Confused about SDI for intermittent leave after previous continuous claim - new filing required?

You'll need to file a new claim. Intermittent SDI is treated as a separate claim from your previous continuous leave, even if it's for the same medical condition. Make sure your doctor completes a new medical certification (DE 2501) specifying the intermittent nature of your disability. Also, be aware that each period of intermittent disability needs to be at least 8 consecutive days to qualify for benefits, unless it's related to the same or similar condition within 60 days of a previous period.

I had the same problem last year!!! My doctor approved intermitent leave for my back problems but when I tried to get paid from SDI they denied it because I wasnt off for enough consecutive days. Its super annoying because FMLA protects your job but doesnt pay you and then SDI has all these weird rules about how many days you need to be disabled. The whole system is terrible

To clarify what others have said, SDI does require a waiting period of 7 days (not 8) before benefits begin paying. For intermittent leave, this gets complicated. You essentially have two options: 1. If your intermittent absences will be clustered (like taking a full week off occasionally), you can file separate SDI claims each time you have a disability period of 7+ days. 2. If you're taking 1-2 days weekly as described, those isolated days typically won't qualify for SDI because they don't meet the consecutive day requirement. Your doctor needs to clearly understand how SDI works versus FMLA. FMLA protects your job for intermittent absences, but SDI has specific payment requirements. You'll need to file a new claim regardless since your previous claim is closed.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I called EDD multiple times trying to get clarification, but kept getting disconnected or put on eternal hold. This is so frustrating - I'm legitimately disabled on these days I can't work due to severe migraines, but because it's not 7 consecutive days, I just lose the income? That seems really unfair to people with chronic conditions that flare up periodically.

I think there's some confusion here between FMLA/CFRA and SDI. They're completely different programs: - FMLA/CFRA: Job protection that allows intermittent leave - SDI: Wage replacement that requires 7+ consecutive days of disability For your situation with 1-2 days per week of missed work, you're correct that FMLA will protect your job for those absences, but standard SDI won't typically pay benefits unless you have a stretch of 7+ consecutive days disabled. One potential workaround: If your doctor believes your condition might require a full week off at some point, they could certify you for a continuous period of disability when that happens, and you could file for SDI just for that period.

This might be a dumb question but has anyone tried just taking 7 consecutive days off initially to meet the waiting period requirement and then doing the intermittent days after that? Would that work with SDI or do they reset the clock whenever you go back to work? The EDD website is so confusing about this stuff.

One more thing that might be helpful: For 2025, if you have State Disability Insurance withheld from your paychecks (most CA employees do), you might want to look into Paid Family Leave (PFL) as another option. While it's typically used for caregiving or bonding, some people with chronic conditions have used it strategically when SDI doesn't cover their specific situation. Just another potential avenue to explore. Also, whatever you decide, make sure all your paperwork explicitly states whether you're filing for continuous or intermittent leave, as this affects how EDD processes your claim.

I've been through a similar situation with chronic migraines and SDI. One thing that helped me was asking my doctor to document "episodic disability" patterns - when my migraines cluster together for longer periods. Sometimes chronic conditions like migraines can have phases where you might need 7-10 consecutive days off during particularly bad flare-ups, which would qualify for SDI. Also, keep detailed records of your migraine patterns and missed work days. This documentation can be helpful if you need to demonstrate to EDD that your condition sometimes requires longer continuous periods of disability. Some migraine sufferers find their condition naturally clusters into longer periods during seasonal changes or stress cycles. Don't give up on trying to reach EDD by phone - try calling right when they open at 8 AM. The wait times are usually shorter first thing in the morning. Good luck with your claim!

