Description
California Disability Insurance Provisions (DE 2515) Pamphlet Packet
Help satisfy California employee notification requirements with the California Disability Insurance Provisions (DE 2515) Pamphlet Packet. California employers whose employees are subject to State Disability Insurance contributions must provide new employees with information about Disability Insurance benefits and must also provide the information when employees request time off for certain qualifying reasons.
What's Included
- Quantity: 20 employee pamphlets per packet
- Size: 5.5"W x 8"H
- Language: Available in English or Spanish
- Format: Individual pamphlets for distribution to employees
- Notice: California Disability Insurance Provisions Brochure (DE 2515)
When Must Employers Provide the DE 2515 Pamphlet?
California employers whose employees are subject to State Disability Insurance contributions must provide the Disability Insurance Provisions Brochure (DE 2515) to new employees.
The brochure must also be provided to employees who request time off work because of:
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- A non-work-related illness
- A non-work-related injury
- Surgery
Employers should incorporate DE 2515 into their California new-hire onboarding procedures and applicable disability leave processes.
What Is California Disability Insurance?
California Disability Insurance (DI) is part of the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program administered by the California Employment Development Department.
Disability Insurance provides eligible workers with short-term wage-replacement benefits when they are unable to perform their regular work because of a qualifying non-work-related illness, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, or other covered disability.
What Does the DE 2515 Pamphlet Explain?
The California Disability Insurance Provisions brochure provides employees with information concerning:
- California Disability Insurance benefits
- Basic eligibility requirements
- Non-work-related illnesses and injuries
- Pregnancy and childbirth-related disability
- How Disability Insurance benefits are calculated
- How to apply for Disability Insurance benefits
- Claim filing information
- Employee appeal rights
- California EDD contact information
- Additional resources for Disability Insurance claimants
What Conditions May Qualify for Disability Insurance?
California Disability Insurance may provide benefits when an eligible employee cannot perform their regular work because of a qualifying physical or mental illness or injury that is not work-related.
Qualifying disabilities can also include:
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Recovery from childbirth
- Related medical conditions
- Certain elective surgeries
- Other qualifying physical or mental health conditions
Employees must satisfy applicable California EDD eligibility requirements to receive benefits.
California Disability Insurance and Pregnancy
California Disability Insurance can provide wage-replacement benefits when an eligible employee is unable to perform their regular work because of pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition.
The period of disability depends on the employee's medical condition and certification from an appropriate licensed health professional.
After a pregnancy-related Disability Insurance claim ends, an eligible employee may also qualify for California Paid Family Leave benefits to bond with a new child.
How Is California Disability Insurance Funded?
California Disability Insurance is part of the State Disability Insurance program and is generally funded through employee payroll contributions.
Employees covered by State Disability Insurance generally see the applicable contribution identified on their pay statement, commonly as CASDI.
Employers have responsibilities involving withholding and transmitting applicable State Disability Insurance contributions and providing employees with required information.
How Do Employees Apply for Disability Insurance?
Employees apply for California Disability Insurance benefits through the California Employment Development Department.
Eligible employees can generally file a claim through SDI Online or use another filing method permitted by California EDD.
Employees should follow current EDD instructions concerning filing deadlines, medical certification, eligibility, and supporting information.
Does Disability Insurance Provide Job Protection?
Disability Insurance primarily provides wage-replacement benefits and does not by itself provide job protection.
An employee may have separate job-protection rights under other California or federal laws, including:
- California Pregnancy Disability Leave
- California Family Rights Act
- Federal Family and Medical Leave Act
- California disability accommodation laws
- Other applicable employment protections
Employers and employees should evaluate applicable leave and job-protection laws separately from eligibility for Disability Insurance benefits.
Disability Insurance vs. Workers' Compensation
California Disability Insurance should not be confused with workers' compensation.
Disability Insurance generally provides eligible employees with wage-replacement benefits for qualifying non-work-related illnesses, injuries, pregnancy, or disability.
Workers' compensation generally applies to qualifying injuries or illnesses arising out of employment.
Employers should provide employees with the appropriate information based on whether the medical condition is work-related or non-work-related.
Disability Insurance vs. Paid Family Leave
California Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave are both part of the State Disability Insurance program, but they provide benefits for different circumstances.
Disability Insurance provides eligible workers with wage-replacement benefits when they are unable to work because of their own qualifying non-work-related illness, injury, pregnancy, or disability.
Paid Family Leave provides eligible workers with wage-replacement benefits when taking qualifying time away from work to care for a seriously ill family member, bond with a new child, or participate in certain qualifying military-related events.
California employers have separate employee information requirements for Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave.
Is DE 2515 Required for New Hires?
Yes, for California employers whose employees are subject to State Disability Insurance contributions. These employers must provide new employees with the Disability Insurance Provisions Brochure (DE 2515).
The brochure must also be provided when an employee requests time off because of pregnancy or childbirth or because of a qualifying non-work-related illness, injury, or surgery.
Is DE 2515 a Workplace Poster?
No. DE 2515 is an individual employee brochure intended for distribution to employees.
California employers subject to applicable Unemployment Insurance and State Disability Insurance requirements also have a separate workplace posting requirement involving the Notice to Employees (DE 1857A).
Providing DE 2515 to employees does not replace applicable California workplace posting requirements.
English and Spanish Disability Insurance Pamphlets
This packet is available in English and Spanish. Employers should provide employees with appropriate Disability Insurance information based on applicable California requirements and the languages used by their workforce.
The California Employment Development Department also publishes Disability Insurance information in additional languages.
California New Hire Compliance
The Disability Insurance Provisions brochure is one component of California's employee notification requirements. Employers should review their onboarding procedures to ensure newly hired employees receive all applicable California and federal notices, pamphlets, and employment information.
California employers whose employees are subject to State Disability Insurance contributions generally provide both the DE 2515 Disability Insurance Provisions brochure and the DE 2511 Paid Family Leave brochure to new employees.
Employers should also maintain required workplace posters separately from documents that must be individually distributed to employees.
California Workplace Compliance Resources
Labor Law Compliance Center provides California employers with new hire pamphlets, employee notices, labor law posters, IWC Wage Orders, and specialty compliance products. Visit our California Labor Law Posters page or browse our California State Specialty Posters for additional California workplace compliance products.
