Moving out of state while on SDI disability - will my benefits continue?
I've been on California SDI since January after a complicated back surgery. My doctor has certified me for 6 months total (through June), but my husband just got PCS orders (he's active duty military) and we're moving to North Carolina in April. I'm so stressed about what happens to my disability benefits when we leave California! Has anyone dealt with moving out of state while receiving SDI? Do the payments just continue since I was a California resident when I filed? Or will they cut me off once I change my address? I can't find any clear answers on the EDD website, and I'm worried about losing my income during recovery. My doctor is willing to continue certifying my disability remotely, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Would really appreciate any advice from military spouses or anyone who's been through this!
35 comments


Ravi Malhotra
you should be fine since your claim was approved while u were a CA resident. my brother moved to texas halfway thru his disability and kept getting payments with no issues. just make sure you update your address with EDD so checks don't get lost if ur not doing direct deposit. the important thing is that you were employed and paid into the CA system before your disability started
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StarSurfer
•Thank you! That's such a relief to hear. I am on direct deposit, but I'll definitely update my address. Did your brother have any issues with his doctor continuing to certify his disability from another state?
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Freya Christensen
Military spouse here who went through this exact situation in 2023! Since you qualified for SDI while living and working in California, you remain eligible for the full claim period even after moving. This is because your eligibility is based on your earnings during the base period when you were working in California. However, there are a few critical things you need to do: 1. Update your address with EDD immediately after moving (can be done on SDI Online) 2. Make sure your doctor continues submitting certifications on time 3. If you need to switch doctors, arrange this BEFORE moving and have your medical records transferred 4. Continue completing your certification forms when required The most challenging part is maintaining the doctor relationship across states. Some doctors won't continue certifying once you're out of state. If that happens, you may need to return to California for an evaluation with a new doctor who can take over your case.
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StarSurfer
•This is incredibly helpful! Thank you for the detailed response. I'm going to talk to my doctor at my next appointment about the certification process once we move. I think she'll continue to help, but I'll make a backup plan just in case.
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Omar Hassan
DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING PPL TELL U ON FORUMS!!! my friend lost all her benefits when she moved to nevada!!!! edd doesnt care if ur military or not they just cut her off and said she wasnt eligible anymore bc she wasnt in california. check the fine print!!!!
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Freya Christensen
•I'm sorry about your friend's experience, but the official EDD policy is that you CAN continue receiving SDI benefits after moving out of state if you qualified while working in California. The benefits are based on your previous CA employment, not your current residence. Your friend's situation might have involved other factors or perhaps she was on a different benefit program.
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Chloe Robinson
This is actually something I help people with frequently. Moving out of state while on SDI is totally allowed, but communication with EDD is often the biggest challenge. Their phone lines are completely overwhelmed and you want to get clear confirmation about your specific case. I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD representative quickly. I was skeptical at first but their service actually works - they'll get you connected to an EDD agent usually within an hour. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Get the move documented with EDD before you leave so there are no surprises with your payments. Also, make sure to set up an arrangement with your doctor about how they'll continue to certify your disability. Some doctors require video appointments for continuing certification.
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StarSurfer
•Thank you for the recommendation! I've been trying to call EDD for two days with no luck. I'll check out Claimyr - getting clear confirmation directly from EDD would definitely help me sleep better at night.
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Diego Chavez
My situation was kinda the opposite - I moved TO California while on short-term disability from another state. It was a huge hassle but completely different system. Just wanted to say thank you for your spouse's service! Military moves are stressful enough without dealing with disability issues on top of it.
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StarSurfer
•Thank you! And you're right - this PCS is already complicated enough without the added stress about my benefits. Military life is definitely full of unexpected challenges!
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NeonNebula
Have you asked your husband to check with the base's family support center? Sometimes they have resources specifically for military families dealing with state benefits during PCS moves. Might be worth a try!
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StarSurfer
•That's a great idea I hadn't thought of! I'll have him check with family support services next time he's on base. Thank you!
