What is the process after I apply for unemployment insurance benefits?

1. EDD California will confirm your application and weekly benefit amount (WBA) via email and postal mail

• You should receive the confirmation of your application within two weeks via postal mail. We’ll let you know what your WBA is, based on our wage records. For an initial estimate of your WBA, use our UI benefit calculator.
  
  
• You may receive an email confirming that you were automatically registered in UI Online. This allows you to fully access information about your claim and to certify for continued benefits online.
  
  
• If you’re not automatically registered in UI Online, you’ll receive a notice in the mail with your EDD Customer Account Number. Use the account number to finish registering for full UI Online access.
  
  

If we need more information from you to complete your claim, we may call you or mail you a notice. If we are unable to verify your identity or your wages, our system might determine your estimated WBA to be $0.00. If this happens, we may need more time to process your claim. If you were paid wages during the four quarters shown on your Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award, you should contact the EDD to request a wage investigation.

For business owners, independent contractors, self-employed workers, freelancers, gig workers:

If you qualify for PUA, your minimum weekly benefit amount will be $167 for claims starting February 2, 2020. Claims between March 29 to July 25, 2020 will have an additional $600. Your total benefits will last up to 39 weeks (including any regular UI and extended benefits you might qualify for).

Once we verify your income, your weekly benefit amount may increase. Any increase will also apply retroactively. We will notify you if your weekly benefit amount increases. Read more about PUA.

2. Certify for your first benefit payment

• Certify your claim in UI Online once you’re registered. You will also be required to certify your claim every two weeks.
  
  
• You can answer “No” when we ask whether you are looking for work, due to COVID-19. If you meet all other eligibility requirements, you will still receive benefits.
  
  

3. Upload your resume in CalJOBS℠ (Optional)

We understand that it’s a difficult time to look for a job right now. You are currently not required to upload your resume to CalJOBS during the COVID-19 pandemic.