What's the actual difference between SDI and DI in California? Are they the same thing?

They're actually the same thing! SDI = State Disability Insurance, which is California's DI (Disability Insurance) program. The terms are used interchangeably, but they refer to the same benefit system. Your HR person and doctor are talking about the same program, just using different abbreviations. When you file your claim, you'll be using the DE 2501 form whether someone calls it SDI or DI - it's all administered through EDD either way.

THEY'RE THE SAME THING but the state can't even get their OWN terminology straight!!! This is EXACTLY why dealing with EDD is such a NIGHTMARE. I spent THREE WEEKS getting bounced around departments when I filed my claim last year because different EDD staff kept using different terms and couldn't figure out which department was supposed to handle my claim. The whole system is designed to confuse people so they give up claiming benefits they've PAID FOR through those deductions on our paychecks!!!

To clarify what others have said, SDI (State Disability Insurance) is California's version of what's generically called DI (Disability Insurance). So while they're the same program in California, if someone from another state talks about DI, they might be referring to their state's program, which could have different rules than California's SDI. In California, SDI includes both Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave (PFL). Both are administered by EDD and funded by the SDI contributions deducted from your paycheck. For your scheduled surgery, you'd file for the disability portion of SDI through EDD's SDI Online portal.

When I was confused about this same thing for my disability claim, I couldn't get through to anyone at EDD for like 3 days straight. My brother told me about Claimyr which connected me to an EDD agent in just 15 minutes! The agent explained everything about SDI/DI and even helped me file correctly. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check out their demo video at https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd - totally saved me from making mistakes on my application.

I remember being confused too! My doctor called it DI, my employer said SDI, and I had no idea what to do. But the EDD website only has SDI options, not separate DI applications. TIP: Make sure you file within 49 days of your disability starting or you could lose benefits. Also remember there's a 7-day waiting period before benefits kick in, so plan your finances accordingly. My surgery was Feb 3 but benefits didn't start until Feb 10.

i work in HR and we always call it sdi but doctors offices usually say DI. annoying but yea same thing. just make sure your doctor submits the medical certification part on time, thats usually where people run into problems. your claim can get denied if they dont do their part within 30 days

One more thing: while SDI and DI refer to the same program in California, there's also something called Private Disability Insurance that some employers offer through companies like MetLife, Unum, etc. This is completely separate from the state SDI program. If your employer offers private disability insurance, you might be able to collect from both that AND California SDI, depending on your policy. It's worth checking with your HR department about whether you have any private disability coverage in addition to the mandatory state SDI.

Just wanted to add from my recent experience - when you're ready to file, make sure you have your Social Security number, employer information, and the first date you couldn't work due to your disability. The SDI Online portal is pretty straightforward once you get started. I filed for my knee surgery in January and the whole process took about 20 minutes online. The hardest part was waiting for my doctor to submit their portion, but once that was done, I got my first payment about 2 weeks later. Good luck with your surgery!

As someone who just went through this process last month, I can confirm what everyone's saying - SDI and DI are absolutely the same thing in California! I was also confused initially because my physical therapist kept saying "DI benefits" while my workplace forms all said "SDI." One thing I wish I'd known earlier: you can actually start the SDI application process before your surgery date if you know when you'll be out of work. I waited until after my procedure thinking I had to be actively disabled to file, but you can get the ball rolling ahead of time which really helps with timing. Just make sure your doctor knows the expected surgery date so they can complete their medical certification accurately. Also, keep copies of everything you submit - I had to resubmit my employer wage info because EDD claimed they never received it (even though I had confirmation). Having those backup documents saved me weeks of delays.

I'm dealing with this same confusion right now! My employer's benefits coordinator keeps saying "DI" but all the California forms I'm looking at say "SDI." It's so frustrating that there isn't more clarity about this from the start. I'm scheduled for gallbladder surgery next month and was getting worried I'd file for the wrong thing. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that I can start the application process before my actual surgery date. That's going to make such a difference in getting benefits started on time. Has anyone had experience with how long the medical certification usually takes doctors to complete? I want to give my surgeon's office a heads up about the timeline.

I went through this exact same confusion when I needed to file for my back surgery recovery! The terminology mix-up is so common - even EDD customer service reps sometimes use both terms in the same conversation. What really helped me was understanding that "DI" is just the generic term for disability insurance that any state might use, while "SDI" specifically refers to California's State Disability Insurance program. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here: when you're getting ready to file, make sure you have your most recent pay stub handy. The system will ask for your gross wages from your highest-earning quarter in the past 18 months, and having that info ready speeds up the process. Also, if you're having the surgery at a hospital system, sometimes their patient coordinators are familiar with the SDI paperwork process and can help ensure your surgeon's office submits everything on time. Worth asking about when you do your pre-op appointments!

As someone who works in benefits administration, I can definitely confirm what everyone else is saying - SDI and DI are the exact same thing in California! The confusion happens because "DI" is the generic term used nationwide for disability insurance, while "SDI" specifically refers to California's State Disability Insurance program. Here's what I always tell people: when you see "DI" on medical forms or hear it from healthcare providers, and "SDI" from HR or on California government sites, they're talking about the same benefit. You'll only be filing one claim through EDD's SDI Online portal. For your upcoming surgery, I'd recommend getting familiar with the SDI Online system now so you're ready to file. Make sure your surgeon's office knows they'll need to complete the medical certification portion within 30 days of your claim submission. Having that conversation early can prevent delays that might affect your benefits. Also, remember that benefits are calculated based on your highest-earning quarter in the past 18 months, so if you've had any significant pay changes recently, that could affect your benefit amount. Good luck with your surgery and recovery!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to California and just started a job here after moving from Texas, where they just called it "disability insurance." I was so confused when my new HR department mentioned SDI in my benefits orientation - I thought it might be something completely different from what I was used to. Reading everyone's explanations makes it crystal clear that it's just California's specific name for the same type of disability insurance program. I don't have any immediate need for it thankfully, but it's really good to understand how it works here. The tip about being able to start the application process before your actual disability date is something I never would have known - that seems like it would make such a difference in avoiding gaps in income during recovery. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. This community is such a great resource for navigating these confusing government programs!

I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The SDI vs DI confusion is so real - my physical therapist kept saying DI, my employer said SDI, and I was convinced I was missing something important. Turns out they're absolutely the same program, just different ways of referring to California's State Disability Insurance. What really helped me was realizing that when you go to file, you'll only see SDI options on the EDD website - there's no separate "DI" application to worry about. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: definitely give your surgeon's office a heads up about the medical certification requirements as soon as you schedule your surgery. Some doctors' offices are super familiar with the process and turn it around quickly, while others might need more time or reminders. Since you mentioned your leave starts next month, you've got good timing to get everything coordinated properly. Also, double-check with your HR about any additional private disability insurance your employer might offer - that would be completely separate from SDI and could potentially provide additional benefits alongside the state program.