Can You Collect State Disability when Your Unemployment Runs Out

[trulyhappy]

My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: Can you collect State Disability in Calif when your unemployment is exhausted. Of course you have a Dr's note but, are there any funds in the disability fund since your have not worked in the last 24 months

[cbg]

Here is the link to the eligibilty requirements for state disabilty benefits in CA:

http://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/eligibility.htm

Please note that unemployment and disability benefits are, to a certain degree, mutually exclusive. You are not eligible for unemployment unless you are able to work; you are not eligible for disabilty benefits unless you are unable to work. It is conceivable that someone whose medical condition improved drastically right at the very end of their disability claim could then move on to unemployment, or that someone who became disabled right at the end of their unemployment claim could then move on to disabilty, but for the most part if you qualify for one, you do not qualify for the other. And any individuals who claimed they suddenly became eligible for one right at the very end of their claim for the other, would be scrutinized VERY carefully.

[trulyhappy]

My unemployment ran out a few weeks ago.. I'm having a test the middle of May and depending on the results of the test I might have to have surgery that would leave me unable to look for work for 6-8 wks. Im not looking for benefits based on the fact that I don't have any income. This would be my 9th surgery and comes to some shock that I might need another. The questions was based on the fact that if my unemployment benefits ran out and since I have not contributed to the fund in over 24 months would there be any funds available?

[cbg]

I doubt it. But there's no reason you can't apply and find out. The worst they can say is no, and if they do, you're no worse off than if you didn't apply in the first place.

[Betty3]

A worker is eligible for Ca. SDI regardless of the time they have worked at their company if he or she satisfies the following three requirements within the year before the claim:

is unable to work for at least 8 consecutive days due to disability;
is actively seeking work or has a job when disability occurs;
has earned at least $300 within the year prior to the quarter in which SDI premiums are deducted and an SDI claim filed.

Workers who are unsure whether they qualify should file anyway; the Employment Development Department (EDD) will evaluate their situation.

You can go ahead & file a claim but as cbg noted it is doubtful you will be approved for SDI.