EDD SDI question: Can I get disability while caring for child post-surgery?
I'm at my wits' end trying to figure out if I qualify for SDI while taking care of my 6-year-old after her tonsillectomy. My daughter is scheduled for surgery on July 15th, 2025, and her ENT specialist said she'll need constant care for at least 3 weeks post-op. I'm a single dad with no family nearby who can help. Her mom lives out of state. I already notified my employer about needing time off (requested back in April), but they're giving me pushback saying I should use vacation time for the first week, then unpaid leave after that. They're claiming SDI doesn't cover caring for family members - only Paid Family Leave does. The problem is I already used up my PFL time earlier this year when my daughter had pneumonia (Jan-Feb). I've been working at my current job for 3+ years, so I know I have enough work credits for SDI. Has anyone successfully gotten SDI approval for caring for a child after surgery? What documentation did you need from the doctor? Should I apply now or wait until closer to the surgery date? I'm seriously stressed about potentially losing 3 weeks of income when I'm already barely making rent.
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Katherine Hunter
You're confusing SDI with PFL. State Disability Insurance (SDI) only covers YOUR own disability/illness, not caring for a family member. That's what Paid Family Leave (PFL) is for, which you said you already used up. Unfortunately, there's a limit to how much PFL you can take in a 12-month period, typically 8 weeks. If you've used all your PFL, you won't qualify for SDI just to care for your child, unless you have your own disability.
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Emma Morales
•Oh man, I was afraid of that. My supervisor made it sound like there might be some special exception for parents. Is there any other EDD program I could qualify for? I really can't afford to take unpaid leave for that long.
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Lucas Parker
This happened to me last yr with my son's surgery!! Talk to ur childs doctor ASAP. Sometimes they can write u a note saying that caring for ur kid is causing u anxiety/depression which CAN qualify u for SDI as your own medical condition. Worth a shot!
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Donna Cline
•Whoa, this is risky advice. While technically possible, the EDD investigates fraud very seriously. If you're not genuinely experiencing disabling anxiety/depression, and are just getting a note to game the system, you could face penalties. Just be careful with this approach.
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Emma Morales
•Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm not comfortable going that route. I'd rather find a legitimate solution that won't risk problems later.
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Harper Collins
SDI is for your own disability only. PFL is for caretaking. You mentioned you used up PFL this year. Just so you know, the limit is 8 weeks total in a 12-month period (used to be only 6 weeks until recently). If your previous PFL claim was just for 2-3 weeks, you might still have some weeks left to use.
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Emma Morales
•I used the full 8 weeks when she had pneumonia with complications, so I'm out of PFL time until next January. That's why I'm trying to figure out if there are other options.
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Kelsey Hawkins
As others have correctly mentioned, SDI is specifically for your own disability, while PFL is designed for caregiving situations like yours. Since you've exhausted your PFL benefits, here are some alternatives to consider: 1. FMLA/CFRA - These provide job protection (but no pay) for up to 12 weeks 2. Ask your employer about advance vacation borrowing for next year 3. Check if your employer offers any emergency leave bank or hardship programs 4. Some companies have employee assistance programs with emergency grants 5. Look into local non-profits that might offer assistance for families with children undergoing medical procedures Unfortunately, there's no way to qualify for SDI unless you personally have a medical condition that prevents you from working.
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Emma Morales
•Thank you for these detailed alternatives. I'm definitely covered under FMLA for job protection, so that's something at least. I'll look into the non-profit option - hadn't thought of that. My employer is pretty small (under 25 employees) so they don't have many formal programs, but maybe I can negotiate something.
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Dylan Fisher
Have u tried calling EDD directly to ask? When I was in a similar situation they were actually helpful but it took FOREVER to reach someone. I spent like 3 days just calling and calling and getting hung up on.
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Edwards Hugo
•I had the same problem reaching EDD about my disability claim last month! I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days calling. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd They basically keep calling for you until they get through, then connect you. Saved me so much frustration when I needed answers about my pending SDI claim.
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Emma Morales
•That's good to know! I might try calling first, and if I can't get through I'll check out that service. At this point I need definitive answers so I can plan ahead.
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Gianna Scott
not sure if this helps but my wife works at a school and when shes off during summer she gets SDI i think??? maybe check if theres anything about temporary unemployment during planned medical care for dependents
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Katherine Hunter
•Your wife is most likely getting unemployment benefits during the summer break (if she's not guaranteed work during that period), not SDI. Unemployment and disability are completely different programs, with different eligibility requirements. The OP wouldn't qualify for unemployment since they need to be available for work, which they won't be while caring for their child.
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Katherine Hunter
One thing no one has mentioned - have you looked into whether your health insurance offers any case management or home health services? Sometimes insurance will cover a home health aide for children after certain surgeries, especially if the doctor documents it as medically necessary. It's worth calling your insurance company to ask about post-surgical care benefits.
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Emma Morales
•That's actually a really good suggestion! I have decent insurance through my employer, but I never thought to ask if they cover any home care services. I'll call my insurance tomorrow and see what options might be available. That could potentially solve a big part of the problem. Thank you!
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Donna Cline
I think your best approach is multi-faceted: 1. Get documentation from the ENT about the full recovery timeline and specific care requirements 2. Speak with your HR department about FMLA/CFRA and any company-specific leave options 3. Contact your health insurance about home health aide coverage 4. If you're truly experiencing stress/anxiety over this situation, talk to your own doctor about your mental health 5. Check with local social services about any emergency assistance programs Unfortunately, the EDD system has this gap where PFL has time limits, but children's medical needs don't follow convenient timelines. I hope you're able to piece together a solution!
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Emma Morales
•Thank you for breaking it down like this. I'm going to start working through this list tomorrow. I appreciate everyone's help in clarifying what's possible and what's not. At least now I can focus on realistic options instead of pursuing something that won't work.
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