State Disability Insurance Calculator
Your Estimated Benefits
What Is State Disability Insurance (SDI)?
State Disability Insurance is a short-term wage replacement program. It pays partial income if you cannot work due to:
- Non-work related injury
- Illness
- Pregnancy disability
- General disability
Only a few U.S. states offer mandatory SDI programs. These include:
- California
- New York
- New Jersey
- Hawaii
- Rhode Island
- Puerto Rico
Each state sets its own rules for:
- Income replacement rate
- Maximum weekly benefit
- Minimum weekly benefit
- Maximum benefit duration
- Waiting period
That is why a State Disability Insurance calculator is useful. It applies the correct state rules automatically.
What Does the State Disability Insurance Calculator Do?
The calculator estimates:
- Weekly Benefit Amount
- Total Benefit Amount
- Income Replacement Rate
- Waiting Period
- Maximum Benefit Duration
It uses a formula based on your:
- State
- Annual income
- Claim type
- Expected number of weeks off work
The result gives you a close estimate of what you might receive. It is not an official determination, but it gives you a realistic financial picture.
States Covered in the Calculator
Here is a breakdown of how benefit rates differ by state.
California
- Replaces about 70% of weekly income
- Maximum weekly benefit: $1,667.40
- Maximum duration: 52 weeks
- Waiting period: 7 days
California generally offers one of the highest maximum weekly benefit amounts.
New York
- Replaces about 50% of weekly income
- Maximum weekly benefit: $1,080
- Maximum duration: 26 weeks
- Waiting period: 7 days
New York has a lower replacement rate compared to California.
New Jersey
- Replaces about 66.7% of weekly income
- Maximum weekly benefit: $1,001
- Maximum duration: 26 weeks
- Waiting period: 7 days
New Jersey offers a strong income replacement percentage.
Hawaii
- Replaces about 58% of weekly income
- Maximum weekly benefit: $948
- Maximum duration: 26 weeks
- Waiting period: 7 days
Rhode Island
- Replaces about 60% of weekly income
- Maximum weekly benefit: $972
- Maximum duration: 30 weeks
- Waiting period: 7 days
Puerto Rico
- Replaces about 60% of weekly income
- Maximum weekly benefit: $200
- Maximum duration: 52 weeks
- Waiting period: 7 days
How the State Disability Insurance Calculator Works
The calculator follows a clear formula.
Step 1: Convert Annual Income to Weekly Income
Weekly Income = Annual Income ÷ 52
If you earn $60,000 per year:
$60,000 ÷ 52 = $1,153.85 per week
Step 2: Apply the State Replacement Rate
Example for California at 70%:
$1,153.85 × 0.70 = $807.70
Step 3: Apply State Minimum and Maximum Limits
Each state sets:
- A minimum weekly benefit
- A maximum weekly benefit
If your calculated amount is higher than the maximum, the calculator caps it.
If it is lower than the minimum, it raises it to the minimum allowed.
Step 4: Adjust for Benefit Duration
Each state limits how long benefits can last.
For example:
- If you request 40 weeks
- But the state maximum is 26 weeks
The calculator automatically limits payment to 26 weeks.
Step 5: Calculate Total Benefit Amount
Total Benefit = Weekly Benefit × Approved Weeks
Step 6: Show Income Replacement Rate
This shows what percentage of your weekly income you will receive.
Example Calculation
Let’s say:
- State: New Jersey
- Annual income: $75,000
- Expected duration: 10 weeks
Step 1:
$75,000 ÷ 52 = $1,442.31 weekly income
Step 2:
$1,442.31 × 66.7% ≈ $961.02
Step 3:
New Jersey max weekly benefit is $1,001
Since $961.02 is under the cap, it stays the same
Step 4:
10 weeks is below the 26-week maximum
Step 5:
$961.02 × 10 = $9,610.20 total estimated benefit
That gives a realistic estimate of what you might receive.
Why a State Disability Insurance Calculator Is Helpful
When you are facing a medical issue, financial uncertainty makes things worse.
This calculator helps you:
- Plan your monthly budget
- Understand income gaps
- Estimate how long benefits will last
- Decide whether you need additional savings
It turns complicated state rules into clear numbers.
Important Factors That Affect Your Benefits
Even though the calculator is accurate for estimates, actual benefits may vary based on:
- Your earnings history
- Base period calculations
- Employer reporting
- State agency review
- Eligibility requirements
Some states calculate benefits using your highest earning quarter rather than simple annual income. That can slightly change results.
Waiting Period Explained
All listed states include a 7-day unpaid waiting period.
This means:
- You do not receive benefits for the first 7 days of disability
- Payments begin after that period
If your disability lasts only a few days, you may not receive payment.
Claim Types in the Calculator
The calculator includes:
- Disability Insurance
- Pregnancy Disability
- Non-work related Injury
- Illness
In this model, all claim types use the same rate multiplier. However, actual state programs may apply specific rules for pregnancy or medical certifications.
How to Use the Calculator Correctly
To get the most accurate estimate:
- Enter your true gross annual income
- Select the correct state
- Estimate realistic time off work
- Double-check benefit duration limits
If unsure about duration, enter a conservative estimate first.
Limitations of a State Disability Insurance Calculator
The calculator:
- Does not guarantee approval
- Does not account for tax withholding
- Does not replace official state determinations
- Does not calculate long-term disability benefits
It provides estimates only.
When Should You Use an SDI Calculator?
Use it when:
- You are planning maternity leave
- You are preparing for surgery
- You have a diagnosed illness
- You are budgeting during recovery
The earlier you estimate your benefits, the better you can plan.