Can you collect workers’ comp and short-term disability at the same time?

In most cases, the answer is no, but there are exceptions and specific situations where benefits may overlap.

In California, workers who are temporarily unable to work due to an injury or illness may have access to wage replacement through different benefit programs. If your condition is work-related, workers’ compensation will usually apply. If it is not related to your job, you may be covered by state or private short-term disability insurance. A common question is whether someone can receive both types of benefits at the same time. 

This article explains how these systems work, when they apply, how payments are calculated, and how offsets may affect what you receive.

Workers’ Compensation: For Work-Related Injuries or Illnesses

Workers’ compensation is a benefit system required by California law. It provides medical care, wage replacement, and other support for employees who are injured or become ill due to their work. All California employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and most workers are covered from their first day on the job.

If your injury or illness is accepted as work-related, you may qualify for temporary disability payments while you are unable to work. For injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2025:

• The maximum weekly temporary disability payment is $1,680.29
• The minimum weekly payment is $252.03
• Payments are generally two-thirds of your average weekly wages, up to the maximum
• These benefits are not taxable

In addition to wage replacement, workers’ compensation covers all authorized medical treatment and may also include permanent disability benefits or supplemental job displacement benefits, depending on the case.

Short-Term Disability: For Non-Work-Related Medical Conditions

Short-term disability provides wage replacement if you are temporarily unable to work due to a medical condition that is not caused by your job. In California, this coverage may come from two possible sources: State Disability Insurance (SDI) or a private short-term disability (STD) policy.

State Disability Insurance (SDI)

SDI is administered by California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) and funded through payroll deductions. Most California workers are automatically enrolled and contribute through a small percentage withheld from their paychecks.

SDI benefits apply only when your condition is not job-related. For example, recovery from surgery, pregnancy, or illness may be covered, as long as you are certified by a medical provider as unable to perform your normal work duties.

For claims filed in 2025:

• SDI pays between 70% and 90% of your average weekly wages, based on income level
• The maximum weekly SDI benefit is $1,681
• Benefits can last up to 52 weeks
• SDI payments are not taxed

If your workers’ compensation claim is delayed, denied, or disputed, you may apply for SDI while awaiting a final decision. If your workers’ compensation claim is later approved, SDI may seek repayment for any overlapping benefits paid for the same period.

Private Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD)

Some employees also have private short-term disability coverage, either through their employer or a plan they purchased individually. These policies differ from SDI in that they are issued and managed by private insurance companies.

Private STD plans vary in how much they pay and for how long. Some may pay benefits for a few months, while others may extend coverage up to two years. Typically, to qualify, you must show that your medical condition prevents you from working and meets the definition of disability under the specific terms of the policy.

If your condition is work-related, most private STD policies will not pay benefits, especially if you are receiving workers’ compensation. However, some plans may provide limited payments to supplement workers’ compensation benefits.

Can You Receive Both Workers’ Comp and Short-Term Disability?

In general, California law does not allow full wage replacement from multiple programs for the same period and condition. If you are receiving temporary disability through workers’ compensation, you are not eligible to collect SDI at the same time for the same injury.

Private STD benefits are handled differently. Some policies include offset provisions that reduce the amount they pay based on what you receive from workers’ compensation. For example:

• You qualify for $1,100 per week under a private STD plan
• You start receiving $500 per week in workers’ compensation
• Your STD payment is reduced by $500, and you receive $600 from STD and $500 from workers’ comp

This kind of coordination is common in employer-sponsored plans. It allows you to receive a combined amount that may more closely match your regular income, but not more.

If you mistakenly collect full benefits from both sources without reporting them, you may be required to repay one of the programs. In some cases, failing to report overlapping benefits may be considered fraud.

When You Might Receive Both Temporarily

There are limited situations where you may receive both workers’ compensation and SDI benefits for the same condition, but not at the same time:

• If your workers’ compensation claim is under investigation or delayed, SDI may begin paying benefits while you wait for a decision. If your claim is later accepted, SDI will stop, and the EDD may recover some or all of the overlapping payments.
• If you are receiving workers’ compensation, but your injury worsens or you later suffer a non-work-related medical condition, you may qualify for SDI or STD for the second issue.

Each situation must be reviewed carefully to avoid conflicts or overpayments.

Get Help Understanding Your Options

Deciding whether to file for workers’ compensation, SDI, or private STD depends on the nature of your injury, how it happened, and what benefits are available through your employer. If you are unsure what to do, or if you are facing a delay or denial, speaking with an attorney can help protect your income and your rights.

At the Law Offices of Norman J. Homen, we help injured workers throughout California understand their benefit options and take the right steps forward. We have offices in Garden Grove, El Monte, and San Jose and offer free consultations. Contact us today to speak with someone who will listen, explain your options clearly, and guide you through the next steps.

The way these benefits apply or interact following an injury will vary depending on your situation. If you have questions about these benefits, seek advice from a San Jose workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure you can receive maximum benefits.