Things To Know About Disability Insurance in California

Being unable to work due to illness or injury is frustrating. Luckily, disability insurance provides monetary benefits to help eligible recipients. Read these things to know about disability insurance in California for insightful information.

What Is Disability Insurance?

In California, disability insurance provides short-term wage replacement for eligible workers. The Employment Development Department (EDD) administers money to qualifying recipients. Californians are eligible for benefits if they cannot work due to non-work-related illnesses or injuries, pregnancy, or childbirth.

It’s important to understand that disability insurance does not provide job protection, only financial benefits. However, you can protect your job through federal laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Overall, disability insurance helps Californians cover expenses until they work again. This isn’t a long-term program, and the EDD determines if you’ll receive monetary assistance.

Requirements To File a Claim

A critical thing to know about disability insurance in California is that you must file a claim and meet specific requirements. To receive benefits, you must:

• Be unable to work your regular job for at least eight days.
• Have lost wages due to disability.
• Be under the care of a licensed physician within the first eight days of disability.
• Submit your Claim for Disability Insurance Benefits no earlier than nine days after your first day of disability begins but no later than 49 days.
• Have your licensed physician complete the medical certification section of your Claim for Disability Insurance paperwork.
• Have a job or actively look for employment at the same time your disability begins.

Why Don’t Some People Receive Benefits?

Many Californians file for disability insurance. However, not everyone receives benefits. Though everything works on a “claim by claim” basis, people make mistakes on their applications that disqualify their claims.

For example, working full-time is a mistake people make while filing for disability. Don’t submit a disability insurance claim while working full-time. This proves that you’re not losing wages, which disqualifies you from benefits. You need to show how your disability prevents you from working.

When To Seek Additional Help

Disability insurance is a short-term wage replacement. However, if you believe your impairments will last at least 12 months, consider filing for Social Security Disability Benefits. Doing so ensures that you receive the financial assistance that you deserve!