California SDI Benefit Estimator
Use this quick calculator to estimate your potential weekly and total California State Disability Insurance (SDI) benefit during leave.
What this CA SDI calculator helps you estimate
A California SDI calculator is useful when you are planning for a temporary disability leave and want a quick estimate of income replacement. This tool uses your annual wages, a selected replacement rate, and a weekly benefit cap to generate a practical planning number.
It gives you three key outputs:
- Estimated average weekly wage
- Estimated weekly SDI payment (after applying a benefit cap)
- Estimated total benefit over your leave period
How the estimate is calculated
This page uses a straightforward planning formula:
- Average weekly wage = annual wages / 52
- Raw weekly benefit = average weekly wage × replacement rate
- Estimated weekly SDI = the lower of raw weekly benefit or maximum weekly cap
- Total estimated benefit = weekly SDI × leave weeks
Because official EDD calculations can rely on base period wage records and eligibility standards, use this calculator as a planning guide rather than a final payment quote.
Quick example
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual wages | $78,000 |
| Replacement rate | 70% |
| Benefit cap | $1,681/week |
| Leave length | 8 weeks |
Average weekly wage would be approximately $1,500. At 70%, raw benefit is around $1,050/week. Since that is below the cap, estimated weekly SDI is $1,050 and estimated 8-week total is about $8,400.
SDI vs. Paid Family Leave (PFL)
People often search for a “CA SDI calculator” when they are also comparing Paid Family Leave. Both programs are connected to wage replacement planning, but they are not identical.
- SDI: generally covers your own non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy-related disability.
- PFL: generally covers time off to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child.
If you are planning leave, run a scenario for each timeline so your budget has realistic flexibility.
Budget planning tips for disability leave
1) Build around weekly cash flow
Even if you are paid monthly, SDI benefits are usually easiest to plan on a weekly basis. List recurring bills by week and compare them to your estimated weekly benefit.
2) Model conservative and optimistic outcomes
Try two projections in this calculator:
- A conservative replacement rate
- A higher replacement rate scenario
This creates a practical range and helps avoid overcommitting your budget.
3) Include timing buffers
Benefit timing can vary. Keep a small emergency buffer for the first few weeks so you are not forced to rely on high-interest debt while claims are processed.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official EDD calculator?
No. It is an independent planning calculator designed to help you estimate potential income replacement.
Why does the weekly cap matter?
Even if your wages are high, your benefit may not exceed the maximum weekly amount allowed for your claim period. That is why this calculator applies a cap input.
Can I use this for maternity leave planning?
Yes, for planning purposes. Many users estimate pregnancy disability leave cash flow with SDI-style replacement assumptions. Always verify details with official state guidance.
What if my income changed recently?
If your wages changed, your estimate may differ from what official records produce. In that case, test multiple wage inputs to create a realistic range.