California Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment insurance in California is an initiative taken up jointly by the state government and the federal government. The purpose of the initiative is to provide financial support to those who have lost their jobs due to reasons beyond their control. The government, along with providing financial support, also provides an opportunity for the job-seekers find training and counseling programs to improve their skill sets. It also provides outlets where job-seekers can connect with prospective employers to seek employment opportunities.
Find out more about the services provided by the Employment Development Department (EDD) of California, and the eligibility requirements needed to qualify for unemployment insurance.
Eligibility to Apply for UI Benefits in California
To qualify for unemployment benefits in California, applicants must gain eligibility on three parameters set by the EDD. The three parameters are- monetary eligibility, job separation, and maintaining eligibility.
Monetary Eligibility
While applying for unemployment insurance in California, applicants must first meet the monetary eligibility requirements. The applicants are expected to have earned a minimum wage during the four-quarter base period. The weekly benefit amount and the maximum benefit amount of the applicant are dependent on the wages earned during the base period.
To be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned at least:
- $1,300 in the highest earning quarter of your base period, or
- $900 in your highest earning quarter, and a total base period earnings of 1.25 times the highest earning quarter
The base period is a 12-month period, which is divided into four quarters. EDD has designed two types of base periods to calculate wages to establish a claim. They are:
- Standard Base Period
- Alternate Base Period
A standard base period is the first four of the last five calendar quarters. In this method of calculation, the quarter prior to which you apply for benefits is not considered, but four quarters prior to this is considered.
For example, if your claim begins in the first quarter of 2019 (i.e. Jan, Feb, and March), the base period will consist of the following quarters – Oct-Nov-Dec 2017, Jan-Feb-Mar 2018, Apr-May-June 2018, and Jul-Aug-Sep 2018. Note that Oct-Nov-Dec 2018 will not be considered as a part of the standard base period.
In the event you do not have sufficient wages in your standard base period, EDD will then consider calculating your wages using the alternative base period. The alternative base period consists of the last four calendar quarters prior to the beginning date of the claim.
For example, if the claim begins in the first quarter of 2019, (i.e. Jan, Feb, and March), the alternative base period will consist of these quarters – Jan-Feb-Mar 2018, Apr-May-June 2018, Jul-Aug-Sep 2018, and Oct-Nov-Dec 2018.
The alternative base period can only be considered when you do not have enough wages in your standard base period, but you have sufficient wages in the alternative base period.
Find out more about eligibility requirements
Job Separation
Once the monetary eligibility is established, the step for qualification will be to prove that the applicant lost his job due to no fault of his/her own. The applicants must meet the below-mentioned criteria to meet the job-separation criteria:
- You did not lose the job for any fault of yours
- You were not involved in any illegal, criminal, or unethical activities in your workplace, which resulted in you getting fired
- You were fired or your work time was decreased due to lack of work.
- You did not quit the job due to lack of interest
Please note that not all those who are unemployed will be eligible for unemployment insurance. The benefits are given to only those who meet all the eligibility criteria set by EDD.
EDD will verify the reason given by you for separating from your previous organization. It will contact your ex-employer to verify the reason given by you. If any discrepancies are found, your eligibility for benefits will be affected.
The EDD will conduct a telephonic interview with those who were fired or quit the job on their own to hear the issue on job separation. A notice will be mailed to the applicant if he/she is not eligible for benefits. In the event that the applicant is not happy with the response, he/she can file an appeal against the decision of EDD.
Eligibility Calculator
Eligibility requirements – overview
Maintaining Eligibility
Establishing monetary eligibility and meeting the job-separation criteria will get the applicant qualified for unemployment benefits in California. However, the applicants are expected to maintain the eligibility factors throughout the benefits weeks. Failing to maintain the eligibility requirement will lead to interruptions in the payment of weekly benefits.
The applicants must take note of the following points to maintain eligibility during the benefits weeks:
- Be physically able to work throughout the benefit week period
- The applicant must be available to work.
- Applicant must be ready to accept the work offered to him/her
- The applicant must be actively seeking for job opportunities
Applicants must certify for benefits each week by providing a certificate while applying for benefits. The information on the certificate will show if the applicant has met with all the eligibility criteria during the week.
Find out on job search requirements
How to Apply For UI Benefits in California?
You will need the following documents to apply for unemployment benefits in California:
Online
In the state of California, applying through the online portal is the most convenient mode to apply for benefits. Log in to https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm to register your claim. The timings to register for benefits differ on different days, which is listed below:
- Sunday – 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Monday – 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday-Friday – 2:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday – 2:00 AM to 8:00 PM
You could avail services such as opening new claims, certifying for continued benefits, updating your address & phone number and receive important notifications. You could also view, request and print your copy of form 1099G for up to the past five years.
