Unemployment and Disability benefits are benefits you never really think about until you need them. Finding yourself suddenly unable to work can be a very scary and confusing time. Fortunately, the state of California provides benefits to workers for these instances that you may be eligible for and we have the breakdown of how these state programs work.
What benefits are offered by the state of California to its workers?
California provides several employment-related benefits to assist workers during periods of unemployment, illness, or family caregiving:
Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a benefit that is jointly funded by federal and state governments and is available to Californian workers. One example of someone collecting UI could be a worker who is laid off either temporarily or permanently. This worker could be eligible for partial wage replacement while they are actively looking for new work.
Overview & Eligibility
UI provides weekly payments ranging from $40 to $450, depending on prior earnings. To qualify,Actively search for and reaccept suitable job of individuals must:
- Lose their job involuntarily,
- Meet minimum earnings/wage requirements during the base period,
- Be physically able and available for work,
There is a mandatory one‑week unpaid waiting period, followed by benefits upon certification of eligibility.
Base Period & Monetary Eligibility
The base period usually covers four of the last five completed calendar quarters before filing a claim. You must show sufficient earnings in that time to qualify.
Calculating Benefits
UI benefits are determined using the highest‑earning quarter in your base period. The total wages in that quarter are divided by 26, with a weekly minimum of $40 and maximum of $450.
Example: a highest-quarter total of $6,000 → $6,000 ÷ 26 = $231/week.
Duration of Benefits
Standard UI benefits are available for up to 26 weeks. Extensions may be offered during high unemployment or emergencies.
Partial Benefits & Earnings Disregard
If you work part-time during a claim:
- Report gross earnings.
- The first $25 or 25% of gross earnings, whichever is higher, is ignored.
- Any excess reduces the UI payment.
Example: Benefit = $400 + gross earnings = $200 → $200 − $50 (25%) = $150 deducted → Net benefit = $250.
Continuing Eligibility Requirements
Every two weeks, claimants must certify eligibility, stating they are:
- Able and available for full-time work,
- Actively job seeking,
- Ready to accept suitable work immediately.
Missed or incorrect certifications can delay benefits and trigger eligibility interviews.
Determinations & Appeals
If eligibility is unclear or employer dispute arises (e.g., quit or misconduct), the EDD may request additional information via:
- Phone interviews,
- Written questionnaires, or
- Formal requests (e.g. DE 4365FF).
Failure to respond may cause benefit denial, but applicants may appeal per EDD guidelines.
How to Apply For Unemployment and Disability Benefits
Unemployment benefits are here to help support you and your family while you find a new job and develop your career.
You can Apply Now if you have your information ready. Otherwise, go to Step 1 and get your information in order.
What are Unemployment Benefits?
Step 1: Get Your Information in Order
Step 2: Apply
Step 3: Register in CalJOBS
Step 4: Review Benefit Documents
Step 5: Certify for Benefits
Step 6: Receive Your First Payment
Step 7: Continue to Certify
Step 8: End Your Benefits
You may qualify for other State programs to help cover food, housing, and healthcare expenses.
Unemployment Customer Service
Important: If we call you, your caller ID will show “St of CA EDD” or the UI Customer Service number 1-800-300-5616 or 833-978-2511.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, except on state holidays.
Note: Monday morning before 10 a.m. is our busiest call time, so we recommend calling at other times.
English and Spanish: 1-800-300-5616
Armenian: 1-855-528-1518
Cantonese: 1-800-547-3506
Korean: 1-844-660-0877
Mandarin: 1-866-303-0706
Tagalog: 1-866-395-1513
Vietnamese: 1-800-547-2058
All Other Languages: 1-800-300-5616. Interpreter services are available free of charge.
California Relay Service (711): Provide the UI number (1-800-300-5616) to the operator.
TTY: 1-800-815-9387
State Disability Insurance (DI)
The California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program is another benefit funded jointly by federal and state governments and is available to Californias who are suddenly unable to work.
Overview & Eligibility
California’s DI program provides temporary wage replacement for those unable to work due to non-work-related health issues, pregnancy, or childbirth. Pay includes:
- 70–90% of wages,
- Minimum weekly benefit of $50,
- Maximum weekly benefit around $1,681,
- Payable for up to 52 weeks.
To qualify, claimants must:
- Be unable to work for at least eight consecutive days,
- Have earned ≥ $300 in the base period with CASDI payroll deductions,
- Provide medical certification.
Base Period & Benefit Calculation
DI uses a 12-month base period, capturing wages from roughly 5 to 18 months before the claim start date. This base period is divided into four quarters; the quarter with the highest earnings is used to calculate benefits.
Step-by-step:
- Identify the quarter with highest total wages,
- Compute average weekly wage: total wages ÷ 13 weeks,
- Calculate benefit: average weekly wage × an income-based percentage (70–90%).
Example: $13,000 in highest quarter → $1,000/week → benefit ≈ $600 (60%)
Maximum and Minimum Benefits
- Minimum: $50/week,
- Maximum: $1,681/week for claims beginning in 2025.
