Disability benefits - California

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

There is no federal mandate for employer-sponsored, non-occupational disability benefits.

California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a partial wage-replacement insurance plan for California workers.  The SDI program is State-mandated, and funded through employee payroll deductions.  SDI provides affordable, short-term benefits to eligible workers who suffer a loss of wages when they are unable to work due to a non work-related illness or injury, or a medically disabling condition from pregnancy or childbirth.

For work-related illnesses or injuries see Workers’ compensation.

The California State Disability Insurance law provides the following:

• Coverage "travels" with the worker.  Coverage is not dependent on staying with a specific employer.
• Coverage is mandatory for most California workers.
• An eligible worker's coverage cannot be canceled or denied because of health risk factors, pre-existing medical conditions, or hazardous employment.
• Coverage includes up to 52 weeks of benefits with a waiting period of seven days.
  
  

State

Contact

Employment Development Department State Disability Insurance

Regulations

General provisions for disability insurance are codified in Division 2, Part 2, Chapters 1, 2, 2.5, 4, and 5 of the California Insurance Code.

Federal

Contacts

None.

Regulations

None.