SDI eligibility after voluntarily quitting job - can I still get benefits?

Yes, you can still apply for SDI after quitting! The important thing with California SDI is that your DISABILITY is what makes you unable to work, not your employment status. What matters is that: 1. You have a medical condition verified by a doctor 2. Your doctor certifies you cannot do your regular/customary work 3. You have earned enough wages during your base period The fact that you quit doesn't disqualify you. Unlike unemployment insurance, SDI doesn't care why you left your job - only that you're disabled according to their definition and can't work.

I WISH someone had told me this before I stayed at a horrible job for 6 extra months!!! The EDD disability system is completely separate from unemployment. When I finally quit and filed for disability with my doctor's support, it was approved no problem. Just make sure your doctor is SPECIFIC about why you can't do your "regular or customary work" on the medical certification form. My first try got denied because my doc was too vague. Also, there's a 7-day waiting period before benefits start, so plan for that financially.

just quit 2 months ago bcuz of anxiety/depression my therapist signed off on my SDI claim and it was approved in like 10 days no problem. they dont care if u quit

Actually this isnt totally right, it depends on when u file. If u file for SDI AFTER quitting, ur good. But if u try to file BEFORE quitting and then quit while on disability, that could cause problems with ur claim. EDD looks at that suspiciously like ur using disability to avoid work.

I went through something similar last year with my carpal tunnel syndrome. I quit my data entry job because it was making my condition worse, then filed for SDI. My claim was initially denied because there was confusion about whether I was still employed. I had to call EDD about 20 times before finally getting through to someone who could help me. Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to EDD faster? I found their service at claimyr.com and it was super helpful - they got me connected to an EDD agent within 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd that shows how it works. Really saved me when I was dealing with all the red tape after quitting.

Everyone is correct that quitting doesn't disqualify you, but there's one important detail: Make sure your doctor indicates your disability began AFTER your last day of work. If the medical certification shows your disability started while you were still employed, EDD might question why you didn't start disability while employed. This sometimes causes delays while they investigate. Also, some employers contest disability claims from former employees just to be difficult. If that happens, don't panic - just be prepared to provide additional medical documentation.

I'm going thru something similar rn!!! My anxiety got so bad I had to quit my retail job last month and now I'm on SDI. One thing nobody mentioned is that when u file ur claim, there's a section where they ask why u left ur last job. Be HONEST here - I put "health reasons" and there were no issues. If u say something else and they find out later it could delay ur claim. Also u need to have earned enough in ur BASE PERIOD which is like the 12-18 months before u file. As long as u been working steady that shouldn't be a problem but thought I'd mention it. Good luck with ur back pain, that really sucks!!

Just want to add one more thing - when you eventually feel better and are ready to work again, you don't have to wait until your full SDI claim period is over to start working. You can return to work (either part-time or full-time) and your SDI will adjust or stop accordingly. A lot of people don't realize this and think they have to remain completely off work for the entire claim period, but that's not true. If your doctor clears you for limited work or you find a new job that accommodates your back issues, you can do that without losing all benefits immediately.

One thing I'd recommend is to document everything related to your back pain and your employer's refusal to accommodate you. Keep records of any emails, meeting notes, or other communications about accommodation requests. While SDI doesn't require this info, having thorough documentation can be helpful if there are any questions about your claim later. Also, make sure to apply as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's no benefit to waiting, and the sooner you file, the sooner your 7-day waiting period starts. The online application is pretty straightforward, but don't hesitate to call if you get stuck on any part of it. Your situation sounds very legitimate - chronic back pain that prevents you from doing your job is exactly what SDI is designed for. Just make sure your doctor is thorough on the medical certification and you should be fine!

I'm in a similar situation with chronic pain issues and had to navigate this recently. One thing that really helped me was getting a detailed letter from my doctor that specifically outlined how my condition prevents me from performing my "regular or customary work" - not just that I'm disabled in general, but exactly why I can't do my specific job duties. Also, when you file online, there's a question about your work status. Make sure to select "not working" rather than "employed" since you'll have already quit by then. This avoids any confusion about your employment status during the claim review. The good news is that SDI is really designed for situations like yours - when a legitimate medical condition prevents you from working. The system recognizes that sometimes staying in a job that worsens your condition isn't feasible. Just be prepared for the process to take 2-3 weeks for initial review, though it can be faster if all your paperwork is complete and clear. Hope your recovery goes well and you get the relief you need!

Question - If I quit my job for health reasons and apply for SDI the next day, should I put on the application that I was looking for work when the disability occurred? Reason being to be eligible you need to be either working or looking for work when the disability happened. If I apply the next day after quitting I'm technically not employed but need to be looking for work to be qualified. Any advice? Thank you!