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Anastasia Kozlov
I moved from CA to Washington last year while on SDI for pregnancy disability and continued benefits with no issues at all. Just make sure to request a new debit card if that's how you get your payments, since they won't forward those to a new address for security reasons. And definitely update your address in the system as soon as possible after moving. The only pain point was when I needed additional medical certification - I had to establish care with a new doctor in Washington who had to fill out the paperwork. That took some explaining since they weren't familiar with California's SDI forms.
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StarSurfer
•That's really helpful to know about the medical certification issues. I'm hoping my current doctor will continue handling everything, but I should probably look into finding a specialist in North Carolina as a backup plan. Did you have any delays in your payments during the transition?
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NebulaKnight
As someone who works in benefits administration, I can confirm that California SDI benefits do continue when you move out of state, as long as you qualified while working and living in California. The key is maintaining proper communication with EDD and ensuring your medical certifications continue without interruption. A few additional tips for military families in your situation: - Keep copies of all your medical records and certification forms before moving - If possible, schedule your final CA appointment close to your move date to minimize gaps - Consider having your new NC doctor review your case beforehand so they understand the CA SDI requirements - Military families often qualify for expedited processing of certain paperwork, so mention your spouse's service status when contacting EDD The good news is that NC has several military-friendly medical facilities that are experienced with out-of-state disability documentation. Tricare should also help with continuity of care. Best of luck with your move and recovery!
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Andrew Pinnock
Moving out of state while on SDI can definitely be nerve-wracking, but you should be able to continue receiving benefits since you qualified while working in California. I went through a similar situation when my family relocated to Arizona for my spouse's job while I was on disability for a shoulder injury. The most important things are: 1) Update your address with EDD immediately after moving (you can do this through SDI Online), 2) Make sure your doctor will continue certifying your disability remotely, and 3) Keep all your medical documentation organized in case EDD needs additional verification. One thing I wish I'd known - if your doctor won't continue certifying from out of state, you may need to find a new doctor in North Carolina who can take over your case. It's worth having that conversation with your current doctor soon so you can plan accordingly. Some doctors are fine with remote certifications, while others prefer in-person evaluations. Also, since you're military, you might have access to additional resources through Tricare that could help with continuity of care. The military medical system is often good about transferring records quickly between states. Good luck with your move and recovery! The stress of uncertainty is often worse than the actual process.
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Zainab Mahmoud
•This is really reassuring to hear from someone who's been through it! I'm definitely going to have that conversation with my doctor at my next appointment about remote certifications. It sounds like the key is just staying organized and communicating with EDD proactively. Thank you for mentioning the Tricare angle too - I hadn't thought about how that might help with the transition between doctors if needed.
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Hunter Brighton
I went through this exact situation two years ago when my husband got orders to Fort Liberty! You'll be fine - California SDI follows you when you move out of state as long as you qualified while working in CA. A few things that helped me specifically with the military move: - Contact EDD about 2 weeks before your PCS date to give them a heads up about the address change - If you're moving to Fort Liberty area, there are several good orthopedic specialists who are familiar with CA disability forms (Dr. Martinez at Cape Fear Ortho was great for me) - The military family life counselors can sometimes help coordinate with your current doctor for a smooth handoff of medical records The payments continued without any interruption for me, and I actually found the doctors in NC to be more responsive than my CA ones were! Just make sure you have all your medical records digitized before the move - military moves can be chaotic and you don't want important documents getting lost in transit. Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions about the Fort Liberty area medical resources!
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Luca Russo
•This is incredibly helpful! We're actually heading to Fort Liberty, so your specific recommendations are perfect. I'll definitely look into Dr. Martinez at Cape Fear Ortho as a backup option. The tip about contacting EDD 2 weeks before the move is great too - I was planning to wait until after we moved, but being proactive makes much more sense. It's such a relief to hear from someone who went through the exact same situation with no payment interruptions. Thank you so much for offering to help with Fort Liberty questions - I might take you up on that as we get closer to the move date!
