Estimate your potential weekly benefit amount for California State Disability Insurance (SDI).
Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
Your estimated weekly benefit will appear here.
Understanding California State Disability Insurance (SDI) Benefits
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) administers the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program provides partial replacement of wages lost due to a serious illness or injury that prevents you from performing your regular work. This includes non-work-related accidents, illnesses, and pregnancy/childbirth.
How are Benefits Calculated?
The calculation of your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is based on your wages earned during a specific 12-month period called the "base period."
Base Period: This is typically the 12 months immediately preceding the first day of your disability claim. For example, if you become disabled on July 1, 2023, your base period would be July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Total Wages: The EDD sums up all the wages reported by your employers during this base period.
Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA): The WBA is calculated using a formula that takes your total base period wages and divides them to determine a rate. The EDD uses a progressive formula:
You will receive 60% of your average weekly wage (AWW) during the base period, up to a maximum weekly benefit.
If your AWW is higher, you may receive 70% of your AWW, but this is capped at a different maximum weekly benefit.
The specific calculation aims to provide a significant portion of lost income.
Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA): There is a maximum total amount you can receive during a benefit period (typically 52 weeks). This is calculated as 52 times your WBA, but it's capped at a statutory limit.
Benefit Duration: SDI typically pays for up to 52 weeks. For some disabilities, the duration might be shorter.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Disability
California's SDI program is primarily designed for short-term disabilities, covering up to 52 weeks. While the term "long-term disability" is sometimes used in this context, it's important to note that California SDI has a defined maximum duration. For disabilities extending beyond 52 weeks, individuals may need to explore other resources such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if they meet those criteria, or private long-term disability insurance policies.
Important Considerations:
Eligibility: To be eligible, you must have paid SDI taxes (deducted from your paycheck) during your base period.
Waiting Period: There is typically a 7-day waiting period for which you will not receive benefits.
Medical Certification: A licensed medical professional must certify your disability.
Maximums and Minimums: The EDD sets maximum and minimum WBA amounts annually. The calculator provides an estimate; the official amount is determined by the EDD.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an *estimate* only. The official determination of your SDI benefits is made by the California EDD based on your specific claim and documentation. This tool is not a substitute for professional financial advice or official EDD guidance.
function calculateDisabilityBenefits() {
var basePeriodWages = parseFloat(document.getElementById("basePeriodWages").value);
var benefitPeriod = parseFloat(document.getElementById("benefitPeriod").value);
var disabilityType = document.getElementById("disabilityType").value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
// Clear previous results
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Your estimated weekly benefit will appear here.';
// — Input Validation —
if (isNaN(basePeriodWages) || basePeriodWages < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid amount for Base Period Wages.';
return;
}
if (isNaN(benefitPeriod) || benefitPeriod maxWBA) {
wba = maxWBA;
} else if (estimatedWBA maxMBA) {
mba = maxMBA;
}
// Ensure MBA is not less than the WBA if benefit period is short
if (mba < wba) {
mba = wba;
}
// Display the results
var formattedWBA = wba.toLocaleString('en-US', { style: 'currency', currency: 'USD' });
var formattedMBA = mba.toLocaleString('en-US', { style: 'currency', currency: 'USD' });
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Estimated Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA): ' + formattedWBA + '' +
'Estimated Maximum Benefit Amount (MBA) for ' + benefitPeriod + ' weeks: ' + formattedMBA + '' +
'Note: This is an estimate. Official amounts determined by EDD.';
}