How does California calculate the SDI weekly benefit?

California uses your highest-earning quarter in the base period to compute an average weekly wage, then replaces roughly 70 to 90 percent of it on a sliding scale that favors lower earners. The result is capped at the state's annual maximum weekly benefit.

What is the difference between SDI and PFL in California?

SDI pays you when you cannot work due to your own non-work illness, injury, or pregnancy. PFL pays you while bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. Both use the same wage formula, but SDI lasts up to 52 weeks while PFL lasts up to 8 weeks.

What is the base period?

The base period is a 12-month window of past wages, divided into four quarters, used to set your benefit. California uses the quarter with the highest wages within that period to calculate your average weekly wage.

Is there a maximum weekly benefit?

Yes. California caps the weekly benefit at a state maximum that is updated each year. Even very high earners cannot receive more than that cap, so high-quarter wages above the cap threshold do not increase the weekly amount.

Is this my exact benefit?

No. This is an estimate. Your actual benefit depends on EDD's verification of your reported wages, the elimination week, and current-year rates and caps. Use the figure for planning and confirm with California's EDD.

California Disability & Paid Family Leave Benefit Calculator

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California runs one of the most generous wage-replacement programs in the country through State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL). Both are funded by employee payroll deductions and pay a percentage of your past wages when you cannot work.

How it works

California finds the highest-earning quarter in your base period and converts it to an average weekly wage, then replaces a percentage of it:

average weekly wage = highest-quarter wages / 13
weekly benefit      = AWW × replacement rate   (capped at the state maximum)

Lower earners are replaced at roughly 90 percent and higher earners closer to 70 percent, with the result capped at the annual maximum weekly benefit. SDI can last up to 52 weeks; PFL up to 8 weeks.

Example

A highest quarter of $13,000 gives an average weekly wage of 13000 / 13 = $1,000. At a 70 percent replacement that is $700 per week, below the cap, so the estimated weekly benefit is $700.

Notes

This is an estimate. Real benefits depend on EDD’s wage verification, the seven-day elimination period for SDI, and the current-year replacement rate and cap. PFL benefits are shorter in duration but use the same weekly formula. Confirm with California’s EDD.