Transitioning from SDI to EDD unemployment - Can I apply after disability ends?

Yes, you can absolutely apply for unemployment after your disability ends! This is actually a common situation. A few important points: 1. You must be able and available for work to qualify for UI 2. Having received SDI doesn't disqualify you at all 3. There is no required waiting period between SDI and UI 4. Your UI benefit amount will be calculated based on your highest-earning quarter during your base period (typically 5-18 months before applying) Since your job is no longer available, you should be eligible as long as you're medically cleared and actively seeking work. Apply as soon as your SDI ends.

went thru this exact thing last yr. aplied for UI the day after my last disablity payment hit my account. got aproved in like 10 days. dont wait to apply!!

You're in for a NIGHTMARE dealing with this. EDD's systems don't communicate well between departments. When I tried switching from disability to unemployment last year, they kept saying I was still on SDI in their system even though my SDI had ended! Took WEEKS of daily calling to finally get someone who could help. My advice: start calling EDD immediately when you apply for UI and don't stop until you confirm everything is processing correctly. The online system will probably give you errors or pending status forever if you don't talk to a human!!!

I used Claimyr to reach an EDD representative when I was in your exact situation (transitioning from disability to unemployment). Saved me hours of redial frustration! I just went to claimyr.com and they got me connected to an EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The rep I spoke with was able to make notes in my account showing my disability had ended and I was eligible for UI. My claim got approved within days after that call.

my cousin did this but he said unemployment paid waaaaay less than his disability checks did. just fyi so ur prepared

To add some additional clarity here: 1. Your UI weekly benefit amount will be based on your highest-earning quarter during the base period. Maximum UI payment in California for 2025 is $575 per week. 2. Important: When you apply, list your last employer (the construction company) even though you've been on disability. You should also indicate that you haven't worked there recently due to disability. 3. Make sure your doctor's note indicates you're cleared for "full duty" or at least cleared for the type of work you're seeking. 4. Start your UI application the day after your last SDI payment. There's no advantage to waiting. 5. Be prepared to meet work search requirements immediately - you'll need to show you're looking for work each week when you certify.

Wait I'm confused... is SDI the same as disability insurance? And is that different from workers comp? I thought if you got hurt at work you get workers comp not disability??

Just remembered something important! When you file for UI after SDI, sometimes EDD will ask for an "Affidavit of Wages" form because your recent wages might not show in their system due to being on disability. If your UI claim gets denied at first, ask specifically about this form! Might save you weeks of appeals.

good luck bro disability to unemployment is rough but u will get thru it

One more thing to keep in mind - make sure you update your work search methods since you'll now be looking for light duty positions. Many construction job sites have filters for "light duty" or "no heavy lifting" positions. Also check with temp agencies that specialize in office/administrative work since that might be a good transition while you're job hunting. The key is showing EDD that you're actively searching in realistic job categories given your restrictions. Document everything - keep a log of where you apply and when. Good luck with your application tomorrow!

I went through this exact transition about 6 months ago! A few things that helped me: 1. Apply online the day after your last SDI payment - don't wait 2. Have your medical clearance letter ready to upload if they ask for it 3. Since you mentioned light duty restrictions, be sure to expand your job search beyond construction - I found success looking at warehouse supervisor roles, construction office jobs, and equipment rental companies One thing that caught me off guard was that my UI weekly amount was about $200 less than what I was getting on SDI. But honestly, just having some income coming in while job hunting was a huge relief. Also, start reaching out to your network NOW - former coworkers, contractors you've worked with, etc. Someone might know of a light duty position before it gets posted online. The construction industry is pretty tight-knit, so word of mouth goes a long way. You've got this! The hardest part (dealing with the injury) is behind you.

Hey Sophia! I actually went through this exact transition about 2 years ago after a shoulder injury. One tip I wish someone had told me - when you apply for UI, make sure to mention in your application that you're transitioning from SDI due to medical clearance. This helps flag your case for review by someone who understands the transition process. Also, since you mentioned light duty restrictions, I'd suggest looking into construction project management or estimating roles. Many companies need people with field experience to handle the office side of projects. Your 7 years of construction experience is valuable even if you can't do heavy lifting anymore. The application process itself was pretty straightforward for me - just took about 15 minutes online. But definitely have your last employer's info ready (the construction company) even though they downsized. You'll need their contact details and your last date of work there. Best of luck with your application tomorrow! The transition feels scary but you're taking all the right steps.

Just wanted to add one more resource that might help - if you run into any issues with your UI application or it gets stuck in pending status, consider reaching out to your local state assembly member's office. They often have caseworkers who can help expedite EDD issues. I had to use this when my claim got tangled up in their system, and they were able to get it resolved in about a week versus the months it might have taken otherwise. Also, since you're dealing with work restrictions now, make sure you're familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements when you start interviewing. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified workers with disabilities, which could include things like limiting lifting requirements or providing ergonomic equipment. Your construction experience combined with your knowledge of safety regulations could actually make you a strong candidate for safety coordinator or compliance roles too. The transition from disability back to work is challenging, but it sounds like you're approaching it with the right mindset. Keep us posted on how your application goes!

I'm currently going through something similar - my SDI ends in two weeks and I'm nervous about the transition! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - does anyone know if the work search requirement starts immediately when you begin receiving UI benefits, or is there a grace period? I'm cleared for light duty work but still working with a physical therapist, so I'm wondering if I need to have job applications submitted on day one or if there's some time to get organized. Also, has anyone had success with temporary staffing agencies that specialize in light duty placements? I'm thinking that might be a good way to get back into the workforce gradually while still meeting the work search requirements.

