Questions about Unemployment Insurance and How to Apply? UI FAQs Just for You!

Since the implementation of the stay-at-home order in mid-March, unemployment insurance applications have reached an all-time high with more than 30 million people applying. Through the community, we’ve heard that many people have had difficulty applying whether it’s due to the language barrier or questions about the application process. We’ve summarized the FAQs on applying for unemployment insurance below! See if your questions were answered!

If you didn’t know already, the EDD has a YouTube Channel (opens in new tab)where they share step-by-step tutorials on how to apply. Follow along to learn how to apply!

UI Online: Overview and Registration (opens in new tab)

How to Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits (opens in new tab)

Q: I'm self-employed / I'm an Uber driver. Can I file an Unemployment Insurance claim?

If you are self-employed, an independent contractor, or gig worker and are unable to work or have had your hours reduced due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits under a few different scenarios:

• You chose to contribute to UI Elective Coverage and paid the required contributions to be considered potentially eligible for benefits.
• Your past employer made contributions on your behalf over the past 5 to 18 months.
• You may have been misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee.

You may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) (opens in new tab) if you are not eligible to receive regular state UI benefits. The EDD will begin accepting applications for this new, federally funded program on Tuesday, April 28.

The federal CARES Act, which created the PUA program, requires that an individual may only receive PUA benefits if they are not eligible for regular or extended UI benefits or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. This includes individuals who have exhausted all rights to such benefits, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, or those who have insufficient work history.

Q: How much can I collect in benefits with an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim?

Eligible individuals can receive regular UI benefits that range from $40-$450 per week.

You can use the Unemployment Insurance Calculator (opens in new tab) to help estimate your potential weekly benefit amount. These estimates do not include the new Pandemic Additional Compensation of $600 per week provided by the federal CARES Act.

If you qualify for PUA the initial payments you will receive are as follows:

• $167.00 per week, for each week from February 2, 2020 to March 28, 2020 that you were unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason.
• $167.00 plus $600 per week, for each week from March 29, 2020 to July 25, 2020, that you are unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason.
• $167.00 per week, for each week from July 26, 2020 to December 26, 2020, that you are unemployed due to a COVID-19 related reason, up to a total of 39 weeks (minus any weeks of regular UI and certain extended UI benefits that you have received).

Q: How can I receive the $600 per week? Do I need to apply?

Claimants do not need to do anything to receive this extra funding. The EDD will automatically add the full $600 to each week of current benefits that are paid every two weeks, as long you are eligible for at least $1 in a regular payment each week.

Regardless of the amount of income you report, you will receive an additional $600 with your PUA weekly benefit amount, for weeks you were out of work due to COVID-19 from March 29, 2020 to July 25, 2020.

The first week the additional payments can be made is for the week ending April 4, not before. Separate retroactive payments will be automatically issued soon to those who had an active claim that week, and the $600 extra payments can continue to those who remain impacted and otherwise eligible for benefits through the week ending July 31, 2020.

Q: I already applied but I received an EDD notice showing that I have $0 in benefits available. What does that mean?

If you filed for UI and received an award notice with $0 benefits available, it could be due to one of three scenarios:

• EDD was unable to verify your identity with their records. They will mail you a request to verify your identity. You have 10 calendar days from the mail date to send the EDD two forms of identity documents from the list of Acceptable Documents for Identity Verification (DE 1326CD) (PDF) (opens in new tab). Once they verify your identity, you’ll receive a new notice telling you what their wage records show for weekly UI benefit payments if you meet all other eligibility requirements.
• You were misclassified by your employer as an independent contractor instead of an employee or your wage information may have been inadvertently transposed when your employer reported your information to the EDD. If you believe our record of your wages isn’t accurate, correct the wages on the award notice and send copies of your W-2, Form 1099, or a paycheck stub to the address on the front of the notice. We will follow up with you and your employer for any details needed to make a determination.
• You’re self-employed or an independent contractor and have not paid contributions to the state Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. As part of the federal CARES Act (opens in new tab), the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps unemployed Californians who are usually not eligible for regular state unemployment benefits and are unemployed or not providing services due to reasons directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including business owners, the self-employed or those with limited recent work history. Visit the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (opens in new tab) page for updates and information on eligibility and when to file.

Q: What information do I need to apply?

• ID, driver’s license, and Social Security Number, if you’re not a U.S. citizen, you will need to provide employment authorization documents
• Information on your last employed job including company name, supervisor name, address, and phone
• Date of your last job and the reason for leaving
• Total income in your last week of work
• Past EDD application history
• Information of all your previous jobs in the past 18 months, including employer’s name, address, date of work, gross wages, working hours, hourly wage rate, reason for leaving, etc.
• If you’re a federal employee, you will need to complete an additional form for federal unemployment insurance (Standard Form 8)

**If you’re applying for PUA, you don’t need to provide proof of previous income. Since the subsidy received is a fixed amount, the amount will not changed based on your past income.

Q: Would I qualify for benefits if I choose to stay home from work due to underlying health conditions and concerns about exposure to the virus?

You can be eligible for benefits if you choose to stay home. Once you file your claim, the EDD will contact you if they need more information.

Q: Can I still collect unemployment benefits if I am able to work remotely from home?

Working your full normal hours remotely would not qualify you for benefits. However, you could collect some Unemployment Insurance benefits if your usual number of work hours are reduced through no fault of your own. The first $25 or 25 percent of your wages, whichever is the greater amount, is not counted as wages earned and will not be reduced from your UI weekly benefit amount.

Q: Can I collect disability and unemployment benefits at the same time?

You have the right to apply and file a claim for unemployment and disability benefits at the same time, but you can only collect payments under one benefit program at a time. You’re encouraged to file a claim under one program based on your circumstances or file under both programs if you are unsure of which program is most appropriate. The EDD will review the facts and determine your eligibility for the appropriate program.

If you were collecting unemployment benefits and became exposed to COVID-19, you can file a claim for disability benefits and switch to this program.

Q: Aside from applying online, are there any other ways I can apply?

Applying online is the most convenient and fastest way to apply. Applications are open during the following times:

Click here to apply for UI online! (opens in new tab)

You can also download the app on your phone or tablet. The application process would be the same as applying online.

You can also apply over the phone on Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 12pm (noon) Pacific time. However, since there are many applicants, the wait time is usually a few hours before you’re able to speak with a representative.

Aside from the methods mentioned above, you can also download the application form on the official EDD website and mail it or fax it to the EDD office by following the instructions on the form.

Q: During these challenging times, are there any other subsidies or government assistance that we can apply for?

If you lost your job or experienced a significant reduction in your income due to the pandemic, you can try to apply for the following government sponsored programs:

• CalFresh, apply to see if you qualify for the nutrition program that helps households buy healthy foods (opens in new tab)
• Covered California, apply for health insurance and see if you qualify for subsidies
• Medi-Cal, apply for coverage and see if you qualify for Medi-Cal (opens in new tab)
• California Association of Food Banks, find a food bank near you (opens in new tab)
• Many utility companies such as PG&E, Edison, SDG&E, and SoCalGas will continue to provide services to households who are unable to pay their bills. If you’re experiencing hardships, contact them to see your payment options and if you qualify for payment assistance.

For more information on unemployment insurance benefits during COVID-19, you can find their FAQs here (opens in new tab).

We would also like to remind everyone that during this time, it’s important to have health insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones. Covered California is extending their Open Enrollment Period to June 30, so you still have time to purchase health insurance! If you do not have health insurance, feel free to contact us for any assistance. During this outbreak, many insurance companies are providing free online consultations and annual health checkups!