EDD just approved my SDI claim but I just got a job offer - what happens now?

Congrats on the new job! Yes, you MUST report this to EDD right away. Log into your SDI Online account and there should be an option to report your return to work date. If you start working on April 15th, your benefits will stop as of April 14th. You won't have to pay anything back as long as you report it before you actually start working.

be careful about working with restrictions!! i went back too early with "minor restrictions" and ended up re-injuring myself. make sure ur new employer knows about them and get EVERYTHING in writing

omg i just went thru this exact same thing!!! you need to fill out the DE 2525XX form (Notice of Returned to Work). if u dont report it and they find out later youll have to pay everything back plus penalties. learned this the hard way lol

You're getting some good advice here. The most important thing is to notify EDD before you start working. You can do this online through your SDI account or by calling the EDD SDI phone line. By the way, if you're having trouble reaching someone at EDD to confirm everything is properly recorded (those phone lines are notorious), I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 15 minutes when I needed to sort out a similar situation. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Congratulations on the new job and your recovery!

So if ur starting a new job, make sure they know u were on disability. Some companies have policies about hiring people who were out on medical leave. Not trying to scare u but my cousin got hired then they found out she was on SDI right before and they rescinded the offer claiming she wasnt honest during inteview process.

To answer your specific questions: 1. Yes, you must notify EDD immediately when you have a return-to-work date. 2. You will NOT have to pay back benefits as long as you report your return before it happens. Benefits will stop the day before you start working. 3. The reporting process: Log into SDI Online → Select your claim → Click on "Report Return to Work Date" → Enter the date you'll start working. 4. If your doctor had certified you through April 30th, you will not receive benefits from April 15-30 once you report your return to work. 5. Make sure you keep documentation of when you reported your return to work date in case there are any questions later. Also, don't forget to arrange for continuation of health insurance if there's a gap between when your previous coverage ends and when your new employer's benefits begin.

Smart move taking that screenshot! Just wanted to add that you might want to double-check with your new employer about when exactly your health benefits kick in. Some companies have a waiting period (like 30 or 90 days) before benefits start, not just the first of the month after you begin. If that's the case, you might need COBRA coverage for longer than just those two weeks. Also, since you're transitioning from SDI to a new job, make sure to keep all your medical documentation handy - your new employer's HR might need copies of your work restrictions or clearance from your doctor for their records.

This is such great news about your recovery and new job opportunity! Just wanted to add one more thing to consider - since you're starting a new job while technically still within your original disability certification period, you might want to keep your doctor's contact info handy in case EDD has any follow-up questions about your early return to work. Sometimes they do spot checks to verify that people returning early have proper medical clearance. Also, congrats on the salary increase - that's awesome that this injury situation ended up leading to an even better opportunity! It's a nice reminder that sometimes unexpected challenges can open doors we didn't even know existed.

As someone who went through a similar situation last year, I just wanted to add that it's worth keeping track of your final SDI payment date for tax purposes. Since you're transitioning mid-month, make sure you understand exactly which days you'll receive benefits for vs. which days will be your new job income. This will be important when you file taxes next year since SDI benefits are taxable income in California. Also, if you haven't already, consider asking your new employer about their disability insurance policy - some companies have better coverage than state SDI, and it's good to know what you'd be entitled to if you ever need it again. Wishing you all the best with your new position!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also update any automatic payment arrangements you might have set up based on your SDI payment schedule. Since your benefits will stop April 14th but your new job probably won't pay until the end of April or early May, make sure you have enough in your account to cover any bills that were timed around your SDI payments. I made this mistake when I transitioned back to work and ended up with a bounced payment because I forgot my SDI would stop immediately but my first paycheck wouldn't come for another few weeks. Also, don't forget to update your address and contact info with EDD if anything changes with the new job - they might need to send you tax documents at the end of the year. Good luck with everything!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR - you're handling this exactly right by reporting to EDD immediately! One additional tip: when you start your new job, make sure to bring a copy of your doctor's work restriction letter to your first day. Even though your new employer is aware of your situation, having the official documentation helps protect both you and them. HR will likely want it for their files anyway. Also, since you mentioned this is a $15k salary increase, don't forget to adjust your tax withholdings accordingly - you might want to meet with a tax professional or use the IRS withholding calculator to make sure you're not underpaying throughout the year. Congrats again on both your recovery and the amazing new opportunity!