I went through something very similar with my chronic pain condition! Here's what I learned after months of confusion: You definitely need to file a completely new SDI claim since your 2023 claim is closed. The key is having your doctor be very strategic about how they certify your disability periods. What worked for me was discussing with my doctor the reality that chronic conditions often have "cluster periods" where symptoms are severe enough to require extended time off. Instead of certifying me for random 1-2 day absences, my doctor now certifies me for 7-14 day periods when my condition flares up severely. This way I can use FMLA for the occasional single days, but have SDI coverage for the more severe episodes. Also, pro tip: Don't mention your previous 2023 claim when filing the new one unless specifically asked. Each claim should stand on its own merits. Make sure your doctor completes the DE 2501 form with very specific language about your current condition and work limitations. The medical certification is crucial - vague language will get you denied. The system is definitely not designed well for chronic conditions, but with the right approach you can make it work. Feel free to PM me if you need help with the specific wording strategies that worked for my situation!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's navigated both SDI and intermittent FMLA for a chronic condition. The advice about working with your doctor to identify "cluster periods" is spot on - that's exactly what made the difference for me. One additional tip: Keep a detailed symptom diary for at least a month before filing your SDI claim. Document not just when you miss work, but the severity levels of your symptoms each day. This helps your doctor see patterns and can support their medical certification if they need to justify why certain periods require continuous time off versus others that might just need a day here and there. Also, when you do file your new SDI claim, make sure to submit it as soon as possible after your qualifying disability period begins. There's a time limit for filing, and delays can complicate your claim. The online portal is usually faster than mailing forms, despite how clunky the EDD website can be. The system definitely isn't designed with chronic conditions in mind, but with the right documentation and timing, you can make it work. Hang in there!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my anxiety disorder that causes unpredictable flare-ups. What I've learned from my disability advocate is that you might want to consider asking your doctor about certifying you for "variable disability periods" rather than just intermittent leave. This approach allows for flexibility - sometimes you might need just 2-3 days, other times you might need 10+ consecutive days during severe migraine cycles. Also, I found it helpful to request that my doctor include specific language in the medical certification about how my condition can "episodically worsen requiring extended periods of continuous disability beyond intermittent accommodations." This kind of wording has helped establish that while I normally might just need occasional days off, there are legitimate medical reasons why I sometimes need longer consecutive periods that would qualify for SDI. One more thing - if you do end up taking consecutive days that qualify for SDI, make sure you don't return to work too early just to "test" if you're feeling better. EDD can deny claims if they think you returned to work prematurely and then immediately claimed disability again. Better to stay out the full medically certified period to avoid any red flags.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that might help - have you considered reaching out to a disability rights organization or legal aid clinic that specializes in SDI claims? I went through a nightmare situation with EDD last year where they kept denying my claim for a chronic condition, and a disability advocate helped me understand exactly how to structure my medical documentation. The advocate explained that for migraine sufferers specifically, doctors can often certify for "migraine status" periods where the condition becomes so severe that it requires complete rest in a dark, quiet environment for extended periods. This is different from your typical 1-2 day migraine and can legitimately require 7-14 consecutive days of disability. Also, one thing I learned is that you can actually file for SDI retroactively up to 49 days after your disability period began, so if you do have a severe migraine cluster that lasts a full week or more, you don't have to predict it in advance - you can file after it happens. This takes some of the pressure off trying to plan when to use your benefits. Many of these legal aid clinics offer free consultations for SDI issues, and they know all the ins and outs of how to work within the system. Might be worth looking into given how much income you're losing on those days you can't work.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation with my chronic back condition. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing I've been approaching this completely wrong - I was trying to file individual SDI claims for every 2-3 day period I missed work, and of course they kept getting denied. The advice about working with your doctor to identify "cluster periods" and the concept of "variable disability periods" is brilliant. I never thought about strategically timing my disability certifications around when my condition is most likely to flare up severely. @Isabella Ferreira - based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like your best bet is to file a completely new claim (don't try to reopen your 2023 one) and work with your doctor to identify when your migraines are severe enough to require 7+ consecutive days off. The symptom diary approach mentioned by @Sophia Carter sounds like it would really help you and your doctor identify those patterns. Has anyone here had success with getting their doctors to understand the difference between FMLA intermittent leave (job protection) and SDI requirements (consecutive day minimums)? I feel like that's where a lot of the confusion starts - medical providers often don't fully understand how these different programs work together.

I'm just starting to navigate this whole SDI system myself and this thread has been incredibly educational! I have a chronic autoimmune condition that causes unpredictable fatigue episodes, and I've been struggling with the same confusion about intermittent versus continuous leave. Reading everyone's experiences, it's clear that the key is really understanding how to work strategically with your doctor to identify when your condition legitimately requires those longer consecutive periods off work. The "cluster periods" and "episodic disability" approaches mentioned here make so much sense medically - chronic conditions don't follow neat schedules that fit perfectly into bureaucratic requirements. @Isabella Ferreira - it sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice here about filing a new claim and working with your doctor on the medical certification language. The symptom diary suggestion seems like it would be especially helpful for migraines since they can have such variable patterns and triggers. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had experience with how EDD handles it if you have multiple chronic conditions that might interact? Like if someone had both migraines and anxiety, and they sometimes compound each other during flare-ups? I'm wondering if that complexity helps or hurts when trying to establish legitimate consecutive disability periods. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complicated systems!

I'm also dealing with chronic migraines and this thread has been so helpful! I wanted to add one thing that worked for me - when I met with my doctor to discuss the SDI certification, I brought a printed copy of the EDD's medical certification requirements (from the DE 2501 form) to show them exactly what language EDD is looking for. My doctor had never filled out SDI paperwork before and didn't realize how specific the wording needed to be. Once they understood that phrases like "unable to perform work duties for consecutive periods during severe exacerbations" would help my claim, they were much more strategic about how they documented my condition. Also, I learned that you can actually call EDD's medical unit directly (separate from the main customer service line) to ask questions about how medical conditions should be documented for SDI purposes. The number is harder to find but the wait times are usually shorter than the main line. They can't give medical advice obviously, but they can clarify what documentation requirements they need to see for approval. @Isabella Ferreira - definitely file a new claim rather than trying to reopen your old one, and make sure your doctor understands they're certifying for potential consecutive disability periods rather than just intermittent FMLA leave. The strategic approach everyone's outlined here really does work if you can get your medical provider on board with understanding the system requirements!

I've been dealing with SDI claims for my chronic pain condition for the past few years, and I wanted to share a few additional tips that have helped me navigate this frustrating system: First, when you do get your doctor to complete the DE 2501 form, ask them to be very specific about functional limitations rather than just listing symptoms. Instead of just "severe migraines," language like "unable to tolerate light, sound, or cognitive demands during severe episodes requiring complete rest in controlled environment" gives EDD clearer justification for consecutive day requirements. Second, if you're having trouble reaching EDD by phone, try using their "Contact EDD" online message system. It's buried in the UI Portal, but I've actually gotten faster responses through that than phone calls. They usually respond within 3-5 business days with written answers you can reference later. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING - every form, every medical record, every communication with EDD. I learned this the hard way when they lost my initial claim paperwork and I had to resubmit everything. Having digital copies saved me weeks of delays. The system definitely isn't designed well for people with chronic conditions, but with persistence and the right documentation approach, you can make it work. Don't let EDD's complexity discourage you from claiming benefits you're legitimately entitled to. Good luck with your new claim filing!