First and foremost, apply as soon as you lose the job. State unemployment offices generally take 1-3 weeks to process your application, especially for the initial claim. The compensation will be paid from the week you applied and if you delay, you will lose the benefits prior to the week of filing. You won't be allowed to back-date your claims or claim the benefits for prior weeks.
California Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Requirements
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.
- You must have lost your job through no fault of your own. That means if you have quit job voluntarily you may not qualify for unemployment insurance. However, there are exceptions - such as working in hazardous or inhuman working conditions etc. to this rule.
- You must be willing and able to work. If you are physically disabled, you do not qualify.
- If you have received severance package when you lost job, you do not qualify.
- You must have earned minimum wage credits. California State minimum weeks of covered employment requirement (employer must have paid unemployment taxes on your behalf): N/A
- Minimum wages earned during the base period: at least $1,300 in the highest quarter of the base period, or (2) have earned at least $900 in the highest quarter and earned total base period earnings of at least 1.25 times the high quarter earnings. For example, if the claimant has $900 earnings in the highest quarter, he/she is also required to have earned a total of $1,125 in the base period ($900 x 1.25 = $1,125).. This amount may change every year. You can get get complete eligibility criteria and the benefits calculator from state website mentioned in the next section.
Prepare documents required to apply for unemployment in CA
- Your name, address, social security number and other personal details such as telephone number, email address etc.
- Dependents name, date of birth and their social security number.
- Details of your previous employer. For each employer, you need to provide
- Name and address
- Telephone number
- Start and end dates of employment
- If you had out-of-state employment in the past 18 months, you also need to provide the employment details.
- Reason you lost the job – it has to be involuntary to be eligible to receive benefits.
- Your job skills summary
- If you are not an US citizen, keep your alien registration number and work authorization. However if you are on a work visa such as H1-B, immigration experts do not advise claiming unemployment insurance.
Apply for Benefits or Claim Extension
You can submit your application for unemployment compensation online, off-line (by mail or by visiting local employment office) or through telephone. Online application is the quickest and most efficient option which will also be available 24x7, 7 days a week.
Prepare and submit your application online here
If you choose to file over phone, call the unemployment compensation services toll-free number at 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.
If you are applying for unemployment extension in California, make sure you check the latest rules. Many states are in the process of revising the rules to extend the benefits beyond the initial period. Also remember that IRS will tax your unemployment benefits pay.
All the major cities in California including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Santa Ana, Anaheim and Bakersfield have an unemployment office location to process unemployment claims. You can visit the local office for consultation or to file for unemployment in person
California Unemployment Rate (Trend)
The graph below shows the current and historical unemployment rate in the state
Frequently Asked Questions
How 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.
How to file an appeal if your unemployment claims are denied?
First Level Appeal: Claimant has the right to appeal EDD's decision to reduce or deny benefits. An appeal must be submitted within 20 calendar days of the mailing date of our Notice of Determination and/or Ruling, DE 1080CZ. Mail your appeal to the return address shown on the decision notice. Include the following information:- Your name
- The name of your business if you are the employer
- Address and telephone number
- Social Security number if you are a claimant
- Employer account number and the claimant's social security number if you are an employer
- The name and mailing address of any representative
- The reason for your appeal
- A copy of EDD's decision that you wish to appeal or the date of the decision
- Any request for language assistance or special accommodation
The Office of Appeals notifies individuals of the time and place of hearing at least 10 days in advance. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) conducts the hearing, giving employers and claimants a chance to present their evidence.
Second Level Appeal
The purpose of an appeal to the Appeals Board is to request a review of the Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ) Decision. An appeal to the Appeals Board must be submitted within 20 calendar days from the date of the ALJ's decision.
Mail the appeal to the return address on the ALJ's decision notice. The Appeals Board will confirm receipt of the appeal and advise interested individuals of the procedural options available to them. Generally, the Appeals Board does not consider new or additional evidence. The Appeals Board will issue a written decision. A decision by the Appeals Board completes all administrative remedies. Individuals who disagree with the Appeals Board's decision, may file a Writ of Mandate to the Superior Court within six months of the mailing date of the Appeals Board's written decision.
File unemployment extension in CA
Once 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.
Next steps
After you have submitted your application, you should actively look out for work because the benefits you receive will not be enough to cover your living expenses. The best thing to do is to take a look at your job skills and determine if you want to improve or learn new skills so that you can use this opportunity to revive your career. There are plenty of online opportunities to earn a living while working from home.
State Unemployment Guides
Texas Unemployment Benefits GuideNevada Unemployment Benefits Guide
Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits Guide
Missouri Unemployment Benefits Guide
California Unemployment Benefits Guide
Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits Guide
Michigan Unemployment Benefits Guide
NJ Unemployment Benefits Guide
Florida Unemployment Benefits Guide
Oregon Unemployment Benefits Guide
NY Unemployment Benefits Guide
Ohio Unemployment Benefits Guide
Utah Unemployment Benefits
New Mexico Unemployment Benefits
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Arizona Unemployment Benefits Guide
NH Unemployment Benefits Guide
Washington Unemployment Benefits Guide
Maryland Unemployment Benefits Guide
Kansas Unemployment Benefits Guide
Georgia Unemployment Benefits Guide
Illinois Unemployment Benefits Guide
Colorado Unemployment Benefits Guide
North Carolina Unemployment Benefits Guide
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