Learn About Unemployment Insurance

The unemployment insurance (UI) program provides monetary benefits for eligible workers who have lost their jobs. In order to make an unemployment claim, you must meet the specific eligibility requirements, including being involuntarily employed, being physically able to work and being available for work.

You should apply for unemployment benefits as soon as you lose your job. When you apply for unemployment, you will need to provide certain information about your personal circumstances and about your reason for leaving your last job. You can complete your application online, in person or by mail.

After you have made your unemployment insurance benefits application, you must continue to meet the requirements to keep receiving your benefits. Your unemployment benefits claim is effective for one year, during which time you will receive a number of weeks of full benefits. The number will vary depending on your earnings during a 12-month period.

If you are fired, or you quit your job, then you will be scheduled for an interview with the Employment Development Department (EDD). During the interview, you will be asked to provide information about your separation from your employer. If you are found to be ineligible for EDD unemployment, then the EDD will send you a letter explaining why.

While you are receiving unemployment insurance benefits, you may also be able to enroll in training to help increase your chances of getting another job. In some circumstances, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance coverage if you are working part-time. You can get unemployment information and application forms from the Employment Development Department.

Continue reading the following pages to find out more about who is eligible for unemployment insurance, how to make an unemployment claim and how to prepare for your EDD unemployment interview.

Learn About Requirements for Unemployment Insurance

Qualifications for unemployment are essential for all potential beneficiaries to meet prior to application. Who qualifies for unemployment in CA is determined by the Employment Development Department (EDD). Your eligibility for unemployment benefits will require you to meet certain conditions. If you are wondering, “What are the requirements to get unemployment?” then it is important to do thorough research prior to filing your first claim. READ MORE

Learn How to Apply for Unemployment Insurance

You can apply for unemployment benefits if you are a resident of the state, and if your employment has been terminated, or if your hours have been reduced due to layoffs or company downsizing. The Employment Development Department (EDD) oversees where to apply for unemployment and the unemployment EDD application process. Unemployment registration will allow you to receive temporary benefits while you are transitioning between jobs. To file for unemployment, you must fill out and submit an application that includes a variety of required details. READ MORE

Learn How to Prepare for the Unemployment Insurance Interview

In , the Employment Development Department (EDD) will conduct an unemployment interview with the employer and an unemployment interview with the claimant after an unemployment claim is initially filed. The purpose of this EDD interview is to verify the eligibility of a claim, particularly if you were fired through no fault of your own, or if you turned down an offer for available work. In , these interviews are conducted by phone. Being prepared for your unemployment phone interview can go a long way in helping your application gain approval. READ MORE

Learn About Unemployment Insurance Benefits

You can claim unemployment benefits when you have lost your job through no fault of your own. The process regarding how to claim unemployment benefits is overseen by the Employment Development Department (EDD) in CA. There are different federal unemployment benefit programs offered to those recently out of work. Find out which unemployment benefits claims are available to you, so you can receive financial aid while searching for new job opportunities. READ MORE

Learn About EDD Debits Cards

The Employment Development Department (EDD) debit card from Bank of America is issued to persons receiving EDD, and is used to deliver benefit payments. The EDD debit card is used to issue Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL). Your EDD debit card is valid for a maximum of three years from the date it was issued. READ MORE

Learn About Types of Unemployment Claims

There are several types of unemployment claims for persons who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. Some examples of different types of UI claims include: regular unemployment, unemployment for ex-service members, unemployment for federal employees and joint claims. It is important to review the different types of UI prior to learning how to apply for unemployment, so you can gain the most possible benefits, according to your situation. READ MORE

Learn About Denial of Unemployment Insurance

Having unemployment benefits denied does not necessarily mean that is the end of your claim.If you have been denied unemployment benefits , you can appeal the decision. Those who appeal denied unemployment compensation successfully will get the benefits to which they are entitled. READ MORE

Learn About Unemployment Insurance Extensions

A unemployment compensation extension can provide an unemployed beneficiary who has exhausted his or her regular unemployment insurance (UI) with additional benefits. Many CA enrollees wonder, “How can I extend unemployment payments?” when nearing the end of their claim. However, a or federal unemployment extension is not available to each UI beneficiary who requests one. To receive an unemployment benefits extension, you must be eligible according to the state or federal governments’ requirements. READ MORE

Learn About Unemployment Benefits for Ex-Service Members and Federal Civilian Employees

You may be eligible for unemployment compensation for federal civilian employees if you used to be employed in a certain federal position. In addition, you may qualify for unemployment compensation eligibility for ex-service members if you were laid off from the United States military services within a certain period of time. These special unemployment insurance programs are administered by the state of as an agent for the federal government. READ MORE

Learn About Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides services under the state unemployment insurance (UI) program. Although administered through , Disaster Unemployment Assistance eligibility is mainly influenced by the federal government’s U.S. Department of Labor and State Employment Security Agencies. Part of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, the Disaster Unemployment Assistance application is only available to petitioners who meet certain requirements in specific circumstances. READ MORE

Learn About Unemployment Insurance Fraud and Consequences

Unemployment benefits fraud is what happens when someone provides misreported, unreported or false information to the Employment Development Department (EDD) in order to collect unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. UI fraud is illegal. There is more than one serious penalty for unemployment fraud. READ MORE

Learn How to Handle Unemployment Benefit Overpayments

A UI overpayment occurs when a claimant receives unemployment insurance benefits for a period of time for which he or she does not meet eligibility requirements. You must pay back overpaid unemployment benefits when the EDD determines that an error has been made. To help you repay over-issued unemployment insurance, the EDD will send you a letter explaining how much you owe and how to pay. READ MORE

Learn How Employers Can Respond to Unemployment Insurance Claim Notices

The unemployment compensation employer response involves a series of questions and responses between the EDD and the previous employer of a person who is learning how to claim unemployment insurance (UI). As an employer, you must be aware of how to file a response to reemployment assistance claims and what supporting information you will need to provide. READ MORE

Learn How Employers Can Appeal Unemployment Insurance Decisions

You may make a reemployment assistance employer appeal if you are a employer and you disagree with the decision of the Employment Development Department, or EED, to grant your former employee UI benefits. However, you may not know how to file a reemployment assistance appeal. READ MORE

Learn About Training Benefits (CTB)

The Training Benefits (CTB) program is designed to enable eligible residents who are claiming Unemployment Insurance (UI) to enroll in training to upgrade their skills or to learn a new trade, in order to make them more competitive in the job market. If you meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in the CTB program, then you will be able to receive your UI benefits without also having to engage in a regular job search. READ MORE

Learn About Veteran Employment Programs

Veteran employment programs are available for those who served in the military and are looking to enter the civilian workforce. veteran employment services are tailored to assist veterans in finding opportunities that utilize the many skills they developed during military service. READ MORE

Learn About Social Security Retirement Benefits for Seniors

Social Security retirement for seniors is a benefit that most of the state’s workers earn during their years in the workforce. Seniors Social Security retirement eligibility depends on the amount of Social Security taxes a worker pays into the system, which translates into credits available toward retirement benefits. The age that a worker chooses to apply for seniors social security retirement also greatly influences the amount of benefits received from the SSA each month after retiring. In , the Social Security Administration (SSA) manages retirement and other benefits through a statewide network of offices. READ MORE