Telephone
You may also file claims for unemployment benefits through a phone call in California. Call from Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 12 noon, on the following numbers as per your language choice:
- English – 1-800-300-5616
- Spanish – 1-800-326-8937
- Cantonese – 1-800-547-3506
- Mandarin – 1-866-303-0706
- Vietnamese – 1-800-547-2058
If you are hearing impaired, reach the TTY line on 1-800-815-9387
Fax or Mail
You may also choose to send your application for unemployment benefits through fax or by mail. Download the Unemployment Insurance Application forms from the Forms and Publications page of the EDD website. Fill up the relevant forms and you can either fax it or mail it to the EDD using the address on the forms.
How to File Weekly Claims
You can file your weekly benefits by contacting the same sources used for filing the initial claims. Once you file your initial claim, you will receive crucial information on your claim. You must read and respond to all the requests to avoid payment delays.
You will also separately receive your first Continued Claim Form, DE 4581. You must fill this up and submit it once in every two weeks to request for your benefits. This process is known as certifying for benefits in the state of California, and this provides the EDD with the required information to verify your weekly eligibility.
Learn how to claim weekly benefits
UI Benefits Amount
Benefits Calculator
Use the calculator to find out how much weekly benefits you may approximately earn in the state of California.
Know more about the Benefits Calculator
Things to Know After Filing An Application
Once the application is filed, the claimant will begin to receive the benefit amount every week. There is a need for the claimants to be aware of all the rules and regulations imposed on them throughout the benefit period. The applicants must also know about the services imparted to the unemployed job seekers to make the best of the benefit period.
Overpayments and Fraud
Overpayments arise when you receive benefits amount which was not supposed to be paid to you as you were not eligible to receive the excessive sum that was transferred to you. If in case, you drew overpayments from EDD, you will receive a Notice of Overpayment via mail.
The Notice of Overpayment will contain information on the nature of overpayment that is drawn by you, the amount you will have to pay back to EDD and penalties levied on you if any. It will also contain information on your right to appeal against the imposition of overpayment, and about the procedure to appeal.
The EDD has classified overpayments into two categories – Non-Fraud and Fraud.
Non-Fraud: If you received a payment which you were not entitled to, but not intentionally or not as a result of your fault, it will be considered as a non-fraud overpayment. In this case, you will receive a notice stating that you’ve received an overpayment and that you will have to pay the excessive amount back.
In some exceptional cases, you may not be asked to repay the excessive amount. There will be no penalties or interest levied on the applicants in the case of non-fraud overpayment.
Fraud: A fraud overpayment occurs when you intentionally mislead the EDD into paying more benefits than you are entitled to. If you withhold an important piece of information, lie about your income earned during the base period, give false or fake documents to prove eligibility, not disclosing information of wages earned during the benefits weeks and similar misleading tactics are considered as a fraud in the state of California.
If a fraud overpayment is established in your case, you will be expected not only to pay back the excessive amount but also pay a penalty of 30% of the amount of the overpayment. You may also face disqualification from anywhere between 5 weeks to 23 weeks.
If you fail to repay the excessive amount along with the stipulated fine amount, the EDD may deduct the money from your future weekly unemployment benefits amount, which is referred to as an offset.
As a policy of offset, the EDD may also deduct from or totally withhold your state income tax refunds, lottery winnings, or any other source of income owed to you by the state. The EDD may also file a case against you in a court of law, charge you court costs and interest, and record a lien on your property.
Benefits Extension
There are no federal or state-operated benefit extension programs given presently in California. It is suggested that the applicants should visit or call the concerned authorities to known more about the current available Reemployment Assistance plans.
Job Training Assistance
The state of California provides ample opportunities for applicants to improve their skill set to get better employment opportunities. California Training Benefits (CTB) provides opportunities to the applicants to further their education, improve their skill sets, and/or learn a new trade to improve their competitiveness in the job market.
If you get approved by CTB, you will be exempted from certain conditions such as to be available for work, to be actively seeking job opportunities, and accept job offers, while you are participating in your training.
I am full-time community college student, was working in Walmart nearly 10 -15 hrs per week. started job just 15 days prior to lock-down, however due to Covid 19 fear ,I stopped going to work, may I claim compensation.
Please go ahead and consider applying. You might be eligible.
Hello, I work part-time on a W-2 and lost my other part-time self employed job due to Covid-19. How do I fill out DE 4581? Is line 6 to enter the W-2 part-time work I am still employed with?
