Can I collect unemployment if terminated while on disability in California?

Yeah that's what I'm worried about. My doctor cleared me for work starting this past Monday so at least I have documentation of that. Does the clearance date matter a lot for when my benefits would start?

The clearance date matters a TON. That's essentially your 'able and available' start date for UI purposes. EDD will almost certainly ask for a doctor's release letter during adjudication, so get that in writing if you don't already have it.

This is really reassuring, thank you. So the fact that I was on SDI right before filing won't automatically disqualify me from UI? I've seen some conflicting info online about this.

They're two separate programs. SDI is for when you CANT work due to illness or injury. UI is for when you CAN work but don't have a job. As long as you're not filing for both at the same time for the same period you should be fine.

^^^ this exactly. I went through almost the same thing two years ago. Was on SDI for 4 months, got let go while I was out, then filed UI once my doctor cleared me. EDD did put my claim in adjudication initially but it got approved.

I'll check out that video, thank you. Four disconnected calls sounds like my exact experience right now and I'm only on attempt two lol. Did the agent walk you through what to upload in UI Online?

wait so this actually works?? ive been trying to reach EDD for like 2 weeks about my adjudication and keep getting the 'we're experiencing high call volume' message

@above - yes it genuinely worked for me. I was really surprised. The agent I reached was actually helpful and walked me through the whole thing. Way better than pressing redial for hours.

Going to try this too. My claim has been sitting in adjudication for almost a month with zero communication from EDD and I'm losing my mind over here.

This is the most helpful post in this thread. Saving this for reference because I have friends going through similar situations constantly.

Really appreciate the breakdown. I have all three of those things documented so I feel better about this. Going to file today.

Also worth noting - OP should request their termination letter specifically mention 'position elimination' or 'layoff' if it doesn't already. Some employers are vague with termination language and that can cause problems with EDD.

I'm definitely looking into the retaliation angle separately with an employment attorney. But you're right I should stop overthinking and just file.

Agreed, file now. You can always add information later through UI Online. Waiting only hurts you.

Yes that's standard when EDD sees overlap between disability and unemployment. Fill it out honestly - explain that you were on approved medical leave at termination but have since been cleared by your physician to return to full-time work. The dates matter here, so be precise.

Ok that makes sense. I ended up getting approved so I think I filled it out correctly but I was panicking when I first got it. OP - don't panic if you get that form, just answer honestly with dates.

Good to know this is a thing. I'll watch for it in my UI Online messages after I file.

Easy to say but an appeal can drag on for months and OP needs income now lol

fair point but still better to have filed and be in the process than not filed at all

Excellent point. Transparency on that initial application prevents so many headaches. EDD cross-references SDI and UI records internally so they'll see it anyway - better to proactively disclose it clearly.

Hadn't thought about this specifically - really helpful. I'll make sure to include the SDI end date clearly in my application.

Yes this is important. I didn't do this clearly enough on mine and it was part of why I ended up in adjudication. EDD wanted clarification on the overlap period.

Oh this is a really useful insider perspective, thank you. I didn't even think about how the employer reports it on their end. I'll reach out to HR tomorrow.

THIS. The employer side reporting matters SO much and most claimants don't know about it. I had an employer code my separation wrong and it took months to fix.

Agreed this is crucial. If the employer codes it in a way that conflicts with your account of the separation, that's almost guaranteed to trigger adjudication. Better to know upfront what they're submitting.

Not a dumb question at all. SDI payments themselves don't count as wages for UI base period purposes - only actual wages earned from employment count. However, California has an alternative base period option that looks at more recent quarters, which can help claimants who had a gap in employment due to disability. EDD will automatically calculate both and use whichever is more favorable.

Oh that's actually good to know! So the disability leave period doesn't tank your benefit calculation.

The alternative base period thing saved my benefit amount when I had something similar. EDD is supposed to calculate it automatically but you can also specifically request they evaluate your alternative base period if you feel the standard calculation isn't reflecting your actual recent earnings.

Ok I'm definitely trying it now. Five weeks of adjudication with no communication is literally where I'm at too.

Really glad you got some answers. This whole thread has been so helpful. I filed my claim this morning and I'm going to try Claimyr if I run into issues getting through to someone.

Good to hear there's a way to actually reach a human at EDD. That's been the biggest frustration with any claim issue - you need to talk to someone but it's nearly impossible.

I really appreciate you sharing this even though it's not the outcome I'm hoping for. Good to be mentally prepared for the possibility of an appeal. Did you have an attorney for the hearing or did you represent yourself?

I represented myself. The hearing was less intimidating than I expected - more like a structured phone call than a courtroom situation. I had my doctor's clearance letter and my termination documents and presented them clearly. The ALJ was fair.

This is an important experience to share. The initial denial is not the end - EDD denials for this type of situation are often overturned on appeal when the claimant can demonstrate they were cleared and ready to work before filing. The key is filing the appeal within 30 days of the denial notice.

You should address this proactively. Both SDI and UI have requirements around reporting any work and earnings. If there's an overlap between benefits received and wages earned, that's an overpayment situation that EDD will eventually catch through wage records. Proactively contacting EDD to correct your records is much better than waiting for them to issue an overpayment notice with potential penalties.

ugh ok yeah. that's what I was afraid of. thanks for the honest answer.

Agree with the advice above. EDD cross-matches with employer wage reports so they will find it. Proactive disclosure usually results in a simple repayment plan rather than the penalties that come with fraud findings.

So glad it worked for you too. I feel like EDD adjudication would be SO much less stressful if they just communicated better about what's actually needed.

4 days after getting the info from the agent is really fast. Good to hear.

ok adding this to my bookmarks. been dealing with edd for 3 months and never been able to get a human on the phone

This is such a useful summary. Bookmarking this thread for anyone else I know going through similar situations in the future.

Mods should probably pin this honestly. This comes up so often.

Really thorough. The only thing I'd add is to keep checking UI Online for messages after filing - EDD communicates primarily through that portal now and missing a document request can stall your claim significantly.

No it was a personal health issue not work related, so definitely SDI not workers comp. But good flag for others reading.

Good clarification to raise. Workers comp and UI interaction is a completely separate and more complex topic. For non-work-related conditions that used California SDI, the pathway to UI described in this thread applies.

This is really encouraging to hear. Makes me hopeful mine will resolve without too much drama.

This matches what the HR person said earlier in the thread about employer coding. You got lucky with a clean separation code. OP should definitely follow up with HR about how they're reporting it.

Yeah honestly I didn't even know that was a thing until I read this thread. Going to file away that knowledge for future reference.