Three Terrible Myths About CA State Disability
- Andy Chu, Esq.
- Aug 15, 2022
- 2 min read
MYTH#1: California State Disability benefit is welfare.
TRUTH: California State Disability benefits is insurance.
Some people shy away from State Disability because they think it is welfare. They don't want to be on welfare and get free money, so they don't apply when they are sick. But California State Disability benefit is an insurance program. Its full name is California State Disability Insurance, sometimes called CA SDI.
TIP: The premium for CA SDI is deducted from the worker's paycheck. You can check your pay stub and look for CA SDI. If you find it as an deduction item, then you pay into California State Disability Insurance.
MYTH#2: People cannot claim California State Disability benefits if their illness or injury is work related.
TRUTH: People can claim and receive California State Disability even if they have a worker's compensation claim.
People can apply for both California State Disability and worker's comp. They just cannot receive both and "double dip. " Many disabled workers receive State Disability benefits while they wait for the worker's comp claim to be approved. If they end up getting both, they may need to return some CA SDI benefits to Employment Development Department (EDD). EDD is the agency that runs CA SDI.
TIP: If you have a worker's compensation claim, have your worker's comp claim information ready when you apply for CA SDI. The CA SDI application will ask you questions such as the name of your worker's comp insurer, the name of your attorney, the date of your injury.
MYTH#3: People are not eligible for State Disability unless they are totally disabled and cannot perform any job.
TRUTH: California State Disability is for people who are too sick to perform their customary work.
Customary work means your usual occupation. If you have been doing your job for a while before you become disabled, that job is probably your customary work. If you were trained to do that job, or have a license for it, that job is probably your customary work.
TIP: You don't need to be completed disabled from all jobs to receive State Disability. If you need help, apply. There is no application fee. The worst EDD can do is deny your claim. And you can always appeal. Don't wait until you are completed debilitated or bedridden to apply for State Disability.