Applying for California Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Benefits From the EDD Help Many of the Jobless
© John Wu
Oct 27, 2009
At 12.2% unemployment rate as of October 2009, California has one of the highest jobless rates in the nation. Many are already receiving benefits in order to make ends meet. Due to the severe recession, benefits may last as long as 79 weeks, which are paid for by federal jobless benefit extensions. California's Employment Development Department (EDD) is the agency that administers the unemployment insurance program.
California Unemployment Insurance Eligibility
To apply for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits as well as continue UI benefits, the worker must be unemployed through no fault of his own. If the worker has been laid off, he is eligible for UI benefits. If the worker was fired, UI eligibility depends on the circumstances of the termination. However, many fired workers have been successful at getting unemployment benefits in California. In most cases, workers who voluntarily resign are not eligible for UI benefits.
There are other circumstances which may make a worker ineligible including:
- School employees unemployed due to scheduled student recess
- Refuse a job
- Stop looking for a job
- Go to school during typical hours for the worker's occupation
- Not physically or mentally able to work
- Not able to work due to lack of childcare
One unusual circumstance that comes up occasionally is when the employer offers the worker the chance to submit a voluntary resignation in lieu of getting laid off, fired, or terminated. Although there is no fast and hard rule as to whether to voluntarily resign, keep in mind that being terminated no longer has the stigma it used to have during better economic times. If the company has a signed voluntary resignation letter, it may be much more difficult to claim unemployment benefits.
California Unemployment Benefits
The minimum weekly benefit is $40. The maximum weekly benefit is $450. The weekly UI benefit amount depends on the highest income in a calendar during the previous four quarters. The four quarters do not include the current quarter as well as the previous one. For example, a claim made on October 1st does not include the quarter after June 30th of the current year.
The maximum length of unemployment is usually 26 weeks, but during the recession that began in December 2007, it has been as long as 79 weeks due to federal benefit extensions.
During each week, benefits are reduced or eliminated by the following:
- For employment earnings $100/week or less, benefits are reduced by earnings that are over $25.
- For employment earnings greater than $100/week, benefits are reduced by earnings greater than 25% of amount earned.
California Unemployment Application
The best way to apply is online at the EDD website immediately after a job loss. Benefits begin based upon the application date, not backdated to the first day of unemployment. After applying, EDD sends a benefit notice that includes all employers EDD knows about. If any employers are missing, tell EDD immediately.
It is very important to remember to list all federal employers and all out of state employment during the initial application because EDD does not have those employment records in their database. EDD will request those records and amend the benefit notice once data has been received.
After receiving the first week's worth of UI benefits, it is important to keep looking for a new job since it's a requirement of receiving benefits. Save proof of the job search in case EDD asks for documentation.
Those reading this article may also be interested in reading about Medi-Cal as well as how to get affordable healthcare.
References:
Employment Development Department. "A Guide to Benefits and Employment Services." July 2009.
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