EDD UI benefits exhausted - can I get SDI for surgery later?

Yes, you absolutely can apply for SDI after exhausting UI! They're completely separate programs with different funding sources. I went through this last year - used all my unemployment and then had to get surgery about 2 months later. The weekly amount might be different though because SDI is calculated on a different base period than UI. For me, my SDI was about $50 less per week than my UI had been. Make sure you have your doctor fill out the medical certification correctly - they need to be specific about why you can't work and how long recovery will take.

UI and SDI are tottally different programs!! UI is when ur unemployed but ABLE to work, disability is when u CANT work cuz ur sick or injured. So yea u can get both but not at same time obvi. not sure bout the money part tho.

UI and SDI are separate programs with different eligibility requirements and funding sources. You can definitely apply for SDI after exhausting UI benefits as long as you meet the medical criteria and have sufficient wage credits in your SDI base period. Regarding the weekly benefit amount (WBA), they're calculated differently: - UI is based on your highest quarter earnings during your base period - SDI is based on wages paid approximately 5-18 months before your disability begins SDI typically pays about 60-70% of your average weekly wage during the base period, up to a maximum of $1,620 per week in 2025. Your doctor will need to certify your disability through an online portal or paper forms (DE 2501). Make sure to apply for SDI within 49 days of becoming disabled (your surgery date) or you could lose benefits. Your doctor can submit certification up to 20 days before your surgery, so plan ahead.

THE EDD WILL SCREW U OVER EVERY CHANCE THEY GET!!!! when i exhausted my benefits and then tried to get disability they kept saying i didn't have enough wages in my base period even tho i worked for 5 YEARS at the same company before being laid off!!!! had to appeal TWICE and they still denied me. the whole system is broke and they just dont want to pay u what ur owed!!!!!

If you're having trouble reaching EDD to ask about this specific situation (which I would recommend before you exhaust benefits), try using Claimyr. It helped me get through to an actual person when I had questions about transitioning to disability after unemployment. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km - their site is claimyr.com. The EDD reps actually gave me really helpful guidance about timing my SDI application after UI exhaustion.

hey just wanted to say I had knee surgery last year and was on SDI for 12 weeks. When you apply make sure you have your doctor be really specific about how long recovery will take and why you can't work during that time. Also make sure they say exactly what your restrictions are (can't stand for more than 15 min, can't lift more than 5 lbs, etc). if it's not specific enough EDD will only approve you for like 2 weeks and then you'll have to get your doctor to send more documentation.

Actually, I think you might also qualify for PFL (Paid Family Leave) after surgery since you might need time to recover. My cousin used that after her operation and said it was basically the same as SDI but for different reasons.

my friend got more money on disability than unemployment so maybe ull get lucky!

BTW if u apply online its WAYYYY faster than paper forms. Paper forms took my brother like 6 weeks to get approved but when I did it online last yr I got approved in like 9 days. Also the SDI website actually WORKS unlike the crappy UI one that crashes all the time.