I had to recertify for all my weeks that i had previously certified for but received no payment because of penalty weeks. i have not even received a payment afterwards when my penalty weeks should of been served. the status says not paid but for the weeks i had to recertify for, it shows as pending and has been so for 3 days. Is anyone else having this issue?? what do i do, it is impossible to get a hold of a person from edd and i really need this money.
my name is jeremy paul carpenter and 20200510W0537659 is the confirmation number for one of my certifications.
Jeremy,
Please wait for the department to get back to you. Also, make sure to check the payment status at regular intervals.
Hi,
So I filed my UI claim for reduced hours unemployment (which I am assuming from what I know also results in the $600 weekly) on April 7, 2020. After that, I was told to certify for weekly benefits for week 1 and week 2, but both are showing they are pending right now. I have already received the federal stimulus check for $1200. Should I not be receiving any sort of information on the $600 weekly? My hours were cut by my employer and my wages are not the same (I am working 16 hours now, compared to 33 hours in the past).
I am not able to get a hold of anyone on the EDD help line… And I tried calling a local office but they said there is nothing they could do if it says it is pending? Please advise of what to do in this situation.
Thank you.
Hetal,
There will an intermittent delay owing to the number of applications. Please be patient and make sure to check the status regularly.
Curious if anyone has a similar situation.
I was on maternity leave (5mos) came back to work for 2 weeks then this all hit. We all got laid off. I applied for unemployment (3/19/2020) received an approval letter for unemployment stating benefits on 3/30. I also received my continued claim form (post marked 3/30) which was to be mailed on 3/29, I received that form 4/1/2020. I sent it in on 4/1 when I received it. Upon logging in to my UI online it says disqualified. And of course I cannot get through to anyone. So what do I do?
Sam,
Thank you for your answer. I went through the steps online but since my previous employer was a company overseas, I am unable to fill out the information on the page. Any advice on how to go about this?
Will appreciate your support!
Tony
Tony,
We don’t really know and there’s no phone support. We suggest you check more on the website. Best wishes!
Hello there- I was working overseas for the past 18 months and moved back home last month. Since then, I can’t find a job and given the situation now, it will be even harder. Am I eligible to apply for UI? What is the procedure?
Thanks
Tony,
We understand this might be a difficult time for you. We’re anticipating a shortage of staff across unemployment offices due to the massive surge in UI applications considering the pandemic. We advise against calling or visiting the office, as you may not get a response instantly.
Your state may have activated “Extended Benefits (EB)” authorized by the federal government. We recommend you apply for UI benefits online. For more information, please visit your state’s official Unemployment website.
Would leaving my job to focus on my college degree be a valid reason to be eligible for benefits? I want to get into my career as soon as possible but would not be able to support myself without my current job
Bryan,
As much as I am aware, it might be considered ineligible since it hampers the prospect of working full-time. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.
I am going through microaggressive bias in the workplace that has resulted in discrete retaliatory behavior in the workplace. I work in the state of California. If I take a leave of absence, can I collect unemployment during that time?
Kimberly,
If you can prove it was not your fault (in case of a dispute), you can be eligible to claim UI benefits without any interruption.
I am about to quit my job because my fiance is being transferred from CA to NV. Our marriage date was set for October 2020. I found section/article int he EDD website that states I could qualify for ” The claimant’s prospective marriage is imminent and involves a relocation to another area because the claimant’s future spouse has established or intends to establish his or her home there, and it is impossible or impractical for the claimant to commute to work from the other area” VOLUNTARY QUIT 155- domestic reason”. Imminent means right away, would I still qualify if our date set to be married isnt until Oct. 2020? Also we are like the last people ont he planet that do not use social media of any kind, so how do I prove we are set to get married ?
Andrea,
I suggest you call the Unemployment Office for details.
in am about to run out of benefits, can I apply for federal extension?
Robert,
The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.
I’m have claiming the iu from State of California . And I going to travel(overseas) for couple months. What happened if I didn’t report to edd.
Or if I report after I go like a months ,that will be like fraud or something else?
Did edd will know my departure records?
Cyndi,
Please make sure to inform the Unemployment Office and seek clarification in this regard.
I have sent the unemployment numerous information on back pay on my unemployment checks they were returned or someone got taken in jail for cashing them.
Armando,
If you haven’t heard back, please consider filing an “appeal” or ask for an adjudicator.
I’ve worked full time for a church for 8 years and have been terminated. Am I eligible to file for unemployment?
Addie,
Please check with your church administration if they remitted Unemployment Taxes into the system and apply accordingly if the employment was terminated due to involuntary reasons.
