Is the $450 weekly EDD maximum benefit EVER going to increase? Surviving in 2025 seems impossible

Welcome to the wonderful world of California unemployment! The $450 cap has been around FOREVER and it's absolutely ridiculous. I went through this last year and was shocked too. The system is completely broken and they don't care. You basically have to burn through your savings or rack up credit card debt until you find something new. Good luck getting through to anyone at EDD to even discuss it...their phone lines are always jammed.

There was actually a bill (AB 1596) introduced last year that would have increased the maximum weekly benefit to $750, but it didn't pass. The reality is that UI benefits in California haven't been adjusted for inflation since 2005, when the maximum was raised from $410 to $450. Your best bet is to: 1. Make sure you're accurately reporting all wages from your base period so you get the maximum benefit you're entitled to 2. Continue certifying on time every two weeks 3. Meet all work search requirements (save documentation of your job applications) 4. Look into other assistance programs you might qualify for (CalFresh, rental assistance, etc.) Unfortunately, until new legislation passes, we're stuck with the $450 maximum.

Ur not the only 1... been on UI since December and its a joke. My old job paid $30/hr and now EDD thinks $450/week is enough LOL. my car payment alone is $380!! Who TF can live on this???

The $450 maximum benefit is definitely outdated. For context, it's calculated as 1/26th of your highest quarterly earnings during your base period, up to the maximum. Some states like Massachusetts have maximums over $800/week, while others are even lower than California. I work with unemployment claims regularly, and there are a few things to know: 1. UI is designed as temporary partial wage replacement, not full income replacement 2. The maximum benefit amount requires legislative action to change 3. There are occasional proposals to tie the maximum to inflation or state median wages, but nothing has passed You might consider writing to your state representatives. There's more political will to address this now than in previous years.

I went through this last year. Had the same shock when I saw my benefit amount. Honestly, the whole system is designed to push you to take any job fast, not to actually help you survive. My advice? Network like crazy and take contract work if you can find it while job hunting.

OMG I was JUST talking about this with my partner yesterday!!! The $450 cap is a JOKE in 2025. I read somewhere that if it had kept up with inflation, it would be closer to $650-700 now. And don't even get me started on trying to call EDD with questions - I spent THREE DAYS trying to get through before giving up.

While the $450 maximum is frustrating, there are some important things to understand about how UI was designed: 1. UI benefits are funded by employer taxes, not state general funds 2. Increasing the maximum would require increasing the taxable wage base for employers 3. There's significant business lobby opposition to any increases That said, several states have modernized their systems in recent years. Washington's maximum is over $900, and Massachusetts is over $800. California is overdue for reform, but it will take coordinated advocacy efforts to make it happen. In the meantime, make sure you're meeting all certification requirements so you don't lose what benefits you do qualify for.

Update: I called my state assembly member's office today and they actually had someone who specializes in EDD issues! She said they've been getting a lot of calls about the maximum benefit amount lately and there is some discussion about introducing legislation again. She suggested everyone affected should call their representatives to keep pressure on this issue. Sharing in case others want to do the same.

When I was on UI last year, I started doing side gigs that I could report properly on my certification. Instacart, Uber, etc. It reduced my weekly benefit a bit but helped bridge the gap. Just make sure you report ALL earnings or you could end up with an overpayment notice later.

This is why I ended up leaving California altogether. Couldn't afford to stay during unemployment with that pathetic benefit amount. Moved to Washington state where the max benefit is way higher AND the cost of living is lower. Not saying everyone can do that, but it worked for me.