Instructions For Getting State Disability Benefits

If your pre-injury paychecks indicated payment into the State Disability Fund (SDI), you may be entitled to receive State Disability Insurance benefits if the workers’ compensation insurance carrier denies your claim or stops paying benefits. SDI benefits are paid by the Employment Development Department (EDD).

To apply for SDI, you will need to obtain an application. You can get the form from your local EDD office of go online to http://www.edd.ca.gov/fleclaimdi.htm. You can also call EDD at 1-800-480-3287 or Espanol 1-866-658-8846.

When completing the state disability form, you must make sure that the following phrase is on the form, or if there is no room, use a separate sheet attached to the form which reads as follows:

“I have retained representation for my workers’ compensation claim through the law office of Kenton Koszdin (818) 901-9999 and the workers’ compensation insurance is refusing to pay benefits.”

It is also important that you indicate on the state disability form that your injury is work related.

It is also important that you indicate that date of the onset of your disability was the first time you were placed off work, not the date you are applying for SDI. This is important because you may be applying for SDI because you have exhausted your 104 week period of temporary disability, yet you are still disabled and under medical care.

A doctor must also certify that you are entitled to SDI benefits. You will need to take the SDI form to the doctor.

SDI may be paid after temporary disability benefits are cut off, delayed, or denied. If you are cut off from temporary disability, you should immediately apply for SDI benefits.

This office does not handle applications or appeals for state disability benefits.