Disability insurance (SDI)
Who can claim California State Disability Insurance, how benefits are calculated, how long they last and what your doctor has to certify.
Statewide guides
California SDI and Paid Family Leave Calculator (2026)
Estimate your 2026 California disability (SDI) or Paid Family Leave weekly benefit from your quarterly wages, using EDD's 70% to 90% brackets and the $1,765 cap.
Disability insurance (SDI)California State Disability Insurance (SDI): Eligibility and Benefits
California SDI pays 70% to 90% of wages, $50 to $1,765 a week in 2026, for up to 52 weeks. Who qualifies, the waiting period and the 49-day deadline.
Disability insurance (SDI) at a glance
California State Disability Insurance (SDI) pays part of your wages when you can't work because of an illness, injury or pregnancy that isn't work-related. These guides cover who qualifies, how much SDI pays, how long it lasts and when to file. We're an independent guide, not the EDD, so always file your claim with EDD at edd.ca.gov.
| Item | Rule | Guide link |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly benefit | $50 to $1,765 a week for 2026 claims, about 70% to 90% of past wages | SDI benefit calculator |
| Maximum total and length | Up to $91,780 in total, paid for up to 52 weeks | SDI eligibility and benefits |
| Waiting period | Seven unpaid calendar days before benefits begin | SDI eligibility and benefits |
| Filing window | No earlier than nine days and no later than 49 days after your disability begins | SDI eligibility and benefits |
| Minimum wages | At least $300 in wages subject to SDI deductions in your base period | SDI eligibility and benefits |
Where to start
- If you need to check whether you qualify, understand the waiting period or file a claim, read California SDI eligibility and benefits.
- If you need to estimate your weekly SDI or Paid Family Leave amount from your quarterly wages, read the SDI and Paid Family Leave calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for California SDI?
You must be unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight days and have lost wages because of it. You also must have been working or actively looking for work when the disability began.
You need at least $300 in wages subject to SDI deductions in your base period. A licensed health professional must certify the disability.
How is my SDI weekly benefit calculated?
EDD uses your highest-paid quarter in the base period, which covers wages earned about 5 to 18 months before your claim starts. It divides that quarter by 13 to get your weekly wages.
SDI then pays about 70% to 90% of your weekly wages. Lower earners get the higher percentage. For 2026 claims, the range is $50 to $1,765 a week.
Does SDI protect my job?
No. SDI replaces part of your wages, but it doesn't protect your job by itself. Job protection can come from other laws, such as pregnancy disability leave, the federal FMLA or California's CFRA, depending on your employer and situation.