Key takeaways
- SDI pays about 70% to 90% of your past wages, from $50 to $1,765 a week for claims in 2026.
- You must be unable to do your regular work for at least eight days, and a licensed health professional must certify it.
- There's an unpaid seven-day waiting period, and benefits can last up to 52 weeks.
State Disability Insurance (SDI), whose disability part is often just called "DI", pays part of your wages when you can't work because of a non-work-related illness, injury or pregnancy. Workers pay for it through the SDI deduction on their paychecks.
Who qualifies
According to EDD, you must:
- be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight days;
- have lost wages because of the disability;
- have been working or actively looking for work when the disability began;
- have earned at least $300 in wages subject to SDI deductions during your base period; and
- have a licensed health professional certify the disability.
Pregnancy and childbirth recovery are covered. Injuries caused by your job usually fall under workers' compensation instead.
How much SDI pays
For claims starting on or after January 1, 2025, SDI pays about 70% to 90% of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your claim start date. Lower earners receive the higher percentage, which is a change made by SB 951.
| 2026 claims | Amount |
|---|---|
| Weekly benefit range | $50 to $1,765 |
| Maximum total benefit | $91,780 |
| Maximum duration | Up to 52 weeks |
EDD's benefit calculator and table show the exact weekly amount for your highest-quarter earnings.
The waiting period
You must serve an unpaid seven-day waiting period (calendar days) before benefits begin.
How to file
- File online through SDI Online at edd.ca.gov, or on a paper claim form.
- Give your health professional your receipt number. They must complete and submit the medical certification.
- File within 49 days of when your disability begins. The medical certification is due within the same window, so don't wait.
EDD mails a notice with your weekly benefit amount. If your recovery takes longer than expected, your provider can certify an extension.
SDI claim timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Your disability begins. The seven-day waiting period starts. |
| Day 8 | Your first payable day, if you're eligible. |
| Nine days after it begins | The earliest EDD wants you to file your claim. |
| 49 days after it begins | The latest you should file, with the medical certification also submitted. |
| Up to 14 days after EDD gets your complete claim | EDD's estimate for deciding eligibility. Incomplete claims can take longer. |
| Every two weeks | You certify for continued benefits (form DE 2500A), unless your claim is on automatic payments. |
If you file late for a good reason, EDD says to include a letter explaining why with your claim. Filing outside the window can delay your claim, cost you benefits or lead to disqualification.
Before you file: what to gather
- The date your disability began and your last day of work.
- Your licensed health professional's details, so they can submit the medical certification through SDI Online or on Part B of form DE 2501. EDD says getting this done is your responsibility.
- Your payment choice: direct deposit (SDI Online claims only), debit card or check.
For a normal pregnancy or childbirth, a licensed midwife, nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner can certify the disability, not only a doctor.
SDI, Paid Family Leave and your job
SDI replaces wages; it doesn't protect your job by itself. Job protection can come from other laws, such as pregnancy disability leave, the federal FMLA or California's CFRA, depending on your employer and situation. To care for someone else rather than yourself, see Paid Family Leave.
Frequently asked questions
How much does California SDI pay?
SDI pays about 70% to 90% of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your claim start date. For 2026 claims, that's $50 to $1,765 a week, with a maximum total of $91,780. Lower earners get the higher percentage.
How long can I stay on California disability?
Up to 52 weeks, as long as a licensed health professional keeps certifying that you can't do your regular work. If recovery takes longer than expected, your provider can certify an extension.
How long does it take to get SDI payments?
EDD says it can take up to 14 days to decide eligibility once it receives your complete claim, including the medical certification. Your first seven days of disability are an unpaid waiting period.
When should I file for California disability?
File no earlier than nine days and no later than 49 days after your disability begins. Filing late can delay your claim, cost you benefits or get it disqualified. If you have a good reason for filing late, include a letter explaining it.
Does SDI cover pregnancy?
Yes. Pregnancy and recovery from childbirth are covered. Many birth parents then move to Paid Family Leave to bond with the baby.
Does SDI cover an injury at work?
Usually not. Injuries caused by your job generally fall under workers' compensation instead. SDI is for illness, injury or pregnancy that isn't work-related.
Do I pay for SDI out of my paycheck?
Yes. Workers fund SDI through a 1.3% deduction in 2026, with no wage cap. It often shows as "CASDI" on a pay stub. See our payroll tax guide for how withholding works.
Sources
We use primary sources: statutes, court rules, official forms and government pages. Read our editorial standards.