To find a job when you're unemployed, you need to focus your job search on relevant opportunities. Don't apply broadly, even if you're stressed over not being employed. Search job boards and LinkedIn for positions, and consider only the jobs that fit your qualifications and salary requirements.
Cost of TrainingThe EDD does not cover any training related expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, or transportation. However, you may be eligible for other state, federal, or private financial aid.
If you are a retired State of California employee and interested in working for the state on a temporary basis, consider coming back as a retired annuitant. Register with Boomerang – Boomerang connects retired annuitants to state departments that are hiring.
It can take anywhere between 1 to 6 months.
Unemployment Insurance ClaimantsMost UI customers are required to register for CalJOBS and post a résumé. If you already have a CalJOBS account, update your registration information and work history. Important: Failure to register and update your résumé in CalJOBS may affect your eligibility to receive UI benefits.
You can certify with UI OnlineSM or by mail using the paper Continued Claim Form (DE 4581) (PDF). When certifying for UI benefits, report your work and gross wages (wages earned before any deductions) during the actual week you worked and earned the wages, not when you received your pay.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) offers a wide variety of services to millions of Californians under Unemployment Insurance (UI), State Disability Insurance (SDI), workforce investment (Jobs and Training), and Labor Market Information programs.
In order to apply for employment with the State of California, you must first obtain eligibility by searching, applying and passing examinations. Search for an Exam: Search the State of California's examination database for an exam in a classification for which you meet the minimum qualifications.
When filing for UI benefits, you must have earned enough wages during the base period to establish a claim, and be: Totally or partially unemployed. Unemployed through no fault of your own.
When you can file a claim with UI Online
| Days of the Week | Available Time |
|---|
| Sunday | 5 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. |
| Monday | 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| Tuesday – Friday | 2 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| Saturday | 2 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
You must first register for Benefit Programs Online to file for unemployment. Create your Benefit Programs Online account. Log In to Benefit Programs Online, select UI Online. Select File New Claim to apply.
California Job Department is an independent entity and is not associated with the state of California. If you wish to interact with the California labor department, please visit their . gov website.
For technical help with Benefit Programs Online registration, contact the EDD to speak to a representative by calling: Disability Insurance: 1-800-480-3287 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, except on state holidays.
To contact a DI representative or to use the DI Automated Phone Information System:
- English: 1-800-480-3287.
- Spanish: 1-866-658-8846.
- California Relay Service (711): Provide the DI number (1-800-480-3287) to the operator.
- TTY: 1-800-563-2441.
California's Employment Development Department has suspended unemployment payments for numerous people because of fear of fraud.
E-mail. Send an e-mail to WOTCsupport@edd.ca.gov. Important Security Reminder: For your protection, if you are sending us an email through third party e-mail software (e.g., Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook), please do not include confidential information such as account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers.
Note: The EDD Customer Account Number is automatically mailed to all new customers within 10 days of filing a claim. If you lose or misplace your EDD Customer Account Number, call the EDD at 1-800-300-5616 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week, except on state holidays.
A benefit year is the 12-month period from the start of your claim. Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) provides up to 24 additional weeks of payments if you've used all of your available UI benefits. The first 13 weeks are available from March 29, 2020, until December 26, 2020.
Eligible individuals will receive retroactive payments of the $600 weekly federal unemployment benefits, in addition to their state benefits, based on their determined date of eligibility. Americans still stuck in unemployment backlogs can get these retroactive checks, going back as far as March 29 for the $600 bonus.
Furlough (Unpaid Leave)Furloughed employees in California are eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Furloughs should be communicated to employees in writing, before the start of the furlough period. Any work performed must be paid.
Popular EDD Classifications
- Staff Services Analyst Flyer.
- Tax Compliance Representative Flyer.
- Tax Auditor Flyer.
- Employment Program Representative Flyer.
- Disability Insurance Program Representative Flyer.
- Office Assistant/Office Technician Flyer.
- Accountant I (Specialist) Flyer.
- Accountant Trainee Flyer.
If you worked in another state during the last 18 months, you may be eligible to file a new claim in that state. You must have at least $1,300 in earnings in one quarter of your base period or at least $900 in earnings in the highest quarter and 1.25 times your highest quarter earnings in your total base period.
If you are working part time, you may be able to receive reduced unemployment benefits even if your earnings are higher than your weekly benefit amount. The EDD will calculate the amount to deduct and the amount you are eligible to receive. If you are still working, write “still working.”
Log in to Benefit Programs Online to access your UI OnlineSM homepage. Your last payment issued and claim balance appear at the bottom of the homepage in the Claim Summary section. To view other payments made, select View Payment Activity. Payment Status.
In May, the House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion proposal called the HEROES Act, which would extend the $600 enhanced unemployment aid until January 31, 2021.
In a news release, EDD said it is wrapping up weeks four and five of the $300 payments. The sixth week of payments that begin going out on October 12 will be the final week of payments. The LWA payments are available to eligible people for benefits weeks between July 26 and September 5.