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Oliver Brown
I'm a military spouse who went through this same situation last year when we PCS'd from California to Colorado while I was on SDI for a knee injury. Your benefits absolutely continue since you qualified while working in CA - the key is just staying on top of the paperwork and communication. A few practical tips that helped me: - Download and save all your forms from the SDI Online portal before moving (internet can be spotty during PCS) - Ask your current doctor's office how they handle out-of-state patients for disability certifications - some do telehealth appointments, others require you to find a new provider - Set up mail forwarding with USPS even if you have direct deposit, since EDD sometimes sends important notices by mail - Keep your phone number if possible during the move - EDD may try to contact you and it's easier if your number stays the same The whole process was much smoother than I expected. My payments never stopped and the address change was simple to do online. The hardest part was just the anxiety of not knowing what to expect! You've got this - and thank your husband for his service!
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Connor Murphy
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from another military spouse who went through this successfully. The tip about downloading forms beforehand is brilliant - I hadn't thought about internet issues during the move but that's definitely something that could happen. I'm feeling much more confident about this whole process after reading everyone's experiences. The military community really does look out for each other!
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Liam Mendez
I just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this process. I moved from California to Texas in November while on SDI for a work-related injury, and my benefits continued without any issues. One thing I'd recommend is keeping detailed records of all your communications with EDD and your doctor during the transition. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking when I submitted forms, updated my address, and had doctor appointments. It helped me stay organized and gave me peace of mind knowing everything was documented. Also, don't stress too much about the timing - EDD is actually pretty understanding about address changes during the middle of a claim period. The system is set up to handle people who move for legitimate reasons like military orders. The fact that you're being proactive about planning this shows you're already on the right track. Wishing you a smooth move and continued recovery from your surgery!
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Yuki Tanaka
•That's such a smart idea about keeping a spreadsheet to track everything! I tend to get overwhelmed with paperwork during stressful situations, so having a simple tracking system would definitely help me stay organized. It's also reassuring to hear that EDD is understanding about legitimate moves - I was worried they might see any address change as suspicious or problematic. Thank you for the encouragement about being proactive, sometimes it's hard to know if you're doing too much or too little when dealing with government benefits!
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StormChaser
I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - my spouse is military and we're facing a potential PCS while I'm on SDI for a chronic condition. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! One thing I wanted to add that might be useful - I spoke with a military family readiness group coordinator about this exact issue, and she mentioned that some bases have liaisons who specifically help military families navigate state benefit transitions during PCS moves. It might be worth checking if your losing base or gaining base has someone like this. Also, for what it's worth, I've found that being upfront about your military status when dealing with government agencies often leads to more helpful and expedited service. They understand that military families don't have control over when and where they move. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's amazing how much stress can be relieved just by hearing from people who've successfully navigated this process!
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Nia Davis
•That's such a great point about base liaisons - I had no idea that was even a thing! I'll definitely ask about that when my husband goes in for his final out-processing briefings. It would be amazing to have someone who specializes in exactly this type of situation. And you're absolutely right about being upfront about military status - I've found that most people are really understanding when they know it's a military move rather than just a personal choice to relocate. I hope your potential PCS situation works out smoothly too, and thank you for adding that valuable resource suggestion!
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Nia Davis
I'm a former EDD case worker and can confirm that you're absolutely fine to continue receiving SDI benefits after moving out of state - this is actually a pretty common situation we handled regularly. Your eligibility is locked in based on your California employment history during the base period when you qualified, not your current residence. A few insider tips from my experience processing these cases: 1. When you update your address online, also submit a brief written explanation through SDI Online mentioning it's a military PCS move - this helps flag your file so any staff reviewing it understand the situation 2. Make sure your doctor knows they need to continue using the original CA SDI forms (DE 2501) - some out-of-state providers try to use their local disability forms which causes delays 3. If you run into any issues, mention that this is a military family situation - EDD has specific protocols for service members and their families The most important thing is maintaining that doctor relationship for ongoing certifications. Since you mentioned your doctor is willing to continue remotely, you should be all set. Military families actually have some of the smoothest transitions because the moves are well-documented and legitimate. Hope this helps ease your stress about the move!
