How to Qualify for Disability Benefits in California

Benefits programs are available if you are a California resident unable to work because of an injury or illness. California is one of five states with a short-term disability insurance program. If you cannot work because of a non-work-related injury or illness, you can receive partial wage replacement benefits from the state for up to a year.

For long-term benefits and healthcare coverage, you can apply for Social Security disability programs. The Social Security Administration’s federal programs include Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. 

We’ll walk you through the eligibility requirements and how to qualify for these benefits programs below. 

How to qualify for State Disability Insurance in California

California offers short-term wage replacement to eligible workers through its State Disability Insurance program, SDI for short. The California state disability program provides partial wage replacement benefits to individuals unable to work because of a non-work-related injury or illness or disabilities related to a normal pregnancy or childbirth.

Eligibility requirements for DI benefits:

• You are unable to perform your regular and customary work for at least eight days

• You lost wages due to your condition or, if unemployed, have been looking for work

• You received medical care and treatment from a licensed physician or accredited religious practitioner within the first eight days of your disability

This state program also includes Paid Family Leave benefits. Most California employees are covered by SDI, but there are a few exceptions, like government workers, some employees of non-profit organizations, and self-employed workers. 

How much are SDI benefits?

In 2024, the maximum weekly SDI benefits in California is $1,620. Your exact payment amount is an average of your past highest quarterly earnings before your disability began. 

The day your claim begins determines your "base period." The state examines this period and reviews the wages subject to SDI tax paid within the 5 to 18 months following your disability onset.

According to the SSA, more than eight million Californians receive SDI benefits, with an average monthly payment of $1,340.86.

How to qualify for SSDI

The Social Security Disability Insurance program is what it sounds like — an insurance program. Like insurance, workers “pay premiums” with federal taxes, and that money becomes available to them if they have a qualifying medical condition and can no longer work. Eligibility for SSDI is based on work credits. You earn one credit for every $1,730 in your paycheck, either from self-employment or wages. To qualify for SSDI, you typically need 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years.

SSDI benefits include monthly payments and Medicare coverage. In 2024, the maximum benefit amount is $3,822 per month.

In California, the average monthly payment amount for SSDI is $1,524. The exact payment amount depends on several factors, including your work history and how much you’ve paid into Social Security over the years.

How to qualify for Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income, SSI for short, is a need-based program. To qualify for SSI, you must:

• Be blind or have a medical condition that will keep you out of work for at least a year

• Have less than $943 per month in countable income, or $1,415 if you’re married

• Have less than $2,000 in countable assets or $3,000 if you are married

SSI beneficiaries get monthly benefit payments and Medicaid coverage. The maximum monthly benefit amount for SSI in 2024 is $943. 

Read our SSI breakdown to learn more about what the Social Security Administration considers countable assets and income.

Medical conditions that qualify for disability in California

You must have a qualifying medical condition or impairment that meets the Social Security Administration's "definition of disability” to be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

According to the SSA’s latest data on California disability recipients, the most common conditions to qualify in the state are:

• Mental disorders: 36.2%

• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: 28.4%

• Diseases of the nervous system: 10.6%

• Diseases of the circulatory system: 5.9%

• Injuries: 3.8%

• Neoplasms (cancers): 3.4%

• Diseases of the Genito-urinary system: 2.5%

• Endocrine nutritional and metabolic diseases: 2.0%

• Congenital Abnormalities: 0.8%

• Unknown: 1.8%

• Infectious and parasitic diseases: 1.4%

• Diseases of the digestive system: 1.4%

• Diseases of the respiratory system: 1.2%

• Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs 0.2%

• Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue: 0.2%

• Other: 0.2%

Among the mental disorders, the most common conditions are:

• Depression, bipolar, and related disorders: 12%

• Intellectual disorders: 8.4%

• Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders: 7.2%

The Social Security Disability Blue Book, known as the SSA Blue Book, is a list of medical qualifications and the criteria for eligibility. Even if the Blue Book does not list your medical condition, you can apply for benefits if you can prove you cannot work due to your condition.

Do you need a disability lawyer in California?

The Social Security Administration does not require applicants to have a disability lawyer, but it’s advisable to have one. A disability lawyer can help gather medical records, complete paperwork, prepare you for a hearing, and even represent you in court. 

More than 80% of disability applicants have a lawyer at the hearing stage, and working with a lawyer increases your chances of winning benefits by three times. 

Get help with your disability application

Take our 2-minute disability quiz to see if you might qualify for disability benefits. A team member will follow up to learn more about your case and advise on the next steps. If you are interested, Atticus can match you with a qualified disability lawyer in California. 

There are no upfront costs of working with a lawyer — you only pay a one-time fee when you win benefits.

For California resident Kevin A., working with a lawyer through Atticus led to success. "I saw Atticus, and I said, I'm taking a shot with them. It was the best shot I ever took."

SSA offices in California

Find your local Social Security Administration office by clicking the link below.

Disability lawyers in California

Atticus works with several law firms throughout California, including:

Related resources:

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