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California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

Disability Insurance

As part of its ongoing state benefits programs for workers, the State of California provides disability insurance to those who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. This disability insurance program provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who suffer a full or partial loss of wages (approximately 60-70% of wages, depending on income, ranging from $50-$1,300 a week for up to 52 weeks).

This program also covers otherwise eligible employees who are unable to work due to medical quarantine or medically-certified illnesses related to COVID-19. The otherwise-applicable one-week waiting period has been waived for claims related to COVID-19.

Government or Lead Agency

State of California, Employment Development Department (EDD)

Dates Available

Ongoing

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Claimants should directly consult the official guidance issued by EDD, located at the link below:

https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm#DIBenefits, to determine eligibility.

For disability claims related to COVID-19, the claimant must provide certification by a medical professional that the medical quarantine or illness is related to COVID-19.

Citizenship and immigration status do not affect eligibility.

For additional guidance on eligibility requirements, please see below for a list of resources.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

Disability insurance claims must be filed no earlier than nine days after the first day of quarantine or illness begins, but no later than 49 days after such quarantine or illness begins.

Contact for More Information

(888) 480-3287 (English) or (866) 658-8846 (Spanish).

List of Additional Information

State of California frequently-asked-questions page for COVID-19-related disability or paid family leave benefits: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm

Summary of benefits: https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/#chart

How to file a disability insurance claim: https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_DI_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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