Welcome to the Employment Development Department

Benefit Amounts

Your claim begins on the date your disability began. SDI calculates your weekly benefit amount using your base period. The date your disability began determines your base period, unless the claim effective date is adjusted by SDI.

If you want your claim to begin later so that you will have a different base period, please call SDI at 1-800-480-3287 before you file your claim.

This base period covers 12 months and is divided into four consecutive calendar quarters. Your base period includes wages subject to SDI tax which you were paid approximately 5 to 17 months before your disability claim begins. Your base period does not include wages being paid at the time the disability begins. The quarter of your base period in which you were paid the highest wages determines your weekly benefit amount. Refer to the DI Weekly Benefit Chart for further information.

(You may need to download the free Adobe Reader to view and print linked documents.)

You may not change the beginning date of your claim or adjust your base period after you have established a valid claim.

Your daily benefit amount is your weekly benefit amount divided by seven. Your maximum benefit amount is 52 times your weekly benefit amount or the total wages subject to SDI tax paid in your base period, whichever is less. Exceptions are as follows:

  • For employers and self-employed individuals who elect SDI coverage, the maximum benefit amount is 39 times the weekly rate or the total wage credits in the base period, whichever is less. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $51 for DIEC participants.
  • For residents in a state-approved alcoholic recovery home or drug-free residential facility, the maximum payable period is 90 days. (However, disabilities related to or caused by acute or chronic alcoholism or drug abuse which are being medically treated do not have this limitation.)