The yearlong period that SDI uses to determine your regular wages. It starts around 17 months before your disability and ends around 5 months before then. Your base period is divided into 4 quarters, and the quarter with the highest wage is used to determine your benefit amount.

Weekly income replacement that generally lasts a maximum of 52 weeks. Benefits based on self-employment elective coverage are generally paid for a maximum of 39 weeks.

A trained expert who can help you understand or apply for benefit programs. Their goal is to help you avoid financial complications while developing a sustainable plan for the future. To find a benefits planner in California, use the DB101 Benefits Planner Directory.

The federal government pays benefits planners in communities around the country to help people think ahead about work incentives and benefits issues. CWIC'S are benefits planners who are trained by the Social Security Administration to assist beneficiaries with programs including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in addition to other related programs.

Any illness or injury which prevents an individual from doing their regular or customary work. SDI includes disabilities resulting from elective surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. The disability must be verifiable by a medical provider. The SDI program may require some applicants to undergo an Independent Medical Examination to determine disability status.

Optional State Disability Insurance (SDI) for the self-employed. Individuals must pay premiums based on self-employment taxes. Unlike SDI for employees, elective coverage generally provides income replacement benefits for a maximum of 39 weeks.

Income before taxes and other deductions are made.

The adjustment of payments when an individual is eligible for more than one benefit program.

The person who provides a medical certification of a disability. They can be a licensed physician, surgeon, U.S. government medical office, osteopathic physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, optometrist, dentist, designated psychologist, nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, midwife, or accredited religious practitioner.

Payment that exceeds the approved benefit amount.

A regularly scheduled payment to an insurer or health care plan.

Payments made for the period between disability onset and application approval.

A program that replaces income when you can't work because of on-the-job injuries.