California work and benefits guides
How California's EDD programs work, from your first unemployment claim to disability, family leave and the payroll taxes employers owe.
Topics in work and benefits
Unemployment insurance
Who qualifies, how much you get, how to apply, certify and appeal.
- Unemployment calculator
- Who qualifies
- How to file
- Benefit amount
Disability insurance (SDI)
State Disability Insurance for illness, injury and pregnancy.
- SDI and PFL calculator
- SDI eligibility and benefits
Paid Family Leave
Paid leave to bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill family member.
- Paid Family Leave guide
Employer payroll taxes
Registering with EDD, UI and ETT taxes, new-hire reports and quarterly filings.
- Payroll tax calculator
- Employer payroll taxes
California's EDD programs at a glance
The Employment Development Department runs the programs that replace wages when you can't work, and collects the payroll taxes that fund them.
| Program | Who it's for | 2026 weekly benefit | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Insurance (UI) | People out of work through no fault of their own | $40 to $450 | Up to 26 weeks |
| Disability Insurance (SDI) | People who can't work because of their own illness, injury or pregnancy | $50 to $1,765 | Up to 52 weeks |
| Paid Family Leave (PFL) | People bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member | $50 to $1,765 | Up to 8 weeks |
Workers fund disability and family leave through a 1.3% SDI deduction in 2026, with no wage cap. Employers fund unemployment through UI tax on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages.
Where to start
- Lost your job or hours? Check eligibility, estimate your benefit amount, then file your claim.
- Denied? You have 30 days to appeal.
- Too sick or injured to work? See State Disability Insurance.
- New baby or caring for family? See Paid Family Leave.
- Employer? See California payroll taxes.
- Got a suspicious text? Learn how to spot EDD scams.
We're not the EDD. We can't see or change your claim, and we never ask for your login or Social Security number. Apply and certify only on edd.ca.gov.
Frequently asked questions
What does the California EDD do?
The Employment Development Department runs Unemployment Insurance, State Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave, and it collects the payroll taxes that fund them. Each program has its own rules, amounts and deadlines, covered in the guides above.
What's the difference between unemployment, SDI and Paid Family Leave?
Unemployment is for people out of work through no fault of their own. SDI is for people who can't work because of their own illness, injury or pregnancy. Paid Family Leave is for bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. Start with the eligibility guide, the SDI guide or the Paid Family Leave guide.
Can I get unemployment and Paid Family Leave at the same time?
No. EDD says you can't receive both at the same time. If you quit to care for a family member, EDD says to apply for Paid Family Leave first, then apply for unemployment after your final PFL payment if you still qualify.
Who pays for EDD benefits?
Employers fund unemployment through UI tax on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages. Workers fund disability and Paid Family Leave through a 1.3% SDI deduction in 2026, with no wage cap. See California payroll taxes.
How do I know a text or website is really from EDD?
Check that any website ends in ca.gov, and that texts come from EDD's official short codes. EDD never asks for your password. Our guide to EDD scams lists the official numbers.