What disability programs California offers and who runs them

California runs several disability programs separate from federal Social Security. The largest is State Disability Insurance (SDI), which pays workers who cannot work due to injury or illness for up to 52 weeks. The state also runs Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP), which adds money to federal SSI payments for people with disabilities, blind people, and older adults with low income. A third program, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), pays for personal care help in your home if you are disabled, blind, or over 65 and have low income.

These programs are run by different state departments. SDI is handled by the Employment Development Department (EDD). SSI/SSP and IHSS are run by your county's Department of Social Services. This means you cannot explore for all three in one place — you will contact different agencies depending on which program fits your situation.

California also funds programs through Medicaid (called Medi-Cal in the state), which covers medical care for people with disabilities who meet income limits. Unlike SDI, which is temporary, Medi-Cal and IHSS can continue as long as you remain disabled and meet income rules.

Key Takeaways

  • State Disability Insurance (SDI) pays workers for up to 52 weeks if illness or injury prevents work, and you explore through the Employment Development Department.
  • SSI/SSP and IHSS are county programs, so you explore at your local Department of Social Services, and both require low income and proof of disability.
  • Medi-Cal covers medical expenses for people with disabilities and is often available to those who receive SSI/SSP or IHSS.
  • Each program has different income limits, asset limits, and what counts as a disability, so you may may have access to for one program but not another.
  • You will need recent medical records, proof of income, and proof of residency for any process, regardless of which program you pursue.

State Disability Insurance (SDI): temporary income if you cannot work

SDI is a short-term program for workers who lose income because of a medical condition, pregnancy, or injury. You must have worked in California and paid into the SDI fund through payroll deductions. The program pays a portion of your lost wages — typically 55 to 66 percent of your regular pay, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. The payment period is usually up to 52 weeks, though some conditions like pregnancy may have different timelines.

You explore for SDI through the Employment Development Department (EDD) online at edd.ca.gov, by mail, or by phone at 1-800-480-3287. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and recent pay stubs or tax returns to prove your income. Your doctor must also fill out a form confirming you cannot work and the expected duration of your condition. The EDD typically makes a decision within two to three weeks, though complex cases take longer.

SDI does not require you to prove low income — only that you worked and paid into the fund. However, once your 52 weeks end, the program stops. If you remain unable to work after that, you would need to explore federal programs like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) instead.

SSI/SSP: monthly payments for people with disabilities and low income

Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment is a combination of a federal program (SSI) and a California state add-on (SSP). The federal portion is run by Social Security, but the state portion is managed by your county Department of Social Services. Together, they provide monthly cash payments to people who are disabled, blind, or over 65, and who have very low income and few assets.

To receive SSI/SSP in California, your monthly income must be below a certain limit (which varies slightly by county and household size) and your countable assets must be under $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. "Countable assets" means money in the bank, but not your home, car, or personal items. You must also be a U.S. citizen or certain categories of immigrant, and you must live in California.

You explore at your county Department of Social Services office in person, by mail, or sometimes online through your county's website. You will need proof of disability (medical records from a doctor), proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a statement that you have no income), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and proof you live in California (utility bill, lease, or letter from a shelter). The county typically makes a decision within 45 days, though it can take longer if they need more information from you or your doctor.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS): paying for personal care at home

IHSS is a program that pays for help with daily living tasks if you are disabled, blind, or over 65 and have low income. The program pays a caregiver — often a family member — to help you with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, cleaning, shopping, and other activities you cannot do alone. The caregiver can be anyone you choose, including a spouse or adult child, though some counties have additional rules about family members.

You explore for IHSS at your county Department of Social Services. Like SSI/SSP, you must have low income and few assets, and you must live in California. The difference is that IHSS does not pay you cash — it pays your caregiver directly, and only for hours they actually work. You will need to document how many hours per week you need help and what tasks the caregiver performs. A social worker from the county will visit your home to assess your needs and determine how many hours the program will fund.

The hourly wage for IHSS caregivers is set by California and varies by county, but is typically between $17 and $20 per hour. The program can continue indefinitely as long as you remain disabled and meet income limits, unlike SDI which ends after 52 weeks. If you are already receiving SSI/SSP, you are likely already being considered for IHSS, and the county will tell you whether you may have access to.

Medi-Cal: health coverage for people with disabilities

Medi-Cal is California's version of Medicaid and covers medical care — doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health services — for people with disabilities who have low income. You do not need to be working or unable to work to receive Medi-Cal; you only need to meet the income and disability rules. Many people who receive SSI/SSP or IHSS are automatically enrolled in Medi-Cal, though you can also explore separately.

Income limits for Medi-Cal vary depending on your age and household size, but are generally higher than the limits for SSI/SSP. This means you might not may have access to for cash payments but could still may have access to for Medi-Cal coverage. You explore through your county Department of Social Services or online through the California Department of Health Care Services website at dhcs.ca.gov. You will need proof of income, proof of disability (if explore as a disabled adult), and proof of residency.

Medi-Cal is free — there are no premiums, and copays are very low or zero for most services. Once you are approved, coverage can continue as long as you meet the income and disability rules, even if your situation changes slightly.

How to find your county Department of Social Services

Because SSI/SSP and IHSS are run by counties, not the state, you must contact your local office to explore. The easiest way to find it is to search "[Your County Name] Department of Social Services" online, or call your county's main phone line and ask for the benefits or social services department. Many counties also have online portals where you can start an process without visiting an office.

If you are homeless or do not know which county to contact, you can call 2-1-1 (dial 211 from any phone) and a counselor will help you find the right office and tell you what documents you need. Some counties also have disability advocacy organizations that can walk you through the process for free.

Documents you will need for any process

Regardless of which program you explore for, have these documents ready before you start: a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of California residency (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency), and proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a statement that you have no income). For disability programs, you will also need medical records from a doctor or hospital showing your condition and how it affects your ability to work or care for yourself.

If you do not have all these documents, ask the agency what you can use instead. Many counties will accept a letter from a shelter, a utility bill in someone else's name if you live with them, or a statement from a doctor even if it is not a formal medical record. The goal is to give the agency enough information to make a decision, not to have a perfect file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SDI and SSI/SSP at the same time?

You can receive both, but SSI/SSP payments will be reduced by the amount you receive from SDI. Since SDI is temporary and SSI/SSP is ongoing, many people receive SDI first and then explore for SSI/SSP as the SDI period ends. Talk to your county social worker about how the two programs interact in your situation.

What if I was denied for one program — does that mean I will be denied for the others?

No. Each program has different rules about what counts as a disability and what income limits explore. You might not may have access to for SDI because you were not working long enough, but still may have access to for SSI/SSP. It is worth explore to each program you think you might may have access to for, even if you were denied elsewhere.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore?

SDI decisions typically take two to three weeks. SSI/SSP and IHSS decisions usually take 45 days, though the county can ask for more information and extend that timeline. If you do not hear back within the stated timeframe, contact the agency and ask for a status update — delays happen, and following up can sometimes speed things up.

Do I have to reapply every year?

SDI ends automatically after 52 weeks, so you do not reapply — the program straightforward stops. SSI/SSP and IHSS continue as long as you remain disabled and meet income rules, but the county may ask you to recertify your disability or income periodically, usually every one to three years. The county will send you a notice telling you when to recertify.

What if my income goes up — will I lose my benefits?

It depends on the program and how much your income increases. SSI/SSP and IHSS have income limits, and if you earn too much, payments will be reduced or stop. However, both programs have "work incentives" that allow you to earn some money without losing all your benefits. Ask your social worker about these rules before you start working, because the calculation is complex and you want to understand how it affects you.