EDD Unemployment vs Disability - Are they from the same funding source?

They're completely separate programs with different funding sources. Unemployment (UI) is funded by employer taxes through the Unemployment Insurance Fund. State Disability Insurance (SDI) is funded through employee payroll contributions - that tiny deduction you see as "CA SDI" on your paystubs. That's why the eligibility requirements and benefit calculations are totally different. You can't collect both at the same time though, so you need to decide which one fits your situation better.

u should look at the $$ amounts first tbh.. disability usually pays MORE than unemployment in most cases but depends on ur earning history.. i did both last year (not at same time) and disability was wayyy better for me

The main thing to remember is that unemployment requires you to be ABLE and AVAILABLE to work full-time. If your medical condition prevents you from working, you legally can't certify for UI anymore. That's when you should switch to disability. But here's the tricky part - if you're just "worried" about a potential flare-up but are currently able to work, you need to stay on unemployment and keep certifying. You can't claim disability based on what MIGHT happen. I've been through this exact situation with my autoimmune condition. Had to switch from UI to SDI mid-claim when I had a severe flare-up. The doctors note was critical for documenting when I became unable to work.

Yes but UI and SDI both have 1 week waiting periods so if you switch you'll probably have another week with no pay just fyi

Has anyone else noticed that it's basically IMPOSSIBLE to get anyone on the phone about this stuff? I was stuck in the same situation last month trying to figure out if I should switch from UI to SDI, and the EDD phone lines were always busy. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to a rep in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep explained that the programs are separate and I needed my doctor to certify my disability. Getting that direct answer saved me from making a mistake with my claim.

To answer your other question about which gives better benefits: EDD calculates them differently. For UI, they look at your highest quarter of earnings in the base period and it maxes out at $694/week in 2025. For SDI, they use a different formula based on your highest quarter, and the maximum is currently $1,732/week. But most people don't get the maximum - it all depends on your previous earnings. You can check your potential benefit amounts for both by logging into UI Online and looking at your claim details for UI, and using the SDI calculator on the EDD website for disability. That way you'd know what you might get under each program.

One thing no one's mentioned yet - when you're on UI, you have to do those three work search activities each week and be available for work. With SDI, you don't have to look for work because you're certified as unable to work. That's another big difference to consider depending on your health situation.

this reminds me when i got pregnant while on unemployment back in 2023!!!! had to switch to disability then pregnancy disability... then paid family leave after the baby... it was a WHOLE journey lol

To sum everything up for clarity: 1. Unemployment (UI) and Disability (SDI) come from separate funding sources 2. UI is employer-funded, SDI is employee-funded through payroll deductions 3. You cannot collect both simultaneously 4. UI requires you to be able and available for full-time work 5. SDI requires a medical certification that you cannot work 6. Benefit calculations are different for each program 7. Both have separate one-week waiting periods If your condition worsens, you would stop certifying for UI and apply for SDI with your doctor's certification.