, don't hesitate to apply even if you're not sure about all the details yet - you can always update your claim as your treatment plan becomes clearer. The most important thing is getting that application in as soon as possible. Sending you strength and healing thoughts during this difficult time.