Can I get EDD unemployment after SDI runs out due to medical restrictions?

Unfortunately, going from SDI to UI is really tricky. The basic requirement for unemployment is that you're able and available for work. If his doctor is saying he can't work, that would actually disqualify him from unemployment. My brother tried this last year and got denied because they said he wasn't "able to work" which is a basic UI requirement. The doctor notes that justified his SDI ended up hurting his unemployment claim.

This is a nuanced situation. For your husband to qualify for regular UI benefits, he must be: 1. Able to work (physically capable of some type of work) 2. Available for work (ready to accept work) 3. Actively seeking work 4. Have lost work through no fault of his own If his doctor certifies that he can perform some type of work with restrictions, and he's forced to leave his job because his employer cannot accommodate those restrictions, he might qualify. The key is documenting that: - His medical condition prevents him from performing his previous job - His employer cannot provide reasonable accommodations - He is still capable and willing to work in some capacity Make sure to get formal medical documentation outlining specific work restrictions rather than general statements about disability.

i went thru somethin similar in 2025. big difference between "cant work at all" and "cant do THAT job" for edd!! make sure doctor writes it up right. my doc wrote i could do desk work just not construction and i got approved for UI after my SDI ran out. had to explain it in the phone interview tho

When your husband applies for UI, he'll probably get flagged for an eligibility interview. These are IMPOSSIBLE to schedule right now - I was trying for weeks! I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an EDD rep to schedule mine. Saved me weeks of frustration. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km For your specific situation, your husband needs to make it very clear in his application that he's able and available for suitable work within his medical restrictions. Don't focus on what he can't do, but rather what he CAN do. Also, have documentation ready showing his employer couldn't accommodate his restrictions.

DONT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE!!! EDD WILL ABSOLUTELY DENY HIM!!! My husband was in the exact same boat last year and not only did they deny him, they accused him of FRAUD for applying for UI after SDI!!! The whole system is rigged! If he says he's too disabled for his old job but able to work new jobs they'll say he's lying one way or another. They're all just looking for reasons to deny benefits!!!!

This question actually comes up a lot. The key distinction EDD makes is between "totally disabled" and "partially disabled with work restrictions." If your husband's doctor certifies he's able to work with specific restrictions, and his employer can't accommodate those restrictions, he may qualify for UI. You'll want to get: 1. A doctor's note specifically stating he can work with XYZ restrictions 2. Documentation that his employer cannot accommodate these restrictions 3. A clear statement from him that he's able and willing to work in suitable positions The standard phrasings that tend to work well focus on being "able and available for suitable work" rather than unable to work. Terminology matters hugely here.

One thing nobody mentioned - if he's transitioning careers due to medical restrictions, he might qualify for EDD's California Training Benefits (CTB) program that lets you collect unemployment while getting training/education for a new career. My cousin did this after a back injury prevented him from returning to construction. Worth looking into!

I'm a former disability claims specialist, and I want to clarify something important: your husband MUST BE VERY CAREFUL if applying for both SSDI and UI simultaneously. For SSDI, he needs to prove he cannot perform substantial gainful activity. For UI, he needs to prove he CAN work. These are fundamentally contradictory claims. If he pursues both simultaneously, he could potentially face issues with one or both agencies questioning his credibility. I'd recommend consulting with a disability attorney before proceeding with both applications at once.

btw make sure ur husband ansers the EDD questions right when he certifies!!! the one about "were u able and available for work" MUST be yes or they auto-deny u!!!! also the part about did u look for work needs to be yes with actual job applications