EDD Disability Phone Number: How to Call SDI and Reach a Live Person (2026)

The EDD disability phone number is 1-800-480-3287. To reach a live State Disability Insurance (SDI) representative, press 1 → 1 → 2, then say "agent" or press 0 when prompted. Lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific.

If you're recovering from an illness or injury and waiting on disability payments, the last thing you need is hours of phone frustration on top of everything else. This guide gives you the exact steps to get through to EDD's SDI department — plus alternatives that don't require a phone call at all.

EDD SDI Phone Number and Hours

EDD has separate phone lines for disability insurance, unemployment, and paid family leave. For SDI specifically, here are the numbers:

• English: 1-800-480-3287
• Spanish: 1-866-658-8846
• TTY: 1-800-563-2441
• California Relay Service: 711

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific time. Closed on California state holidays.

Important: this is different from the unemployment insurance number (1-800-300-5616). If you're calling about SDI, make sure you're dialing 1-800-480-3287 — calling the wrong line means starting over.

Exact Menu Sequence to Reach an SDI Representative

When you call 1-800-480-3287, follow these steps:

1. Press 1 for English (or 2 for Spanish)
2. Press 1 for questions about a disability insurance claim
3. Press 2 for questions about an existing claim
4. Listen through the automated messages — when you hear the option, say "agent" or press 0 to connect to a live representative

Alternative path: If you need to file an appeal or have a tax-related disability question, press 3 instead of 1 at the second prompt to reach the claims, appeals, and tax menu.

Return-to-work reporting: If you're calling to report that you're returning to work, say "Return to Work" when prompted. This option is available 24/7 — you don't need to call during business hours.

What to Have Ready Before You Call

Having your information ready before you dial saves time once you're connected. SDI representatives can help you faster when you have:

• Claim ID — found in your myEDD account or on your Notice of Computation (form DE 429D)
• Social Security Number or EDD Client Number (ECN)
• Doctor or medical provider information — name, phone number, and address (especially if calling about medical certification)
• Dates of disability — when your disability began and your expected return-to-work date
• Recent EDD correspondence — any letters, notices, or emails from EDD about your claim

If you're calling about a medical certification issue, have your doctor's name and the form number (DE 2525) handy. The representative may need to verify what was submitted.

Best Times to Call EDD Disability

The SDI phone lines use the same infrastructure as other EDD departments, which means they get overwhelmed during peak hours. Based on caller reports:

• Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Best times: 10 AM to 11 AM Pacific (mid-morning lull after the 8 AM rush clears)
• Avoid: Monday mornings, Friday afternoons, and dialing at exactly 8:00 AM (the initial wave fills the queue in minutes)

If you want to try calling at open, dial at 8:01 to 8:03 AM — not 8:00 sharp. The first wave of callers hits at exactly 8:00, and waiting even a minute or two can make a difference.

Common SDI Issues You Can Resolve by Phone

Here are the most common reasons people call EDD about disability, and what to expect:

• Claim status: Find out where your claim is in the process and whether any additional information is needed.
• Payment delays: If your payments are late or missing, a representative can check for holds, processing delays, or issues with your claim.
• Medical certification (DE 2525): Your doctor must submit this form for your claim to be approved. If it wasn't received or has errors, the rep can tell you exactly what's needed.
• Benefit amount questions: If your weekly benefit amount seems wrong, a representative can explain how it was calculated and whether corrections are possible.
• Return-to-work reporting: When you're ready to go back to work, you need to report this to avoid overpayments. The automated system handles this 24/7.
• Employer disputes: If your employer is contesting your disability claim, a representative can explain the dispute process and next steps.

Alternatives to Calling: SDI Online and Other Options

If you can't get through by phone — or if your energy is limited while recovering — there are other ways to handle your SDI claim:

SDI Online (Through myEDD)

SDI Online lets you manage most aspects of your disability claim without calling. Log in at myEDD, select SDI Online, and you can:

• Check your claim status and payment history
• Submit questions directly to an SDI representative (through the "Request Claim Update" feature)
• Upload supporting documents
• View and download tax forms

To submit a question online: log into myEDD, select SDI Online, click your Claim ID, go to "Request Claim Update," choose a request type from the dropdown, and type your question. You'll receive a confidential response through the system.

Ask EDD

For general disability questions (not claim-specific), you can submit a question through Ask EDD. Response times vary, so this is best for non-urgent inquiries.

Assembly Member Escalation

If your SDI claim has been stuck for weeks and phone calls aren't resolving it, your California state assembly member can help. Their offices have dedicated EDD liaison staff. Find your representative at findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov and call their district office. This is a normal constituent service — not "pulling strings."

Mail

For written correspondence: Employment Development Department, PO Box 826880 - DICO, MIC 29, Sacramento, CA 94280-0001. Allow several weeks for a response.

Note: EDD's live chat feature (launched July 2025) is currently only available for unemployment insurance customers. It does not yet support SDI or Paid Family Leave claims.

Skip the Phone Maze with Cal EDD Connect

Dealing with a health issue is draining enough without spending hours redialing EDD. Cal EDD Connect is an auto-dialer service that calls EDD on your behalf:

1. You sign up and enter your phone number
2. Our software dials EDD repeatedly — hundreds of attempts per minute
3. When it detects you've been placed in the actual hold queue (not a busy signal), it calls your phone and bridges you in
4. You get real-time SMS updates throughout the process

The service costs $11.99 one-time with a full money-back guarantee if you don't get connected. No subscription, no hidden fees. You can rest and recover while the system works — it will call you when EDD is ready.

Get Connected to EDD Now →

Cal EDD Connect is an independent service, not affiliated with EDD or the State of California.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EDD SDI phone number?

The EDD State Disability Insurance phone number is 1-800-480-3287 (English). For Spanish, call 1-866-658-8846. For TTY, call 1-800-563-2441. Lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific.

How do I check my SDI claim status by phone?

Call 1-800-480-3287 and press 1 → 1 → 2, then say "agent" or press 0 to reach a representative who can check your claim. You can also check your status anytime through SDI Online without waiting on hold.

Can I file an SDI claim by phone?

No. EDD does not accept new SDI claims by phone. You must file online through SDI Online or by mail using form DE 2501. However, you can call to ask questions about the filing process or get help with an existing claim.

How long does it take to get SDI payments?

EDD typically processes SDI claims within 14 days after receiving your completed application and your doctor's medical certification (form DE 2525). If there are issues — missing information, incomplete certification, or a need for additional review — it can take longer. Call to check if your payment is delayed beyond 14 days.

What if EDD says "maximum callers reached"?

This means the phone queue is full and EDD can't accept more callers. You'll be disconnected automatically. Your options: keep redialing (most people call 50–100+ times before getting through), try again during off-peak hours, or use an auto-dialer service to handle the redialing for you.