About SDI Advisor — California’s Specialist in SDI Claims for Depression & Anxiety

Meet Michael Steiner

Founder, SDI Advisor | Systems Engineer | Three-Time SDI Claimant

Californians Helped

1,000+

Helping Since

2016

Personal SDI Claims

for major depression

“I started SDI Advisor because of one moment — and it wasn’t a business decision. It was personal.”

Over 27 years living in California, Michael Steiner filed for SDI three times — each time for major depression. He knows from the inside what it feels like to be unable to work, overwhelmed by paperwork, and unsure where to turn.

The idea for SDI Advisor came to him one night during his third claim. Out walking one night, he felt genuinely grateful that California had a program that had helped carry him through the hardest times of his life. And then a second thought followed: almost nobody knows this program exists.

That was the moment. He couldn’t stop thinking about how many Californians were struggling — filing for unemployment, taking far less money, for half as long — simply because no one had told them SDI was an option. So he built something to fix that.

Since 2016, Michael has helped over 1,000 Californians navigate the SDI process. He’s not a lawyer or a doctor. What he is, is someone who has lived this — and who has spent nearly a decade learning exactly how the California EDD system works, what it takes to get a claim approved, and how to make the process as manageable as possible for people who are already exhausted.

Today Michael works full-time as a Systems Engineer at the University of Arizona Global Campus and runs SDI Advisor on the side — not because he has to, but because the work matters to him. What drives him is simple: being able to come into someone’s life when they are struggling and help them weather the storm they are in.

Talk to Michael — Free Consultation

Helping Californians Navigate the SDI System Since 2016

SDI Advisor was founded in 2016 with a single focus: helping unemployed Californians who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or PTSD claim the California State Disability Insurance benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

Since then, we’ve guided over 1,000 people through the SDI process — people who were overwhelmed, financially stressed, and didn’t know where to turn. Many came to us after being told unemployment was their only option. Almost all of them qualified for significantly more.

We’re not a law firm. We’re not a general disability service. We focus exclusively on one thing — and we’ve spent nearly a decade getting very good at it. See exactly how we help

Our Mission: Remove the Barriers Between You and the Benefits You’ve Earned

Depression makes everything harder — including navigating a complex government benefits system. Our mission is to remove that burden completely.

We believe that no Californian dealing with major depression should have to figure out EDD paperwork, doctor coordination, and eligibility rules on their own. That’s our job. We handle every step of the SDI application process so our clients can focus entirely on getting better.

Financial stability and mental health recovery aren’t separate goals. In our experience, one makes the other possible.

What Our Clients Can Always Count On

We meet you where you are: Depression looks different for everyone. Some clients come to us barely functional; others are managing but exhausted. We don’t judge how you’re coping — we just help. Every conversation with our team is private, patient, and pressure-free.

No surprises, no pressure, no upfront cost: We’ll tell you honestly in your first call whether we think you qualify — even if the answer is no. We work on a success-based model, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully secure your benefits. That alignment matters to us.

We handle the complexity so you don’t have to: The California SDI system has real complexity — eligibility rules, base period calculations, EDD forms, doctor certifications. We’ve spent nearly a decade learning it so our clients don’t have to. You’ll always know what’s happening with your claim, without having to manage it yourself. Check if you qualify →

How We Work — What Happens When You Reach Out

Most clients tell us they were surprised by how simple the process was — especially given how complicated they expected it to be. Here’s what working with us actually looks like.

Step 1 — Free eligibility review

We start with a free call to review your situation — your work history, how your depression is affecting you, and whether SDI is the right path. We’ll give you an honest assessment with no pressure. See the eligibility criteria

Step 2 — Doctor connection & claim preparation

If you don’t already have a licensed psychologist, we can connect you with one who specializes in exactly this kind of evaluation. We then handle all the paperwork — EDD forms, doctor certifications, and supporting documentation — prepared correctly the first time. Learn how the SDI application works

Step 3 — Ongoing support through your claim

Once your claim is filed, we stay involved. We handle communications with the EDD, answer your questions, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks — from approval through to your final benefit payment. You’re never left to figure things out alone. See all of our services

SDI Advisor by the Numbers

1,000+ Californians helped since 2016

$1,765/week maximum SDI benefit available in 2026

52 weeks maximum duration — nearly double what unemployment provides

$0 upfront — we only get paid when you do

Who We Help

We work exclusively with Californians who are unemployed or unable to work because of a mental health condition. Our clients typically fall into one of these situations:

• Recently laid off and depression is making it hard to job search or interview effectively
• Already collecting unemployment but struggling to continue an active job search due to mental health
• Unable to work at all due to severe depression, PTSD, or anxiety
• Unsure whether SDI or unemployment is the right option
• Previously tried to file and gave up because the process felt overwhelming

If any of these sound like you, learn more about qualifying with depression or anxiety — or just call us for a free review. A 15-minute conversation can change your financial picture completely.

Ready to Talk? Your First Call Is Free — No Obligation

We’ll review your situation, tell you honestly whether we think you qualify, and explain exactly how we can help. No paperwork, no pressure — just a straightforward conversation.

Not ready to call yet? Start by reading our guides:
→ Do you qualify for California SDI?
→ SDI vs. Unemployment — which is right for you?
→ 2026 guide to California SDI for depression
→ Browse all our SDI guides

Take the First Step — Free Consultation & Eligibility Review

Get Started

OR Call Us At:

213-716-2364

Disclaimer: SDI Advisor LLC provides information and assistance with the California State Disability Insurance (SDI) application process only. SDI Advisor LLC is not a medical or psychological practice and does not diagnose, treat, or provide medical or mental health opinions. Approval of an SDI claim is not guaranteed. Eligibility, benefit amounts, and tax treatment are determined by the State of California based on individual circumstances, including prior earnings. Not all applicants qualify, and not everyone receives the maximum weekly benefit.