Contacting The Ca Edd For Help With Missing Or Back Claims
Visit Ask EDD unemployment benefits page to request to backdate your claim if you think it has the wrong start date. Then select Claim Questions and then Backdate the Effective Date of my UI Claim Due to COVID-19.
The CA EDD has also launched a New Online Portal that provides Unemployment Claim Status Information. The CA Unemployment Insurance Online tool helps claimants get more information about the status of their claims, including potential eligibility issue that requires further review and describes next steps.
General UI questions and technical help with registration, password resets, EDD Account Numbers, and how to use UI Online: 1-833-978-2511 . To get specific claim support or information call the following numbers between 8 a.m. to 12 noon , Monday through Friday: For English: 1-800-300-5616 For Spanish: 1-800-326-8937
Additional support programs for Californians
Once federal unemployment benefits expire and if you still need support, consider the following state and federal programs to support you and your family:
Stay In the Know:or follow us on , and
Extensions Due To Covid
As part of federal legislation due to COVID-19, changes have occurred that can temporarily extend how long you receive unemployment benefits this year. This includes a couple of programs that can help relieve workers who have become unemployed due to the coronavirus or who’ve run out of benefits and/or don’t qualify through the regular state programs.
First, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program took effect for the week ending on and will last through your pay period ending . It allows you to get as much as 13 more weeks of benefits. And if you end up using up those extra weeks of benefits, then you might still qualify for up to another 13 weeks through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program if your unemployment was due to the pandemic. As with the PEUC program, the PUA expires in .
Claiming Unemployment In California: Your Options Now That Pandemic Federal Benefits Have Ended
But plenty of people still havent found work. Some also have circumstances that are keeping them out of the job market, like not wanting to send their unvaccinated kids back to school, or worrying about contracting COVID in the workplace.
If you’re reading this because your pandemic federal benefits expired earlier this month, we should say up-front: there are not a huge amount of options available to you right now.
But if you have worked at some point during the pandemic, there are a few things you can do to maximize the benefits you can claim. Not least because some Californians are still eligible for regular unemployment and should continue to certify for benefits, according to the Employment Development Department .
Keep reading for our guide to help you figure the paths open to you.
You May Like: Unemployment Application Tn
Filing A Claim With Ca Edd
File a new claim if you have already applied for UI but are eligible for PUA because you are a business owner, independent contractor, self-employed worker, freelancer, or gig worker affected by COVID-19, and you have not already appealed a $0 award notice, been asked to verify your identity, or requested a wage investigation.
Filing a PEUC Claim
The PEUC extension is available until December 31, 2020. To make benefits available as quickly as possible, we are implementing the extension in two phases:
Beginning July 8, the EDDl start mailing notices to people who used all of their regular UI benefits, whose claims expired between July 6, 2019 and May 23, 2020, and who have not filed a new claim.
- If you have enough wages to qualify for a new claim, we will process your claim. You will need to certify your eligibility every two weeks to keep receiving regular UI payments.
- If you dont qualify for a new claim, you will get a $0 award notice in the mail. Within a few days, you will get another notice showing that we automatically filed a PEUC extension for you. The notice will include the weeks that you need to certify for. You can also check your UI Online account for updates.
If you qualify and your extension is filed you will be backdated to one of the following, whichever comes later:
- The last certification date of your expired claim
Payments and Certifying for Unemployment
Where To Find Free Financial Assistance And Support
Try these steps to boost your job search and find financial assistance during unemployment.
- Secure a free email account: Job seekers can create a professional email, separate from their personal email, to use just for job searching.
- Check with your internet and cell service provider: You may be able to hold off on all or some of your payments while you’re unemployed.
- Ask your church and local community organizations for support: If you are a member of a church, ask whether any help is available. Community organizations often have resources to help the unemployed with food baskets, donations, job help, and babysitting assistance.
- Seek help from your network: If you can get support from family or friends, don’t hesitate to ask.
- Obtain free job search help: Identify and find free, or inexpensive, job search and career resources in your geographic area.
- Use your local Career OneStop Center: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Career OneStop centers have information on local support resources. These include help with utility bills, food costs, and other necessary expenses. Career OneStop might also have information on temporary positions, permanent or long-term job listings, and assistance with job or skill training to increase your marketability.
- Review job search tips for unemployed job seekers: It’s difficult to be upbeat and confident when you’re in a desperate financial situation, but it’s important for an unemployed job seeker to remain positive.
You May Like: How To Apply For Va Individual Unemployability
How Do I Apply
To receive unemployment insurance benefits, you need to file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Depending on the state, claims may be filed in person, by telephone, or online.
