How to File For Unemployment Benefits in the State of California
If you have recently been laid off, fired, or if you quit your job, you are entitled to collect unemployment benefits. Here are the steps to start collecting your benefits.
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Things You'll Need
- An internet connection to file your claim online OR
- UI Application DE11011 to file your claim via snail mail or fax.
- Time to fill out the application.
Instructions
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To file your claim online, go to the California Employment Development Department website. Use the link in resources section below.
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Answer the questions regarding your work history, wage/payment history, and some basic personal information. You will need:
-Your name and social security account number
-Your mailing and residence addresses (if different)
-Your telephone number
-Your last employer information (regardless of the length of time you worked for the employer) including name, address (mailing and physical location) and telephone number (including area code)
-Information on all employers you worked for during the 18 months prior to submitting your applications and filling your claim, including name, period of employment, wages earned and how you were paid
-Your last date worked and the reason you are no longer working
-Your gross earnings in the last week you worked
-Your driver's license or ID card number, if you have either
-Your citizenship status (which may include your alien registration number) -
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Submit your completed application.
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Once you've submitted your application, EDD will process your claim and within ten days you will receive a notice of your benefits. From that point you will begin receiving your unemployment checks in the mail.
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While receiving unemployment benefits, you will be required to fill out a form on a weekly basis regarding your current job status. Basically you will be letting the EDD know if you are looking for work, if you have earned any money at all and how much, or if you have found a new job. Once you have found a new job, simply report it on your next weekly form and the EDD will cancel your claim.
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To file for Unemployment via snail mail, simply fill out UI Application DE11011 and mail or fax it in to the EDD office. Use the same link as filing online to get to the application and then simply click on "Printer Friendly Version" near the top of the page to get the printable version of the application. Fill it out and mail it in.
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Tips & Warnings
Provide HONEST answers to all questions
Collecting unemployment is not a job! Continue to search for work while collecting your benefits.
You may be required to participate in an eligibility interview if there is a question regarding your elegibility to receive benefits.
Your benefits are not likely to match your earnings/wages from your last job. So don't expect to be collecting large unemployment checks.
