End of SDI benefits but doctor says no work until May - what are my options?

sameeee situation with my carpal tunnel! my SDI ran out and my doc said no work for 3 more months. its brutal. i tried unemployment but they denied me cuz ur supposed to be 'able to work' and i wasnt. so thats probly not an option for u either

You definitely can apply for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) since your condition prevents you from working. The challenge is that SSDI typically requires your disability to last at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. Since your doctor anticipates you returning to work in May, that might be an issue. However, given the severity of your condition (risk of paralysis), it's worth applying anyway. The application process can take 3-5 months, sometimes longer. Start gathering all your medical records and documentation from your current disability claim to support your case. You might also want to check if your employer offers any long-term disability insurance that could bridge this gap. Some policies kick in after state disability ends.

The SYSTEM is designed to FAIL people like us!! I went through this EXACT situation last year with my fibromyalgia. SDI cuts you off at 52 weeks even if you're still disabled!!! It's CRIMINAL. And then SSDI takes FOREVER to process - I waited 7 months for my first check!! The bureaucrats don't care if we end up HOMELESS while waiting!!! My advice? Call your doctor IMMEDIATELY and see if there's any way to extend your SDI by reclassifying your condition. Sometimes if they submit paperwork showing it's a related but different diagnosis, you can get a new claim started. Worked for my cousin with her back issues.

I had a similar spine condition and faced this exact problem last year. Here's what I did that might help you: 1. Apply for SSDI immediately - yes, it usually requires a 12-month disability duration, but spinal conditions with risk of paralysis often qualify more easily. The medical documentation is critical here. 2. Contact your mortgage lender about hardship options - many have programs that can temporarily reduce or pause payments. 3. Check if your county has any emergency rental/mortgage assistance programs. 4. Look into state-funded vocational rehabilitation services - they can sometimes provide financial support while helping you train for work compatible with your restrictions. 5. If you have a 401k or IRA, you might qualify for a hardship withdrawal without the usual penalties due to medical circumstances. The gap between SDI and either recovery or SSDI approval is unfortunately common. Don't wait until your benefits run out to start exploring these options.

have u tried calling EDD to see if there's any extensions? my brother got extra weeks somehow but idk how exactly. worth a shot maybe

To clarify some of the information already provided: 1. SDI is limited to 52 weeks for a single disability period. There are very rare exceptions for certain state-defined catastrophic conditions, but herniated discs typically don't qualify. 2. After SDI exhaustion, your options are: - SSDI (as mentioned, but requires expected disability of 12+ months) - Private long-term disability insurance if you have it - State Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DE 1378DI) - but this would have needed to be arranged before your disability - Workers' Compensation (only if your injury was work-related) 3. Important note: You cannot collect Unemployment Insurance if you're medically unable to work. UI requires you to certify you're able and available for work. I recommend requesting a complete copy of your medical records and consulting with a disability attorney. Many offer free initial consultations and can advise on SSDI qualification likelihood based on your specific medical documentation.

wait i just remembered something - is your back injury from work??? if it happened at work even partly you should be on workers comp not SDI!!! that pays way more and lasts longer!