A study conducted by the US Census Bureau in 2008 revealed that a worker has a one in five chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. With this data, the agency urged people to have federally- or state-funded disability insurance. In California, most workers are covered by State Disability Insurance (SDI) and nearly 13 million people pay a mandatory contribution through payroll deduction according to Employment Development Department (EDD). According to EED, the SDI withholds only 1.1 percent of a workers annual, adding that the maximum contribution for an employee is $997.35a small contribution which can be helpful in times of disability. Unlike in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) which only covers people with long-term disability, the state-funded insurance covers pregnancy-related illnesses and short-term disability. And while the Social Security disability benefit is given on the sixth month of disability, workers can receive SDI only days after their condition begins. Meanwhile, if a person is eligible in Social Security programs such as SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), he may also be eligible in state-funded disability insurance. However, the amount of benefits may be affected. The following requirements will determine eligibility for SDI: A worker is unable to work for at least eight consecutive days because of his disability. A worker is employed or actively looking for a job at the time he becomes disabled. A worker has lost wages because of his disability. If unemployed, he should be actively looking for a job at the time he becomes disabled. A worker must have contributed at least $300 in his SDI funds. A disabled worker must be under the care of a licensed medical practitioner during the first eight days of his condition. To continue receiving the benefits, a person should remain under the care of his doctor. Also, a worker should complete the Disability Claim Continuing Eligibility Certification which is mailed every quarter if he wants to continue receiving his benefits. A licensed doctor (or midwife for pregnant claimants) must complete a medical certification that will prove that the worker has a disability. A worker must complete and send the claim form to EDD within 49 days after his disability begins. Failing to do so may nullify his SDI claims. Meanwhile, workers may lose eligibility if: They are not suffering a loss of wages. They are already receiving other government assistance programs such as Paid Family Leave or Unemployment Insurance. They are already receiving benefits under the Workers Compensation program which is higher than SDI benefits. They have been disabled after committing a crime which convicted them with felony. They are currently in jail after being convicted with a crime. They failed or refused to have an independent medical examination requested by EDD.
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