California Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your California weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. California pays up to $450 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your California weekly unemployment benefit from your wages. The state agency makes the actual decision based on your full wage record and why your job ended. File your claim with California Employment Development Department (EDD) to get your real amount.
More exact? Enter your highest-paid quarter
Most states base your benefit on your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Enter it for a closer estimate; leave blank to use your annual income.
Estimated Weekly Benefit
$450/week
≈ 45% of your weekly wage · California · estimate only
You're at California's $450 maximum.
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$11,700
Your wage is above California's benefit cap, so you would receive the $450 maximum regardless of higher earnings.
Up to 26 weeks within a 52-week benefit year; not indexed to the unemployment rate (federal extensions aside).
California has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
This is an estimate, not a determination. The state agency calculates your actual benefit from your full base-period wage record, and eligibility also depends on why your job ended and your ongoing work search.
Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), replaced at roughly 50% up to California's $450 maximum. Eligibility also depends on earning enough in the base period and on why your job ended (generally you must be out of work through no fault of your own). This is an estimate, not legal advice or a determination, and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
How California Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA is based on the wages in the HIGHEST quarter of the base period, approximately high-quarter wages / 26 (about 1/26), per the EDD benefit table. High-quarter wages of $11,674.01+ yield the maximum $450. Clamped to the state min/max.
The result is capped at California's $450 maximum and floored at its $40 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Up to 26 weeks within a 52-week benefit year; not indexed to the unemployment rate (federal extensions aside).
Source: California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Who Qualifies in California
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: a 12-month period made of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the claim. An Alternate Base Period (most recent four completed quarters) is used if not eligible under the standard period.), be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct and generally not quitting without good cause), and be able, available, and actively looking for work. Must have at least $1,300 in the highest base-period quarter, OR at least $900 in the high quarter AND total base-period wages of at least 1.25x the high-quarter wages. California also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in California?
California pays roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, from a $40 minimum up to a $450 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in California?
Up to 26 weeks. Up to 26 weeks within a 52-week benefit year; not indexed to the unemployment rate (federal extensions aside).
How is my California weekly benefit calculated?
WBA is based on the wages in the HIGHEST quarter of the base period, approximately high-quarter wages / 26 (about 1/26), per the EDD benefit table. High-quarter wages of $11,674.01+ yield the maximum $450. Clamped to the state min/max.
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in California?
$450 per week in 2026. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on California's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by California Employment Development Department (EDD) from your complete wage record and the reason your job ended. It is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, a benefit determination, or a guarantee of eligibility. Unemployment formulas and maximums change (often annually); figures are current as of 2026-08-21. Only California Employment Development Department (EDD) can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.