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Base Period
Weekly State Disability Insurance (SDI) benefit amounts are calculated using a base period. This base period covers 12 months and is divided into four consecutive quarters of three months each. The wages you were paid approximately 5 to 17 months before the SDI claim begins are included in the base period (they must have been subject to the SDI tax). Your base period does not include wages paid at the time your disability or your need to be off work to provide family care or to bond with a new minor child begins.
If your claim begins on or after January 1, 2009:
- January, February, or March, your base period is the 12 months ending last September 30. (Example: A claim beginning February 14, 2009, uses a base period of October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008.)
- April, May, or June, your base period is the 12 months ending last December 31. (Example: A claim beginning June 20, 2009, uses a base period of January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008.)
- July, August, or September, your base period is the 12 months ending last March 31. (Example: A claim beginning September 27, 2009, uses a base period of April 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009.)
- October, November, or December, your base period is the 12 months ending last June 30. (Example: A claim beginning November 2, 2009, uses a base period of July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009.)
For a SDI claim to be valid, you must have at least $300 in wages in the base period. The quarter with the highest amount of earnings in your base period determines your weekly rate.
- For disabilities beginning January 1, 2009, or after, weekly benefits range from $50 to $959.