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Jeremiah Brown
•This is incredibly valuable insight from someone who actually processed these cases! Thank you so much for taking the time to share these insider tips. The suggestion about submitting a written explanation mentioning it's a military PCS move is brilliant - I never would have thought to do that, but it makes perfect sense that it would help staff understand the situation immediately. And the tip about making sure my doctor continues using the CA SDI forms (DE 2501) is exactly the kind of detail I needed to know. I'll definitely discuss this with her at my next appointment to make sure she's aware. It's such a relief to hear from someone with direct EDD experience that military families typically have smooth transitions. Your expertise has really helped put my mind at ease about this whole process!
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Noah Torres
I'm so glad you asked this question because I was in a very similar situation last year! My husband is Navy and we got PCS orders to Virginia while I was on SDI for complications from a C-section. I was absolutely panicked about losing my benefits mid-claim. The good news is that your benefits will definitely continue since you qualified while working in California. I had zero interruption in payments when we moved. Here's what worked for me: - Updated my address through SDI Online the day after we arrived at our new duty station - My OB was amazing and continued doing telehealth appointments for my disability certifications - I kept getting direct deposits without any issues for the remainder of my claim period The key thing is that your eligibility is based on where you were working when you became disabled, not where you live now. Since you paid into the California system while working there, you're entitled to the full benefit period regardless of where you move. One military-specific tip: when you call EDD (if needed), mention right away that it's a PCS move. They're very familiar with military relocations and it usually speeds up the process. You've got enough to worry about with your recovery and the move - this is one less thing to stress about! Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions about navigating SDI as a military spouse.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's incredibly reassuring to hear from another military spouse who went through almost the exact same situation. The fact that you had zero interruption in payments is exactly what I needed to hear. Your tip about mentioning the PCS move upfront when calling EDD is really smart - I'll definitely remember that. It's amazing how supportive the military spouse community is with sharing these kinds of practical tips. I'm feeling so much more confident about this whole process now thanks to everyone's experiences. Wishing you and your family all the best at your new duty station!
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Emma Davis
I just wanted to share my recent experience since it might help you feel more confident about your move! I went through this exact situation in late 2023 when my husband got PCS orders to Joint Base Lewis-McChord while I was on SDI for a herniated disc. Your benefits will absolutely continue - I never missed a single payment during our move from California to Washington. The process was much smoother than I anticipated, and here's what helped me: - I called EDD about 3 weeks before our move date and specifically mentioned it was a military PCS. The representative was super helpful and walked me through exactly what I needed to do - My pain management doctor agreed to continue my care via telehealth, which made the medical certification process seamless - I updated my address in SDI Online the same day we arrived at our new base One thing that really helped was creating a "transition binder" with copies of all my medical records, previous certification forms, and important EDD correspondence. Military moves can be hectic, and having everything organized in one place gave me peace of mind. The staff at JBLM's family readiness center also had resources specifically for spouses dealing with out-of-state benefits during PCS moves - definitely worth checking if your new base has similar support. You're being smart by planning ahead, and the fact that your doctor is already willing to continue certifying remotely puts you in a great position. Best of luck with your move and continued recovery!
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Nia Williams
•This is such helpful and detailed advice! I love the idea of creating a "transition binder" - that's exactly the kind of organizational tip I needed. With everything else going on with the move and my recovery, having all the important documents in one place sounds like it would save a lot of stress. I'm also really encouraged to hear that you were able to call EDD successfully and get helpful guidance. I've been hesitant to call because of all the stories about long wait times, but knowing that mentioning the military PCS upfront helped you get good service gives me confidence to try. Thank you for mentioning the family readiness center resources too - I'll definitely look into what's available at Fort Liberty when we get there. It's amazing how many military spouses have gone through this same situation successfully!
