Human Resource Blog

California Short-Term Disability

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I hurt my back while doing yard work at home and I’m unable to work for 8 weeks. What short-term disability benefits am I entitled to in

California?

It’s unfortunate that you hurt your back, but fortunate that you live and work in California. Only 5 of the  U.S. states require that employers provide short-term disability coverage. Of those,

California provides by far the best benefits.

California State Disability Insurance, or SDI, is a state-mandated program funded through employee payroll deductions. After an initial (unpaid) one-week waiting period, SDI pays workers 55% of their salary, up to a maximum of $728 per week. The payments continue for up to 52 weeks, as long as the employee is still disabled.

Workers can take SDI for any mental or physical illness or injury that prevents them from doing their regular job. This includes elective surgery or a written order of quarantine from a state or local health officer. It also includes any illness, injury or medical disability resulting from pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions.

Please note that SDI is only for non-work-related injuries. If you were injured at work, you would qualify for benefits, including full pay and medical benefits, under workers’ compensation.

Employees are entitled to SDI whenever they are unable to work due to an illness, injury or medical disability. This includes any medical disability involved in pregnancy, weather it’s from complications or in the weeks preceding and following childbirth.

About 12 million workers in California are covered by the normal SDI program. It applies to virtually every employer in the state. Some employees, however are exempt from SDI coverage under California law. These include railroad employees, and most government employees. Some employees of non-profit agencies are exempt from SDI. In addition, an employee can choose to be exempted from SDI on religious grounds.

California is definitely in the forefront of states on disability coverage. Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York and

Hawaii also offer state-mandated disability programs, however, they cover only 26 to 30 weeks of disability.

Puerto Rico also has a commonwealth-mandated disability program. Workers in other states are not guaranteed any short-term disability coverage.

Workers employed by the State of California are covered under a separate SDI program that provides greater benefits.