California Unemployment Benefits
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Are you physically able to work? 
Are you willing to actively look for a job?
Did your employer pay unemployment taxes ("Covered Employment")?
Did you earn at least $1125 in the base period in California? Base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you are filing today, base period is Jan 2012 - Mar 2012 to Oct 2012 - Dec 2012
 How did you lose your job? 
Did you quit your last job due to unsafe working conditions, not being paid, discrimination and / or health and safety risks?
Were you fired for no fault of your own?
Were you laid off for no fault of your own?
Apply Online:
Applying online is the easiest and fastest way to claim benefits. Check for more specific details such as timings and requirements to claim benefits in your state. 
CALL: 1-866-333-4606 which is the self service number. The Spanish line is available at 1-866-333-4606.
To reach a customer service live person, dial 1-800-300-5616. This line answers your questions about Filing Claims, getting information and any general inquiries. Deaf and hard of hearing callers to contact CA unemployment office by using 1-800-815-9387, the TTY toll-free number. This will put you in direct contact with an EDD customer service representative who can provide you with unemployment insurance services.
Visit UC Center:
You can’t seem to find assistance on call? No worries. Visit one of the UC center and let the specialist help you out. Please note that wait times can be longer but assistance is guaranteed. you are not eligible | |||||||||
What is the Eligibility Criteria in California?There are some basic rules for eligibility. Even if you meet some of these rules partially, you should still apply for unemployment because state offices make a reasonable attempt to process your claim, as long as you provide a good justification. To learn more check unemployment eligibility article A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. Claim your benefits
How to File Your Initial Claim in California?Information needed is as follows: If You Are Not a United States Citizen You must give verification that you were legally eligible to work in your state and that you are presently eligible to begin a new job. How to File Your Weekly Claim?After you file your application for unemployment benefits, you must start filing your weekly claims. You require filing each week, even though you are: You can file your weekly claim: File every week that you want to claim benefits and keep on filing until you go back to work, run out of benefits or stop seeking work. You should claim at least one week before we can make a decision on your eligibility. How to Claim for an Extension?If you are presently filing weekly claims for unemployment benefits; carry on filing your weekly claim if you are jobless or working reduced hours. You will be informed by mail of your eligibility for the added benefits. In case you have been filing weekly claims and are still laid off or working reduced hours, you will have to file an application for these extra benefits online or by telephone. You will be alerted by mail of your eligibility for the additional benefits. To be eligible for EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits you must: To be eligible for EB benefits you must: View all questions California Unemployment QuestionsHow are UI benefits calculated? Benefits are calculated using an individual’s earnings during a specific 12 month period (this is called a base period). The base period begins approximately 15-17 months prior to the date the claim is filed. The amount paid each week is calculated based on the calendar quarter with the highest earnings during the base period. What if I lost my job and cannot work because of the disaster or emergency? If you are unemployed due to a disaster or emergency, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. When you file your UI claim, you must explain that you were unemployed as a result of a disaster or emergency. UI claims can be filed online, by telephone, by mail, or by fax. Find information about filing a UI claim or call EDD at one of the numbers listed below in the Disaster Unemployment Assistance section. Individuals with current claims for benefits, who are unable to receive their Unemployment Insurance payments at their home due to the disaster or emergency, should contact their local post office. What if I am sick or injured, and cannot work? An individual who files for UI benefits must be physically able to work, available for work, ready and willing to immediately accept work, and meet all other eligibility requirements before UI benefits can be paid. An individual who is not eligible for UI benefits because they are sick or injured, can file a claim for California’s State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. SDI provides short-term benefits to an eligible individual who suffers loss of wages because he/she is unable to work due to a non-work related illness or injury, or due to pregnancy or childbirth. SDI benefits can be paid only after an individual meets all of the basic eligibility requirements. How does vacation pay or holiday pay affect my eligibility to receive unemployment insurance benefits? Vacation pay or holiday may be deducted from your benefits. It will depend on whether or not you have been given a definite date to return to work at the time you were placed on layoff status: If you are not given a definite date to return to work, any vacation pay or holiday pay paid to you when your job ends is not deducted from your weekly benefit amount. If you are given a definite date to return to work, any vacation or holiday pay for the period of the temporary layoff is deductible from your benefits. The Department will allocate vacation and holiday pay as follows: - Vacation pay will be allocated to the number of days you requested vacation or to the number of days your employer required you to use as vacation during the temporary layoff. - Holiday pay that is paid before you return to work will be allocated to the week(s) in which the holiday(s) fall. Holiday pay that is paid after you return to work will be allocated to the week that you return to work. File unemployment extension in CAOnce you have exhausted your entitlement to your regular UI claim, you may be eligible to file the first extension. If you are eligible to file the first extension, the Department will automatically file the first extension and send you an additional Continued Claim Form, DE 4581. No action is required on your part.Do I need to reapply for the second extension? Once you have collected all benefits payable on your first extension, you may be eligible to file the second extension. If you are eligible to file the second extension, the Department will automatically file the second extension and send you an additional Continued Claim Form, DE 4581. No action is required on your part.
