On May 28, 2025, California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) introduced a redesigned, simplified online application for Disability Insurance (DI), aimed at making the process more intuitive and accessible for all Californians and reducing fraud, following years of system failures and pandemic-related fraud losses.
EDD Director Nancy Farias says that the new system was built “to serve our customers better” by adopting “systems that are easier for everyone to understand and access.” This customer-centric approach aligns with the EDD’s ongoing modernization initiative across all its services. This modernization is part of the broader EDDNext reform initiative.
Key Enhancements to the Online Disability Application
The new DI application integrates several enhancements that streamline user interaction and reduce confusion:
- Simplified Instructions and Questions
The revamped app removes technical jargon and presents questions in everyday English. This enhances clarity and user confidence in answering accurately.
- Inline Help Text
Context-sensitive help appears exactly when needed—no more guessing or searching through dense documentation. This supports applicants in understanding definitions or requirements as they proceed.
- Reorganized Question Flow
The questions are now grouped logically—reducing cognitive load and helping applicants complete each section more naturally.
- Streamlined Navigation for Complex Topics
Particularly dense sections—like medical authorizations and declaration signatures—have clearer signposting and structure, minimizing on-screen confusion. - Enhanced Page Headings and Labels
Redesigned labeling helps users understand their progress and what’s required at each step. - Targeted Question Improvements
Specific examples show the impact: instead of “Date you want your Disability Insurance claim to begin if different than the date your disability began”, the app now asks: “Do you want your claim to start on a different date?”—a yes/no question that yields a follow-up date field only when needed.
- Clearer Medical Certification Guidance
The application now includes visible reminders at both the beginning and end emphasizing that Part B—physician certification—is a required final step. This helps applicants avoid costly delays.
Why are these enhancements being made?
Updating the application is in line with the state’s plain language equity standard under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order on equity and discrimination. Plain language makes instructions easier to understand (and translate into languages other than English) and makes forms easier to complete.
The application is now translated into the languages spoken most frequently in California: Spanish, Armenian, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
The department has a call center, where staff who speak these languages can assist people in their preferred language or help with translation.
So far the department has updated benefit applications, contact centers, the claims process, policies, procedures, and forms as part of its modernization program, dubbed EDDNext.
EDDNext: Transforming the Customer Experience
These application upgrades are part of a much broader initiative known as EDDNext—a multi-year modernization effort aimed at transforming the way EDD serves both customers and staff .
What is EDDNext?
EDDNext efforts include updating benefit applications, contact centers, the claims process, policies, procedures, and forms, to make the EDD experience easier and faster,bringing private-sector human-centered design and technology to public service operations.
Collaborations with Tech Experts
- Amazon Web Services and Salesforce participate in the transformation, jointly building more modern, scalable, secure systems.
- These partnerships aim to shift EDD’s architecture away from dated legacy systems toward platforms better designed for rapid iteration and user-centered experiences.
Broader EDDNext Achievements
- Online Disability Application Simplification: Earlier rollout produced shorter and clearer UI Online forms.
- Shared Customer Portal (myEDD): Offers unified access to both unemployment and disability claim.
- Benefit Debit Card Improvements: Shift to Money Network with plans for new direct deposit options.
- Text Message Alerts: Now available for State Disability Insurance claims.
Multilingual Access: As of March 2024, applications support eight languages—including Armenian, Korean, and Tagalog—for UI Online, helping California’s diverse communities. - User Engagement Tools: Additions include customer satisfaction surveys post-call, new chatbots (“Virtual Assistant”), and dedicated language lines.
- Multilingual Access: As of March 2024, applications support eight languages—including Armenian, Korean, and Tagalog—for UI Online, helping California’s diverse communities.
Online Disability Applications is Now Multilingual
EDD’s ongoing plain language improvements build upon a major success in boosting language access for communities speaking California’s top eight languages. The streamlined online application is also now translated into the top languages spoken in California, including English, Spanish, Armenian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. EDD also has dedicated phone lines connecting call center staff who speak these languages with our customers, free translation services for hundreds more languages,
Language Resources
At the EDD, we are committed to providing vital information to all, including those who do not speak English as their preferred language.
We offer translation and interpreter services in more than 100 languages at no cost.
Translated Resources by Language
To view the translated resources currently available, including translated forms, publications, and contact information to get language help, select a language below. We have provided links to both the English and translated versions of the webpages.
No matter your reason for reaching out, we have programs and resources to help you reach your goals. We’re here to support you.
To learn more, click on the resources below:
Support you Need Notice (DE 811):
| English | Armenian | Arabic |
| Chinese-Traditional | Chinese-Simplified | Farsi |
| Hmong | Hindi | Japanese |
| Khmer (Cambodian) | Korean | Laotian |
| Punjabi | Russian | Spanish |
| Tagalog | Thai | Vietnamese |
Multilingual Interpretive Service Poster (DE 1210)
Babel Notices:
How to Submit a complaint
If you did not receive the language access services you need, you can file a complaint with our EEO Office.
Complete the Comments, Suggestions and/or Complaints Form (DE 8123) (PDF).
-
- Drop off the form at your local EDD office.d,
- Send by email to the EEO Office.
- Mail to:
EDD EEO Office
PO Box 826880, MIC 49
Sacramento, CA 94280-0001
The form is available in these languages:
- English
- Español/Spanish
- Arabic/ عربي
- Հայերեն/Armenian
- 简体中文/Chinese-Simplified
- 繁體中文/Chinese-Traditional
- فارسی/Farsi
- हिंदी/Hindi
- 日本/Japanese
- 한국어/Korean
- ਪੰਜਾਬੀ/Punjabi
- Русский/Russian
- Tagalog
- แบบไทย/Thai
- Tiếng Việt/Vietnamese
- មន-ខ្មែរ (ខ្មែរ)/ Mon-Khmer (Cambodian)
Online Application Services
(Apply or Reopen)
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Look Up or Check the Status
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Conclusion
EDD’s updated Online Disability Application is a major step toward accessibility, clarity, and fraud prevention. With multilingual support and user-friendly design, Californians can now apply more easily and confidently. For help with denied claims, consider an unemployment benefits appeal through Pershing Square Law Firm.