I just went through this exact situation with my herniated disc! Quit my warehouse job in December because lifting was making everything worse, and my SDI claim was approved without any issues. A few things that helped me: - I applied online exactly 7 days after my last day of work (to start the waiting period immediately) - My doctor included very specific language about why I couldn't perform "material duties of my regular occupation" - I kept all my medical records organized and ready to submit if needed The process was actually smoother than I expected. The hardest part was getting through to EDD when I had a question about my claim status, but once I did, they were helpful. Your situation sounds completely legitimate - chronic back pain that your employer won't accommodate is exactly what SDI is meant to cover. One tip: when you fill out the application, there's a section asking about your work search activities. Since you're quitting for health reasons, you can honestly say you were planning to look for work that could accommodate your condition before realizing you needed time off to recover. Hang in there - the financial stress is real but you're doing the right thing by prioritizing your health!

I'm actually going through something very similar right now with my shoulder injury from repetitive motions at my office job. My employer has been completely unwilling to provide ergonomic accommodations, and my physical therapist says continuing the same motions will cause permanent damage. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that quitting wouldn't disqualify me from SDI! I was planning to just tough it out until I could find another job, but now I realize I should prioritize my health and recovery first. One question I have - has anyone dealt with a situation where their employer tries to claim the injury isn't work-related? My manager keeps insisting my shoulder problems are "pre-existing" even though they clearly developed from the repetitive computer work. I'm worried this might complicate my SDI claim somehow, even though I know it's separate from workers' comp. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really reassuring to know that the system actually works for people in situations like ours where staying at work would just make the condition worse.

I went through this exact same situation with my chronic migraines last year! The stress of wondering whether quitting would disqualify me from SDI was almost worse than the actual disability process itself. Here's what I learned: The timing really matters for documentation purposes. I made the mistake of having my doctor date my disability as starting while I was still employed, which led to some confusing follow-up questions from EDD about why I didn't apply for disability while working. It all worked out in the end, but it added unnecessary delays to my claim. My advice would be to coordinate carefully with your doctor about the disability start date. Have them date it for the day after your last day of work to avoid any potential confusion. Also, make sure they're very specific about your functional limitations - not just "back pain" but exactly what work activities you cannot perform. The other thing that surprised me was how understanding the EDD disability examiners actually were once I got through to them. They deal with situations like yours all the time and understand that sometimes staying in a job that worsens your condition isn't realistic. One last tip: start gathering all your medical records now while you're still thinking clearly about it. When you're dealing with chronic pain, paperwork can feel overwhelming, so getting organized beforehand really helps. You're making the right choice prioritizing your health. The financial piece will work out with SDI - focus on getting the treatment you need!

I went through a very similar situation with my fibromyalgia last spring! My employer kept denying my requests for schedule flexibility and ergonomic accommodations, so I finally had to quit for my health. I was terrified about losing SDI eligibility, but it turned out to be a non-issue. A few things that really helped my claim go smoothly: 1. I made sure to apply within a few days of my last day of work - don't wait weeks or months as it might raise questions about when you actually became unable to work 2. My rheumatologist was incredibly detailed on the medical certification, specifically listing every work activity I couldn't perform (sitting for long periods, lifting, prolonged computer use, etc.) 3. I was completely honest on the application about leaving for health reasons - trying to hide this or be vague can actually hurt your claim The whole process took about 2.5 weeks from application to first payment, which was much faster than I expected. The 7-day waiting period is unpaid, so definitely budget for that gap in income. One thing I wish someone had told me: keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit to EDD. When I had a question later, having my own records made the phone call so much easier. You're absolutely making the right choice putting your health first. Chronic pain is no joke, and staying in a job that makes it worse can cause permanent damage. The SDI system really does work for legitimate cases like yours - don't let fear of the process keep you in a harmful situation any longer than necessary. Good luck with your recovery and the application process!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - chronic neck pain from a desk job where my employer won't provide proper ergonomic equipment. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my doctor: when you're dealing with chronic pain conditions, it's really important to have consistent medical documentation leading up to when you quit. I've been seeing my doctor regularly for months about my neck issues, and she said this ongoing treatment record will really strengthen my SDI claim when I'm ready to file. Also, for anyone worried about the financial gap - I found out that some credit unions and banks offer short-term disability income bridge loans specifically for situations like this. It's not ideal to take on debt, but it can help cover the 7-day waiting period plus the time it takes for your first payment to arrive. @Diego Vargas - your situation with the back pain and employer refusing accommodations sounds exactly like what SDI is designed for. The fact that you have your doctor's support for taking time off is huge. Don't let fear of the process keep you suffering in a job that's making your condition worse! Has anyone here had experience with appealing an initial denial? I'm hoping it won't come to that, but I want to be prepared just in case.

