EDD SDI maximum 52 weeks ending but still disabled - what options do I have?
I've been on California SDI for almost a year now after a serious spinal injury at work. My doctor says I'll need ongoing treatment and won't be able to return to my construction job (possibly ever). My EDD account shows I have about 3 weeks left before I hit the 52-week maximum benefit period. What happens after my disability benefits run out? My doctor is saying I'm still disabled but I'm panicking about how I'll pay rent when the SDI checks stop. Does anyone know if there are extensions for permanent disabilities or what programs I should apply for next? Do I need to wait until my SDI is completely exhausted before applying for something else?
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Ravi Sharma
u should apply 4 SSDI right away!!! dont wait till ur edd runs out. the social security disability takes like FOREVER to get approved, my cousin waited 18 months!!! also check if ur job had long term disability insurance, some do
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thanks for the tip about SSDI. I had no idea it takes that long to get approved! I'll check on the long-term disability insurance, but I doubt my small construction company offers that.
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NebulaNomad
The 52-week limit for SDI is absolute - there are no extensions regardless of your situation. You need to look into three possible paths: 1. Workers' Compensation - Since you mentioned this was a work injury, you should already have a workers' comp claim open. This should continue even after SDI ends. 2. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - Apply immediately as approval can take 6-24 months. You can apply while still on SDI. 3. Long-Term Disability Insurance - If your employer provided this benefit or if you purchased it privately. You should also contact the Department of Rehabilitation to see if they can help with vocational training for a different type of work given your limitations.
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Isabella Ferreira
•My workers' comp claim is complicated - there's a dispute about whether it was work-related vs. a pre-existing condition. My lawyer is working on it. I'll definitely apply for SSDI right away. Is there anything that can help bridge the gap between when my SDI ends and when SSDI might start?
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Freya Thomsen
I went thru this last year! It SUCKS. After my SDI ran out I had no income for 5 months until my SSDI was approved. Had to borrow from family. There's no magic solution unfortunately - the systems don't work together at all. Apply for CalFresh (food stamps) and see if your county has General Assistance/Relief programs.
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Isabella Ferreira
•That's really tough, I'm sorry you went through that. I don't have family who can help me financially. I'll look into CalFresh and General Assistance. Did you have to sell your car or anything to qualify?
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Omar Fawaz
When I exhausted my SDI benefits in 2025, I was able to apply for unemployment benefits while I continued looking for work within my restrictions. This only works if you're able to do SOME type of work (even if it's not your previous job) and are actively looking. You'll need a doctor's note specifying your work limitations. Worth looking into if your doctor says you can work with accommodations.
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NebulaNomad
•This is important to clarify - you can only receive unemployment benefits if you're able and available to work in some capacity. Based on the original post about permanent disability, this might not be an option. You must be medically able to perform some type of work and actively searching for work within your restrictions to qualify for UI benefits.
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Chloe Martin
Do you have a disability insurance policy through work? Many employers offer short and long term disability coverage that kicks in once state benefits end. Check with your HR department ASAP!
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Isabella Ferreira
•Unfortunately I work for a small construction company with only basic benefits. No long-term disability insurance that I'm aware of, but I'll double check with my boss.
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Diego Rojas
I can tell you from experience that trying to call Social Security to start your SSDI application is nearly impossible right now. I kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an agent and it saved me so much stress. Check out their video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd As for what to do after SDI ends - make sure your doctor has documented everything thoroughly for your SSDI application. Get copies of all medical records. You'll need to prove you can't work ANY job, not just your construction job.
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Freya Thomsen
•Is that service legit? Never heard of it but I nearly lost my mind trying to get through to SS last year. Kept getting disconnected after waiting 2+ hours.
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Diego Rojas
•Yes, it's legitimate. They basically keep calling for you and then connect you when they get through. Would have saved me days of frustration if I'd known about it sooner. Worth it if you value your time.
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Anastasia Sokolov
This is a reality many of us face with the broken disability system in California. When my SDI ran out after a serious heart condition, I was denied SSDI twice before finally getting approved. The gap between these programs can be devastating financially. Some suggestions beyond what others mentioned: 1. Contact your mortgage company/landlord immediately - some have hardship programs 2. File for SSDI immediately AND get a disability attorney (they only get paid if you win) 3. Check if your city or county has emergency housing assistance programs 4. Apply for CalFresh and CalWorks 5. Contact 211 (call 211) for referrals to additional resources The system is designed to be difficult. Document EVERYTHING and be persistent.
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Isabella Ferreira
•Thank you for these suggestions. I hadn't thought about talking to my landlord, but that's a good idea. I'm definitely going to call 211 and see what other resources might be available. It's so overwhelming trying to navigate all these different systems when you're already dealing with health issues.
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Ravi Sharma
wait i forgot 2 mention - if ur injury was at work did u file workmans comp????? thats different from SDI!!
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NebulaNomad
•This is an important point. Workers' compensation and SDI are separate systems. If your injury occurred at work, workers' compensation should be your primary benefit system, though sometimes people receive SDI while waiting for workers' comp approval. If you haven't filed a workers' comp claim for a work injury, you should speak with a workers' compensation attorney immediately.
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