Can I collect California State Disability while applying for SSDI? Worried about benefits overlap

You absolutely CAN receive California SDI while your SSDI application is being processed. I did exactly this last year with my lupus diagnosis. The two systems are completely separate - California SDI is state-based short-term disability (usually up to 52 weeks), while SSDI is federal long-term disability. Since SSDI can take 6-24 months to get approved (mine took 8 months), it makes perfect sense to get SDI to cover your immediate needs. Just be aware that once your SSDI is approved, there might be some offset if the approval periods overlap.

my brother tried to do both and the state made him pay back some money later said he couldnt get both at same time for same disability. not sure if he did something wrong tho

I went through this exact situation in 2023!!! YES you can get both but there's a lot of confusing rules. I was on CA disability for 9 months while my SSDI was processing. The important thing to understand is that when (if) you get approved for SSDI, they'll probably give you backpay to your disability onset date. That's where it gets tricky because you can't double-dip for the same months. Here's what happened to me: I got CA SDI for 9 months, then got approved for SSDI with 6 months of backpay. I had to pay back some of my California SDI for those overlapping months. It wasn't a penalty, just preventing double payments for the same period. DO apply for both! The SSDI process is RIDICULOUSLY slow and you need income now.

I work with disability claims. Here's the definitive answer: 1. Yes, you can and SHOULD apply for both CA SDI and SSDI simultaneously if you have a potentially long-term disability. 2. CA SDI provides benefits for up to 52 weeks. 3. SSDI is for long-term disabilities and has a 5-month waiting period before benefits begin. 4. If you receive SSDI approval with backpay that overlaps with SDI payments, you may need to reimburse the state for the overlapping period. This is called a "state disability offset." 5. You must report to CA SDI if you're approved for SSDI. Don't delay your SSDI application - the sooner you apply, the sooner the 5-month waiting period starts counting.

While you're dealing with this frustrating situation, I wanted to share something that helped me when I was applying for SSDI. One of the biggest headaches is getting through to SSA on the phone to check your application status or get questions answered. I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual SSA representative without the endless hold times. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was especially helpful for tracking my application progress and dealing with questions about my state disability benefits that came up during the process. Made the whole SSDI process a little less stressful.

I GOT REJECTED FOR SSDI TWICE before getting approved!!!! Don't give up if they deny you the first time. The system is DESIGNED to discourage people. My advice? Get a lawyer for your SSDI claim right from the start. They only get paid if you win, and they know all the tricks. Meanwhile, definitely take the CA disability - that's your RIGHT as a California worker who paid into the system.

Don't SSI and SSDI get confused all the time? I think my cousin got SSI because his disability wasn't from working. Or maybe it was the other way around? The whole system is super confusing.

Another thing nobody mentioned - track EVERYTHING! Every doctor visit, every medication, every bad day when you couldn't function. Keep a disability journal. When I applied for SSDI, they wanted details from the past 2 YEARS about my treatment history. I wish someone had told me to document everything from day one. It would have made my application so much stronger and possibly prevented my initial denial.