Multiple EDD SDI claims in same year - knee surgery then shoulder surgery - will benefit amount be reduced?

ya u can have multiple claims! i did 3 diff ones last year no problem. u just gotta file a new claim each time and get ur doc to submit new paperwork

Yes, you can absolutely file multiple disability claims in the same year. There's no limit to the number of claims you can file as long as each one is medically necessary and certified by your doctor. However, regarding your second question, your benefit amount for the new claim *could* be affected. Your SDI benefit amount is calculated based on wages earned during your base period (typically 5-18 months before your claim). If your knee surgery claim falls within a different base period calculation window than your shoulder surgery, and that new window includes months where you were receiving reduced SDI income instead of your full wages, then yes, your weekly benefit amount might be lower. You might want to call EDD directly to ask for a benefit calculation based on your specific situation. They can tell you exactly what quarters will be used for your new claim calculation.

I went through something similiar last year! Had gallbladder surgery in March, went back to work in April, then had to have a hysterectomy in November. For the second surgery they used the SAME base period as my first claim so my benefit amount stayed exactly the same for both claims. EDD told me this happens when both claims are within 12 months of each other. Hope this helps!

Just to avoid confusion - make sure you're not mixing up disability (SDI) with paid family leave (PFL). They're different programs even though they're both through EDD. SDI is for YOUR medical conditions while PFL is for caring for family members or bonding with new children. I made that mistake and filed the wrong paperwork which delayed everything by WEEKS!!!

I've been through this EXACT situation last year and I spent HOURS trying to get through to EDD to confirm how my benefits would be calculated. After getting hung up on 12 times and waiting on hold for literally 3+ hours, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD representative in less than 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd Anyway, when I finally talked to the EDD rep, they confirmed that since both my claims were within the same benefit year, they used the same base period calculation. My weekly benefit amount stayed the same for both claims. But they did mention that if my second claim had started more than 12 months after my first claim began, they would have used a different base period which would have resulted in a lower benefit amount because it would have included the months I was on disability.

Yes, it worked for me! It's the only way I finally got through after days of trying. Totally worth it because I needed answers before my surgery.

The EDD system is DESIGNED to be confusing and impossible to navigate!!! They WANT people to give up trying to get benefits they're entitled to. I had three surgeries over two years and each time they calculated my benefits differently and couldn't explain why. When I asked for a supervisor they put me on hold until I hung up. The whole system is BROKEN!!

To clarify a few points about multiple SDI claims: 1. Yes, you can file as many SDI claims as needed within a year (or any timeframe) as long as each is medically necessary. 2. Benefit calculations: - If your second claim begins within 12 months from the start of your first claim AND you haven't had a break in your disability claim period of more than 60 days, EDD typically uses the same base period for both claims. - If your claims are more than 12 months apart OR you've been back to work for more than 60 days between claims, EDD will recalculate using a new base period. 3. Important: Make sure your doctor clearly indicates this is a new medical condition requiring a new period of disability. Don't file it as a continuation of your previous claim since they're unrelated conditions. 4. Your base period for SDI is typically the 12-month period ending about 5-18 months before your claim start date, divided into quarters. They use your highest-earning quarter to calculate benefits. In your specific case, since there will only be 6 weeks between claims, you'll likely have the same benefit amount as your first claim.

Just make sure your doctor fills out the forms correctly! My doctor's office messed up my paperwork when I had my second surgery and it delayed everything by 3 weeks. So stressful when you're trying to recover AND worried about money!

i forgot to mention somethin important - when u go back to work between claims make sure u tell ur work ur coming back "permanently" even if u know u might need another surgery. my HR lady said if u say ur coming back temporary it can mess up ur benefits somehow

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're worried about the financial impact, you might want to check if your employer offers any short-term disability insurance that could supplement your SDI benefits. Some employers have policies that pay the difference between your SDI amount and your regular salary. Also, when you file your new claim, make sure to keep all your medical documentation organized. I learned the hard way that EDD sometimes requests additional paperwork even for straightforward cases, and having everything ready can prevent delays. Good luck with your knee surgery - dealing with multiple surgeries in one year is tough both physically and financially!

I went through this exact scenario two years ago - back surgery in February, then had to have carpal tunnel surgery in August. The good news is that since both my claims were within the same 12-month period, EDD used the same base period calculation for both, so my weekly benefit amount stayed consistent. One tip that really helped me: when you file the second claim, make sure to mention to EDD that this is a completely different medical condition from your first claim. I actually had to call and clarify this because their system initially flagged it as potentially related to my back surgery (which made no sense!). Also, start gathering your medical documentation now - surgery authorization, doctor's notes about the necessity of the procedure, etc. Having everything ready when you file can really speed up the approval process. The last thing you want is delays when you're already dealing with surgery recovery. Hope your knee surgery goes smoothly! Multiple surgeries in one year is exhausting but at least the SDI process should be familiar the second time around.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - had wrist surgery in February and now need ankle surgery in a few weeks. From what I've learned talking to EDD and reading through all these responses, it sounds like you should be in good shape since your claims will be close together. One thing I wanted to add that might help - when I called EDD to ask about my second claim, they told me to make sure my doctor specifically writes that this is a "new and unrelated condition" on the disability certificate. Apparently this helps their system process it correctly as a separate claim rather than trying to link it to your previous one. Also, if you haven't already, you might want to ask your surgeon's office how long they typically estimate for recovery time. I found out my ankle surgery might take longer than expected, so I'm trying to plan financially for a potentially longer period off work. Having that realistic timeline helped me budget better. Good luck with the knee surgery! It's tough having multiple procedures so close together but at least you know what to expect with the SDI process now.

Just wanted to share my experience since I literally went through this exact situation last year! I had shoulder surgery in March and then needed gallbladder surgery in September - so about 6 months apart. The great news is that EDD used the same base period for both claims since they were within my benefit year, so my weekly benefit amount was identical for both surgeries. When I filed the second claim, I made sure to emphasize that it was a completely different medical issue and my doctor wrote very clearly that the gallbladder surgery was "unrelated to previous shoulder condition." One thing that really helped me was calling EDD right after I filed the second claim just to confirm they had processed it as a separate claim and not as some kind of continuation. The rep was actually really helpful and confirmed that since both claims were within 12 months of each other, I'd get the same benefit calculation. Also, don't stress too much about the timing between your claims - 6 weeks is actually pretty standard for returning to work after rotator cuff surgery, so EDD won't see that as suspicious or anything. They're used to people having multiple unrelated medical issues. Hope your knee surgery goes smoothly! The financial stress definitely adds to the recovery stress, but it sounds like you should be in good shape benefit-wise.