Premium Limits

SDI is paid for by workers through payroll taxes. As of 2011, California workers pay 1.2 percent of their earnings into the disability plan. The maximum amount workers are taxed annually by SDI is $1,119.75. This means $93,316 is the income limit SDI taxes for insurance payments ($93,316 x 1.2% = $1,119.75).

Benefit Limits

Under SDI, workers receive benefit payments that total 55 percent of their pre-disability salaries. They are also able to work and receive SDI benefit at the same time. However their earnings can reduce their disability benefits if the two combined exceed the workers’ previous wage amounts. For example, if working part time earned individuals $700 per week and their SDI benefit amounts is $760 ($1382 x .55), they would lose $78 in disability payments as a result.

Payment Period Limits

Workers receive up to 52 weeks of benefits under SDI. These weeks do not have to be consecutive, but the periods end when workers receive 52 checks of full disability benefits. SDI extends payment periods beyond 52 weeks if workers are employed part time. If workers stay at home to take care of sick relatives, they can get up to six weeks of SDI benefits. Pregnant women would receive four weeks of disability benefits starting before due dates and six weeks after they give birth. If women experience complications because of childbirth and cannot work, they are able to receive extra weeks of SDI benefits.

Considerations

SDI requires disabilities to last longer than seven days or workers to miss at least that much time at work. Workers must also report their disabilities within nine to 49 days to be eligible for benefits. SDI doesn’t cover all workers in California. Ineligible occupations include domestic workers, government workers, interstate railroad employees, nonprofit workers and individuals who claim religious exemptions.