- You should contact your state’s unemployment insurance program as soon as possible after becoming unemployed.
- Generally, you should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, the state unemployment insurance agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states.
- When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information.
- It generally takes two to three weeks after you file your claim to receive your first benefit check.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
Under the stimulus legislation enacted last year, people can get benefits for up to 79 weeks after their regular eligibility thanks to a program called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
But in many cases, the transition from regular benefits to PEUC hasn’t been seamless, and many people appear to be missing out on money for which they are eligible.
“States are supposed to inform workers when they fall out of regular unemployment insurance that they are eligible for PEUC and give them information about how to apply, says Michele Evermore, former senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project who now works as a senior advisor on unemployment insurance for the U.S. Department of Labor. But from what I’m hearing, that’s not happening in every state. Unfortunately, during this pandemic, we’ve found that you have to be incredibly persistent to actually access the benefits you’re owed.”
Whether or not a state sends out notification, unemployed workers do have to apply to receive PEUC benefits. That means you should be proactive and make sure to complete whatever process your state requires, Evermore says. The PEUC application could be as simple as checking a box on paperwork you already have to complete regularly to continue to receive your usual weekly benefits. Or it could be an additional form you have to complete on your state’s unemployment website. Be sure to check with your state agency to find out what you need to do to receive PEUC.
You May Like: How Do I Sign Up For Unemployment In Tn
About Past Federal Unemployment Extensions In California
In June of 2008, the United States government established a temporary federal unemployment extension known as the Emergency Unemployment Compensation . The 100-percent federally funded program catered to unemployed individuals who depleted their states regular unemployment insurance claim. The EUC08 had four levels, or tiers, that differed by state availability and the total unemployment rate :
-
Tier one of the federal unemployment extensions was available in every state and extended benefits up to 20 weeks, regardless of current or past TUR.
-
Tier two extended benefits up to 14 weeks in states with a TUR of at least six percent in the most recent three consecutive months.
-
Tier three extended benefits up to nine weeks in states with a TUR of at least seven percent in the most recent three consecutive months.
-
Tier four extended benefits up to 10 weeks in states with a TUR of at least nine percent in the most recent three consecutive months.
The federal unemployment extension EUC08 ended abruptly in January of 2014. There was no phase-out period for benefit compensation and payments ended with the program. The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 was an extension of EUC08.
Get Help Looking For A Job
It is easy to become discouraged in a difficult job market. One way to shorten your search time is to broaden your horizons.
Consider expanding the field you are looking in, as well as the geographic location. You may be able to find a great job in a different state or city.
If you’re a college graduate, check with your career services office. Many schools provide career counseling and job-search assistance to alumni.
If you are getting to the interview stage, but you are not receiving any offers, you need to get help with your interviewing techniques. Look for help with this through your local unemployment office. It can still offer you help with looking for a job even if you do not qualify for weekly benefits. It is important to continue to be proactive until you find a job.
You May Like: Do You Pay Income Tax On Unemployment
Check On Extended Benefits
First, check with your state unemployment office to ensure you are receiving all the benefits you qualify for. During periods of high unemployment, the federal government may provide funds allowing the states to expand unemployment benefits.
The U.S. Department of Labor provides a website to help you locate your state’s unemployment insurance office.
Im Not On Regular Ui What Federal Support Does My Program Qualify Me For And What Do I Need To Do To Get It
1. Existing and Exhausted PUA Claims
- If you still had a balance remaining on your PUA claim on March 14, EDD says you should continue to get benefits without delays. EDD says around 95% of PUA recipients should be able to keep certifying without a break.
- On a media call on March 26, EDD said everyone on existing PUA claims should have been able to start certifying for these benefits on Sunday, March 28.
- For the around 5% of PUA recipients who exhausted all PUA benefits, EDD says you should be getting texts, UI Online notifications or mailed notices by April 10, 2021 if not sooner about when to certify for other benefits.
2. Existing and Exhausted PEUC claims
- Still had a balance remaining on your PEUC claim on March 14? EDD says you should also continue to get benefits without delays. Around half of people with existing PEUC claims should be able to keep certifying without a break, says EDD.
- For the other half of applicants whove exhausted all PEUC extensions, you could be eligible for another 20 weeks of benefits under FED-ED Extension. If you are, EDD will automatically file a FED-ED extension on your claim. EDD says it will phase in these benefits between April 10 and April 30, and will notify you in your UI online account when it does. Not everyone is eligible, though, so take a look at EDD’s Unemployment Benefit Programs flowchart to work out if you are.