I went through this exact situation with degenerative disc disease in my lower back! I was so worried about quitting and losing SDI eligibility, but it turned out to be completely unfounded. The key things that made my claim successful: - Applied online within 3 days of my last day of work - My doctor was extremely detailed on the DE 2501 form about specific work limitations (no lifting over 10 lbs, no prolonged sitting/standing, no bending/twisting) - I was completely honest about leaving due to health reasons on the application What really surprised me was that the EDD examiner who reviewed my claim actually commended me for prioritizing my health over staying in a job that was causing further injury. They see these situations all the time. My claim was approved in about 10 days, and I've been on SDI for 3 months now while doing physical therapy. The weekly benefit amount isn't huge, but it's enough to cover basic expenses while I focus on recovery. One practical tip: set up your EDD online account as soon as you apply. It makes tracking your claim status and managing payments so much easier than calling the phone line. Your back pain situation sounds very legitimate - don't let anyone make you feel guilty for putting your health first! The system is designed exactly for situations like yours where continuing to work would cause additional harm.

I went through something very similar with my chronic lower back pain from a warehouse job! Quit last year when my employer refused to provide lifting restrictions my doctor recommended. The most important thing I learned: SDI eligibility has NOTHING to do with why you left your job - only whether you're medically unable to work. I was approved even though I voluntarily quit. A few key tips that helped my claim go smoothly: - Apply within a week of your last day (I waited 3 days) - Make sure your doctor is very specific on the medical forms about WHY you can't do your regular work duties - Be honest about leaving for health reasons on the application - Keep all your medical records organized and ready to submit My claim was approved in about 2 weeks and I've been receiving benefits for 8 months now while doing physical therapy and pain management. The weekly amount isn't huge but it's enough to live on while focusing on recovery. Don't feel guilty about prioritizing your health! Staying in a job that's making your condition worse can cause permanent damage. The SDI system exists exactly for situations like yours where continuing to work would be harmful. Feel free to message me if you have specific questions about the application process - happy to help someone else navigate this!

I'm currently in a similar situation with chronic arthritis in my hands and wrists from repetitive computer work. My employer has been completely dismissive of my accommodation requests, and my rheumatologist says continuing without proper ergonomic support will lead to permanent joint damage. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring! I had no idea that quitting wouldn't automatically disqualify me from SDI. I've been putting off leaving my job because I was terrified of losing income, but now I realize I need to prioritize my health. One question for those who've been through this process - how detailed should I be on the application about my employer's refusal to accommodate? Should I mention specific requests they denied, or just keep it general as "health reasons"? I have documentation of all my accommodation requests and their rejections, but I'm not sure if that level of detail is helpful or if it might complicate things. Also, has anyone dealt with a situation where their condition affects their ability to do computer-based work? Most of the examples here seem to be physical labor jobs, but I'm wondering if there are any special considerations for office workers with repetitive strain injuries. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - you're helping so many of us realize we don't have to suffer in jobs that are making our conditions worse!

I'm currently dealing with severe carpal tunnel syndrome from my data entry job, and my situation sounds very similar to yours! My doctor has been recommending surgery for months, but I've been putting it off because I was terrified that quitting would disqualify me from any benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I had no idea that SDI eligibility wasn't tied to employment status the same way unemployment is. The fact that multiple people have successfully gotten benefits after voluntarily quitting for health reasons gives me so much hope. My employer has also been completely unwilling to provide accommodations. They refused ergonomic equipment, denied my request for modified duties, and even suggested I was "exaggerating" my symptoms. Meanwhile, I can barely use my hands by the end of each workday, and my doctor says continuing could lead to permanent nerve damage. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar situation - don't wait as long as I have! It's become clear from these responses that putting our health first is not only the right thing to do, but the system is actually designed to support us when we make that difficult decision. @Diego Vargas - your back pain situation sounds just as legitimate as any of the other cases people have shared here. The combination of medical documentation and employer refusal to accommodate seems to be a pretty common scenario that SDI handles regularly. You're definitely making the right choice!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation with my chronic migraines! My retail job requires me to be on my feet for 8+ hour shifts under fluorescent lighting, which triggers severe episodes. My manager keeps scheduling me for closing shifts even though I've explained that the late hours and stress make my migraines much worse. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that voluntarily quitting wouldn't automatically disqualify me from SDI! I've been forcing myself to work through debilitating headaches because I thought leaving would mean losing all financial support. My neurologist has been documenting my condition for over a year and recently recommended I take extended time off to try a new preventive treatment plan. She's also noted that my current work environment is a major trigger and likely preventing my condition from improving. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone dealt with a condition that's episodic rather than constantly disabling? My migraines come and go, but when I have them I literally cannot function. I'm worried EDD might not understand that even though I have "good days," the unpredictable nature of severe migraines makes it impossible to maintain regular employment. Thanks to everyone sharing their stories - you're helping those of us realize we don't have to destroy our health just to keep a paycheck coming in!