How Benefits are calculated?To calculate your weekly benefits amount click here The minimum benefits amount in California is $40. The maximum benefits amount in California is $450 A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. To learn more Unemployment benefits article |
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[...] can refer unemployment benefits in California for more details on unemployment benefits in the [...]
If you are currently receiving benefits in one state and you move to another, you still receive benefits from the original state. You receive benefits from the state in which you worked for the past 18 months. All you have to do is provide your new address to your “original” state of residence and they will mark you as an interstate payee. You then continue to file your weekly certification as normal. You will receive the exact same amount of benefits, it does not change. You are required to seek employment in the new state you moved to. It’s that simple.
[...] claim while others are under the regular unemployment claim. To know more about this check out out California Unemployment Benefits [...]
I have been on State Disability since 9-11. The disability insurance as it now stands expires 6-1-12. At this time, it is unknown whether or not disability will continue..(Hopefully not)..
I am currently unemployed. If disability terminates on 6-1-12, I will be able for a period of time while seeking new employment be eligble to collect unemployment?? Do I have this thought correct, and if so what if any particulars are involved?? Please advise Thank You Jack “Jay” Carlson, Jr
i have been unemployed since april and i can not get anyone on the phone and cant get the website to work. can someone call me at 402-689-2487 so i can apply for unemployment insurance.
you should be able to contact them either on phone or online.. as a tip consider calling on weekdays so that the line would be free to reach…
Hello – I’ve just moved back to San Francisco from New York. I have been working in NY for the passed 3 years but found NY was just not for me. I was collecting unemployment for a while before I moved to NY from a previous employer (in SF) but did not finish collecting all of the unemployment funds due to me. Can I collect unemployment in SF until I find employment again? Thank you
What does it mean to file a claim. Is it the date I initially applied for unemploymenbt or the last date I recieved unemployment benefits?
Filing initial claim is generally referred to applying for benefits for the first time. You will. You will need to request payments every week onwards.
I will be laid off on 8/8/12 from my job. I am a new home sales agent that has sold homes that have not closed yet. Will I be able to receive the commisions and continue to receive benefits?
Ofcourse yes, if your employer has paid for the unemployment tax then you should be able to get the benefits…
I GOT DISCHARGED AFTER 14 WEEKS ON DISABILTY
CAN I RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENIFITS?
UNVOLITARY DISCHARGED. NO WORK AVAILABLE WHEN I WAS RELEASED BY DOCTOR TO RETRUN TO WORK AFTER 14 WEEKS ON DISABILITY.
ofcourse yes, you can claim for the unemployment benefits while you are disability claim..
I want to apply for my UI? How do I do it online?
Beau
You can file your claim online by accessing eApply4UI at https://eapply4ui.edd.ca.gov/ at any time you want.
The eApply4UI online service is available in English, and Spanish languages.
I missed a telephone conference and they stopped my claim and every time I call it just says ther a high call volume..
In California if I retired at 55yrs and my retired income is less
than the maximum amount allowed can I still receive unemployment benefits?
I currently have a full time and a part time job. I am going to be laid off from my part time job. It is being eliminated. Will I be able to collect unemployment from the loss of the second job?
I had my phone interview on the 18th and it has been over 10 days. How long does it take to get either a denial or a payment. It is now 12 days.
My wife was hired by a hospital as a casual. But last month she maybe worked 20 hours and this month she hasn’t worked at all.
What could she do. She was on unemployment till this March.
