{
  "slug": "unemployment-calculator-california",
  "title": "California Unemployment Benefits Calculator",
  "heading": "California Unemployment Weekly Benefit Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/unemployment-calculator-california",
  "summary": "Estimates your weekly unemployment benefit amount in California.",
  "description": "Estimates a weekly unemployment benefit amount (WBA) in California using an approximation of the state's real method: highest quarter of the base period ÷ 25 (roughly), then clamps the result between the state's statutory minimum and maximum (both editable here since these dollar figures are updated periodically by the state workforce agency). This is an estimate only, not legal advice — actual awards depend on the specific court, county guideline worksheets, and judicial discretion, and a judge may deviate from the guideline for good cause.",
  "formula": "Estimated WBA = clamp(highest-quarter wages ÷ 25, state minimum, state maximum) — approximating California's method: highest quarter of the base period ÷ 25 (roughly).",
  "dateModified": "2026-01-15",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=unemployment-calculator-california",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "highestQuarterWages",
      "label": "Highest-earning quarter wages in your base period",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 12000,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "min",
      "label": "State minimum weekly benefit (editable)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 40,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "max",
      "label": "State maximum weekly benefit (editable)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 450,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "wba",
      "label": "Estimated weekly benefit amount",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "raw",
      "label": "Unclamped calculation",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "annualMax",
      "label": "Approx. total if paid 26 weeks",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Highest-earning quarter wages in your base period: 12000 $",
      "State minimum weekly benefit (editable): 40 $",
      "State maximum weekly benefit (editable): 450 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Estimated weekly benefit amount: $450",
      "Unclamped calculation: $480",
      "Approx. total if paid 26 weeks: $11,700"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter highest-earning quarter wages in your base period ($).",
      "Enter state minimum weekly benefit (editable) ($).",
      "Enter state maximum weekly benefit (editable) ($).",
      "Read your estimated weekly benefit amount on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "highestQuarterWages": 7200,
        "min": 24,
        "max": 270
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "highestQuarterWages": 12000,
        "min": 40,
        "max": 450
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "highestQuarterWages": 19200,
        "min": 64,
        "max": 720
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How is the California unemployment weekly benefit calculated?",
      "a": "California uses highest quarter of the base period ÷ 25 (roughly), then applies the statutory minimum and maximum weekly benefit amounts."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is California's maximum unemployment weekly benefit?",
      "a": "California's EDD sets the weekly benefit amount from a table based on highest-quarter earnings in the base period, capped at a statutory maximum (editable here) that is unchanged since 2005 unless the legislature updates it."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does this include a dependent allowance?",
      "a": "Not unless noted above — several states (including Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) add a flat or percentage dependent allowance on top of the base weekly benefit, which this simplified estimate does not model."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this the official benefit amount?",
      "a": "No — California's workforce agency calculates your actual WBA from verified wage records; this tool gives a planning estimate only."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/child-support-calculator-california"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — California Unemployment Benefits Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/unemployment-calculator-california)"
}