CA Disability Benefits: State Insurance, SSDI, and SSI

California residents who become unable to work due to an illness or injury may qualify for a range of disability benefits. California is one of the few states that provides public short-term disability insurance for temporary impairments, or you may have a private long-term disability insurer that pays out higher benefits for a longer time period.

If your medical condition keeps you from working full-time for at least one year, you may also qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI eligibility is determined by your work history and how much you've contributed in payroll taxes, while SSI is available for disabled people who have income and assets below a certain low threshold.

California State Short-Term Disability Insurance

The state of California provides short-term disability insurance for employees who become temporarily disabled, but are expected to be able to return to work within one year. If you're eligible for short-term disability insurance, you can get disability pay of between 60-70% of your average wages for the term of your leave, up to a maximum of $1,620 per week (in 2024).

You can learn more about the insurance program—including how you can apply and how to calculate your exact weekly benefit amount—in our comprehensive article about CA short-term disability insurance benefits.

How to Claim Social Security Disability Benefits in California

Social Security disability benefits are federally funded, so the application process is the same no matter what state you reside in. You have several methods you can choose from when filing for SSDI or SSI:

• Apply online for SSDI using Social Security's web portal. Filing online has many benefits, such as being able to complete the application at your convenience, but if you're also applying for SSI, you'll need to verify your financial eligibility in person or over the phone before your application is submitted.
• Call the Social Security hotline at 800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak with a representative who can help you file for SSDI or SSI. Deaf and hard of hearing applicants can call the TTY number at 800-325-0778.
• Go in person to one of the over 100 Social Security field offices in the state. Field offices are typically open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can find the office closest to you by entering your zip code into the agency's locator tool.

When you submit your application, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will check to see whether you qualify for SSDI or SSI under the preliminary eligibility requirements. If you do, your file is then sent to a California state agency that helps Social Security determine who meets their medical definition of disability.

CA Disability Determination Services

California's Disability Determination Service Division (DDSD), part of the CA Department of Social Services, makes the initial decision about whether you're disabled according to section 23 of the Social Security Act. (42 U.S.C. 423.) Claims examiners at the DDSD gather your medical records to determine if you meet a listed impairment or have a residual functional capacity that rules out all work.

If you have any questions about the status of your claim or you need to submit additional medical evidence while your file is being reviewed at DDSD, you can contact the office using the information below:

California Department of Social Services
744 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: 916-651-8848

For fiscal year 2023, claims examiners in California approved about 37% of initial applications for disability benefits, in line with the national average. If you aren't awarded benefits on your first try, you have 60 days to appeal the denial by requesting that DDSD "reconsider" your claim. Only about 15% of disability applications are approved after reconsideration, but you can appeal again by asking for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge.

Disability Appeals Hearings in California

Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) schedules and conducts disability hearings across California. There are 17 offices in the state, which are assigned to cases based on geographic location. You can find contact information and important statistics—such as average wait time for a hearing and percentage of favorable decisions issued—for your OHO below.

Sources: Average Wait Time Until Hearing Held Report, June 2024 and ALJ Disposition Data, FY 2024 (9/30/2023 through 6/28/2024)

California State Supplement to SSI Disability

California pays SSI recipients an extra "state supplement" in addition to the federal benefit rate, which helps account for the higher cost of living in much of California. The exact amount of the supplement depends on your specific living arrangements (whether you live on your own, with or without cooking facilities, or with another person).

Even though Social Security is a federal agency, it administers the CA state supplement, so SSI recipients in California get one combined check. Here are the maximum state and federal SSI monthly amounts for 2024:

Keep in mind that the above chart assumes that you don't have any countable income that could be subtracted from your federal SSI benefit ($943 per month for individuals in 2024). And if you're living with a friend or family member, a certain percentage of the value you're receiving for shelter—what's called "in-kind room and board"—can be deducted from your monthly SSI benefit check.

Additional CA State Benefits for SSI Recipients

California residents who receive SSI are typically eligible for up to $234 per month in CalFresh benefits (also known as SNAP or "food stamps"). You can apply for CalFresh using the state-authorized application assistance tool at getcalfresh.org.

Californians who are approved for SSI are automatically enrolled in Medicaid (Medi-Cal) benefits as well. Medi-Cal is administered by the CA Department of Health Care Services. If you aren't enrolled automatically, you can contact your county's local Health Care Services office to find out why.

SSDI Benefits in California

Because SSDI is based on your earnings history, benefits vary between individuals rather than being determined by your state of residence. In 2024, the maximum SSDI benefit you can get is $3,822 per month, although the average SSDI check is much lower, at $1,537.

Calculating the exact amount of SSDI benefits you'll receive involves some complicated formulas, but Social Security will let you know how much money you can expect to receive each month (as well as the amount of back pay you're owed) when you receive your notice of award.

Private Long-Term Disability Insurance Plans

If you don't qualify for either Social Security disability or CA short-term disability insurance, you may still be able to get help if you're covered by employer-provided long-term disability insurance. Long-term disability insurance works similarly to California's public short-term insurance program, in that it can replace a certain percentage of your average wages for a certain duration of time.

Getting Legal Help with California Disability Benefits

If you've been denied Social Security, short-term, or long-term disability benefits, you may want to consult with an experienced disability attorney to get help with your appeal. Many large law firms have main offices in California, as well as smaller "boutique" offices or solo practitioners who focus entirely on disability law.

Depending on your specific location and needs, you may have dozens of attorneys to choose from. While that may seem intimidating, keep in mind that disability lawyers frequently offer free consultations where you can ask questions and "try them on for size."

If you're concerned about cost, it may be a relief to learn that most disability attorneys work on contingency, meaning they won't get paid unless you win your case. There are also many legal aid organizations that can provide free or low-cost representation for disabled Californians.