Can I receive CA SDI benefits for knee surgery recovery while on Social Security?

You can definitely apply for SDI! Being on Social Security retirement doesn't disqualify you. As long as you're currently working and paying into SDI through your paychecks (look for the "CASDI" deduction), you should be eligible. The key thing is having a doctor complete the medical certification.

i went thru this exact thing last year with my shoulder surgery!!! social security doesnt care if you get disability for a few months, its totally separate systems. but make sure your doctor fills out the forms COMPLETELY or you'll get stuck in processing hell for weeks. happened to me and was a nightmare

The important thing to understand is that CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Social Security are completely separate programs. SDI is based on your recent CA wages where you paid SDI taxes, while Social Security is a federal program. As others mentioned, you can absolutely receive both simultaneously. Your benefit amount will be approximately 60-70% of your wages earned during your base period (usually 5-18 months before your claim). Since you're working part-time, your benefit will be proportionally lower than someone working full-time, but you're still entitled to it!

I was in an almost identical situation last year - on SS retirement while working part-time as a school cafeteria worker. Had to get hip replacement surgery. The most important thing is to get your claim started ASAP. I had to wait almost 5 weeks to get my first SDI payment because my doctor didn't complete the medical certification correctly the first time. Give yourself plenty of time before surgery to get everything filed. Your benefit will be based on your highest quarter of earnings during the base period, so it won't be huge with part-time work, but it definitely helps cover the gap.

I tried calling EDD for weeks about my disability claim and NEVER got through. Wasted hours on hold every day. Finally used this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual EDD rep in about 20 minutes. Totally worth it. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Their website is claimyr.com - saved me so much frustration!

A few practical tips for your SDI application: 1. File online through SDI Online - it's much faster than paper 2. Make sure your doctor is registered in EDD's system before your appointment (they should know their SDI number) 3. Your part-time wages will determine your benefit amount - SDI pays about 60-70% of your average wages 4. There's a 7-day waiting period before benefits begin, so plan accordingly 5. Keep meticulous records of all communications with EDD Also, make sure your doctor provides very specific work restrictions and recovery time on your medical certification. This helps prevent delays in processing.

my neighbor had knee surgery and got denied sdi cause of some paperwork issue but then appealed and got approved but it took like 2 months so make sure ur doctor fills everything out right the first time!!! also the online system is super glitchy so save copies of EVERYTHING

One more thing to be aware of - while receiving SDI, you cannot work at all (even reduced hours) until your doctor certifies you can return to work. This is different from Social Security retirement where you can work part-time. Make sure you understand this distinction so you don't accidentally create an overpayment situation.

I'm in a similar situation (67, on SS, working part-time) and considering knee replacement too. Please keep us updated on how your claim goes! I'm worried about the same things you are.

Just wanted to add that you should also check with your grocery store's HR about any short-term disability benefits they might offer through their employee benefits package. Sometimes these can supplement your SDI benefits or cover the 7-day waiting period. Also, if you're union, they may have additional resources or advocate for you with EDD if you run into issues. Don't forget to factor in that your Social Security retirement benefits will continue uninterrupted during your recovery - that's one less thing to worry about! Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery process.

Hi Miles! I went through almost the exact same situation last year - I'm 65, on Social Security retirement, and work part-time at Target. Had to get knee replacement surgery and was terrified about the finances. The good news is that you absolutely CAN get SDI benefits while receiving Social Security retirement - they're completely separate systems! My advice: Start your SDI application online as soon as your doctor gives you a surgery date. Don't wait until after surgery like I did - I lost almost 3 weeks of benefits because of the processing time. Also, make sure your doctor knows they need to be very specific about your work restrictions and expected recovery time on the medical forms. One thing that helped me was calculating roughly what my SDI benefit would be beforehand using EDD's online calculator, so I could budget accordingly. With part-time wages, it won't replace your full income, but every bit helps during recovery. The whole process was less scary than I thought it would be once I got started. You've got this!