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.

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but I'm glad you're being proactive about the disability benefits. I work in HR and deal with these situations regularly. A few additional points that might help: 1. Double-check that your employer has been properly deducting SDI from your paychecks for at least the past 12 months - you can verify this on your paystubs or W-2. 2. Consider asking your doctor to submit the medical certification a day or two before you actually stop working, so EDD can start processing while you're still getting paid. 3. Keep copies of EVERYTHING - your application, medical forms, any correspondence from EDD. I've seen too many cases where documents get "lost" in the system. 4. If you have any vacation or sick time built up, check with your HR department about whether you can use it during the 7-day waiting period to avoid a gap in income. Your retail experience actually works in your favor here - the physical demands of standing, lifting, and customer service are clearly incompatible with chemo side effects. Best of luck with your treatment and recovery!

I'm really sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but you're asking all the right questions. I went through this exact situation with my breast cancer treatment in 2021. A couple of things that really helped me: 1. When you meet with your oncologist, ask them to be very specific about your functional limitations in the medical forms - not just "cannot work due to cancer treatment" but details like "unable to stand for extended periods, severe fatigue preventing 8-hour workdays, nausea affecting concentration," etc. 2. Since you work retail, emphasize how chemo side effects (fatigue, nausea, immune suppression) make it unsafe for you to be around customers and handle physical tasks. 3. Apply online through SDI Online as soon as you have your treatment start date - don't wait until your last day of work. 4. The approval process for cancer is usually pretty straightforward since it's a well-documented medical condition. Mine was approved in about 10 days. One more thing - see if your store offers any employee assistance programs or hardship funds. Some retail chains have emergency financial assistance for employees going through medical crises. You've got this, and the financial support will be there. Focus on your treatment and healing. ❤️

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis, but you're definitely eligible for SDI benefits during cancer treatment. I went through this process myself in 2023 with pancreatic cancer. Here are some key things that helped me: 1. File your claim as soon as you know your treatment start date - don't wait until your last day of work. The 7-day waiting period starts from when you file, not when you stop working. 2. Make sure your oncologist includes specific details about how chemo will affect your ability to perform your retail job duties - things like severe fatigue, nausea, compromised immune system making customer contact risky, inability to lift or stand for extended periods. 3. Ask for your disability period to cover the full treatment timeline upfront if possible. My doctor was able to certify me for 6 months initially, which saved me from having to recertify every few weeks. 4. Keep detailed records of everything - save copies of all forms, take screenshots of your online claim status, document any phone calls with EDD. The good news is that cancer-related SDI claims are typically processed fairly quickly since the medical necessity is clear. Mine was approved in 8 business days. You'll get about 60-70% of your regular wages, and they'll backdate to when your disability began (minus the 7-day waiting period). Stay strong - the financial support will be there while you focus on beating this! 💪

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but you're absolutely right to look into SDI benefits - that's exactly what the program is designed for. I went through a similar situation when my wife was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022. A few practical tips that might help: 1. Start gathering your employment records now - you'll need details about your wages, start date, and SDI contributions. Having this ready will speed up your application. 2. When you meet with your oncologist, ask them to be very detailed about your treatment schedule and expected side effects. The more specific they can be about why you can't work (fatigue, immune suppression, nausea, etc.), the stronger your claim will be. 3. Consider applying about a week before you actually need to stop working if possible. This can help minimize the gap between your last paycheck and when benefits start. 4. Check if your retail employer has any supplemental benefits or employee assistance programs - sometimes there are resources available that HR doesn't always publicize. The process can feel overwhelming when you're already dealing with a cancer diagnosis, but remember that thousands of people successfully get these benefits every year. Focus on your treatment and healing - the financial support will come through. Sending you strength during this difficult time! 🙏

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis, but you're definitely on the right track asking about SDI benefits. I went through this exact situation with my testicular cancer treatment in 2023. Here's what I wish I had known: 1. Apply online through SDI Online the moment you have a confirmed treatment start date - don't wait until your last day of work. The system can start processing while you're still getting paid. 2. Make sure your oncologist understands that the medical certification needs to be VERY specific about your functional limitations. Don't just say "cancer treatment" - specify things like "severe fatigue preventing ability to stand/walk for retail duties," "nausea interfering with customer service," "immunocompromised status making public contact unsafe," etc. 3. Ask your doctor to estimate the full treatment duration upfront if possible. Mine certified me for 5 months initially, which saved me from constant recertification stress. 4. You'll get roughly 60-70% of your wages (there's a weekly maximum), and they backdate to when your disability began minus the 7-day waiting period. 5. Keep screenshots of everything and save all documents - EDD's system can be glitchy. Cancer claims typically get approved faster than other conditions because the medical necessity is clear. Mine was processed in 6 business days. You've got this - focus on your treatment and let SDI handle the financial support. That's literally what we pay into it for! 💪❤️

I'm so sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis, but you're absolutely asking the right questions. As someone who went through this process with my lymphoma treatment in 2022, I can tell you that yes, you are definitely eligible for SDI benefits during chemotherapy. Here are some key things that helped make my process smoother: 1. **Apply immediately once you have your treatment schedule** - Don't wait until your last day of work. You can file online through SDI Online, and the 7-day waiting period starts from when you file, not when you stop working. 2. **Be very specific with your doctor about job duties** - Since you work retail, make sure your oncologist details how chemo side effects (fatigue, nausea, immune suppression, "chemo brain") specifically prevent you from standing for long periods, handling money accurately, lifting inventory, and safely interacting with customers. 3. **Ask for extended certification upfront** - Try to get your oncologist to certify you for the full 4+ months of treatment initially, rather than having to recertify every few weeks. 4. **Document everything** - Keep copies of all forms, screenshot your online claim status, and save any correspondence with EDD. Most cancer-related SDI claims are approved within 7-14 days since the medical necessity is clear. You'll receive about 60-70% of your wages, backdated to when your disability began (minus the waiting period). Also check with your retail employer's HR about any employee assistance programs or supplemental disability benefits - many companies have resources they don't always advertise. You've got this! Focus on your treatment and healing - the financial support will be there. That's exactly what SDI is designed for. Sending you strength! 💪❤️