Can my brother apply for EDD SDI after a car accident with cracked ribs?

Yes he can apply for SDI! He needs to file a claim through EDD's SDI Online portal asap. His doctor needs to complete the medical certification part too. The sooner he files the better because the first 7 days are a waiting period (no benefits). Most people get payments within 2-3 weeks if there's no issues with their claim.

I went through this last year after a bad fall. Make sure your brother applies within 49 days of his disability starting or he could lose benefits. The doctor needs to complete the medical certification either electronically or on the physical DE 2501 form. Most hospitals now do it electronically, but don't assume - he should ask his doctor specifically about completing the SDI certification. The most important thing is making sure the doctor notes he cannot perform his REGULAR OR CUSTOMARY work - being a construction worker with cracked ribs definitely qualifies since he can't lift anything!

Whn I brok my ankle in 2022 it took like 6 WEEKS to get my first payment cuz EDD kept saying they needed more info from my dr. It was a nitemare!! I couldnt pay rent and almost got evicted. Call them everyday til they approve it!!!

Actually, if you really need to reach EDD about your brother's claim status, try Claimyr (claimyr.com). When my husband had his back surgery last month, we couldn't get through to EDD at all for 2 weeks straight. We used Claimyr and got connected to an actual EDD agent in about 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd - after weeks of frustration, it was worth it just to get answers and get his claim moving.

I LOVE how EDD expects people with BROKEN BONES to jump through hoops to get their OWN MONEY that THEY PAID INTO THE SYSTEM!!! Your brother should definitely apply but be prepared for a complete nightmare of bureaucracy. They'll probably make him verify his identity 5 times and request the same documents over and over again. And if he makes ONE tiny mistake on the application? DENIED and start all over!!! The system is DESIGNED to make people give up!!

To answer your original question about timing: Your brother should receive his EDD Customer Account Number within 7-10 days of applying. Once his claim is established and the doctor certification is received, the typical processing time is 14 days, though it can sometimes take up to 21 days during busy periods. The benefit amount is approximately 60-70% of his wages (up to a maximum). Make sure he completes all certifications on time once his claim is approved. If the doctor completes their portion quickly and there are no issues with his application, he could potentially see his first payment in about 3 weeks. Remember that the first 7 days is a waiting period, so payments start from the 8th day of disability.

my cousin broke his ribs playing soccer last summer and got SDI for 12 weeks no problem. they paid like 65% of his regular pay I think. but he said the important thing was having his HR department help with some of the paperwork - might want to check with your brother's HR if the company has one

I just reread your post - one thing I forgot to mention is that your brother should gather his income info from the past 18 months before he applies. The SDI benefit amount is based on his highest quarter of earnings during the 5-18 months before the disability start date. This is called the "base period" and it matters a lot for how much money he'll get.

u know what sux is that even with SDI most people only get about 60% of their normal pay and its TAXABLE so u get even less. better than nothing but still pretty harsh when ur injured and have all the same bills

I'm glad to hear your brother is going to be okay! One last piece of advice: make sure he understands that SDI and workers' compensation are two different programs. Since the accident happened outside of work, he's applying for SDI. If he tells EDD it was a work injury, they'll direct him to workers' comp instead and it will delay everything. Also, once he starts feeling better, if his doctor approves him for modified/light duty but his employer can't accommodate those restrictions, he can still continue receiving SDI benefits until he's cleared for full duty or his benefit period ends.