Denied SDI for insufficient funds - can I apply for UI during hand surgery recovery?

Unfortunately, you likely won't qualify for UI either. Unemployment requires you to be able and available for work, which means physically capable of working. Since your doctor has you on medical leave and you can't work due to your hand surgery, you wouldn't meet the eligibility requirements for UI. The EDD would ask during certification if you're able to work, and answering honestly would disqualify you. Since you mentioned a work injury, have you looked into Workers' Compensation? If you were injured on the job, that would be the appropriate benefit to apply for, not SDI or UI.

The previous commenter is right about UI requirements. I went through something similar with a broken ankle last year. The key issue is the "able and available to work" requirement for unemployment. Since you mentioned being denied SDI for insufficient funds in your base quarter, I'm wondering if you might qualify for Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC) or if there's an alternate base period they could use? Sometimes EDD can look at more recent quarters if you don't qualify under the standard base period. Did the denial letter mention anything about requesting an alternate base period calculation?

sorry bout ur hand man thats rough. my cousin got denied 4 disability 2 but he got sum help from county services. mybe check if ur county has emergency assistance progrms? they sumtimes help with rent + bills when ur in a bad spot. worth a shot right

Hi there - speaking from experience, don't waste your time applying for UI if you're medically unable to work. They WILL deny you and might even flag your account for review if they believe you're attempting to claim benefits you don't qualify for. You mentioned you've only been at your job for 4 months, which explains the SDI denial. SDI looks at a base period that's about 5-17 months before your claim start date, so your recent work history isn't counted yet. Have you tried calling the SDI office directly to discuss your options? When I had issues with my disability claim, I spent weeks trying to get through on their regular line with no luck. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an SDI rep in under 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. The rep I spoke with was actually helpful and suggested some alternatives I hadn't considered.

When I hurt my back I applied for CalFresh (food stamps) and got emergency benefits within a week. Won't help with rent but at least you can eat. Also check if your city has rent assistance programs. And some hospitals have financial assistance if you're having trouble with medical bills from your surgery. Hang in there!

Just to clarify about the DIEC (Disability Insurance Elective Coverage) I mentioned earlier - it's generally for self-employed people who opt into the disability system, so that probably wouldn't apply to you now. But for the Alternate Base Period - definitely ask about that when you reach an SDI representative. Also, check if your employer offers any kind of short-term disability insurance as part of your benefits package. Some employers have private policies that have different eligibility requirements than state SDI.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!! This is EXACTLY what's wrong with California's benefit programs. You pay into SDI with every paycheck but when you actually NEED it they find some technicality to deny you! Then you can't get UI either because you're injured. It's a TRAP designed to keep people from getting the benefits they deserve. I bet if you called 50 times you still wouldn't get a straight answer from anyone at EDD about what you qualify for!

Just wanted to follow up with some additional information. Since your situation is somewhat unique, you might want to look into these options: 1. State Disability Insurance with Alternate Base Period (ask specifically about this) 2. County General Assistance/Relief programs 3. CalFresh as others have mentioned 4. Emergency Rental Assistance if available in your county 5. Short-term loans through credit unions (better terms than payday loans) The key is to get through to SDI first to fully understand why you were denied and what alternatives exist. If after using the Claimyr service to reach a representative you find there are no SDI options, then move quickly to apply for the county assistance programs. They can take time to process. Wishing you a speedy recovery!