Can Lyft drivers qualify for EDD SDI? Health issues preventing me from driving

independnt contractors dont qualifyy for regular SDI unless you paid into it urself. did u ever pay into SDI on ur taxes??

As a gig worker, you'd only qualify for SDI if you opted into the Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC) program and have been paying those premiums. Most Lyft/Uber drivers don't realize this is an option until it's too late. If you didn't opt into DIEC, unfortunately you probably won't qualify for standard SDI. However, there are a couple other options worth exploring: 1. If your medical condition is severe enough, you might qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), though that's for longer-term disabilities 2. Check if your condition might be related to COVID in any way, as there were some special pandemic programs (though most have ended) 3. Look into whether you have private disability insurance through any associations or credit cards Did your doctor provide documentation about your condition and work restrictions? That's going to be important for any program you apply to.

When I drove for Uber I got SUPER SICK last year and couldn't work. I tried calling EDD about disability and was on hold FOREVER and then they just told me I don't qualify because I'm "self-employed" or whatever. It's complete BS honestly. We pay taxes but don't get the same benefits as regular employees. The whole system is rigged against gig workers!!!!

i heard that California passed some laws to help gig workers during covid but not sure if they're still active now

Have you tried reaching EDD directly to ask about your specific situation? Sometimes the online info doesn't cover every scenario, and you might get different answers depending on who you talk to at EDD. When I had questions about my disability claim, I tried for DAYS to get through on their phone lines - it was incredibly frustrating. I finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual EDD representative in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd. Worth checking out if you're getting nowhere with the regular phone lines.

I'm in almost the exact same situation! I've been doing DoorDash and developing really bad back problems that my doctor says are from all the sitting and carrying heavy orders. I applied for disability last week and got denied almost immediately because apparently I never paid into the system. It's so confusing and frustrating because we pay self-employment taxes but that doesn't automatically include SDI contributions. Now I'm looking into county general assistance but the benefit amounts are really low... Let me know if you find any good solutions.

For future reference (and anyone else reading this thread), self-employed individuals in California CAN get disability coverage, but you must enroll in the Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC) program proactively. Key points: 1. You need to have earned at least $4,600 in the previous year 2. You commit to staying in the program for 2 years minimum 3. You pay quarterly premiums based on your expected income 4. There's a 7-day waiting period before benefits begin 5. Coverage is approximately 60-70% of your income Now, regarding your current situation - while traditional SDI likely isn't available, contact your county's social services department about General Assistance/Relief programs. These provide temporary help for those who don't qualify for other programs. The benefit amounts vary by county but can help bridge the gap while you recover. You might also qualify for CalFresh (food assistance) and potentially Medi-Cal for healthcare if your income has dropped significantly.

I'm really sorry you're going through this health situation. As someone who's navigated similar challenges with gig work, I wanted to add a few suggestions that might help: 1. **Contact 211** - Dial 2-1-1 for free referrals to local resources including emergency financial assistance, food banks, and utility payment help. They often know about programs that aren't widely advertised. 2. **Medical bill assistance** - If you're accumulating medical expenses, ask your healthcare providers about payment plans or financial hardship programs. Many hospitals and clinics have programs to reduce or waive costs for people experiencing temporary income loss. 3. **Consider reaching out to rideshare driver communities** - There are Facebook groups and online forums specifically for Lyft/Uber drivers where people share resources and sometimes even organize mutual aid for drivers facing hardships. 4. **Local churches and community organizations** - Even if you're not religious, many churches and community centers offer emergency assistance regardless of affiliation. The fact that you have proper medical documentation from your doctor is really important - keep copies of everything as you explore different assistance programs. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I'm going through something similar right now - been driving for Uber for about 18 months and recently developed anxiety issues that make it really difficult to handle traffic and aggressive passengers. It's so frustrating that we don't have the same safety net as regular employees even though we're working just as hard (if not harder). One thing I discovered is that some credit unions and banks offer short-term personal loans specifically for medical emergencies or temporary income loss. The interest rates aren't great but it might help cover essentials while you recover. Also, if you have any regular passengers who know you well, some drivers have had luck with temporary side gigs that don't require driving - like virtual assistant work or online tutoring. Really hope you find some relief soon and that the new treatments work for your migraines. The stress of financial uncertainty definitely doesn't help with health issues.

Hey Aurora, I went through something very similar last year when I had to stop driving for Lyft due to a concussion. Like others mentioned, most of us gig workers didn't know about DIEC coverage beforehand, so we're kind of stuck in a gap. One resource that really helped me was contacting my local workforce development office - they sometimes have emergency grants or know about lesser-known assistance programs. Also, check if your area has any mutual aid networks on social media - I found a local Facebook group that helped connect me with temporary remote work opportunities while I recovered. For immediate bills, I had success calling my utilities and landlord directly to explain the medical situation and arrange payment deferrals. Most were surprisingly understanding when I provided documentation from my doctor. Also wanted to mention - if your migraines end up being chronic, you might eventually qualify for accommodations that could let you return to flexible work sooner. But focus on getting better first! The financial stress is real but your health has to come first.

