While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Unemployment Insurance is a benefit program designed to replace part of the income of recently unemployed or underemployed workers. Unemployment Insurance is available to workers who are out of work through no fault of their own.
Learn more about Unemployment on California’s Unemployment Program Overview page here.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits are weekly payments given to eligible workers who apply to and are accepted into the program. These payments are typically provided via direct deposits to the beneficiary’s bank account or through an EDD Debit Card.
Learn more about how Unemployment Insurance payments work here.
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in California, you must:
Learn more about California’s eligibility requirements here.
Apply for benefits online here during the week you are seeking payment, when your hours have been reduced or when you are no longer employed. Do NOT wait until the week is over.
Learn more information on when to apply for Unemployment Insurance here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in California, complete the following three steps:
The California Unemployment Office does not accept claims in person
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access California’s Unemployment claim portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance by phone, call one of the following numbers:
To apply for Unemployment Insurance by fax or mail, complete one of the following application forms and send it by fax to (866) 215-9159 or by mail to the address listed on the application:
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the California Employment Development Department at one of the numbers listed above. All California EDD phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM PST, except the English and Spanish line, which remains accessible until 8:00 PM. All lines are closed on the observed holidays noted here.
The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings by employers that you have worked for in California. To determine the amount you will receive each week, the California Employment Development Department examines the highest-earning quarter in the applicant’s base period.
The minimum weekly benefit amount in California is $40. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $450.
Learn more about California’s base period and how benefits are calculated here.
The week after you file your unemployment claim is called the Waiting Week. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal here and the Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. Typically, you are not paid for the Waiting Week, but the state waived the waiting week on claims filed after January 19, 2020, due to COVID-19.
Learn more about the Waiting Week here.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
Keep track of your work-search contacts. You are required to make at least two contacts per week to receive payments and waiting week credit.
If you were discharged or quit your last job, expect a call (or email if that is your preferred contact method) to determine if you are eligible for unemployment insurance.
You must file a Weekly Certification Application every week you are receiving Unemployment Benefits until you are employed again. This weekly claim is like a follow-up application that certifies your continued eligibility for the program and proves you are actively applying for new jobs.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
File your Weekly Certification Applications here.
It’s important to remember that you will stop receiving Unemployment Benefits and your Unemployment Claim will be canceled if you have not filed Weekly Certifications for two or more consecutive weeks.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit an appeal to the Employment Development Department by mailing an appeal form, available here, to the address listed on the Notice of Determination and/or Ruling that you receive.
You may not file an appeal online.
Learn more about the Unemployment Insurance appeal process here.
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the California Employment Development Department at one of the following numbers:
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest local Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
All California EDD phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM PST, except the English and Spanish line, which remains accessible until 8:00 PM. All lines are closed on the observed holidays noted here.
To find more information about COVID-19’s impact on California Unemployment Insurance, visit the California Employment Development Department (EDD) COVID-19 information page here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
If you have general questions about California Unemployment Benefits or an Unemployment Insurance claim, call the California Employment Development Department (EDD) customer service center at one of the following numbers:
You can also submit your questions online through the Ask EDD form here.
The EDD also offers a UI Automated Self-Service Line that is available 24/7. You can get information about filing a new or existing claim and other topics related to Unemployment Insurance by calling the following number:
If you have questions about appeals, call one of the customer service phone numbers above. Or, learn about the appeals process here and access the appeals request form here.
All California EDD phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM PST, except the English and Spanish line, which remains accessible until 8:00 PM. All lines are closed on the observed holidays noted here.
There are over 400 EDD offices and 2,400 American Job Centers in California. You can find contact info for your local office by accessing the locator here.
To find more information on California Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:
To file an Unemployment Insurance claim online:
To file an Unemployment Insurance claim by phone, call one of the following numbers:
To find more information about COVID-19’s impact on California Unemployment Insurance, visit the California Employment Development Department (EDD) COVID-19 information page here.
If you have a question about California Business Unemployment Insurance:
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in California, complete the following three steps:
The California Unemployment Office does not accept claims in person
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access California’s Unemployment claim portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance by phone, call one of the following numbers:
To apply for Unemployment Insurance by fax or mail, complete one of the following application forms and send it by fax to (866) 215-9159 or by mail to the address listed on the application:
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the California Employment Development Department at one of the numbers listed above. All California EDD phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM PST, except the English and Spanish line, which remains accessible until 8:00 PM. All lines are closed on the observed holidays noted here.
If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance online, you can check the status of your application by logging into your account through the California Claimant Portal here.
You can also check the status of your application by calling the California Employment Development Department at one of the following numbers:
All California EDD phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM PST, except the English and Spanish line, which remains accessible until 8:00 PM. All lines are closed on the observed holidays noted here.
Typically, you do not begin receiving Unemployment Benefits immediately after submitting the application. By law, you must wait one week before finding out whether you will begin receiving benefits. This is called the Waiting Week. However, the waiting week is waived on claims filed after January 19, 2020, due to COVID-19.
The Waiting Week is the week after you file your unemployment claim. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal here and the Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.
Learn more about the Waiting Week here.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit an appeal to the Employment Development Department by mailing an appeal form, available here, to the address listed on the Notice of Determination and/or Ruling that you receive.
You may not file an appeal online.
Learn more about the Unemployment Insurance appeal process here.
For help with an Unemployment Insurance application, or for any further questions about your Unemployment Insurance claim, call the California Employment Development Department at one of the following numbers:
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
All California EDD phone lines are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM PST, except the English and Spanish line, which remains accessible until 8:00 PM. All lines are closed on the observed holidays noted here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.