EDD SDI auto pay schedule - weekly, biweekly or monthly payments?

its biweekly. i was on autoplay last summer for 3 months. they deposit every 2 weeks

Auto pay for SDI is on a biweekly payment schedule. The first payment might take longer (2-3 weeks from approval), but after that, you'll receive payments every two weeks automatically without having to certify each time. The payment dates aren't fixed to specific days of the week - they're based on your claim timeline. You can see your payment history in your SDI Online account under 'View Payment Information.' Make sure you notify EDD if you return to work earlier than expected or your condition changes, otherwise you could face an overpayment.

Auto pay for California SDI means biweekly payments without having to certify. Your first payment might take 2-3 weeks to process from approval date, but after that, you'll receive regular payments every two weeks. A few important things to know: 1. The payment is approximately 60-70% of your regular wages up to the maximum benefit amount ($1,620/week for 2025) 2. There's a 7-day unpaid waiting period at the beginning of your claim 3. If you return to work before your claim end date, you MUST notify EDD immediately 4. Auto pay doesn't mean automatic - you should still monitor your claim If you need to speak with EDD about your claim, I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a representative quickly. They have a service that helps you bypass the long wait times when calling EDD. I was skeptical but their video demo (https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd) convinced me and it worked great when I needed to resolve an issue with my claim last month.

When I was on SDI last year they were super inconsistent with the payments!! Sometimes it was every 2 weeks but then suddenly they'd skip a payment cycle and I'd have to call to figure out why. Their system is TERRIBLE. Make sure you have some savings as backup because EDD is so unreliable!!!!!

wait I thought disability was different than unemployment?? My cousin got unemployment and had to certify every 2 weeks but disability is different right??

Just to add to what others have said - if your auto pay suddenly stops before your expected end date, it could mean EDD needs updated medical certification. They sometimes require this for longer claims but don't clearly communicate it. If you notice a payment delay, check your SDI Online account for any new forms or messages, and be prepared to have your doctor submit a follow-up certification if requested. This is especially common for claims lasting more than 3 months.

my sister was on disability for pregnancy last year and she said they messed up her payments like three times and she had to keep calling them. said it was a nightmare getting through. she finally had to go through her state assembly person to fix everything. edd is the worst!!!

make sure u set up direct deposit!!! paper checks take forever to come in the mail. i waited 8 days once for a check after it was issued. direct deposit is way faster, same day or next day usually

I've been on SDI auto pay for 6 months now due to a chronic condition and can confirm it's biweekly payments. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have any other income during your disability (like part-time work under doctor's approval or rental income), you need to report it to EDD. They can adjust your payments or even create an overpayment situation if you don't disclose it. Also, keep all your medical documentation organized - EDD sometimes requests additional proof even on auto pay claims, especially if your disability extends beyond the original doctor's estimate. The auto pay is convenient but you still need to stay on top of any changes in your condition or circumstances.

As someone who just went through the SDI auto pay process for a back injury, I can confirm it's biweekly payments. A few additional tips from my experience: 1) Download the EDD mobile app - it's actually more reliable than the website for checking payment status, 2) Keep a calendar marking your expected payment dates so you can quickly spot any delays, and 3) If you're planning to return to work earlier than your doctor's original estimate, give EDD at least 2 weeks notice to avoid any overpayment issues. The auto pay system worked smoothly for me once it got started, but that first payment did take about 3 weeks. Hope your surgery goes well and recovery is smooth!

Hope your spinal surgery goes well! I was on SDI auto pay for about 4 months last year after a work injury. Everyone's right that it's biweekly payments. One thing I'd add is to screenshot or save your SDI Online account payment history regularly - I had an issue where EDD claimed they didn't issue a payment that I never received, but because I had screenshots showing it was never processed on their end, I was able to get it resolved quickly. Also, if you're getting any other benefits like workers comp or short-term disability through your employer, make sure to report those to EDD because they can offset your SDI payments. The biweekly schedule is nice once you get used to it - just budget for that first longer wait period!

I went through SDI auto pay for a knee surgery last year and can confirm it's biweekly payments. One thing that really helped me was setting up text alerts through my bank for deposits - that way I knew immediately when payments hit my account without having to constantly check. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time on disability, be aware that your SDI payments are subject to federal taxes (but not state taxes in California). You can choose to have taxes withheld from your payments or handle it when you file your tax return. Given that you'll be on disability through April 2025, you might want to consider the tax withholding option to avoid a surprise tax bill next year. The auto pay system worked great for me once it got going - just that initial wait for the first payment that everyone mentioned. Wishing you a smooth surgery and recovery!

