California Unemployment Benefits: Complete Filing Guide

California's Employment Development Department (EDD) administers unemployment insurance benefits for workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This guide walks you through eligibility, filing, benefit amounts, and ongoing requirements for California unemployment benefits.

California Unemployment at a Glance

Detail	Information
Maximum weekly benefit	$450
Maximum benefit duration	26 weeks
Waiting period	1 week (unpaid)
Filing method	Online at UI Online, by phone, or mail
Administering agency	Employment Development Department (EDD)

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for California unemployment benefits, you must:

Earnings Requirements

Base period: California uses your wages from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed.

Minimum earnings: You must have earned at least $1,300 in your highest-earning quarter, OR have earned at least $900 in your highest quarter AND total base period earnings of at least 1.25 times your highest quarter earnings.

Work Requirements

• Lost job through no fault of your own (layoff, reduction in force, lack of work)
• Physically able to work and available for work
• Actively seeking employment each week you claim benefits
• Ready to accept suitable work if offered

Who Is NOT Eligible

• Workers who quit without good cause
• Workers fired for misconduct
• Self-employed individuals (generally)
• Independent contractors (generally)
• Workers who refuse suitable work

How to File in California

Option 1: Online (Recommended)

Website: UI Online

Steps:

1. Create a Benefit Programs Online account
2. Register for UI Online
3. Complete your unemployment claim
4. Check your inbox for messages from EDD

Best times to file online: Early morning or late evening for faster processing

Option 2: By Phone

EDD Phone Number: 1-800-300-5616

Hours: 8 AM - 12 PM, Monday through Friday

Note: Phone lines are often busy. Online is generally faster and more reliable.

Option 3: By Mail

Download and mail Form DE 1101ID (paper application)

Processing time: Significantly longer than online filing

Information You'll Need

Gather this before you start:

• Social Security Number
• Driver's license or state ID number
• Last employer's name, address, and phone number
• Dates of employment (start and end dates)
• Reason for separation from each employer
• Gross earnings from each employer
• Alien registration number (if not a U.S. citizen)

Benefit Amounts in California

Calculating Your Weekly Benefit

California calculates your weekly benefit as approximately 60-70% of your weekly earnings, up to the maximum.

Formula: Your highest quarter earnings ÷ 26 = Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA)

Minimum weekly benefit: $40 Maximum weekly benefit: $450

Example Calculations

Highest Quarter Earnings	Weekly Benefit
$5,000	$192
$7,500	$288
$10,000	$385
$11,700+	$450 (maximum)

Total Benefit Amount

You can receive up to 26 times your weekly benefit amount or 50% of your total base period wages, whichever is less.

The Waiting Period

California has a one-week unpaid waiting period. This is the first week of your claim when you are unemployed but not yet receiving benefits.

• File your claim as soon as you're unemployed
• Certify for your waiting week
• Benefits begin the second week (if eligible)

Certifying for Benefits

You must certify every two weeks to continue receiving benefits.

How to Certify

Online (recommended): Log into UI Online and complete your certification

By phone: Use EDD Tele-Cert at 1-866-333-4606

By mail: Complete and return the paper form mailed to you

Certification Questions

Each certification asks:

• Were you physically able to work?
• Were you available for work?
• Were you looking for work?
• Did you refuse any work?
• Did you work or earn any money?
• Did you attend school or training?

Answer honestly. Incorrect answers can result in penalties or overpayment.

When to Certify

EDD assigns certification weeks based on your Social Security Number. Check UI Online for your specific certification dates.

Receiving Your Payments

EDD Debit Card

Benefits are loaded onto a Bank of America EDD Debit Card.

Options:

• Use the card directly for purchases
• Withdraw cash from ATMs (fees may apply)
• Transfer funds to your bank account

Direct Deposit

You can set up direct deposit to your bank account through UI Online.

Work Search Requirements

California requires you to look for work while receiving benefits.

Requirements

• Make reasonable efforts to find suitable work
• Be available to accept work
• Keep a record of your work search activities

Documenting Your Search

Keep records of:

• Employer names and contact information
• Dates of contact
• Type of work sought
• Results of contacts

EDD may ask for this documentation at any time.

Working While Receiving Benefits

You can work part-time and still receive partial benefits.

How It Works

• Report all earnings when you certify
• The first 25% of your weekly earnings is disregarded
• Remaining earnings reduce your benefits dollar-for-dollar
• If earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you receive no benefits that week

Example

Weekly benefit: $400 Part-time earnings: $200

• 25% disregard: $50
• Countable earnings: $150
• Benefit paid: $400 - $150 = $250

Severance Pay and Unemployment

In California, severance pay generally does not affect your unemployment benefits.

• Lump-sum severance: Usually doesn't delay or reduce benefits
• Severance paid as salary continuation: May affect the week(s) it covers

Important: Report all severance when filing your claim. EDD will determine how it affects your benefits.

Special Situations

Laid Off After Relocation

If you moved to California for a job and were then laid off, you may be eligible for California benefits based on wages earned in other states (combined wage claim).

Seasonal Workers

If you work in a seasonal industry and are laid off during the off-season, you may still be eligible if you meet the earnings and availability requirements.

Part-Time Workers

Part-time workers can qualify if they meet the minimum earnings requirements and are available for part-time work.

School Employees

Teachers and school staff have special rules. Benefits may be affected by reasonable assurance of returning to work.

Appeals Process

If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal.

How to Appeal

1. You have 20 days from the mailing date of the denial to file an appeal
2. File online, by mail, or by fax
3. Attend your appeal hearing (phone or in-person)
4. Receive a decision from the Administrative Law Judge

Common Reasons for Denial

• Insufficient wages in base period
• Quit without good cause
• Fired for misconduct
• Not available for work
• Not actively seeking work

Tips for California Filers

1. File immediately — Don't wait. The one-week waiting period starts when you file.
2. Use UI Online — It's faster and more reliable than phone or mail.
3. Certify on time — Late certifications delay payments.
4. Document everything — Keep records of your job search.
5. Check your inbox — EDD sends important messages through UI Online.
6. Report all earnings — Even small amounts must be reported.
7. Respond to requests — EDD may need additional information.
8. Keep filing — Continue certifying even if benefits are delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive benefits?

After filing and completing your waiting week, most claimants receive their first payment within 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with the claim.

Can I get unemployment if I was fired?

It depends on why you were fired. If fired for misconduct (violating company policy, poor performance, etc.), you may be disqualified. If laid off or let go for reasons other than misconduct, you may qualify.

What if I worked in multiple states?

You can file a combined wage claim that includes wages from all states where you worked during your base period.

Do I have to repay benefits if I find a job?

No, if you received benefits correctly. However, you must report when you start working, and any overpayments must be repaid.

---

Key Takeaways

1. Maximum benefit is $450/week for up to 26 weeks
2. File online at UI Online for fastest processing
3. Certify every two weeks to continue receiving benefits
4. Keep searching for work and document your efforts
5. Report all earnings even if working part-time
6. Severance usually doesn't affect California unemployment benefits
7. Appeal if denied — You have 20 days to file

---

Related Resources:

• Main Unemployment Guide →
• Emergency Budget Planning →
• First 24 Hours After Layoff →
• Unemployment Calculator →