OSDI vs CASDI taxes - Can I file EDD disability claim after surgery?

wat is OSDI?? never heard of it. are u sure u don't mean SDI? thats what everyone in cali pays into

OSDI stands for Out-of-State Disability Insurance. My company's HQ is in another state, so I think that's why I'm in this situation. Just trying to figure out if I can still file a claim with California EDD or if I need to file somewhere else.

This is actually a good question with a somewhat complicated answer. OSDI (Out-of-State Disability Insurance) means you've been paying into another state's disability system rather than California's SDI program. Whether you can file for benefits depends on a few things:\n\n1. Which state are your disability taxes going to?\n2. Where do you physically work most of the time?\n3. Do you live in California?\n\nIf you work primarily in California but your employer has been incorrectly withholding for another state, you may actually be eligible for CA benefits, and your employer might need to correct their withholding. If you legitimately work out of state but live in CA, you would typically file with the state where the taxes are being paid.\n\nI'd recommend calling EDD directly to clarify your specific situation. They can check your wage records and determine eligibility.

Omg don't suggest calling EDD unless you want this person to waste 5 hours of their life listening to hold music! I tried calling them about my claim status for DAYS and couldn't get through to ANYONE!!! 😡😡😡 The system is BROKEN!!!

I ran into something similar last year. My company is based in New York but I work remotely from California. My employer had been paying into NY's disability system but since I physically work in CA, I was actually supposed to be covered by California SDI.\n\nIn my case, I filed a claim with California EDD and included an explanation of the situation. They investigated, determined I was eligible, and my employer had to correct their tax withholding going forward. The process took longer than a normal claim (about 5 weeks total), but I did get approved.\n\nYou should check your paystubs to see exactly what's being withheld and where it's going. If you physically work in California, you might have a similar situation to mine.

That's really helpful, thank you! I do physically work in California (when I'm not recovering from surgery). I'll double-check my paystubs tonight. Did you have to do anything special when filing your claim to explain the OSDI situation?

When I filed my claim, I included a brief explanation letter explaining the OSDI/CASDI confusion and attached copies of my paystubs showing the out-of-state withholding. I also checked the box for

this is y the system sucks so bad, shouldnt be this complicated just to get benefits we paid for 🙄

I was in the exact same situation last year! Since your surgery was already performed, make sure you file within 49 days of your disability start date or they might deny your claim for being late. Don't wait to sort out the OSDI stuff first - file now and explain the situation like the others mentioned.

Have you tried using Claimyr to reach an EDD agent? I was in a similar situation (though mine was a pregnancy disability claim) and couldn't get through on the phone for days. A friend recommended Claimyr and I actually got through to a representative in about 20 minutes who helped sort everything out. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd and their website is claimyr.com. It was honestly worth it to get my specific situation reviewed by an actual person instead of trying to guess if I was eligible.

Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn't heard of that service before. At this point I'll try anything that helps me get clear answers about my eligibility. I really don't want to wait 5 weeks only to find out I filed incorrectly.

One additional thing to know: If it turns out you truly aren't eligible for CA disability because you legitimately should be covered by another state's system, you'll need to file with that state instead. The main states that have their own disability programs are:\n\n- New York\n- New Jersey\n- Rhode Island\n- Hawaii\n- Puerto Rico\n\nEach has different rules and benefits. If your OSDI payments have been going to one of these, and that's determined to be correct based on your work situation, you'd file with them instead of California.\n\nPost-surgery recovery for 8 weeks would typically qualify as a valid disability claim in most states, assuming you have medical certification from your doctor.

wait puerto rico isnt even a state lol

You're right, Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, not a state. I should have said \

I had almost the exact same situation in March 2025! My employer (headquartered in New Jersey) had been incorrectly deducting NJ disability instead of CA SDI even though I've worked in their San Francisco office for 3 years. \n\nHere's what worked for me:\n1. Filed my claim with California EDD right away\n2. Wrote a cover letter explaining the OSDI situation \n3. Attached my last 3 paystubs showing the incorrect deductions\n4. Got a letter from my supervisor confirming my primary work location\n\nIt took about 3 weeks longer than a normal claim, but I was approved and received benefits for my full recovery period. The EDD also contacted my employer to correct the withholding issue going forward.\n\nDon't delay filing - the 8-week recovery timeline starts your disability period immediately regardless of the OSDI confusion.

i think my company did this to me too!!! i just checked my paystub and it says SDI but the % looks wrong... how do i know if theyre taking the right amount??

For 2025, California SDI withholding should be 1.1% of your wages up to $154,000 per year. If you're seeing a different percentage, your employer might be using the wrong state's rates. You should ask your HR department to clarify what disability program they're paying into for you.

Update: I checked my paystubs more carefully and noticed the withholding is actually going to New York! I've been working remotely from California for the past 18 months, but my company never updated my withholdings. I'm going to call EDD tomorrow using that Claimyr service someone mentioned, and I'll file my claim immediately with the explanation about the OSDI/CASDI mix-up. Thanks everyone for your help - I feel much better knowing others have successfully navigated this situation!

Great detective work! Make sure to save copies of all your paystubs showing the NY withholding, and get something in writing from your employer confirming your work location if possible. When you talk to EDD, ask specifically about the \

Thanks for all the help! I'll definitely gather all that documentation. Really appreciate everyone's advice here!

I'm so glad you found this community helpful! Your situation sounds really stressful, but it looks like you're on the right track now. Just wanted to add - when you do get through to EDD (whether through Claimyr or regular phone), make sure to ask them to put a note in your file about the OSDI/NY withholding situation. That way if there are any follow-up questions or delays, the next person you speak with will already have context. Also, don't forget to get your doctor's certification for the surgery recovery ASAP if you haven't already - that's usually the piece that takes the longest to get sorted out. Good luck with your claim! 🤞