Step 2: Apply
Source: https://www.edd.ca.gov/en/disability/step-2-apply
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:35
Step 2: Apply
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Step 2: Apply
1
Get Your Information in Order
2
Apply
3
Have a Medical Certification Completed
4
Review Benefit Documents
5
Receive Your First Payment
6
Manage Benefits
7
End Your Benefits
Tip: Getting your information ready before you apply can make things go more smoothly.
Your disability starts on the first day you are unable to do your regular work due to your condition. But, you do not need to use that day as your claim start date.
To avoid delays, loss of benefits, or denial of your claim, you should apply:
No earlier than 9 days after your disability starts.
No later than 49 days after your disability starts.
Online
The fastest way to apply for disability benefits is through
myEDD
. Here’s
a video
if you want to learn about using myEDD.
Apply Now
Apply By Mail
A
paper application
will be necessary if you:
Do not have a valid California driver’s license or ID.
Do not have a valid Social Security number (SSN).
Have a name longer than 12 characters, which does not fit our online form.
Recently changed your name.
Received an error code you cannot fix when applying online.
For help applying online, call
1-800-480-3287
and select your language option and then
option 2
and then
option 4
.
Are under 18 years old.
To request a paper application and for help applying by mail, visit
How to File a Disability Insurance Claim by Mail
.
If you need help, take a look at these
tutorials and videos
.
Visit
Language Resources
for translated resources currently available, including contact information to get language help.
Note:
If you are covered under
Nonindustrial Disability Insurance
or a
Voluntary Plan
, contact your employer’s personnel specialist or payroll officer to get the claim form.
Back to Step 1
Go to Step 3
Skip to Virtual Chat
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Skip to Main Content
Español
Step 2: Apply
1
Get Your Information in Order
2
Apply
3
Have a Medical Certification Completed
4
Review Benefit Documents
5
Receive Your First Payment
6
Manage Benefits
7
End Your Benefits
Tip: Getting your information ready before you apply can make things go more smoothly.
Your disability starts on the first day you are unable to do your regular work due to your condition. But, you do not need to use that day as your claim start date.
To avoid delays, loss of benefits, or denial of your claim, you should apply:
No earlier than 9 days after your disability starts.
No later than 49 days after your disability starts.
Online
The fastest way to apply for disability benefits is through
myEDD
. Here’s
a video
if you want to learn about using myEDD.
Apply Now
Apply By Mail
A
paper application
will be necessary if you:
Do not have a valid California driver’s license or ID.
Do not have a valid Social Security number (SSN).
Have a name longer than 12 characters, which does not fit our online form.
Recently changed your name.
Received an error code you cannot fix when applying online.
For help applying online, call
1-800-480-3287
and select your language option and then
option 2
and then
option 4
.
Are under 18 years old.
To request a paper application and for help applying by mail, visit
How to File a Disability Insurance Claim by Mail
.
If you need help, take a look at these
tutorials and videos
.
Visit
Language Resources
for translated resources currently available, including contact information to get language help.
Note:
If you are covered under
Nonindustrial Disability Insurance
or a
Voluntary Plan
, contact your employer’s personnel specialist or payroll officer to get the claim form.
Back to Step 1
Go to Step 3
Skip to Virtual Chat
Leaving the EDD Website
You are about to leave our website.
Leave Website
Language Resources
منابع اللغة (Arabic)
լեզվական ռեսուրսները (Armenian)
منابع زبان (Farsi)
भाषा संसाधन (Hindi)
言語ソース (Japanese)
언어 자료 (Korean)
ធនធានភាសា (Mon-Khmer [Cambodian])
ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਸਰੋਤ (Punjabi)
Языковые ресурсы (Russian)
语言资源 (Simplified Chinese)
Recursos en otros idiomas (Spanish)
Mga Resource ng Wika (Tagalog)
แหล่งข้อมูลด้านภาษา (Thai)
語言資源 (Traditional Chinese)
Nguồn Hỗ Trợ Ngôn Ngữ (Vietnamese)