Disability Insurance (DI) offers short-term wage replacement for eligible California workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. But How Much Would I Get On Disability? Let’s break down the factors influencing your potential benefit amount.
Understanding Your Potential Disability Insurance Benefit
The maximum duration for receiving DI benefits is 52 weeks for your own qualifying condition, certified by a physician or practitioner. The amount you receive each week, known as your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), is based on your past earnings.
Calculating Your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)
Your WBA is an estimated 70–90% of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your claim start date (the date your disability began), up to a maximum WBA. This calculation uses a “base period” to determine your earnings. You must have contributed to State Disability Insurance (CASDI), typically seen on your paystub, during this base period and meet other eligibility requirements to qualify.
Determining Your Base Period
To accurately estimate how much would I get on disability, first identify your base period:
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Confirm Your Claim Start Date: This is the date your disability began. It’s crucial to confirm this date as it determines your base period. You cannot change this date after filing. Call 1-800-480-3287 if you’re unsure before filing.
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Find Your Base Period: Your benefit amount hinges on the quarter with your highest wages within the base period. This period spans 12 months, divided into four consecutive quarters, including wages subject to SDI tax paid roughly 5 to 18 months before your claim began. Importantly, it doesn’t include wages paid when your disability starts. You need at least $300 in wages within this base period to have a valid DI claim.
Here’s how to determine your base period, based on when your claim begins:
- January, February, or March: Base period is the 12 months ending last September 30.
- Example: Claim starting February 14, 2025, uses October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024.
- April, May, or June: Base period is the 12 months ending last December 31.
- Example: Claim starting June 20, 2025, uses January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
- July, August, or September: Base period is the 12 months ending last March 31.
- Example: Claim starting September 27, 2025, uses April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025.
- October, November, or December: Base period is the 12 months ending last June 30.
- Example: Claim starting November 2, 2025, uses July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
To get a general idea, use the online calculator. Keep in mind this is just an estimate, and your actual WBA will be finalized upon claim approval.
Understanding the Weekly Benefit Amount Calculation
This table illustrates how your highest quarterly earnings translate into your approximate weekly benefit amount:
| Annual Income (12 months) | Highest 3-Month (Quarterly) Earnings | Weekly Benefit Amount (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $1,199.96 | Less than $300 | Not eligible |
| $1,200 to $2,889.96 | $300 to $722.49 | $50 |
| $2,890 to $62,025.60 | $722.50 to $15,506.40 | 90% of weekly wages |
| $62,025.64 to $79,747.20 | $15,506.41 to $19,936.80 | $1,074 |
| More than $79,747.20 | $19,936.81 or more | 70% of weekly wages up to a $1,681 maximum |
Factors Affecting Your Disability Payment Amounts
Several factors can reduce your disability benefits:
- Benefit Overpayment: If you have outstanding overpayments from previous Unemployment Insurance, Paid Family Leave, or DI claims, your current benefits may be reduced.
- Child or Spousal Support: Late court-ordered child or spousal support payments can impact your benefit amount.
- Part-Time Work: Working part-time while receiving disability benefits can affect your WBA.
Disability Payment Amounts and Part-Time Work
You might still be eligible for benefits even if you’re working part-time during your disability. However, if your combined part-time wages and benefits exceed your regular weekly wages, your WBA may be reduced.
Here are examples:
Example 1: Reduced WBA
- Regular wages: $1,000 per week
- Part-time wages: $500 per week
- Estimated WBA: $600
Calculation: $500 (part-time wages) + $600 (WBA) = $1,100. This exceeds regular wages by $100. You’d receive a partial WBA of $500 ($600 – $100).
Example 2: Full WBA
- Regular wages: $1,000 per week
- Part-time wages: $300 per week
- Estimated WBA: $600
Calculation: $300 (part-time wages) + $600 (WBA) = $900. This doesn’t exceed regular wages. You’d receive the full WBA of $600.
Remember to report all income to avoid overpayment issues and penalties.
Special Base Period Considerations
You can request a special base period if your regular base period was negatively affected by:
- Military service
- Industrial disability
- Trade dispute
- Long-term unemployment
Contact DI at 1-800-480-3287 if:
- You lack sufficient base period wages. A later start date might help.
- You lack sufficient wages but actively sought work for 60+ days in any base period quarter. You might substitute wages from other quarters.
- You served in the military, received workers’ compensation, or experienced a labor dispute during your base period.
Understanding How Much You Could Get on Disability
“How much would I get on disability?” depends on a variety of factors, including your earnings history, any part-time work, and other specific circumstances. By understanding the base period calculation and potential deductions, you can get a clearer picture of your potential benefits.
Additional Resources
For further information, consult these resources:
