Can I get EDD unemployment after disability ends if my job position is gone?

YES you can apply for unemployment right after SDI ends! I did this last year. You should apply for UI the day after your disability claim ends. Don't wait because there's already a processing time. The key thing is you need to be ABLE TO WORK when you apply for UI. Your doctor has to release you from disability first, obviously. You'll need to explain during your UI application that you were on medical leave and your position is no longer available. Make sure you get something in writing from HR about your position being eliminated - you'll need it if EDD asks for proof.

Went thru this in february. the unemployment system sees you as available once your disability claim closes. But here's what gets tricky - if your company says they terminated you WHILE you were on disability that could be an issue. make sure your termination date is the same day or AFTER your disability end date!!!! file the ui claim 1st day after your disability technically ends. and be ready for them to possibly investigate - they might contact your employer to confirm your job is gone and it's not your fault.

I work in HR and deal with this situation frequently. Here's what you need to know: 1. Yes, you can transition from SDI to UI if your position is eliminated, but timing is critical. 2. For UI eligibility, you must be: - Able to work (medically cleared) - Available for work (ready to accept suitable employment) - Actively seeking work 3. File your UI claim immediately after your disability end date (not before). There will likely be a 1-week unpaid waiting period for UI. 4. Request a letter from your employer stating your position was eliminated due to restructuring. This helps establish you lost work through no fault of your own. 5. Get a medical release from your doctor stating you're cleared to return to work without restrictions (or with specific restrictions if applicable). The transition can be tricky because the EDD systems for disability and unemployment don't always communicate effectively. Be prepared to explain your situation multiple times.

my sister went thru this whole thing last year and it was a NIGHTMARE trying to get anyone at EDD on the phone to explain the transition process. she ended up using some service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a real person at EDD. they got her connected to an agent in like 20 minutes when she'd been trying for days. theres a video about how it works here https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd just throwing that out there cause the transition from SDI to UI is super confusing and sometimes you really need to talk to a human

it worked for my sister! she said it was worth it cause she was about to lose her mind trying to get through on her own lol

Everyone saying you can go right to UI is assuming your doctor is releasing you to work. If your doctor extends your disability, that would be better financially since SDI pays more than UI usually. Have you talked to your doctor about whether you'll be fully released in May?

To answer your follow-up question - I recommend informing your doctor NOW that you'll need documentation of your work status at the end of your disability period. This gives them time to prepare and ensures you have the paperwork ready exactly when your disability claim ends. Regarding benefit amounts: Yes, SDI typically pays approximately 60-70% of your wages while UI usually pays less. However, UI benefits can be extended longer in many cases, and you qualify for different support programs under UI. Each situation is unique, so having accurate documentation ready for both possibilities is your best strategy.

just wanna say that EDD is THE WORST with this transition stuff. when i went from disability to unemployment they somehow lost my application TWICE and i had to start over. definitely call them even if its a pain to get through!!!

One more thing I forgot to mention - make sure your last day of work on your UI application matches what your employer reports. My coworker had a 6-week delay in benefits because there was a 2-day discrepancy between what she put and what the company reported. The EDD computers flagged it as potential fraud even though it was just an honest mistake about dates!

DID ANYONE ELSE HAVE THEIR EMPLOYER FIGHT THEIR UI CLAIM?? My company tried to say I "abandoned my position" when I was just on approved medical leave and they eliminated my job while I was out! I had to appeal and it was a whole mess that took months to resolve.

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1) Talk to my doctor now about documentation I'll need when disability ends, 2) Get written confirmation from HR about my position being eliminated and the exact dates, 3) File for UI immediately after my SDI ends, and 4) Keep detailed records of everything in case there are any disputes. I'm still nervous about the transition, but feel much more prepared now.