Short-Term Disability Insurance (DI) is part of the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program and provides short-term wage replacement to eligible California workers. If you get sick or hurt at work, short-term disability (STD) insurance helps you cover a portion of your lost income. You can use that money to help pay for your rent or housing payments, food, car payments, utility bills, etc. Generally, you receive a weekly payment for a set amount of weeks to help you pay for the things you’d normally buy with a paycheck.
You may qualify for Disability Insurance (DI) if you can’t work and lose wages when you need time off for:
- Illness
- Injury
- Surgery
- Pregnancy or childbirth
Requirements to File a Claim
Are you under the care of a Licensed Health Professional?
What if I can’t see my Licensed Health Professional in the first eight days of my disability?
When do I file my claim?
How can I avoid delays in my DI claim?
How do I complete my medical certificate?
What if I was misclassified by my employer?
You Must Not Be Able To Work for Eight Days
One of the primary qualifications for short-term disability in California is that you must be unable to work for at least eight consecutive days due to your medical condition. This requirement is based on the need to establish a legitimate inability to perform your usual job duties.
The EDD evaluates this criterion by reviewing medical certification from your healthcare provider. The certification must specify the nature of your condition, its severity, and the anticipated duration of your inability to work. Common examples include recovering from surgery, dealing with complications during pregnancy, or experiencing a debilitating illness or injury.
During these eight days, you are not required to file a claim immediately. However, any delay beyond this period might require additional documentation to explain why the claim was not submitted earlier. The eight-day requirement ensures that DI benefits are reserved for those with genuine and sustained medical needs.
You may be eligible for Short-Term Disability Insurance (DI) benefits if you:
- Can’t do your regular work for at least eight days.
- Have lost wages because of your disability.
- Are you you working or looking for work at the time your disability begins?
- Earned at least $300 with State Disability Insurance (SDI) deducted from your paycheck.
State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions show as CASDI on your pay stub. Learn more about your base period with Calculating Benefit Payment Amounts.
You Must Be Injured, Ill, Pregnant, or in Need of Family Leave for Short-Term Disability Insurance (DI)
A disability is an illness or injury, either physical or mental, which prevents you from working. A disability also includes elective surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions:Qualifying conditions include:
- Non-work-related injuries: Examples include fractures, sprains, or recovery from a car accident.
- Illnesses: Chronic conditions like severe migraines, temporary mental health issues, or respiratory infections.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: DI benefits often cover complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, as well as recovery periods post-childbirth.
- Family caregiving leave: While primarily covered under Paid Family Leave (PFL), some family caregiving situations might also overlap with DI eligibility.
These conditions must be certified by a licensed healthcare professional, such as a physician, surgeon, chiropractor, or midwife. Certifications must include detailed medical records supporting your inability to work. Fraudulent claims are strictly prohibited and can result in penalties or disqualification from benefits.
DI does not provide job protection. However, your job may be protected through other federal or state laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
You Need a Year’s Worth of Pay Deductions in Short-Term Disability
To be eligible for short-term disability benefits, applicants must have contributed to State Disability Insurance (SDI) program through payroll deductions for at least one year. These deductions appear on pay stubs as “CASDI” or “CA SDI” and are required from California employees, apart from a limited number of exempt groups.
The EDD calculates eligibility and benefit amounts based on your earnings during a specific 12-month base period, which is divided into four consecutive quarters. For example, if you file a claim in December, your base period would likely include earnings from July of the previous year through June of the current year.
You must have earned at least $300 in wages during the base period, with SDI contributions withheld. Individuals who are self-employed or independent contractors are not automatically enrolled in SDI but can opt into the program by paying elective coverage premiums.
You Must Look for Work if You’re Unemployed for the Short-Term Disability
Individuals who are unemployed at the time their disability begins must actively seek employment to qualify for benefits. This requirement ensures that DI benefits are extended to those who are genuinely attempting to re-enter the workforce but are temporarily hindered by medical conditions.
The EDD may require documentation of your job search efforts, such as records of applications submitted or interviews attended before the onset of your disability. This provision highlights the intersection between disability benefits and unemployment benefits in California. In certain cases, the EDD may recommend transitioning from unemployment insurance to DO if your medical condition prevents you from meeting the job search requirements.
When you turn to us, we have a program or resource that can help. This includes time to bond with your newborn, some support to find your next job, and resources to help you recover after an illness or injury.
- Step 1: Get Your Information in Order
- Step 2: Apply
- Step 3: Register in CalJOBS
- Step 4: Review Benefit Documents
- Step 5: Certify for Benefits
- Step 6: Receive Your First Payment
- Step 7: Continue to Certify
- Step 8: End Your Benefits
- Determinations and Eligibility
- Appeals
- Overpayments and Penalties
- Disability Insurance
- Paid Family Leave
- Nonindustrial Disability Insurance
- Benefit Overpayment Information
- Fraud Information
- Ask EDD
- Online Services
You Must Be Under the Care of a Doctor for the First Eight Days
To qualify for DI benefits, you must be under the continuous care and treatment of a licensed healthcare provider from the onset of your disability. This requirement applies during the first eight days of your medical condition and extends throughout your benefit period.
Your healthcare provider must complete the “Physician/Practitioner’s Certification” section of the DI claim form, detailing your diagnosis, treatment plan, and estimated recovery time. The certification can be submitted electronically through the EDD’s SDI Online portal or paper form.
Failure to provide timely medical certification can delay or disqualify your claim. Additionally, the EDD may conduct follow-up checks to ensure you’re adhering to your prescribed treatment plan. Regular updates from your healthcare provider may also be required to extend benefits beyond the initial period.
Challenges in receiving unemployment benefits
For those facing such barriers such as facing challenges in receiving unemployment benefits, seeking assistance through an unemployment benefits appeal can be a critical step in resolving disputes and securing the benefits to which they are entitled.
Meeting the SDI Requirements
California’s short-term disability program replaces part of a worker’s wages during a period of temporary incapacity. Meeting the eligibility requirements, including the inability to work for eight days, having a qualifying condition, contributing to SDI, actively seeking work if unemployed, and obtaining medical certification, is what determines access to these benefits. Understanding these qualifications and following EDD’s guidance helps applicants move through the claims process.
For more detail see the California EDD Disability Insurance page, our note on making a successful short-term disability claim, and how benefit amounts are computed.