I'm really sorry to hear about your health struggles and the financial stress this is causing. As someone who's helped other gig workers navigate these situations, I wanted to share a few additional resources that might help: 1. **California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)** - Even though you're self-employed, you might qualify for temporary cash assistance if your income has dropped significantly due to your medical condition. 2. **Local food banks and pantries** - Many don't require extensive paperwork and can help reduce your grocery expenses while you're not earning. 3. **Prescription assistance programs** - If you're trying new medications for your migraines, pharmaceutical companies often have patient assistance programs that can reduce medication costs. 4. **Contact your local Area Agency on Aging** - Even if you're not a senior, they sometimes know about emergency assistance programs that other agencies don't. The documentation from your doctor about being unable to drive for safety reasons is really valuable - make sure to mention that specific language when applying for any assistance programs, as it shows this isn't a choice but a medical necessity. Hang in there - the combination of health issues and financial uncertainty is incredibly stressful, but there are people and programs out there designed to help bridge these gaps.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add one more resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - **California's State Disability Insurance (SDI) Appeals Process**. Even though you likely don't qualify for standard SDI as others have explained, sometimes there are edge cases or special circumstances that aren't immediately obvious. If you do end up applying and getting denied, you have the right to appeal within 20 days. The appeals process sometimes uncovers eligibility pathways that the initial screening missed. It's worth a shot since you have strong medical documentation. Also, wanted to mention **GoodRx** for prescription savings if you're trying new migraine medications - it's free and can significantly reduce costs even if you have insurance. Some of the newer migraine treatments are expensive but there are often manufacturer coupons available too. Finally, consider reaching out to migraine support organizations like the American Migraine Foundation - they sometimes have resources for people dealing with work disruptions due to migraine conditions, including financial assistance programs specifically for migraine sufferers. Your health situation sounds really challenging, but you're being smart by seeking out all available resources. Keep advocating for yourself!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this difficult situation. As a fellow gig worker who's had to navigate health issues, I wanted to share a resource that might help bridge the gap while you're recovering. Check out **California's Paid Family Leave (PFL)** program - while it's primarily for family care, some people don't realize it can sometimes apply when you're caring for yourself during serious health conditions, especially if you have a doctor's certification about the severity of your migraines and vision issues. Also, since you mentioned Lyft specifically, they actually have a driver assistance program that provides some emergency financial help for drivers facing hardships due to medical issues. It's not widely advertised, but you can find information about it in the driver app under "Help" or by contacting their driver support directly. One more thing - document everything about your income from the past two years (1099s, weekly earnings summaries, etc.) even if you don't qualify for SDI right now. If your condition becomes chronic or you need to explore other disability programs later, having that income documentation will be crucial. The medical documentation from your doctor is your strongest asset here - make sure it clearly states the safety risk and work restrictions. Wishing you a smooth recovery and hoping the new treatments help with your migraines!

I'm really sorry to hear about your migraine and vision issues - that sounds incredibly challenging, especially when your livelihood depends on being able to drive safely. Since you mentioned you've been driving for Lyft for almost 2 years, there's actually one more avenue you might want to explore that I haven't seen mentioned yet: **Workers' Compensation**. While it's complicated for gig workers, California has been evolving on this front, and if your migraines or vision problems could be related to the physical demands of driving (long hours, screen glare, stress, etc.), it might be worth consulting with a workers' comp attorney who specializes in gig worker cases. Also, many people don't realize that some **AAA memberships** include short-term disability benefits, and certain **credit cards** (especially premium ones) sometimes have job loss or disability protection built in. It's worth checking any memberships or cards you have. In the meantime, for immediate relief with bills, consider reaching out to your local **United Way chapter** - they often have emergency assistance funds specifically for people dealing with temporary medical situations that prevent them from working. Keep copies of everything your doctor gives you about the work restrictions and safety concerns - that documentation is going to be your key to accessing whatever help is available. Hope the new treatments work and you can get back on the road safely soon!

I've been reading through this thread and wanted to add something that might help with your immediate situation while you're exploring all these longer-term options. Since you mentioned severe migraines and vision problems, you should definitely apply for **Medi-Cal** if you haven't already - the income drop from not being able to work might qualify you for coverage that could help with your medical expenses and treatments. The application process has been streamlined and you can often get coverage quickly for emergency medical situations. Also, wanted to mention **Task-based remote work platforms** like Upwork, Fiverr, or even Amazon's Mechanical Turk - these might allow you to earn some income from home during your recovery period without the safety concerns of driving. The pay isn't as good as rideshare driving, but something is better than nothing while you're getting treatment. One more thing - if you're comfortable with it, consider creating a **GoFundMe** or similar crowdfunding campaign. I've seen several drivers in similar medical situations get support from their regular passengers and the broader rideshare community. Sometimes people are more willing to help when they understand the specific challenges gig workers face with medical issues. The documentation from your doctor about the safety risks is really important - make sure to keep emphasizing that this isn't optional time off but medically necessary for public safety. Wishing you the best with your treatments and hoping you find some financial relief soon!

I've been following this thread and I'm really impressed by how supportive and resourceful this community is! As someone who's worked in social services, I wanted to add one more resource that might help bridge the gap while you're exploring all these other options. Check with your local **Community Health Centers** (also called FQHCs - Federally Qualified Health Centers). Many of them have **Patient Navigator programs** specifically designed to help people connect with financial assistance, disability resources, and emergency aid programs. They often know about local grants and assistance funds that aren't well-publicized, and some even have small emergency funds they can distribute directly to patients facing financial hardship due to medical conditions. Also, since your doctor has documented that driving is unsafe due to your condition, you might want to ask them about referring you to a **Medical Social Worker**. Many healthcare systems have social workers who specialize in helping patients navigate financial challenges during treatment periods. They can sometimes expedite applications for various assistance programs and know which ones you're most likely to qualify for. The medical necessity documentation you have is really strong - make sure every application emphasizes the "safety risk" aspect rather than just the income loss. That distinction can sometimes open doors to programs that might not otherwise apply to self-employed individuals. Really hoping the new treatments help with your migraines and that you're able to get back to driving safely soon!