3. Regular UI and Existing FED-ED claims
4. New PUA Claims
Recommended Reading: Njuifile Net Website
If You Were Not Eligible
If we reviewed your claim and you were not eligible for FED-ED, we mailed you a Notice of Determination for Federal-State Extended Duration Benefits within five to seven days. This notice explains why you were not eligible and includes information on how to appeal if you do not agree with the determination.
Reopening A Claim Vs Filing A New One
According to Daniela Urban, applicants should be on the lookout on their own for the ability to file a new claim, even if their old claim is allowing them to recertify. Some peoples accounts just say pending for a long time, when really, its time for them to refile. Even though that option may have already popped up on their account, they may be overlooking it.
The option to Reopen Claim online is supposed to appear if its been more than 30 days since you last certified for benefits. If your benefit year hasnt expired, EDD will put your account into a semi-dormant mode, instead of closing out your account.
That said, there have been glitches in the past and people have gotten this notification when they shouldnt have. So if you get this “Reopen Claim” notice, but you have been certifying regularly, dont click on that option until youve gotten more information about why youre getting this notice.
If you do actually need to reopen your claim, EDD has a step-by-step video guide:
You May Like: Bankofamerica.com/kdoldebitcard
End Of Federal Enhanced Benefits In California
The CA EDD has confirmed that claimants on the PEUC, PUA, MEUC and FPUC programs will file/certify for benefits for the last time covering the week ending September 4, 2021. Any active claims, with or without remaining balances, will expire after this date and no benefits will be paid .
While there has been a lot of discussion around extending pandemic unemployment benefits, the Biden administration has confirmed that states will have to use already allocated stimulus funding to expand or extend traditional state unemployment programs. The EDD or state agencies have not indicated they are planning to do so at this stage, but I will post updates if things change.
The CA EDD automatically transferred over 340,000 claimants to the Federal-State Extended Duration benefits, but these were only available for an extra week until September 11th. After this date all claimants must have a regular UI claim to continue receiving benefits. This may exclude PUA claimants who would not normally qualify for traditional state unemployment insurance programs.
Note that even after September 11th, any pending claim payments will be processed retroactively after September 4 if you are later determined eligible and you did not receive conditional payments.
California Enhanced Unemployment Benefits Ended For Pua Peuc And $300 Weekly Boost Pandemic Programs Update On Payment Issues And Delayed Claims
Californias Employment Development Department manages the Unemployment Insurance and State Disability Insurance programs for the State of California. This includes all the systems, programs and processing of unemployment claims funded at a state and federal level.
I have provided some FAQs and tips to help get your claims faster in each of the relevant unemployment stimulus programs. Jump directly to them via the links below. Please also see the below this article for more on these topics and some useful tips.
Covered in this Article:
Recommended Reading: Illinois Workforce Commission
Tighten Your Budget Before Unemployment Runs Out
As soon as you lose your job, it’s wise to create a new, bare-bones budget. It should cut out discretionary spending, such as:
- Services like cable TV or a gym membership
- Non-essential groceries
- Optional home or clothing purchases
- Vacations and travel
You’ll still need to make your savings, emergency fund, and other money last as long as possible, in case your benefits end before you find another job, and you need to dip into your savings or emergency fund.
Check out some of the best ways to supplement or replace your compensation when youre unemployed and short on money to pay the bills, and how the income will impact your unemployment benefits.
Covid 19 Enhanced Benefits And Payment Issues
The EDD announced that they have put in place unemployment support programs so that Californians on a regular UI claim can qualify for a total of 59 weeks of benefits. If eligible, you can get 26wks of regular state UI +13wks of PEUC +20wks of FED-ED. If you dont qualify for regular UI, you can get up to 46wks of benefits w/ PUA.
EDD has reviewed the federal CARES Act and has is now compliant with the following enhanced unemployment programs:
The EDD offers a wide variety of Frequently Asked Questions including those about the PUA program designed for the self-employed, as well as how eligibility for unemployment benefits can be impacted with a workers return to work or refusal to return to work.
The minimum PUA payment is $167 and the maximum is $450 per week. To qualify, your net self-employment income for 2019 needs to be more than $46,696.
If you are not able to provide proof of income, the EDD may decrease your payments. If so, you will have to repay the difference for any weeks you were paid over $167.If you qualify for your claim to be backdated to an earlier PUA effective date based on your last day of work, you could receive payment for prior weeks you were unemployed due to COVID-19. You will be required to provide the EDD eligibility information every two weeks. This is known as certifying for benefits.
CA EDD Unemployment General FAQs and Filing a Claim
Applying for PUA Backpay and Adjusting Payment Date
Also Check: How Long Does Unemployment Take To Direct Deposit
