EDD Filing for California Disability (CASDI)
If this is for a Maternity leave, once your pregnancy disability ends, you will transition your leave to paid bonding leave. You will be required to provide the state with additional information to be transitioned over to (CA PFL) Paid Family Leave.
California State Disability Insurance (SDI/CASDI)
IMPORTANT: Best practice is to register your account as soon as possible. However, you should file your disability claim on your first day of leave or first day out. Filing too early could result in a denial or rejection of benefits.
How to Apply for SDI/CASDI
- Talk to Your Doctor
- Request medical certification for your medical or pregnancy-related disability (typically 4 weeks before due date or earlier if needing pre-birth disability).
- Create a Benefit Programs Online (BPO) Account
- Visit: edd.ca.gov/BPO
- Register with email, set password/security questions, verify via email.
- Register with SDI Online
- In BPO, select SDI Online → "Register as a Claimant"
- Input your legal name, DOB (match your CA ID/Driver's License)
- Save your EDD Customer Account Number
- File a Disability Claim (DI)
- In SDI Online: Click "New Claim" → select "Disability Insurance"
- Enter last day worked, employer info, any post-leave wages
- Provide your receipt number to your doctor for medical certification
- Wait for Decision
- EDD will notify you within 14 days of complete submission
timeline
Task | Timeline |
First day to file | 9 days after leave begins |
Last day to file | 41 days after leave starts |
EDD decision window | 14 days after documents are complete |
tips for contacting edd
- Call first thing in the morning: Try calling right at 8:00 AM, as soon as the phone lines open.
- Mid-week is best: Tuesdays through Thursdays are usually less busy than Mondays or Fridays.
- Avoid calling right at lunch hours (12–1 PM), as this is a popular call time.
- Based on call volume, you may be offered the option to schedule a "callback". This is only offered based on call volume to EDD. If the wait is too long, this is an option for you to opt into a call back at a later time.
You can skip the phones for a lot of tasks through your EDD account:
- File claims
- Upload documents
- Check claim status
- Send secure messages (you can request a callback this way too)
Additional Resources
- Reliance Matrix: (877) 202-0055
- Your absence case manger is best to start with for any questions you may have about your leave, leave pay, eligibility, etc.
- CA Disability Insurance: 1-800-480-3287
- Contact for any CASDI or SDI claims
- CA Paid Family Leave: 1-877-238-4373
- Contact for CA PFL claims