Can I receive both CA SDI and private long-term disability at the same time?

Yes, you can generally receive both SDI and private LTD benefits, but there's some important details to understand. Most private LTD policies are designed to supplement state disability, not duplicate it. What typically happens is the private insurer will offset their payments by what you receive from SDI. For example: If your salary is $5,000/month, SDI pays $3,000 (60%), and your LTD covers 40% ($2,000), you'd likely receive $3,000 from SDI and then $2,000 from the private insurer, effectively getting 100% of your salary. However, some LTD policies have a maximum benefit cap regardless of what other benefits you're receiving. You should carefully review your employer's specific LTD policy documents - look for sections called

Thank you! This is super helpful. I'll dig into the policy details to find that

I went thru this last year!!! my job LTD plan paid me directly but it was only like 25% of my pay becuz they subtracted what EDD gave me. still better than just the state $ alone tho!! the paperwork was a PAIN but worth it. oh and my LTD company made me apply for SSDI too even tho i knew i wouldnt qualify but they MADE me do it anyway. so heads up about that.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Did you have to resubmit all your medical documentation to the private insurance, or were they able to use what was already submitted for your state claim? And how long did it take for them to approve you once you applied?

had to submit ALL new stuff. took like 3 weeks for approval, they called my dr twice. and they made me fill out a form EVERY MONTH. way more paperwork than EDD!!!

I manage benefits for a mid-sized company, and I can provide some insight. The relationship between SDI and private LTD is called

not to hijack but my LTD plan says its non-integrated... does that mean I can get FULL benefits from both?? that would be amazing if true!

Non-integrated plans are rare these days, but yes, it would potentially allow you to collect both benefits without offset. However, I'd still recommend checking with your benefits administrator. Some plans are technically non-integrated but still include specific language about

I've been on SDI for 4 months and dealing with the exact same issue. Trying to get through to EDD about this has been IMPOSSIBLE. I've called literally 50+ times over the past two weeks and can't get any human being to answer basic questions about how my private disability affects my state benefits. The edd phone system is a nightmare maze that usually disconnects me. When I finally did get through once, I was on hold for an hour and then they hung up on me! I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an EDD representative in about 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The EDD rep told me that state disability doesn't reduce your benefits because of private LTD - it's usually the private insurance that reduces their payment based on what you get from the state. So definitely apply for both! The EDD rep also told me to make sure I report the private disability payments when I certify each period, but it doesn't affect the state benefit calculation.

Thank you for sharing this! It's so frustrating how difficult it is to get information. I'll definitely check out that service if I need to actually speak with someone at EDD. Did you have to provide any documentation to EDD showing what your private disability was paying you?

No, they didn't ask for documentation - just to report the amount when I certify. But the private LTD company wanted copies of my EDD award notices to calculate their portion. Just be prepared that the private company will likely want more ongoing proof of disability than EDD does.

my neighbor got fired when she tried to claim both!!! be very careful companies don't like it when u try to get 'double benefits' they call it!!

That would be illegal. An employer cannot fire someone for claiming benefits they're legally entitled to - that would be grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit. There must be more to that situation than just applying for both benefits, as it's a completely standard and legal practice to receive both state and private disability benefits simultaneously.

well idk the whole story but thats what she told me!! maybe there was more to it. just saying be careful!!

Make sure you read ALL the fine print on both SDI and the private LTD!!!! When I had surgery in 2024, I thought I would get both payments too, but what ACTUALLY happened was: 1. SDI paid their 60% (about $3,400/month in my case) 2. My private LTD was SUPPOSED to pay 66.7% of my salary 3. BUT they subtracted what SDI paid, so they only gave me an extra 6.7% (about $380/month) So I got about 66.7% total, NOT 100% like I originally thought!!!! 😡 The insurance companies are NOT your friends and they WILL find ways to pay you as little as possible!!!! They made me submit SO MUCH documentation every month and kept trying to say I could go back to work before my doctor said I was ready. The whole process is DESIGNED to be confusing and difficult!!!

That's exactly what I'm worried about - going through all the hassle for a minimal increase in benefits. But honestly, even an extra 6-7% would help right now. Every bit counts when you're on a reduced income. Thanks for sharing your experience.

One important point nobody has mentioned: SDI is generally tax-free at the state level and may be partially or fully tax-free federally (depending on whether you paid the premiums with pre-tax or post-tax dollars). Private LTD benefits are typically taxable if your employer paid the premiums (which is most common). This tax difference can significantly impact your actual take-home amount, so keep this in mind when comparing benefit percentages. A 60% tax-free benefit might be roughly equivalent to a 75-80% taxable benefit in terms of actual spending power. Definitely apply for the LTD, but be prepared for the possibility that your total take-home might not be a full 100% of your previous net pay.

wait SDI isnt taxed?? i've been paying taxes on mine this whole time!

California SDI benefits are not subject to CA state income tax. For federal taxes, it depends on how you paid into the system. If your SDI contributions were taken from your paycheck after taxes, then your benefits would be tax-free federally. If your contributions were pre-tax, then your benefits would be subject to federal income tax. Most employee contributions in California are post-tax, meaning most people's SDI benefits are completely tax-free, but you should verify your specific situation.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I've learned from my research. First, definitely apply for both - you're entitled to whatever benefits you've earned through your premiums and employer contributions. One thing I discovered that might help you is to request a "benefit estimate" from your employer's LTD carrier before you actually apply. Most insurers will provide this if you call them directly. This way you'll know exactly how much they plan to pay after the SDI offset, so you can decide if the paperwork is worth it. Also, timing matters! Since you're close to the 90-day mark, make sure you understand your LTD plan's definition of "elimination period." Some plans require you to be continuously disabled for 90 days, while others just require 90 days of disability within a certain timeframe. If there's any gap in your SDI claim, it could affect your LTD eligibility. Good luck with your recovery - back surgery is no joke! Take the time you need to heal properly.