Disability Insurance
Disability Insurance (DI) provides short-term wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers.
DI does not provide job protection, only monetary benefits; 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).
Disability is an illness or injury, either physical or mental, which prevents you from performing your regular and customary work. Disability also includes elective surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions.
Am I Eligible for DI?
- About DI - Overview
- Eligibility Requirements
- Part-Time/Intermittent/Reduced Work Schedule
- Types of Claims
- Work-related illness or injury: Workers’ Compensation
- Integration of Benefits
- Benefits and Resources for Undocumented Workers
If you think you’re eligible for disability benefits, you’ll want to file a claim to apply.
Disability benefits are designed to replace a percentage of your income if the unexpected happens.
You may be eligible for DI if you are unable to work and are losing wages because of your own non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy.
Receiving disability benefits provides you the means to buy food, pay bills, and cover household expenses while you’re unable to work.
How Do I File for Disability?
You can file your Claim for Disability Insurance (DI) Benefits (DE 2501) (PDF) form by mail or online. The fastest and most secure way is to create an account through myEDD so that you can file and manage your disability claim using SDI Online.
To learn more, review the following:
- Overview: DI Claim Process
- DI FAQs: How Do I Apply?
- Estimate Benefit Payments: Calculator
- Options to File for DI Benefits (Online or by Mail)
Once your completed claim application is received, we will confirm eligibility. You can expect this process to take up to 14 days.
Note: Processing time may vary depending on the claim. If your claim is incomplete or requires additional information, confirming eligibility can be delayed.
What Do I Need to Do?
Understand your role and responsibilities in managing your disability benefits correctly, including how to continue or stop your benefit payments.
- How to File a Claim in SDI Online
- DI FAQs: Receiving Benefits and Payments
- Reporting Your Wages
- Request to Stop or Continue Your DI Benefits
- Reporting Taxes: Form 1099G
- Benefit Overpayments
Note: Make sure that information is reported accurately and the correct benefits are paid. Committing fraud has serious outcomes. Learn more on Help Fight Fraud.
Register for myEDD
Creating an account is an important step in this process. With myEDD, you can apply for Disability Insurance and manage your claim in SDI Online.
Find DI Information for You
Additional Resources
Can’t find what you are looking for? View these DI and PFL resources for more information.