How to File a Claim for Disability Benefits in California

California State Disability Insurance will replace some of your income if you are unable to work due to a disability.

California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a partial wage-replacement insurance plan for California workers who find themselves unable to work for a period of time due to some illness or injury, either physical or mental.

Things You'll Need

• Disability
• Phone
• Internet Access
• Doctor's Certificate

Instructions

1. According to the California's Employment Development Department (CA EDD) to be eligible for disability benefits the applicant must meet the following requirements:
   - Must be unable to their customary work for at least eight consecutive days.
   - He or she must be employed or seeking employment at the time of becoming disabled.
   - Must have lost wages due to disability.
   - Must have earned at least $300 from which must have earned at least $300 from which SDI (State Disability Insurance) deductions were withheld during a previous period.
   - Must be under the care and treatment of a licensed doctor or accredited religious practitioner during the first eight days of disability.
   - Must complete and mail a claim form within 49 days of the date of becoming disabled to ensure eligibility.
   - Certification of Disability form must be completed by a doctor.

2. A disability claim in California can be filed in one of two ways; phone, by calling 1-800-480-3287 or 1-866-658-8846 (En Español) and by filling out the DE 2501 form found on their website (link provided in the References section).

3. When filling out the form, be sure to complete it in its entirety, and do not forget to have your doctor fill out the DE 2502 form or the Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits - Doctor's Certificate.
   Mail your completed and signed forms to the Disability Insurance Office nearest to your place of residence, no earlier than nine days but no later than 49 days after the first day you became disabled.

4. Your benefit period depends on your doctor's determination of how long your disability is expected to last. Your doctor can extend your disability period up to the program maximum, which is generally 52 weeks. If you return to work part time or collect other income during the period you are disabled or partially disabled, you can collect partial payments for longer than the 52 week maximum.

5. Beware that under the Insurance Frauds Prevention Act," California Penal Code, Sections 549-550 and California Labor Code, Section 3700.5, any person who exaggerates their physical or mental limitations in an effort to unlawfully obtain disability benefits, can be prosecuted for insurance fraud. California and federal law also permit other charges including mail fraud and criminal racketeering to be pursued in conjunction with insurance fraud.

References

• California Employment Development Department: Overview -- Disability