EDD SDI benefits after carpal tunnel surgery - wondering about payment timeline and amount

I had carpal tunnel surgery last year and can share my experience with SDI. You'll want to file your claim right after your surgery, and there's a 7-day waiting period before benefits start. EDD pays approximately 60-70% of your wages, up to a maximum weekly benefit amount (which was around $1,620 in my case). For your 6-8 week recovery, SDI should cover the entire time as long as your doctor certifies you need that time off. Your doctor will need to complete the medical certification portion of your claim. Make sure they include the full expected recovery time! The first payment took about 2 weeks to arrive after I filed, but then they came regularly every two weeks after that.

60-70% of wages?? That's terrible! How are people supposed to pay their bills with that? The whole system is BROKEN. I had hand surgery in 2024 and they kept delaying my payments for no reason. Had to call FIFTY times before someone answered. Then they said my doctor didn't fill out some form correctly and I had to start all over!!! RIDICULOUS!

To add to what others have said, here's a step-by-step plan for you: 1. Have a conversation with your doctor about disability certification BEFORE surgery 2. File your claim online through SDI Online within 49 days of becoming disabled (your surgery date) 3. Your doctor must complete their portion within 9 days 4. Yes, the first 7 days are a waiting period (unpaid) 5. Benefits are approximately 60-70% of your wages based on your highest-earning quarter in your base period 6. Payments are issued every two weeks via EDD Debit Card or direct deposit For carpal tunnel specifically, make sure your doctor documents any work restrictions clearly. If you can do modified work (like limited typing), your employer might try to accommodate rather than having you take full disability leave.

@confused - It depends on the situation. If the carpal tunnel is determined to be work-related (like for a full-time typist), it might qualify for workers' comp. But many people develop carpal tunnel from a combination of factors including genetics, age, and activities outside of work. If it's not clearly work-related, SDI is typically the appropriate benefit. The OP should discuss with their doctor whether their condition might qualify for workers' comp instead.

my wife just had the carple tunnel surgury both hands and they only approved her for 4 weeks even tho her dr said 8 weeks. she had to appeal to get the full time. make sure u get all the paperwork right the first time it was a hassle

When I had my surgery I had the WORST time trying to contact EDD about my claim. Kept calling over and over but couldn't get through for days. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual EDD rep in about 20 minutes. Totally worth it to not spend hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd

@phonehater - Yep it really works! Saved me so much frustration. I was about to give up on getting my claim issue fixed.

One other important point: Keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. Screenshot your claim submissions, confirmation numbers, and save copies of all paperwork. If there's any dispute about your claim later, having documentation will be crucial. Also, when your doctor certifies your disability, make sure they're specific about work limitations. For carpal tunnel recovery, they should note limitations like "no typing," "no repetitive hand movements," etc., rather than just saying you need time off. This makes it harder for EDD to dispute the necessity of your disability period.

I processed disability claims for 5 years, and my advice is to file your claim online immediately after surgery (don't wait days or weeks). For carpal tunnel, the typical approved recovery time is 4-6 weeks, though it can be extended with proper medical documentation. When calculating your benefit amount, EDD looks at earnings in your base period (5-18 months before your claim). The weekly benefit amount is approximately 60-70% of average weekly wages up to the maximum benefit amount ($1,701 in 2025). Also, once approved, remember you need to certify your continued eligibility - this isn't automatic! Set calendar reminders for when certification periods open.

@phonehater - For SDI, it depends on your claim. Some short-term claims don't require continued certification. However, if your disability extends beyond what was initially approved, you'll need to have your doctor submit updated medical information. This is different from unemployment where you certify every two weeks. Your award notice will explain if/when you need to provide updates for your specific claim.

Just wanted to add some practical tips for your recovery period since I went through this recently! Make sure you have ergonomic supports set up at home before surgery - a good wrist rest, maybe voice-to-text software if you need to handle any personal business during recovery. The first few weeks you really won't want to be typing much at all. Also, if you're planning to return to the same job after recovery, start having conversations with your employer now about potential workplace accommodations. Things like an ergonomic keyboard, adjustable desk height, or scheduled typing breaks can help prevent re-injury. Some employers are more willing to make these changes if you discuss it before you're out on disability rather than springing it on them when you return. The financial stress of being on 60-70% pay is real, but try not to rush back too early. I made that mistake and ended up needing a second surgery a year later. Take the full recovery time your doctor recommends!