When you need help with disability benefits and filling forms for insurance claims,
Disability insurance, di, are you unable to work, need benefits, eligibility forms.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY
SDI benefits can be paid only after you meet all of the following requirements:
* You must be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight consecutive days.
* You must be employed or actively looking for work at the time you become disabled.
* You must have lost wages because of your disability or, if unemployed, have been actively looking for work.
* You must have earned at least $300 from which SDI deductions were withheld during a previous period (see "YOUR BENEFIT AMOUNTS" in next column).
* You must be under the care and treatment of a licensed doctor or accredited religious practitioner during the first eight days of your disability. (The beginning date of a claim can be adjusted to meet this requirement.) You must remain under care and treatment to continue receiving benefits.
* You must complete and mail a claim form within 49 days of the date you became disabled or you may lose benefits.
* Your doctor must complete the medical certification of your disability. A licensed midwife, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner may complete the medical certification for disabilities related to normal pregnancy or childbirth. (If you are under the care of a religious practitioner, request a "Practitioner's Certificate," DE 2502, from the SDI office. Certification by a religious practitioner is acceptable only if the practitioner has been accredited by Employment Development Department.)
You may apply for Disability benefits even if you are not sure you are eligible. If you are found to be ineligible for all or part of a period claimed, you will be notified of the ineligible period and the reason. You may not be eligible for SDI benefits if you:
* are claiming or receiving Unemployment Insurance or Paid Family Leave benefits.
* became disabled while committing a crime resulting in a felony conviction.
* are receiving workers' compensation benefits at a weekly rate equal to or greater than the SDI rate.
* are in jail, prison, or recovery home because you were convicted of a crime.
* fail to have an independent medical examination when requested to do so.