I've been on California SDI auto pay twice - once for surgery and once for a chronic condition flare-up. Can confirm it's biweekly payments as others have said. A couple things I learned that might help: 1) If you have a smartphone, enable push notifications for your banking app so you know the moment payments hit, 2) EDD processes payments on different days of the week depending on your claim, so don't panic if yours don't come on the same day as someone else's, and 3) Keep your doctor's contact info handy because EDD sometimes needs quick clarification on medical forms even with auto pay. The system works pretty well once you understand it, but that first payment delay is definitely stressful when you're already dealing with medical bills. Best of luck with your spinal surgery - the financial stress gets easier once you're in the rhythm of the biweekly payments!

I've been through SDI auto pay for a shoulder injury that kept me out for 3 months. Everyone's covered the basics well - it's definitely biweekly payments. One thing I'd add that saved me a lot of stress: create a simple spreadsheet tracking your expected payment dates and amounts. This helped me catch when EDD miscalculated one of my payments (they used an old wage base instead of my current one). Also, if your recovery takes longer than originally estimated, your doctor can submit an extension without you having to restart the whole claim process - just make sure they do this BEFORE your current certification expires. The auto pay will continue seamlessly with the new end date. Since you're having spinal surgery, recovery timelines can be unpredictable, so it's good to know this option exists. Hope everything goes smoothly with your surgery and recovery!

I'm new to SDI and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm scheduled for knee surgery next month and my doctor said I'll likely be out for 6-8 weeks. Reading everyone's experiences with auto pay being biweekly payments really helps me plan ahead. The tips about downloading the mobile app, setting up direct deposit, taking screenshots of payment history, and creating a tracking spreadsheet are all things I never would have thought of. One question - does anyone know if there are any restrictions on light activities during SDI? My doctor cleared me for some upper body exercises and short walks as part of recovery, but I want to make sure this won't affect my benefits. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's making this whole process feel much less scary!

I was on SDI auto pay for 5 months after a back injury and can confirm everything everyone's said about biweekly payments. One additional tip I haven't seen mentioned - if you're planning any travel during your recovery (even just local trips for medical appointments), keep receipts and document everything. EDD can sometimes flag claims if they detect unusual activity, and having documentation helps clarify that you're following your treatment plan. Also, since you mentioned budgeting carefully, consider that your first few biweekly payments might be slightly different amounts as EDD calculates your exact benefit rate - mine varied by about $20-30 the first month before stabilizing. The auto pay system really does work well once established, just be patient with that initial processing time. Wishing you a successful surgery and smooth recovery!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm about to start my first SDI claim for a wrist surgery and was completely confused about the payment schedule. Knowing it's biweekly payments through auto pay really helps me plan my budget during recovery. The practical tips everyone shared - like setting up the mobile app, tracking payments in a spreadsheet, taking screenshots for records, and being prepared for that initial 2-3 week wait - are exactly what I needed to know. It's reassuring to see how helpful this community is in sharing real experiences with the SDI process. Thanks to everyone who contributed their insights, especially about potential issues to watch for and how to avoid overpayments. Feeling much more prepared now!

I've been on California SDI auto pay for about 8 months now due to a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment. Just wanted to add a few things that might be helpful for your situation: 1. **Payment timing consistency**: Once your auto pay gets established, the payments are very regular - every 14 days from your first payment date. I actually get mine on Wednesdays, but I've seen others get theirs on different days of the week depending on when their claim started. 2. **Medical appointment scheduling**: Since you're having spinal surgery, you'll likely have follow-up appointments. EDD doesn't require you to report routine medical visits, but if your doctor changes your expected return-to-work date (either earlier or later), make sure to get that updated with EDD promptly. 3. **Pain management considerations**: This might be specific to spinal recovery, but if your doctor prescribes any medications that could affect your ability to work even after your initial recovery period, make sure that's documented in your medical records. Sometimes recovery from spinal surgery has unexpected complications or extended healing times. 4. **Auto pay reliability**: In my experience, once it's set up, auto pay is actually more reliable than the regular UI system. I've only had one payment delay in 8 months, and that was due to a quarter change that required updated wage information from my employer. Hope your surgery goes well and recovery is smooth! The financial stress definitely gets easier once you're in the rhythm of the biweekly payments.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently completed a 4-month SDI claim for cervical spine surgery. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the biweekly auto pay schedule! A couple additional thoughts for spinal surgery specifically: 1. **Physical therapy coordination**: Once you start PT (which will likely be several weeks post-surgery), make sure your physical therapist is aware you're on SDI. They'll need to document your progress and functional limitations, which can be important if EDD requests updated medical information. 2. **Ergonomic considerations**: When you do return to work, you might need workplace accommodations. Start thinking about this during recovery - things like ergonomic chairs, standing desks, or modified duties. Your doctor can provide work restrictions that help with this transition. 3. **Recovery timeline reality check**: Spinal surgery recovery is often longer than initially estimated. Don't feel pressured to return early just because of financial stress. Rushing back can lead to setbacks that extend your time off even more. The auto pay really does work well once established - I had zero payment issues during my entire claim. Focus on your recovery and let the system do its job. Wishing you a successful surgery and smooth healing process!