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CaptainAwesome
I went through this exact situation when my spouse got orders to Fort Campbell while I was on SDI for a knee surgery! Your benefits will definitely continue since you qualified while working in California - that's what matters, not where you live now. A few things that really helped me during our PCS: - I contacted EDD about 2 weeks before our move and explained it was military orders. They were very understanding and helpful - Made sure to have my doctor's office confirm they could continue remote certifications before we left - Set up a file with all my medical records and SDI paperwork in case anything got delayed during the move The transition was actually much smoother than I expected. My payments never stopped and updating my address online was simple. The hardest part was just the anxiety beforehand! Since you're going to Fort Liberty, you'll have access to some great medical facilities there if you need to transition to a new provider later. But it sounds like your current doctor is supportive, which puts you in a really good position. Military families deal with this situation regularly, so EDD is used to handling these cases. You're being smart by planning ahead - that proactive approach will serve you well. Focus on your recovery and don't stress too much about the benefits side of things!
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Sophie Hernandez
•Thank you for sharing your Fort Campbell experience! It's so reassuring to hear from yet another military spouse who went through this successfully. I'm definitely feeling much more confident about the whole process after reading everyone's stories. Your point about the anxiety beforehand being the hardest part really resonates with me - I think I've been building this up in my head as much scarier than it actually is. The tip about contacting EDD 2 weeks before the move seems to be the consensus advice, so I'll definitely do that. It's also good to know that Fort Liberty has good medical facilities as a backup option, even though I'm hoping to continue with my current doctor remotely. Thank you for the encouragement about being proactive - sometimes it's hard to know if you're doing enough preparation, but it sounds like I'm on the right track!
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Malik Jackson
I'm a military spouse who went through this exact situation two years ago when we PCS'd from California to Georgia while I was on SDI for postpartum complications. I can definitely confirm that your benefits will continue - California SDI follows you regardless of where you move since your eligibility is based on your CA work history, not current residence. Here's what made the process smooth for me: - Called EDD about 10 days before our move date and specifically mentioned it was military PCS orders (they have protocols for this) - My doctor was able to continue certifications via telehealth appointments - Updated my address in SDI Online immediately after arriving at our new duty station - Never had any interruption in payments throughout the entire process The key is maintaining that medical certification chain. Since your doctor is already willing to continue remotely, you're in great shape. I'd also recommend keeping digital copies of all your medical records and previous SDI paperwork on your phone or cloud storage - military moves can be unpredictable and you want easy access to everything. Fort Liberty has excellent medical facilities too, so even if you need to transition to a new provider later, you'll have good options. The military community there is also very familiar with helping spouses navigate these kinds of benefit transitions. You're being smart by planning ahead! The stress of not knowing is always worse than the actual process. Focus on your recovery and don't let this add to your move anxiety - you've got this!
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Jamal Brown
I'm another military spouse who just went through this process last month! My husband got orders to Fort Hood while I was on SDI for complications from gallbladder surgery, and I was terrified about losing my benefits mid-claim. The great news is that your payments will absolutely continue since you qualified while working in California. I had zero issues with my benefits - they continued seamlessly throughout our PCS move. Here's what worked perfectly for me: - I contacted EDD about 2 weeks before our move (seems to be the magic timeframe based on everyone's advice here!) and emphasized it was military orders - My surgeon was happy to continue doing virtual follow-ups for my disability certifications - I made sure to update my address through SDI Online on our first day at the new base - Created a digital backup of all my medical records and SDI paperwork before the movers came The EDD representative I spoke with was actually really knowledgeable about military moves and assured me this happens all the time. She even mentioned they have specific procedures in place for service members and their families. Since you're headed to Fort Liberty, I've heard wonderful things about the medical support there from other military families. But honestly, if your current doctor is willing to continue certifying remotely, that's probably your smoothest path forward. The anticipation and worry was definitely the worst part - the actual process was surprisingly straightforward. You're being so smart by planning ahead and asking these questions. Focus on healing and let the EDD system do what it's designed to do! Thank you for your husband's service!
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