California regular unemployment insurance pays eligible workers a weekly benefit based on prior wages. For 2026, EDD materials list a minimum weekly benefit of $40 and a maximum of $450, with a regular claim paying no more than 26 times the weekly benefit amount or half of base-period earnings, whichever is less. Approval still depends on the reason work ended and weekly eligibility requirements.
Information checked: September 10, 2026.
Basic eligibility
Unemployment insurance generally covers a person who lost work or had hours reduced through no fault of their own, earned enough wages in the base period, is able and available for suitable work, and meets work-search requirements. A quit or discharge does not automatically decide the case; EDD gathers facts and applies California law.
How the weekly amount is set
EDD uses wages reported in the standard base period and may consider an alternate base period when standard-period wages are insufficient. The 2026 regular UI range is $40 to $450 per week. The notice of award shows wages and the weekly amount; compare it with pay records and report missing wages through the stated process.
Certify every two weeks
Certification asks whether you were able and available, looked for work when required, refused work, attended school, worked, or received other pay. Answer for each week separately. Report gross wages in the week earned, not merely when the paycheck arrives. Late or inconsistent answers can delay payment and create an overpayment issue.
Working part time
Part-time earnings can reduce a payment without necessarily ending the claim. EDD's current examples explain that when weekly earnings are $100 or less, the first $25 is disregarded; when earnings exceed $100, the first 25% is disregarded and the remainder is subtracted from the weekly benefit amount. Report all hours and earnings and let EDD make the calculation.
If EDD denies or overpays
Read the determination for the issue and appeal deadline. Preserve schedules, termination messages, medical releases, job-search logs and wage records relevant to the dispute. Continue certifying while an appeal is pending if the instructions permit, because unpaid eligible weeks can otherwise be missing from the record.
Frequently asked questions
Is every California claimant paid $450?
No. $450 is the 2026 maximum; prior wages determine the individual weekly amount.
How often do I certify?
EDD generally requires certification every two weeks.
Do I report a part-time shift before receiving the paycheck?
Report wages for the week they were earned under EDD's instructions, even if payment arrives later.
Summary
File promptly after becoming unemployed or having hours reduced, report all work and gross wages, and certify every two weeks. The $450 figure is a maximum, not a guaranteed payment, and EDD determines the actual amount from the claim's base period. Rules, funding and deadlines can change, so use the official links below before acting.