The processing time for an EDD (Employment Development Department) disability claim, specifically for California State Disability Insurance (SDI), varies depending on how the claim is filed:

• Online claims typically take about 1 to 2 weeks to process.
• Paper (mailed-in) claims usually take about 4 to 5 weeks due to manual data entry and mail processing delays

For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims handled by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the timeline is generally longer:

• Initial SSDI disability claims take about 6 to 8 months on average for a decision

• Some sources note the average processing time can be around 8 to 10 months or even longer depending on case complexity and backlog

• If the claim is denied, the appeals process can extend the total time to 2 years or more , including reconsideration and hearings before an administrative law judge

In summary:

Claim Type| Typical Processing Time
---|---
California EDD SDI Online| 1 to 2 weeks
California EDD SDI Paper| 4 to 5 weeks
SSA SSDI Initial Application| 6 to 8 months (average)
SSA SSDI Appeals Process| Up to 2 years or more

Expedited processing is possible for certain severe conditions or when medical evidence is clear, which can shorten the wait significantly

. If you have filed a paper claim with EDD, it is advisable to wait at least 10 days before contacting them to confirm receipt, and avoid filing duplicate claims online to prevent processing issues

. For SSDI claims, having complete medical documentation and possibly using a disability representative can help speed up the process