I’m looking for a job, how can get some help
Armando,
I suggest you visit the official website of the Unemployment Office in your state to learn about employment programs and actively participate in them. Here’s the link – https://www.edd.ca.gov/jobs.htm
I am having to quit my job due to getting married and moving to another city. I am moving 175 miles from my current employer. Am I eligible for unemployment?
Brian,
Please call the Unemployment Office in the state where your last employment was based. You might qualify as a “Trailing Spouse”.
My benefits have run out, is there an extended benefit that I can activate?
Thom,
The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.
Just checking? what to do to apply for an extended benefits?
Keryn,
The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.
What are the days in the week the office is closed to talk with someone? Today is July 9, 2019 and the office is closed. I called 8 I need to get my customer number which never came in the mail.
Can I apply for temporary unemployment if my work goes on strike?
Stacey,
Please call the Unemployment for clarification.
I recently started a new job, but will not be paid for 2 weeks. Even though I am working, and not being paid, will that effect my UI benefits?
Matt,
Ideally, when you get into an employment contract, you should stop claiming weekly benefits. Please call the Claims Center immediately for guidance.
I am a school crossing guard. I ask for summer school, and it looks like there will be no openings. Can I receive unemployment for the time lost in the summer?
Linda,
Seasonal workers do not generally qualify to receive Unemployment Compensation due to the nature of the job. I suggest you call the Unemployment Office to find out about your eligibility.
I worked 4 months in my last job and they recently laid me off.. will I qualify for unemployment
Chris,
To be eligible, a claimant is required to have active employment and earnings during the last 4-5 calendar quarters. Do use the “Eligibility Calculator”.
Can I claim unemployment if I quit my job because I got transferred to a different team without prior notice, and the function of the team is completely different from my previous function? I also don’t have any technical background needed by the new team.
Izzou,
UI benefits are only extended to claimants who lose their employment due to involuntary reasons. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.
what do I do if my 26 weeks are up and I am still unable to find work? Is there an extension for special circumstances?
appreciate your help.
Thank you
Karen,
The E.U.C(Emergency Unemployment Compensation) remains expired. There is no extension available. Please inquire further with the labor authorities in your state by calling them.
please sent to me a 1099G form with my tax information
Dennis,
Please note this is a private forum and we do not have access to your 1099-G. Please visit the official website and it should be available for download.
Can not login to my edd.ca.gov account. when I attempt to send an email and revise my account I never receive the email to complete the process.
Dean,
Please call the Claims Center for technical assistance.
i have not received my 1099 in 2017 how can I get a copy?
Jonah,
Please click on the link below to find out more about how to obtain 1099-G. The latest one should be available once you log in to your online account.
https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/FAQ_for_1099G.htm
I need to check the status of my claim. Was it approved or denies
Annette Romero
Annette,
You can check the claim status either by phone or the internet, over the department’s official website.
I am a Washington State resident but have been working in California for about a year now. I am a military spouse. My husband just got orders to Tennessee. I had to leave my work to move with him since I am included in his orders. Am I eligible to collect unemployment while looking for work?
Maria,
As a military spouse, you can be eligible to claim UI benefits. Please speak to the Unemployment Office in your new state to find out more about the benefits available to you.
I was unemployed throughout all of 2017 and then found employment in February of 2018. I’ve been employed from February 20th. But now I’m facing a potential lay off by June 30th. Does my 2017 unemployment benefits count as wages earned? and Does my claim begin on July 2nd?
Frank,
All earnings will be considered. I suggest you use the “Benefits Calculator” available on this website to ascertain benefits.
My notification date that I was being laid off due to downsizing was May 30th and my last day of regular work is June 30th. What is the earliest date in CA I can file for unemployment?
You can apply for it immediately after your last working day. There is no waiting period.
I have 2 part time jobs, they both cut my hours can I collect some kind of unemployment till I find another job?
Cori,
I am not sure if you qualify on the basis of part-time employment. Please call the Unemployment Office for clarification.
I WILL LIKE TO apply FOR DESEMPLEO
Bernardino,
Please use the link below to read more about claims and to file over the internet.
http://www.edd.ca.gov/File_and_Manage_a_Claim.htm
I receive a small pension and Social security. I had a P/T job but got laid off. Do I qualify for unemployment benefits?
Patti,
If you’re seeking employment, you should be able to claim UI benefits.
In California is unemployment compensation paid by a check mailed to your address or is a Debt type card used?
James,
It depends on what you’ve opted for. Please call the Claims Center for details.
My question is the last place I worked was California in Jan and Feb of 2018 but before that I worked in a different state. I want to know can I file for California now ? even though my base quarter period for sept I worked in a different state ? I work for the federal government.
Kev,
Please file from the state where your employment was based.