6/12/2023
Becoming unemployed through no fault of your own can be a threat to your well-being. In the United States, each state has policies related to unemployment benefits for those who are going through this difficulty.
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If you live in California, here are the key points about unemployment insurance, how to apply and the benefits it offers.
Requirements to apply for unemployment benefits in California
When you decide to quit your job, you are no longer eligible to activate unemployment insurance. But if the company closes or you are laid off, you are entitled to get help for being out of work. This is because certain employers must pay unemployment taxes when they "lay off" their employees.
Among the minimum requirements, you must meet three conditions:
- You have been fired or lost your job through no fault of your own. If you were let go for misconduct, you may not be eligible for benefits. Dismissals for incompetence or maladjustment apply to unemployment benefits. This also applies to retirement due to health, family issues, or moving.
- Be actively seeking employment and able to work. If you are looking for work, we recommend that you keep a list of where you have applied for a job opening, the dates of applications and any related contacts. This serves as a record that you have made an effort to return to the job market, which may be requested by the EDD (Employment Development Department).
Finally, keep in mind that you will be considered unemployed for a week in which you did not receive a wage or if during that time you did temporary work and earned $25 or 25% less than the amount of assistance you are entitled to.
How do I apply for unemployment in California?
In California you can file for unemployment by mail, phone, online or fax. According to the EDD, online is the most expedient and convenient. In case you want to call, the number is: 1‐800‐300‐5616 (8 am to 12 pm weekdays). To do it by fax or mail, here you can download the form.
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At the moment of making the application, you should have at hand information such as:
- Personal data.
- Gross income for the last week.
- The date of your last day of work and the reason for being unemployed.
- Details of your most recent employer, including company name, address, telephone number and name of your former supervisor.
- Information on all employers you worked for in the last 18 months, including salary, hours per week, and company details.
How much money can you get for unemployment insurance in CA?
In California, the minimum compensation is $40 per week, with a maximum of $450. The amount of money in benefits will depend on what you have previously earned and the base period they take into account.
The base period also has a number of requirements for you to qualify for unemployment benefits:
- You must have earned at least $1,300 in the highest-earning six-month period during your base period.
- You must have earned at least $900 in the highest-earning semester and 1.25 times your highest wage for the remainder of the base period.
Let's assume that your highest earning semester was $1,100 and for the remainder of the base period you totaled $2,000. Although in this scenario you did not achieve the $1,300 stipulated, you still qualify because you exceeded the $900 minimum for a semester and earned more than 1.25 times the highest amount you received during the rest of the term.
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In the event that you did not earn enough within the base period, the state will review the last 4 full semesters to determine another evaluation period.
In California, the authorities do not publish the formula for calculating weekly allowances. This count can be calculated by taking the maximum income for your base period and dividing it by 26.
When do your unemployment benefits end?
According to unemployment insurance regulations, the maximum period for receiving benefits is 26 weeks within a calendar year. This time starts to run from the moment your application is accepted.
In addition, you can receive benefits on a continuous or segmented basis depending on how long it takes you to find employment.
It is important to know that in order to receive unemployment benefits in California, you must meet certain obligations. The most relevant is the certification of benefits, which you must do every two weeks. This involves re-entering the information into the EDD. If you do not comply with this basic requirement, you will not continue to receive money from the state.
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