EDD weekly payment maximum - is $450 still the cap in 2025?

Yes, unfortunately California's maximum weekly benefit amount is still $450 in 2025. It hasn't been increased in years despite the high cost of living here. Your benefit amount is calculated based on your highest quarter of earnings during your base period (usually the 12-month period prior to filing your claim). Generally, you get approximately 50% of your weekly wages up to that $450 maximum. With your income of $72K, you'll likely qualify for the maximum $450/week since that's about $1,385/week before taxes.

yep still $450 max. sucks right? its been that way for like 20 years lol

The $450 is before taxes!!! Make sure you select to have taxes withheld when you certify or you'll end up owing a bunch at tax time. I didn't know this my first time on unemployment and got hit with a big tax bill. They take out 10% federal but nothing for state. Also remember you HAVE to certify every two weeks or you wont get paid even if you're approved!!!!

If you're having trouble making ends meet with the $450 maximum, you might want to look into other assistance programs that you can combine with unemployment. CalFresh (food stamps) doesn't count unemployment as income for qualification purposes, and you might qualify for reduced healthcare premiums through Covered California while unemployed. Also, be aware that after approving your claim, EDD will require you to complete work search activities and report them during your bi-weekly certification. Keep detailed records of all job applications and networking activities.

I was in your exact situation last year - laid off from a similar salary. The $450/week is definitely still the max, and yes, it's not much considering CA's cost of living. One thing to watch out for is getting through to EDD if you have any issues with your claim. I had a problem with my ID verification that put my payments on hold for weeks. After trying to call hundreds of times and never getting through, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep within 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Totally worth it when you're desperate to get your claim issues resolved.

Yes, the rep fixed my ID verification issue in about 10 minutes once I got through. The frustrating part was just reaching someone. The EDD phone system is completely overwhelmed. My payments started coming through normally within 3 days after that call.

Is anybody else FURIOUS that they haven't raised the $450 maximum since like 2006??? The average rent in California has more than doubled since then! How are people supposed to survive?

something to think about... if u work part time while on unemployment you can still get partial benefits. i worked 2 days a week at a coffee shop and still got partial unemployment, ended up making more than the $450 max. u just report earnings when u certify and they reduce ur benefit some but not dollar for dollar. might be worth looking into temp work while job hunting in ur field.

One other thing to keep in mind - California does periodically offer extension programs when unemployment is high, though none are active right now. Also, don't forget that your benefit year lasts for 12 months from when you file, but the maximum benefit amount is calculated by multiplying your weekly amount by 26 (so 26 weeks maximum of full benefits). If you find temporary work and then lose it within your benefit year, you can reopen your claim rather than filing a new one.