You can pursue compensation for lost wages from the person who caused the accident. The amount, however, will be paid to you at the end of the case, as part of a lump sum settlement. What do you do in the meantime? You do have options. If you did not carry separate private disability insurance, you may be entitled to compensation prior to the end of the case. The California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a partial wage-replacement plan for California workers provided by the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD). The program is state-mandated and funded through employee payroll deductions. SDI provides short-term benefits to eligible workers. Workers covered by SDI are covered by two benefits: Disability and Paid Family Leave. There are a number of requirements, but the following are some of the main ones:
- You must be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight consecutive days.
- You must be employed or actively looking for work at the time you become disabled.
- You must have lost wages because of your disability or, if unemployed, have been actively looking for work.
- You must have earned at least $300 from which State Disability Insurance (SDI) deductions were withheld during a previous period.
For claims beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014, weekly benefits range from $50 to a maximum of $1,075.
An individual’s weekly benefit amount is approximately 55 percent of his or her earnings up to the maximum weekly benefit amount. He or she may receive up to 52 weeks worth of Disability Insurance (DI) benefits. The daily benefit amount is calculated by dividing an individual’s weekly benefit amount by seven. The maximum benefit amount is calculated by multiplying an individual’s weekly benefit amount by 52 or adding the total wages subject to State Disability Insurance (SDI) tax paid in an individual’s base period, whichever is less.
For more information, go to http://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/ or http://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/DI_How_to_File_a_Claim.htm