SHORT TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

Short term disability insurance is a component of the State Disability Insurance program. It provides partial wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy.
About 18.7 million California workers are covered by the short term disability program. Short term disability insurance contributions are paid by California workers through employee payroll deductions.
A disability is an illness or injury, either physical or mental, which prevents you from performing your regular and customary work.
Behavioral health symptoms stemming from depression, anxiety, grief, difficulty in relationships, couples issues, parenting stress, PTSD, or panic attacks, may also qualify you for short term disability in California.

IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SHORT TERM DISABILITY INSURACE, YOU MUST:

Be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight days.
Be employed or actively looking for work at the time your disability begins.
Have lost wages because of your disability.
Have earned at least $300 from which State Disability Insurance deduction were withheld during your base period.
Be under the care and treatment of a licensed physician/practitioner within the first eight days of your disability. The date your claim begins can be adjusted if it does not meet this requirement.
You must remain under the care and treatment of your practitioner to continue receiving benefits.
Complete and submit your claim form (DE 2501) no earlier than nine days after your first day of disability begins but no later than 49 days after your disability begins or you may lose benefits.
Have your physician/practitioner complete the medical certification portion of your disability claim.