7 Things Everyone Must Know Before Apply for EDD Unemployment Insurance Benefits

  1. Everyone (UI and PUA applicants) uses the same form. Register or log in with Benefit Programs Online and click “File New Claim.”

  2. 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.

  3. If you are a small business owner, independent contractor, self-employed worker, freelancer, or gig worker, here’s how to answer key questions in the application form:

    1. On the Employment History screen when you supply your last employer information, select “No.”

    2. On the Availability Information page, answer question 7 with “No.”

    3. On the Disaster Information page, answer question 1a.3 with “You are an independent contractor.” If you got paid in cash, select “None of these options apply to me.”

  4. If you have run out of benefits, you are unemployed, and your benefit year has expired, reapply for benefits through UI Online.

  5. If you have run out of benefits but you are still within the one year that your claim is good for, and your benefits:

    1. Ran out before February 2, you are probably not eligible for PUA. (You would have to show that you are unemployed because of COVID-19.) You may be eligible for the federal 13-week extension. We will notify you about what to do.

    2. Were for weeks you spent unemployed between February 2 and March 21, we will send you a form to fill out to supply information not already in your claim. When you get the form, fill it out and return it.

  6. If you received your last payment for weeks you were unemployed on or after March 21 and are still within your benefit year, we will automatically extend your claim for 13 weeks. We will notify you that we have done that and when you can certify.

  7. If you applied for unemployment assistance but didn’t qualify (for example, because you voluntarily quit or you were fired or discharged by your employer), or you are serving a penalty because of false statements on a past claim, you could be eligible for PUA. We will send you a form to fill out to supply information not already in your account. When you get the form, fill it out and return it.

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Nakase|Wade law firm represents companies, businesses, and employers – exclusively.

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