What You Can Do on the California SDI Online Portal

California's State Disability Insurance (SDI) online portal lets you file a new claim, check the status of an existing one, upload documents, and view payment history without calling or visiting an office. The portal is called SDI Online, and it is run by the California Department of Employment (DE). You can create an account using your Social Security number, email address, and a password you set yourself.

Once logged in, you can submit a claim for temporary disability, file for Paid Family Leave (PFL), or manage a claim you already started. The system walks you through questions about your medical condition, the dates you stopped working, and your employer. If you need to add medical records or other proof, you upload them directly rather than mailing paper copies.

The online system does not replace a doctor's report — you still need a healthcare provider to complete the medical certification form — but it removes the step of printing, mailing, or faxing documents yourself. The DE receives them when ready and can begin reviewing your claim sooner.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file a new SDI or PFL claim entirely online using SDI Online, which is accessible 24 hours a day from any device with internet.
  • Your doctor or other healthcare provider must still complete and submit the medical certification form, but you can upload it to your account once you receive it.
  • The online portal shows you the current status of your claim, expected payment dates, and a record of all payments you have received.
  • You must create a separate account for each claim, and you will need your Social Security number and a valid email address to sign up.

Creating Your SDI Online Account

Go to onlineservices.edd.ca.gov and select "SDI Online" from the menu. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. The system will send a verification code to your email — check your inbox and spam folder, then enter the code on the next screen.

Next, you create a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character (like ! or @). Write this password down or save it in a password manager, because you will need it every time you log in. If you forget it, you can reset it using your email address.

Once your account is active, you can log in anytime to start a new claim or check on an existing one. The system remembers your information between visits, so you do not have to re-enter your name or address each time.

Filing a New Claim Online

Log in to SDI Online and select "File a New Claim." The system will ask you to choose whether you are filing for temporary disability (because you cannot work due to a medical condition) or Paid Family Leave (because you are caring for a family member or bonding with a new child). Answer honestly — the two programs have different rules and different payment amounts.

You will then answer questions about your medical condition or family situation, the date you stopped working, your employer's name and address, and your average weekly wage. Have your most recent pay stub handy — the system needs your gross pay (before taxes) to calculate your weekly benefit amount. If you are self-employed or your income varies, gather records from the past 12 months.

The system will show you an estimated weekly payment amount before you submit. This is not final — the DE will recalculate it once they receive your medical certification or other proof — but it gives you a sense of what to expect. Review everything carefully before you click "Submit," because you cannot edit the claim after submission; you will have to contact the DE to make changes.

Uploading Medical Certification and Other Documents

After you submit your claim, the system will tell you what documents you need to send. For temporary disability, you must have a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other licensed healthcare provider complete the Physician's Certification of Disability form (DE 2626). For Paid Family Leave, you need a Certification of Health Care Provider (DE 627) or proof of the family relationship (like a birth certificate or marriage license).

You do not upload these forms yourself — your healthcare provider or family member does, or you can ask them to mail or fax the original to the DE. However, if you have already received the completed form, you can upload a copy to your SDI Online account to speed up processing. Log in, go to your claim, and select "Upload Documents." Take a clear photo or scan of the form and save it as a PDF or JPG file. The file size must be under 10 MB.

The DE will accept documents uploaded through SDI Online, mailed to the address on your claim notice, or faxed to the number listed in your account. Uploading is fastest because the system time-stamps your submission and the DE sees it when ready.

Checking Your Claim Status and Payment Information

Log in to SDI Online and select "View Claim Status." The system will show you whether your claim is being reviewed, approved, denied, or on hold. If it is on hold, the reason will be listed — usually because the DE is waiting for your medical certification or needs more information from you.

Below the status, you will see "Expected Payment Date" if your claim has been approved. SDI payments are issued on a debit card (the EDD Debit Card) or by direct deposit if you provided a bank account number when you filed. Payments are usually made on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, depending on your claim type and the DE's processing speed.

Scroll down to see "Payment History," which lists every payment you have received, the amount, and the date it was issued. If a payment is missing or the amount is wrong, take a screenshot and contact the DE's SDI phone line at 1-800-480-3287. Have your claim number and Social Security number ready.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied or Put on Hold

If your claim status shows "Denied," SDI Online will display the reason. Common reasons include: the DE determined you do not have a may have access to medical condition, your employer reported that you were still working, or you did not submit required medical certification within the important date (usually 49 days from the date you filed).

If you disagree with the denial, you have the right to appeal. Log in to SDI Online, go to your claim, and select "File an Appeal." You will need to explain why you believe the decision was wrong and submit any new evidence — for example, a second medical opinion or proof that you were not working. The appeal goes to a hearing officer at the DE, not back to the same reviewer.

If your claim is on hold and you see a message asking for specific documents, upload them as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the longer the DE takes to make a decision, and the longer you go without payments. If you are unsure what document is being requested, call 1-800-480-3287 and read the message from your account to the representative.

Troubleshooting Common Online Problems

If you cannot log in, first check that you are using the correct email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, select "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the reset instructions sent to your email. If you do not receive a reset email within 10 minutes, check your spam folder or try again.

If you see an error message when you try to upload a document, make sure the file is in PDF or JPG format and is smaller than 10 MB. If the file is too large, use an online tool to compress it or take a clearer photo of the document and try again. If the error continues, try a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) or use a different device.

If you filed a claim but cannot see it in your account, wait 24 hours — the system sometimes takes time to sync after submission. If it still does not appear, call 1-800-480-3287 and provide your Social Security number and the date you filed. The representative can confirm that your claim was received and help you access it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim on my phone or tablet?

Yes. SDI Online works on any device with a web browser and internet connection. The layout adjusts to fit smaller screens, though some people find it easier to upload documents on a computer. You can start a claim on your phone and finish it on a computer, or vice versa.

What if my doctor will not submit the medical form online?

Your doctor can mail or fax the completed form directly to the DE instead. The address and fax number are on the form itself. This takes longer than uploading — usually 5 to 10 business days — but the DE will still process your claim once they receive it. Call your doctor's office and ask them to send it as soon as possible.

Can I change my claim after I submit it online?

No. Once you submit, you cannot edit the claim through SDI Online. If you made a mistake or need to add information, call 1-800-480-3287 and explain what needs to change. The representative can update your account or tell you to file a new claim. Do not file a duplicate claim without asking first.

How long does it take to get a decision after I file online?

The DE usually makes a decision within 7 to 10 business days if you have submitted all required documents. If you are missing medical certification, the timeline extends to 49 days from the date you filed. Once approved, your first payment is issued within 7 to 10 business days after that.

What if I need to stop my claim before it ends?

Log in to SDI Online, go to your claim, and select "End Claim" or "Stop Payments." You will be asked to confirm the date you want to stop. If you return to work before your claim ends, you should stop it to avoid overpayment. If you stop it by mistake, call the DE and ask them to reopen it.