";}var output="Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA): $"+wba+"
";output+="Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA): $"+mba.toLocaleString()+"
";if(showSteps){output+="
";output+="Standard EDD Formula (approx): Highest Quarter / 26
";output+="Calculation: $"+highest.toLocaleString()+" / 26 = $"+(highest/26).toFixed(2)+"
";output+="EDD Minimum: $40 | EDD Maximum: $450
";output+=details+"
EDD Calculator Use
Understanding your potential unemployment benefits is crucial during a career transition. This edd calculator is designed specifically for residents of California to estimate their Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) based on the current regulations of the Employment Development Department (EDD). By entering your gross quarterly earnings from your "base period," you can quickly see what your weekly check might look like and what your total maximum benefit for the year will be.
To get an accurate result, you should have your pay stubs or tax records ready for the last 18 months. The EDD looks at specific quarters to determine your eligibility and payment amount.
- Quarterly Earnings
- The gross amount (before taxes) you earned in each three-month calendar period. The EDD uses the quarter with the highest earnings to set your rate.
- Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)
- The amount of money you are eligible to receive each week you are unemployed, ranging from $40 to $450.
- Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA)
- The total balance of your unemployment claim. This is typically 26 times your WBA or half of your total base period wages, whichever is less.
How It Works
When you file a claim, the EDD calculates your benefits using a "Base Period." A Standard Base Period consists of the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the date your claim begins. The math used by the edd calculator follows the official EDD Benefit Table:
WBA ≈ Highest Quarter Earnings / 26
- Highest Quarter: The calculator identifies which of the four quarters you entered has the highest total gross pay.
- The Division: For most workers, dividing that high quarter by 26 gives a close approximation of the weekly rate.
- Caps: California currently caps benefits at $450 per week. Even if you earned $100,000 in a single quarter, the maximum payout remains $450.
- Minimums: You must have earned at least $1,300 in one quarter or $900 in the highest quarter plus total base period earnings of 1.25 times that high quarter.
Calculation Example
Example: Sarah lost her job in October. Her earnings for the base period were as follows: Q1: $8,000; Q2: $10,400; Q3: $9,500; Q4: $7,000.
Step-by-step solution:
- Identify Highest Quarter: Q2 at $10,400.
- Apply EDD Logic: $10,400 is between $949 and $11,674.
- Calculate: $10,400 / 26 = $400.
- Weekly Benefit: Sarah receives $400 per week.
- Total Claim Balance (MBA): $400 x 26 weeks = $10,400 total.
Common Questions
What is the 'Base Period'?
The base period is the timeframe the EDD uses to see if you have enough wages to qualify for a claim. If you file in January, February, or March, your base period is the 12 months ending the previous September 30. If you don't qualify for a standard base period, the EDD may use an 'Alternate Base Period' which looks at the most recent four completed quarters.
Will my benefits be taxed?
Yes, unemployment benefits are subject to federal income tax. You can choose to have 10% withheld automatically by the EDD when you certify for benefits. However, California does not tax EDD benefits at the state level.
How long do benefits last?
In a standard claim year, you can receive up to 26 weeks of full weekly benefit payments. If you work part-time, your benefits are reduced, which might extend the duration of your claim until your Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) is exhausted.