Can gig work (Instacart/Uber) count toward $1,300 EDD earnings requirement after benefits exhaustion?

ya it counts as long as ur paying taxes on it. my cousin did doordash between claims last yr

To be more specific, what matters is whether you're paying into State Disability Insurance (SDI) through these earnings. Most W-2 employment automatically deducts SDI contributions from your paycheck, which is why traditional employment easily qualifies. For gig work like Instacart and rideshare, you're typically classified as an independent contractor (1099 worker), NOT an employee. This is very important for your situation because independent contractors don't automatically pay into SDI unless they've opted into the Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC) program. If you haven't enrolled in DIEC and are working as a 1099 contractor, those earnings will NOT count toward qualifying for a new SDI claim regardless of how much you earn.

Wait im confused... i thought california made uber drivers employees not contractors with that AB5 law? wouldnt that mean they DO take out SDI??

I went through something similar last year after my pregnancy disability claim. I needed to qualify for a new claim for a different medical condition but couldn't return to my regular job right away. My EDD caseworker told me that ANY job where SDI is being deducted from your paycheck will count toward the $1,300 minimum. I found a part-time retail position that accommodated my restrictions, worked just enough to hit the minimum, and was able to file my new claim successfully. The key is finding W-2 employment where you're classified as an employee, not an independent contractor. Many gig jobs won't help you qualify because they don't withhold SDI taxes.

AVOID THE GIG WORK TRAP!!! I learned this the hard way after driving for Uber for 3 months thinking I was qualifying for disability. When I tried to file a new claim EDD laughed at me and said NONE of it counted!!! The system is RIGGED against gig workers and nobody tells you this until it's too late. So frustrating!!!!

I recommend looking into the Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC) program if you really want to do gig work. Self-employed individuals and independent contractors can voluntarily elect to pay into SDI through this program. However, be aware that: 1. There's an application process and waiting period 2. You need to commit to the program for two complete calendar years 3. You'll pay a percentage of your profits as SDI premiums 4. There are minimum income requirements More info here: https://edd.ca.gov/disability/Self-Employed_DIEC.htm Another option: look for legitimate W-2 part-time work that accommodates your medical restrictions. Many employers offer modified duties or limited hours for those with medical limitations.

Have you tried calling EDD directly? I know it's nearly impossible to get through on those phone lines. When I was dealing with my SDI claim issues last month, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a live agent without the endless busy signals and disconnections. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd This is definitely a nuanced situation and you need accurate info directly from an EDD specialist about your specific circumstances, especially with the gig work question.

Just want to add something important - even if you find W-2 employment to meet the $1,300 requirement, make sure it doesn't conflict with any work restrictions from your doctor. If you're currently on disability, working beyond your medical restrictions could potentially jeopardize your current benefits or recovery. Always make sure any work you do is cleared by your treating physician and documented properly!

my friend works at costco and they r super good about accomodations for medical stuff. they hired her part-time with restrictions and the pay is decent. might be worth looking into!

Just wanted to share another option that might work for your situation - temporary staffing agencies! Many of them offer W-2 positions (even short-term ones) and some specialize in light duty or accommodated work. I used Kelly Services when I was between disability claims and they were really understanding about my medical restrictions. The pay wasn't amazing but it got me to the $1,300 threshold pretty quickly. Plus they handle all the tax withholdings including SDI so you know it'll count toward your requirement. Worth checking out agencies like Kelly, Manpower, or Robert Half in your area.

Temp agencies are definitely a great option! I used Adecco when I was in a similar situation and they had several light-duty warehouse positions that worked with my back injury restrictions. The nice thing is they often have flexible scheduling too - I was able to work just enough hours to hit the earnings requirement without overdoing it. Just make sure to keep all your pay stubs as documentation when you file your new claim. EDD will want to see proof that SDI was properly withheld from your earnings. Good luck with everything!

Just to add my perspective - I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. The temp agency route that Carmen mentioned is really solid advice. I ended up going through Manpower and they placed me in a light clerical position that was perfect for my limitations. What I learned is that you need to be crystal clear with the agency about your medical restrictions upfront - they're usually pretty good about matching you with appropriate work. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: make sure to get a written statement from EDD confirming exactly what earnings will count toward your $1,300 requirement. I had some confusion later because I had a mix of different types of income during my qualifying period. Having it in writing saved me a lot of headaches when I filed my new claim. The temp work definitely counted and I was approved without issues. Also, don't sleep on retail positions - many big box stores like Target, Home Depot, etc. are pretty accommodating and often have part-time positions available. The key is being upfront about your restrictions during the interview process.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that might help - California's Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) sometimes has connections with employers who specifically hire people with medical restrictions. They have a thing called "supported employment" services that can help you find W-2 work that accommodates your limitations while you're working toward that $1,300 requirement. I used their services when I was transitioning back to work after a work injury and they were really helpful in finding employers who understood medical accommodations. It's a free service and they work with your medical team too. Might be worth looking into alongside the temp agency route that others mentioned. You can find your local DOR office on their website. Also wanted to echo what Paolo said about getting everything in writing from EDD - that's super important. The whole system is confusing enough without having to deal with conflicting information later!

I'm in a similar boat with my SDI claim ending soon and needing to figure out the earnings requirement. Reading through all these responses has been super eye-opening - I had no clue about the difference between 1099 and W-2 work when it comes to SDI eligibility. Like several others mentioned, I was also considering gig work thinking it would be easier with my physical limitations. The temp agency suggestion is really smart. I'm going to start reaching out to places like Kelly Services and Manpower this week. Has anyone had experience with how quickly temp agencies can usually place you? I'm trying to figure out my timeline since I also have that waiting period before I can file again. Also want to thank everyone who emphasized getting written confirmation from EDD about what counts. That seems like it could save a lot of headaches down the road!

Just wanted to add another potential resource that hasn't been mentioned yet - One-Stop Career Centers (also called America's Job Centers). They have locations throughout California and offer free employment services specifically designed to help people with barriers to employment, including those with medical restrictions or disabilities. What's really helpful about these centers is that they often have relationships with local employers who are already committed to inclusive hiring practices. They can help you identify W-2 positions that accommodate your specific medical limitations, and they provide job search assistance, interview coaching, and sometimes even help with work clothes or transportation if needed. I used their services when I was transitioning back to work after a long-term illness and found them really supportive. They understand the complexity of working with medical restrictions and can help you navigate the job search process while ensuring you're meeting your SDI earnings requirements. You can find your nearest location at careeronestop.org. Between the temp agencies, Department of Rehabilitation services, and One-Stop Centers, you should have several good options for finding accommodating W-2 employment. The key is starting early since these processes can take a few weeks to get rolling.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where my SDI benefits are ending soon and I need to figure out how to meet that $1,300 earnings requirement. I was also considering gig work like many others here, but now I understand why that won't work for SDI purposes. The breakdown everyone provided about W-2 vs 1099 work and SDI contributions is so important - I wish this information was more clearly explained on the EDD website! I'm definitely going to explore the temp agency route that Carmen and others mentioned. The fact that they handle all the tax withholdings including SDI takes a lot of uncertainty out of the equation. I'm also really interested in the Department of Rehabilitation and One-Stop Career Center resources that were mentioned. Having professional support to find accommodating employment sounds invaluable, especially when dealing with medical restrictions. One question for those who've been through this process - did you have any issues with EDD when you filed your new claim after meeting the $1,300 requirement through temp work? I want to make sure there weren't any unexpected complications or additional documentation requirements beyond the standard pay stubs showing SDI withholdings.