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Andy Chu, Esq.

Ten Practical Tips On Navigating CA State Disability Insurance

Updated: Jul 3


EDD = Employment Development Department


1. I can’t reach the EDD. Any suggestions?


Please read this article.


2. How much does SDI pay?


Generally, SDI pays 60% to 70% of your wage, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1620 for claims with effective dates in 2023. It pays up to 52 weeks. If your benefit amount is lower than you expect, review your Notice of Computation DE429D. See Q4 below.


3. I am a higher earner and SDI covers less than half of my salary. What should I do?


You may have additional disability income coverages through your employer. They are called employer sponsored disability insurance. Check with your HR department, employee handbook, and paystub to see if you have these coverages. Consider getting Disability Benefits Counseling to understand your options.


4. What is a Notice of Computation “DE429D”?


The Notice of Computation shows you how your disability benefit amount is calculated.

Look for the Claim Effective Date on DE429D. Usually, that’s when your disability began. The EDD uses the Claim Effective Date to determine your base period. The wages in your base period determine your benefit amount.

For example, if your Claim Effective Date is 3/12/23, your base period would be 10/1/21 through 9/30/22.

When you get the DE429D, check to see if your wages are correct. Missing wages may decrease your benefit amount.


5. What is a base period? Why does it matter?


A base period is the four calendar quarters (12 months) of wages that determine the benefit amount. The base period is usually within 1.5 years of the Claim Effective Date. You can easily figure out your base period by entering your onset date of disability here. The 12 months that show up after entering your date constitute your base period.

Base period matters because different base periods may generate different income benefit amount.


6. What is an “Industrially Disabled Person”?


That’s someone who is disabled because of a work-related injury/illness. An industrially disabled person can ask EDD to recalculate their base period. This recalculation disregards calendar quarters that the worker is disabled for 60 or more consecutive days, and replace them with calendar quarters immediately before the work-related injury/illness. This may result in a higher benefit amount.


7. I applied online. How do I get a copy of my application?


Go to your EDD online account and click “Forms You Submitted”. There you can download DE2501, which is a copy of your application.


8. I am supposed to recertify my disability but I never got a form in the mail. What should I do?


Go to your EDD online account and click “Available Forms” to see if you can submit the recertification online.


9. How do I get my doctor to certify my SDI claim?


If you apply online, at the end of your application, you will get a “R number”. Copy that down and give it to your doctor. Ideally, your doctor would certify you using the same onset date of disability that you used on your application. If you don’t remember the “R number” or what onset date you used, download DE2501 from “Available Forms” in your EDD online account.

If your doctor doesn’t certify online, he can also certify your claim using part B of the red form. You can get the red form here.


10. I miss the 49 day deadline to apply for SDI. What should I do?


Don’t give up. Apply anyway. If the EDD denies your claim or give you an unfavorable claim effective date, appeal your case and ask for good cause for late filing. Consider hiring an attorney to help you.

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