What is the max for unemployment in California EDD?

Wait so $450 is actually the max and my coworker was wrong about it being higher? That's kind of disappointing honestly, I was hoping for more. Is $450 definitely the 2025 number?

yep $450 is still the cap, hasnt changed in a while actually. california EDD is pretty stingy with the max compared to cost of living here lol

This is correct. The $450 weekly maximum has been in place for several years now and hasn't been adjusted for 2025. For context your base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed, and EDD uses that to calculate your WBA (weekly benefit amount). At $28/hr full time you'd definitely hit the $450 ceiling.

Oh that actually makes sense! He probably heard the total amount and thought it was weekly. That clears up a lot of confusion thank you.

this happened to me too I was so confused reading my award notice the first time. theres like 3 different dollar amounts on there and its not super clear which is which

I'll check out that video, thanks. Did they actually explain the calculation to you or just confirm the number?

I've been trying to reach EDD for 3 days about a completely different issue and can't get through either. Might try this claimyr thing

does claimyr actually work? sounds too good to be true when edd phones are basically impossible

preach. $450 in LA or SF is nothing. groceries and gas alone...

The frustration is valid and this is actually a long-running policy debate in California. There have been multiple legislative efforts to raise the maximum WBA but it keeps stalling. Some neighboring states have higher caps adjusted to wages. For now though $450 is what it is and OP at least knows they're getting the full amount.

Yeah it's not a lot but it's something while I'm applying for jobs at least. Better than nothing I guess.

This breakdown is super helpful, thank you! So basically anyone earning over a certain amount just automatically hits the max and there's nothing to dispute?

Exactly right. Once your wages put you above the threshold you're just capped. The threshold to hit max WBA is relatively low in California given how high wages are here in many sectors.

great explanation. I wish I had seen something like this when I first filed, spent way too long confused about the same stuff

Good question to clarify! The $450 is your weekly benefit amount (WBA). California EDD has you certify every two weeks through UI Online or their phone system, but each week is counted and paid separately. So if you certify for a two-week period and were eligible both weeks you'd receive $900 total (2 x $450). The weekly amount is $450, the bi-weekly payment would be $900 - that might actually be where your coworker's higher number came from OP!

OH WAIT. That might literally be exactly what he meant. He gets $900 every time he certifies because it's two weeks at once. Mystery solved lol

ohhhh ok that makes way more sense. so the $450 is per week but you get paid in two week chunks. got it thanks

Good to know that option exists even if it might not change anything in my situation. Did you have to call them to start the redetermination or can you do it online?

I submitted mine through Ask EDD online messaging and also mailed a letter just to be safe. I'd recommend doing both. It took about 3 weeks for them to actually respond even though the stated timeframe is 30 days.

Adding to this - if you can't get through on the phone to ask about redetermination timelines, Claimyr helped me reach an agent quickly when I had a similar question about my claim. claimyr.com if you need it

No, those federal pandemic supplements (FPUC) ended back in 2021. The current max is just the regular California EDD maximum of $450/week with no federal additions. The $600 and then $300 weekly supplements were COVID-era programs that are completely gone now. Current regular UI in California tops out at $450 period.

figured but worth asking. back to $450 it is

yeah those days are long gone unfortunately

Interesting, I didn't realize the timing of when you file could matter. Mine should be fine since I was full time the whole year before getting laid off.

This is a valid technical point. The base period matters and in rare cases people who had gaps in employment or started a job mid-year might find their base period wages don't fully reflect their typical income. But as noted for consistent full-time employment at that wage rate it won't make a difference.

Glad it's helpful! This forum has saved me so much confusion honestly.

same, I always end up on threads like this when I have EDD questions because actually getting answers from EDD directly is nearly impossible

47 times is insane but honestly sounds about right. I've had mornings like that too

the phone situation at EDD has been broken for years and they don't seem to care. ill check out that claimyr link

wait 47 calls in one morning?? how do people have time for that while also applying for jobs

This is a great summary, thank you everyone! Going to stop worrying about the calculation and focus on the job search. Really appreciate all the responses.

Good luck with the job search! Make sure you're tracking your job search activities - California EDD requires you to document at least one employer contact per week (though they recommend more) and have that available if they ever do an audit of your job search. Don't let that requirement slip while you're settling in to the claim.

Oh good reminder! I set up my CalJOBS account but I need to make sure I'm logging contacts properly. Thanks for the heads up.

I did set up direct deposit so that's good to know. Did yours always arrive on time or were there delays?

mostly on time, had one weird week where it was a day late but otherwise pretty consistent

Great point. The alternate base period uses the four most recently completed calendar quarters instead of the standard base period. EDD is supposed to automatically apply whichever gives you the higher WBA but it doesn't hurt to verify this with an agent, especially if you changed jobs or had a big raise in the last year or two.

I had no idea alternate base period was a thing. wish someone had told me this when I filed

I actually did get mine adjusted slightly through the redetermination process I mentioned earlier. It was only a small increase and I still hit the cap but yes it can technically work if there was a genuine error in how your wages were reported.

Getting through to an agent is really the key to all of this honestly. Once you actually have someone on the line they can pull up your specific claim and tell you exactly what's happening. I've had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) when I couldn't get through by calling directly - saved me days of frustration

ok I'll try that claimyr thing. been putting off dealing with my own EDD issue because I dread the phone situation

This is accurate. The earnings disregard for California UI is $25 or 25% of your weekly benefit amount, whichever is higher. So at $450/week you'd have about $112.50 disregarded before your benefit starts getting reduced. Any earnings above that get deducted dollar for dollar from your weekly benefit. Important to report ALL earnings honestly when certifying though - failing to report can result in an overpayment determination.

Definitely planning to report everything accurately. Not worth the headache of an overpayment situation on top of everything else.

the earnings reporting thing confused me when i first started certifying. glad this was explained

Agreed, there's a lot of good practical info here. The short version: $450/week is the current California EDD maximum, full-time workers at reasonable wages will hit it, and total claim is 26 weeks max under regular UI.

bookmarked. going to send this to like 4 people I know who just filed or are about to file