I'm in a really similar situation - my SDI ends next month and I've been stressing about this transition! This thread has been incredibly reassuring. One thing I wanted to add that might help others: if you're dealing with work restrictions like light duty, consider looking into vocational rehabilitation services through the state. They can help with job placement, skills assessment, and even retraining if needed. My case worker mentioned it when we discussed my upcoming SDI end date. Also, for anyone worried about the pay difference between SDI and UI - remember that UI is temporary while you're actively job searching, whereas disability was meant to support you while you couldn't work at all. The goal is to get back to full-time employment, so even if UI pays less initially, it's a bridge to getting back to regular wages. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - it's made me feel so much more prepared and less anxious about applying when my time comes!

I'm also making this transition soon - my SDI ends in about 3 weeks after a work-related knee injury that's now healed enough for desk work. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! A couple of things I wanted to add from my research: 1. Make sure to keep all your medical clearance documentation organized and easily accessible. Even though you might not need it immediately, having it ready can speed things up if EDD requests it later. 2. I've been preparing by already updating my resume to highlight transferable skills from construction that apply to office/administrative work - project coordination, safety compliance, vendor management, etc. It's helping me see how my experience translates to different roles. 3. For those worried about the income difference, remember you might also qualify for other assistance programs while on UI that you couldn't get while on SDI due to income limits - things like food assistance or utility help. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and tips. It's reassuring to know this transition is manageable and that there are people who've successfully navigated it. Sophia, I hope your application goes smoothly tomorrow!

Just wanted to share my experience from last year - I transitioned from SDI to UI after a wrist injury that kept me out of my warehouse job for 3 months. The process was actually smoother than I expected! A few things that helped me: 1. I applied online the same day my last SDI payment posted - didn't wait at all 2. My UI weekly benefit ended up being about $450/week vs the $520/week I was getting on SDI, so not too different 3. The key was being honest about my work restrictions (no repetitive lifting over 25lbs) but emphasizing what I COULD do I ended up finding a great position in inventory management that worked with my restrictions and actually paid better than my old warehouse job. Sometimes these transitions, as stressful as they are, can lead to better opportunities. One practical tip: start browsing job listings now while you're applying so you're ready to hit the ground running with your work search requirements. Indeed and LinkedIn both have good filters for jobs that accommodate physical restrictions. You've got this! The hardest part is behind you.

I'm also going through this transition right now - my SDI ends this Friday and I've been following this thread closely! Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the detailed advice about documentation and work search strategies. One thing I discovered that might help others: I called my local One-Stop Career Center and they offer free workshops specifically for people with work restrictions who are job searching. They help with resume writing, interview skills, and connecting with employers who are disability-friendly. Might be worth looking into while you're on UI and meeting work search requirements. Also, I've been using this downtime to get some online certifications relevant to office work (basic Excel, project management fundamentals, etc.) through free programs at my local library. It's helping me feel more confident about transitioning away from physical labor roles. Sophia, I hope your application went smoothly today! Please keep us updated on how it goes - your experience will probably help others in similar situations.

I went through this exact transition 8 months ago after a shoulder injury that kept me out of my electrical work for 5 months. Here's what I wish I'd known: 1. Apply the DAY your SDI ends - I waited a few days thinking I needed a "break" between benefits and it just delayed everything unnecessarily. 2. Your UI amount will likely be less than SDI. My SDI was about $640/week and UI ended up being $485/week. It's based on your pre-injury wages, not your disability payments. 3. Document EVERYTHING with your work restrictions. I'm now limited to light duty/no overhead work, and I had to be very specific about what I could and couldn't do when applying. 4. The work search requirement is real and starts immediately. I found success looking at electrical supply companies, building inspections, and even teaching at trade schools. Most importantly - don't panic if your claim shows "pending" for a week or two. Mine took 12 days to process but once approved, I got all the back payments. The system just needs time to verify you're no longer on disability. Your construction experience is valuable even with restrictions - project management, safety oversight, equipment coordination. You'll find something! Good luck with your application.

I'm currently in a very similar situation - my SDI ends in about 6 weeks after a back injury from a car accident, and I've been cleared for light duty work but my previous job in retail management required a lot of heavy lifting and long hours on my feet. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring! A couple of questions for those who've been through this: Has anyone had experience with retail-to-office transitions using UI? I'm wondering if my management and customer service skills would translate well to administrative or coordinator roles. Also, I've heard conflicting information about whether you need to actively apply to jobs in your previous field first before branching out to other industries - does anyone know the actual EDD requirements for work search when you have physical restrictions? Thank you to everyone sharing their stories and advice - it's making this whole process feel much less overwhelming. Sophia, I hope your application goes smoothly and please keep us updated!

I'm really glad I found this thread! I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my workers' comp case is wrapping up soon and I'll need to transition to regular employment with some permanent work restrictions. While it's a different benefit system than SDI, a lot of the advice here about work searches, documentation, and highlighting transferable skills is really valuable. One thing I wanted to add for anyone dealing with physical restrictions: don't overlook government jobs! Many city, county, and state positions are required to accommodate disabilities and often have specific programs for hiring people with work limitations. The application process can be longer, but they tend to be more understanding about restrictions and offer good benefits. Also, I've found that being upfront about limitations during interviews (after getting called in) actually works better than trying to hide them. Employers appreciate honesty and it helps ensure you end up in a role that's sustainable for your health long-term. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's so helpful to know others have successfully navigated these transitions!