Waiting Period & Duration
There is a seven-day unpaid waiting period before DI benefits start. Claims can continue for up to 52 weeks.
Disability Insurance Overview
Paid Family Leave
Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides short-term wage replacement benefits to people who need to take time off work to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill family member, or support a family member’s military deployment.
You can Apply Here if you have your information ready. Otherwise, go to Step 1 and get your information in order.
What are Paid Family Leave Benefits?
Step 1: Get Your Information in Order
Step 2: Apply
Step 3: Submit Required Documents
Step 4: Review Benefit Documents
Step 5: Receive Your First Payment
Step 6: Manage Benefits
Step 7: End Your Benefits
You may qualify for other State, county, or community programs to help cover food, housing, and healthcare expenses.
Who administers (or manages) Unemployment and Disability Benefits
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) department of the state government is responsible for managing Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (DI), and Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs. It collects payroll taxes, processes claims, maintains eligibility systems, and enforces compliance.
The department also provides employment service programs and collects the state’s labor market information and employment data. EDD is one of California’s three major taxation agencies, alongside California Department of Tax and Fee Administration and the Franchise Tax Board. In addition to collecting unemployment insurance taxes, the department administers the reporting, collection, and enforcement of the state’s payroll taxes.
The EDD seeks to help boost California’s economic health by providing innovative solutions to support workers, employers, and job seekers. The EDD is who you will file your claim with, who will assess your eligibility, and who will then compute the benefits based on your personal employment information. To submit an Unemployment Insurance claim through the EDD, click here.
EDD Branches
- Disability Insurance Branch: Oversees DI, PFL, and Non-industrial Disability Insurance (NDI).
- Tax Branch: Manages collection of UI and SDI taxes.
- Policy & Compliance: Implements fraud prevention and eligibility audits.
Who are Unemployment and Disability Benefits intended for?
Unemployment Insurance
UI is designed for workers who:
- Are unemployed through no fault of their own (layoff, downsizing),
- Meet monetary eligibility based on prior earnings,
- Are able, available, and actively seeking work.
- For more information on Unemployment Insurance eligibility, visit the EDD.
Self-employed or independent contractors may qualify only if covered under federal/state emergency provisions.
Disability Insurance
DI supports workers who:
- Have paid into CASDI via paycheck deductions during the base period,
- Experience a disability lasting at least eight days, with wage loss,
- Obtain medical certification from a doctor.
- For a complete list of DI eligibility requirements visit the EDD.
Paid Family Leave
PFL benefits are available to employees who:
- Contribute to SDI,
- Need leave to bond with a minor child (within 1 year of birth/adoption) or care for a seriously ill family member,
- Do not receive DI, UI, or Workers’ Compensation concurrently.
How are Unemployment and Disability Benefits computed?
UI: Calculations
- Determine base period (four highest quarters out of the last five before filing).
- Identify the highest-earning quarter.
- Divide that quarter’s wages by 26.
- Limit to minimum $40 or maximum $450 weekly.
You can use the EDD’s online UI calculator for estimates.
DI: Calculations
- Establish base period (12 months, ending five months before claim start).
- Find the quarter with highest earnings.
- Compute average weekly wage: wages ÷ 13.
- Apply the SDI rate (70–90%, based on total wages).
- Ensure results stay within $50–$1,681 weekly range.
To get a ballpark estimate of your Weekly Benefit Amount, use the EDD’s benefit calculator.
Taxation & Overpayments
- SDI benefits are federally taxable, deductible at the state level.
- UI benefits are reported as income; federal withholding optional.
- Overpayments due to non-eligibility or fraud must be repaid, with possible penalties.
Job Protection & Compliance
- UI doesn’t guarantee job protection, but claimants must stay job-ready.
- DI claims may coincide with protected leave (e.g.,the (FMLA) and (CFRA),
- PFL requires coordination with other leave statutes (FMLA)/CFRA), which guarantee job security for eligible employees.
Summary Table
| Benefit Type | Purpose | Weekly Amount | Duration | Eligibility Criteria |
| Unemployment Insurance | Loss of job through no fault | $40–$450 (based on prior earnings ÷ 26) | Up to 26 weeks | Involuntary unemployment, work/wage history, available for and seeking work |
| Disability Insurance | Non-work-related disability | 70–90% of average weekly wages; $50–$1,681 limit | Up to 52 weeks | Paid CASDI contributions, ≥8-day disability, medical certification |
| Paid Family Leave | Bonding/caring leave | 70–90% of pay (aligned with DI rates) | 8 weeks | SDI contributions, caring for eligible family members |
Conclusion
California’s benefit framework provides robust support through UI, DI, and PFL, all administered by the EDD. Unemployment and Disability Benefits are determined using standardized base-period earnings, ensuring predictable income support. Clear eligibility requirements—such as job search activity for UI or medical certification for DI—help maintain program integrity while supporting workers in transition or need. If you’re navigating an EDD issue or facing delays, it’s wise to consult experienced professionals. Pershing Square Law Firm, California’s premier legal team for EDD matters, can help you protect your rights and secure the benefits you deserve.
