How long benefits last
Your maximum award is 26 times your weekly benefit amount,
California Unemployment Benefits 2026
What California unemployment insurance pays each week, how the Employment Development Department (EDD) works out your benefit, how long it lasts, how it is taxed, and where to apply.
California unemployment at a glance
| Maximum weekly benefit | $450 |
|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $40 |
| Maximum duration | Up to 26 weeks |
| Waiting week | Yes, one unpaid week |
| Federal income tax | Taxable |
| California income tax | Not taxed |
How the weekly benefit is calculated
EDD looks up your weekly benefit in its Unemployment Insurance Benefit Table from the wages paid in the highest-earning quarter of your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). The table runs from $40 to $450 a week.
The unemployment benefits calculator applies California's rules to your own wages: choose California in it.
Waiting week
You serve a one-week unpaid waiting period before EDD pays anything. It only counts if you certify for that week and meet every eligibility requirement for it.
Is California unemployment taxable?
State: California does not tax unemployment compensation: the Franchise Tax Board treats it as nontaxable for state purposes, and you subtract it on Schedule CA (540).
Federal: Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
Federal tax is withheld only if you ask for it, so a year of benefits can leave a tax bill: the quarterly estimated tax calculator shows what to set aside.
How to apply
File your claim with the Employment Development Department (EDD). The notice it sends you with your weekly benefit amount is the official figure for your claim.
Apply with EDD →Frequently asked questions
How much does California unemployment pay per week?
California pays between $40 and $450 a week. EDD looks up your weekly benefit in its Unemployment Insurance Benefit Table from the wages paid in the highest-earning quarter of your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). The table runs from $40 to $450 a week.
How long can you collect unemployment in California?
Your maximum award is 26 times your weekly benefit amount,
Does California have a waiting week for unemployment?
You serve a one-week unpaid waiting period before EDD pays anything. It only counts if you certify for that week and meet every eligibility requirement for it.
Is unemployment taxable in California?
California does not tax unemployment compensation: the Franchise Tax Board treats it as nontaxable for state purposes, and you subtract it on Schedule CA (540). Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
How do I apply for unemployment in California?
Apply with the Employment Development Department (EDD), the agency that decides your claim and pays benefits. Its notice of your benefit amount is the official figure.
Unemployment benefits in other states
Texas Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Florida Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
New York Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Illinois Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Ohio Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Georgia Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
North Carolina Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Michigan Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
New Jersey Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Washington Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Sources
Related Calculators
Unemployment Benefits Calculator
Estimate weekly UI benefits for CA, TX, NY, FL, OH — plus a PA reference
Severance Tax Calculator
Supplemental wage withholding, FICA, state tax on separation pay
Quarterly Estimated Tax
Four installments (4/15, 6/15, 9/15, 1/15), safe harbor 90%/100%
State Income Tax
All 50-state brackets, credits, deductions for your filing status