California Temporary Disability Calculator 2026
Estimate your weekly temporary total disability payment using your injury date and average weekly earnings. The calculation applies the official California minimum and maximum rate for the selected year.
Estimate your California TTD rate
How the California temporary disability calculation works
California temporary disability benefits generally replace two-thirds of gross wages lost while an eligible worker is recovering. The weekly result is subject to the minimum and maximum associated with the date of injury. For a 2026 injury, the official weekly minimum is $264.61 and the maximum is $1,764.11.
The calculator first totals the weekly wage figures you enter. It then calculates two-thirds, rounds to cents, and applies the selected year’s official bounds. The result is an educational estimate, not an eligibility decision or payment notice.
California TTD minimum and maximum rates
| Date of injury | AWW below this amount | Minimum weekly TTD | Maximum weekly TTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 onward | Below $396.92 | $264.61 | $1,764.11 |
| January 1–December 31, 2025 | Below $378.05 | $252.03 | $1,680.29 |
| January 1–December 31, 2024 | Below $364.29 | $242.86 | $1,619.15 |
| January 1–December 31, 2023 | Below $364.29 | $242.86 | $1,619.15 |
| January 1–December 31, 2022 | Below $346.42 | $230.95 | $1,539.71 |
| January 1–December 31, 2021 | Below $305.16 | $203.44 | $1,356.31 |
The date of injury generally controls the applicable limits. Special statutory adjustments can apply in circumstances not modeled here.
What should be included in average weekly earnings?
California DWC tells workers to report all forms of work income, including wages, food, lodging, tips, commissions, overtime, bonuses, and earnings from other jobs held at the time of injury. The correct legal method depends on how the worker was employed and paid.
- Regular gross wages before taxes
- Average overtime and other recurring premium pay
- Tips, commissions, and bonuses
- Value of food, lodging, or similar compensation
- Qualifying earnings from concurrent jobs
Calculation examples for 2026 injuries
$1,200 weekly earnings
Two-thirds of $1,200 is $800.00 per week. Neither limit changes the result.
$350 weekly earnings
Two-thirds is below the 2026 statutory minimum, so the estimate is $264.61 per week.
$3,000 weekly earnings
Two-thirds is $2,000, so the estimate is capped at $1,764.11 per week.
When temporary disability payments may begin and end
California DWC states that temporary disability payments begin when a doctor says the worker cannot do the usual job for more than three days, or when the worker is hospitalized overnight. Payments are generally issued every two weeks. They usually stop when the worker returns to work, is released for work, or reaches the point where the doctor says the condition has improved as much as it is going to.
For most injuries on or after January 1, 2008, temporary disability payments are limited to 104 weeks within five years from the injury date. Certain specified long-term injuries may qualify for up to 240 weeks within five years. This calculator estimates a weekly rate only. Count one continuous period separately with the California Temporary Disability Duration Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a California workers’ comp settlement calculator?
No. It estimates a temporary total disability weekly rate. A settlement can involve permanent disability, future medical care, liens, credits, disputes, and other case-specific factors.
Does the calculator determine whether I qualify?
No. Eligibility depends on an accepted or adjudicated work injury, medical work restrictions, wage loss, and claim-specific facts. The tool assumes TTD eligibility only to estimate the possible weekly amount.
Are California temporary disability benefits taxable?
California DWC states that TD benefits are not subject to federal, state, or local income tax, Social Security tax, union dues, or retirement-fund contributions.
Why might the insurer calculate a different AWW?
The insurer may use wage records, a different averaging period, evidence from concurrent jobs, or one of the statutory earning-capacity methods. Irregular work and disputed wage evidence often require individual review.
Does the tool calculate temporary partial disability?
No. Temporary partial disability compares pre-injury earnings with probable earning capacity during disability. Use the California Temporary Partial Disability Calculator.
Official sources
- California DWC workers’ compensation benefits chart — injury-year AWW ranges and weekly TD rates.
- California DWC 2026 TTD rate announcement — 2026 minimum, maximum, and SAWW adjustment.
- California DWC temporary disability overview — wage components, payment timing, and general operation.
- California Labor Code section 4453 — statutory limits and AWW methods.
Method last reviewed: August 25, 2026. Report a possible rate or formula issue through the contact page. For the broader claim process, read the California Workers’ Compensation Guide. For the broader claim process, read the California Workers’ Compensation Guide, or compare annual limits in the California Benefits Chart.