California unemployment calculator (EDD weekly benefit)
This California unemployment calculator estimates your EDD weekly benefit amount. Enter your yearly pay or the wages of your highest quarter: California pays about 1/26 of your highest-quarter wages, between $40 and $450 a week, for up to 26 weeks. You also see your maximum award and what you get in a week with part-time earnings.
Example: I know my: yearly pay (paid evenly) · Gross pay in the last 12 months (base period) 52,000 $ → Weekly benefit amount: US$450.00. Source: CUIC §1280(c), California Unemployment Insurance Code §1280 – weekly benefit amount table and formula, maximum $450 (read 09.10.2026). Updated: .
How it is calculated
California unemployment pays about 1/26 of the wages in your highest quarter, from $40 up to a maximum of $450 a week. You reach $450 with $11,674.01 or more in one quarter. The total award is 26 times the weekly amount or half of your base-period wages, whichever is lower.
EDD weekly benefit by highest-quarter wages
| Highest-quarter wages | Weekly benefit | About per year |
|---|---|---|
| $900 – $948.99 | $40 | – |
| $1,807 – $1,832.99 | $70 | $7,300 |
| $2,600 | $100 | $10,400 |
| $5,200 | $200 | $20,800 |
| $7,500 | $289 | $30,000 |
| $10,000 | $385 | $40,000 |
| $11,674.01 and over | $450 | $46,700 |
How the calculator works
- Eligibility: at least $1,300 in your highest quarter, or at least $900 with total base-period wages of 1.25 times that quarter.
- Weekly benefit: up to $1,832.99 from the table in the Unemployment Insurance Code, above that 50% of the quarter ÷ 13 (= ÷ 26), rounded up, at most $450.
- Maximum award: the lower of 26 × the weekly benefit and half of the base-period wages.
- Part-time work: EDD deducts the smaller of your earnings minus $25 and 75% of your earnings.
Examples
- $52,000 a year: $13,000 a quarter → $450 a week, up to $11,700 for 26 weeks.
- $40,000 a year: $10,000 ÷ 26 = $384.62 → $385 a week, maximum $10,010.
- $30,000 a year: $7,500 a quarter → $289 a week, maximum $7,514.
- Highest quarter $3,000, base period $5,000: $116 a week, but the award is limited to half of $5,000 = $2,500 – about 21.6 weeks.
- Highest quarter $1,000, base period $1,300: valid ($1,300 ≥ 1.25 × $1,000) → $42 a week, $650 in total. With a $1,200 base period there is no valid claim.
- $450 weekly benefit, $200 earned in a week: $150 deducted → $300. With $80 earned: $55 deducted → $395.
To turn an hourly wage into yearly pay, use the hourly to salary calculator. Unemployment benefits are federally taxable – the federal income tax calculator estimates the tax.
Limits
The calculator assumes a regular claim based on the standard base period. If you do not qualify, the alternate base period (the last four completed quarters) may help. Extensions, Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave are separate programs with other rates. You must have lost work through no fault of your own and be able, available and searching for work. This is an estimate – EDD sends your official weekly benefit amount on the Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award (DE 429Z).
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum unemployment in California in 2026?
$450 a week, for up to 26 weeks – $11,700 in total. You need $11,674.01 or more in your highest-paid quarter to reach it.
How does EDD calculate the weekly benefit?
From the wages in your highest quarter of the base period: roughly 1/26 of that quarter, rounded up, from $40 to $450. Below $1,833 a table in the Unemployment Insurance Code applies.
How much unemployment will I get on $40,000 a year?
About $385 a week if you were paid evenly ($10,000 a quarter), with a maximum award of $10,010.
Can I work part time and get unemployment in California?
Yes. EDD deducts the smaller of your weekly earnings minus $25 and 75% of your earnings – with $200 earned and a $450 benefit you still get $300.
How long does California unemployment last?
Up to 26 weeks of full benefits. If half of your base-period wages is less than 26 times your weekly benefit, your award runs out sooner.
Is California unemployment taxable?
It is taxable income for federal income tax but not for California state income tax. You can ask EDD to withhold 10% federal tax.
Sources and legal basis
- CUIC §1280(c): California Unemployment Insurance Code §1280 – weekly benefit amount table and formula, maximum $450 (read 09.10.2026)
- CUIC §1281: California Unemployment Insurance Code §1281 – valid claim and maximum benefit amount (read 09.10.2026)
- CUIC §1279: California Unemployment Insurance Code §1279 – benefits for partial weeks (read 09.10.2026)
- EDD – Unemployment Insurance Benefit Table DE 1101BT5 for claims from 02.01.2005, $40 to $450 (read 09.10.2026)
As of: · Editorial policy
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