I was suspended on 10/2/2012 from my work to investigate a bogus accusation for sharing a personal item with other employees that management claims may have been a conflict of interest. I was allowed to return to work on 11/5/2012 when the company could not justify the false accusations. However, the company is not willing to pay my lost wages for the duration of suspension. Am I allowed to file for unemployment benefit to help me recover part or all of my lost wages? Please advise.
I just got a 3 week notice of layoff.
When should I apply for unemployment?
Is there a waiting period before I file?
Was fired but was awarded UI benifits. If re-hired, “with back pay,” do I have to repay my UI benifits?
I have worked full time in/for a hospital for 16 years, the union came in a while ago and I have paid my dues as a good little girl during the entire time.. two months ago the Lab director told my co-worker and I that she was needing to cut our hours to 6 hours per day instead of 8, the union stepped in and said that it should go by seniority.. so my co-worker who refused to pay dues for several years until forced to do so just recently will get full time and i half time.. I was told by several people I could get unemployment to cover the half time until I could find something else .. is this true/possible??
I received an overpayment letter from Nevada . They said that California was suppose to pay me and said I had to deal with California to repay the amount. Can you help out?
If I am fired from an present job in San Diego CA will I be able to filed in another part of California due to my relocation?
Frustrating .. There should be an automated number you can call to find out if your claim has been approved – the web page says if over 10 days and no contact from EDD – call them . But when you try the line says to many callers are already in Que and it hangs up on you – all day it does this… So now what? I’m already stressed about not having a job and having to apply for UI benefits, now I’m stressed because I’m following directions and I can’t get through! Why not put some of us with CSR experience back to work for EDD from home – a win win for the economy I would think!
I just moved to CA because of my wife’s job transfer. I was laid off in Missouri prior to her transfer but was waiting for severance package to expire before applying for unemployment. Is it possible for me to file for unemployment here in California now that I live here?
I call my staffing company every morning looking for work but there’s times they cant find me work.
Can I collect on those days that there’s no work?
I had an phone appointment for January 30th, didn’t know because i moved from Arizona to Long Beach California, when recevied my mail from EDD, too late, how do i get another appointment, not able to get through by telephone.
Hello:
I work with the County of Riverside, California as a senior accountant in a permanent position.
My husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan as an active duty Marine. He has received orders for his new duty station which will be New Orleans, Lousiana. For this reason, I will need to resign to my permanent position probably by the last week of March 2013.
My question is: Do I have the right to collect unemeployment until I find a new job in New Orleans due to the fact that my resignation is because of my husband’s military orders?
Please advise,
Thank you very much,
Milagros Gonzalez
If my work hours are cut from 8 hour day to 3.5 hours can I file for unemploment insurance? I will only be getting an 18 hour week?
If you meet the minimum requirements of your state, you will be elligible. These requirements vry from state to state so check the website for your state.
I am curious if I am eligable or not… I dont think I am, but wanted to inquire. I am getting terminated, but only been working at my present employer for about 10 months and I when I did my taxes for 2012 it was only about 7000.00 or so from my current employer and yes I have a few more months to add to that…maybe 2 or 3. Also I am not a resident of california at all since all my ties and living status is still in Michigan. I am not on a lease at all here in California either…The only proof is my employment. Do I have a claim or no??
Are California unemployment benefits subject to Federal or State income taxes? If so, is money withheld from each unemployment check?
Godd morning, I am trying to find out if Federal Employees affected by the Sequester, will be eligible to file for unemployment benifits. I may be looking at being furloughed at least one day a week. Any help would be appreciated, thank you
The company where I work is ending the contract at the facility where i currently work. The company does not have another facility that they can send me to work. There for I will not have a job do I qualify for unemployment.
if i have an employee that becomes pregnant what are her rites? and what are mine? i want her back after the baby,but does she collect unemployment or disability ? thanks
A company shutdown of what period will trigger unemployment benefit eligibility in California.
Am I required to report weekend drill pay from the National Guard on my unemployment claim forms?
I live in CA but my job is in Chattanooga TN.Would I clam it here or TN. Thank you
I have filed for an unemployment claim and already had my phone interview just checking on the status of the claim can you let me know>?
I have a question. I work as a teacher’s aide. I have the summer off and do not get paid for it. I will be about two months without a paycheck and need the money. It is not as easy to get another summer job. Can I collect unemployment for these two months?
I was terminated from a full time job but I also receive social security benefits because I’m 70 years old. Can I claim unemployment?