File an SDI claim for mental health leave

Confirm you're covered

Look at a recent pay stub for a line reading "CASDI" — that deduction means you've been paying into SDI and can claim it. Most W-2 employees in California are covered. Self-employed people are covered only if enrolled in Elective Coverage. Federal employees and some public workers are not covered — check with HR before going further.

Get the certifying appointment

SDI requires a licensed health professional to certify that your condition prevents you from doing your regular work. Physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists can certify claims; rules for other license types change, so confirm your provider's eligibility at edd.ca.gov. Book the appointment and say exactly why you're coming:

"I'm not able to keep working right now because of my mental health, and I'd like to talk about whether medical leave is appropriate. If you agree, I'll need you to certify a State Disability Insurance claim."

That sentence is not a demand for a signature — it opens the clinical conversation that leads to one. Bring notes: how long this has been going on, what work tasks you can't perform, what a typical bad day looks like.

Gather the claim information

Have these in front of you before you open the form: your Social Security number, California ID or driver's license, employer's name, address, and phone, your last day worked, and the reason you stopped (you can describe it generally — "medical" is enough on the employer side). You do not send your diagnosis to your employer; only EDD and your provider handle the medical detail.

File online at SDI Online

Create an account at edd.ca.gov → SDI Online → "File a New Claim." File within 49 days of your first day unable to work, but don't file earlier than 9 days after — there's a mandatory 7-day unpaid waiting period at the start of every claim. When you submit, you'll get a receipt number: write it here → ______________________. Give that number to your provider's office; they file the medical certification electronically under it.

Tell your employer — the CFRA sentence

SDI does not protect your job by itself. If your employer has 5+ employees and you've been there 12 months and 1,250 hours, say or email this:

"My provider has certified that I need medical leave for a serious health condition. I'm requesting CFRA leave starting [date]. I'll send the certification paperwork when I receive it."

"Serious health condition" is the entire disclosure. You do not owe anyone your diagnosis.

Track it and respond fast

EDD typically issues a first payment 2–3 weeks after both halves (yours and the provider's) are in. Log in weekly. If EDD mails a request for more information, answer inside the deadline printed on it — most stalled claims are stalled on an unanswered letter. Payments continue every two weeks; your provider certifies extensions if you need more time.