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Obtaining Disability Benefits

If you are out of work for an extended time due to surgery or illness, you may be eligible for disability benefits. These benefits usually are partial compensation for loss of wages while you are unable to work. Depending on your employer and benefits, you may be eligible for either private disability and/or state disability benefits. Prior planning, when possible, is crucial to ensuring that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.

Please contact your employer or benefits department to find out more about your specific disability benefits. All forms for disability will require either a statement or completed forms from your physician. You will need to allow 7-10 working days for our office to complete the physician portion of the disability forms.

If you are having surgery, at your pre-operative visit, please discuss the anticipated length of time that you will be unable to work following surgery with your physician. In most cases, if the initial time off is not sufficient, additional time may be requested. If you are going to be off work due to an extended illness or to complete treatment, please discuss the amount of time you will need to be off work with your physician. You will need to collaborate with your physician regarding the length of your disability. This should be done prior to the completion of the disability forms. A nurse in the Breast Care Center (BCC) coordinates the completion of all disability paperwork with the BCC physicians.

If you require any assistance understanding your disability benefits or completing the forms, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you. There are also other resources regarding disability in the Bay Area. The Ida and Joseph Friend Resource Center on the first floor of 2356 Sutter Street can help you obtain this information and help answer other questions you may have.

Since many people are entitled to state disability insurance benefits we are including specific information about the program. We also have state disability forms in the Breast Care Center.


State Disability Insurance Benefits

The State Disability Insurance Program (SDI) was set up to partially compensate loss of earning due to illness or injury. The program is paid for through payroll deductions, and the maximum duration of benefits is 52 weeks.

Basic Eligibility:
An individual is considered disabled on any day on which she or he cannot perform regular work because of a physical or psychological condition.

Eligibility Criteria:
To receive SDI benefits, you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be unable to perform your regular work.
  • Have a wage loss because of a disability.
  • Be under the care and treatment of a doctor who certifies that you are disabled.
  • Be disabled for at least 8 calendar days.
  • File a timely claim. A claim must be filed within 41 days of the first payable day of disability unless a compelling reason is provided for the delay.
  • Have earned at least $300 from which the SDI taxes were withheld during the previous 12 month period.
  • Be employed when your disability begins.
Weekly benefits range from a minimum of $50 to a maximum of $336 a week. Claims are processed as quickly as possible and, if you are eligible, the first check is issued within 14 days from the date the local SDI office receives your claim. An incomplete application will result in a delay in processing your claim.