If you have lost your job in California as a result of a lay-off or company downsizing, you may be entitled to receive unemployment benefits.Unemployment benefits provide partial wage replacement for workers who are out of work due to no fault of their own.To be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, you must meet certain eligibility requirements.Continue reading to find out how to apply for benefits in California.
Step 1: You can be unemployed through no fault of your own.
To be eligible for benefits in California, you must have lost your last job.If you quit your last job for bad reasons or were fired with cause, you may not be eligible forUI benefits.There are some acceptable reasons for quitting or losing your job.quitting because you didn't like your job, quitting to change careers, or getting fired are all unacceptable reasons for quitting.The definition of bad performance by your past employer may be different from the definition by the EDD.If you feel you are entitled to the benefits, you should still apply.Try to negotiate with your employer so that they don't challenge your application.
Step 2: It is necessary to meet the past earning requirements.
Your wages will be reported to the EDD when you file aUI claim.The EDD will use this information to determine if you have earned enough wages during the base period to establish aUI claim.A base period is a specified period of time used to calculate your earnings.If you want to know how unemployment benefits are computed, you should visit this website.
Step 3: Have a good immigration status.
The benefits are only available to people who are in the United States legally.It is possible that you will be required to show proof of your lawful status in order to receive benefits.Some forms of proof include a social security card, birth certificate, photo I.D., or green card with work authorization.
Step 4: You should be able to be available and seek suitable employment.
To be eligible forUI benefits, you must be physically able to work, be available to accept work and be conducting an active job search.If you have a temporary disability that prevents you from working, you may be ineligible forUI benefits.You can be eligible for State Disability Insurance.You may be temporarily ineligible forUI benefits if you are in a position where you can't accept work.To be eligible for benefits, you must be looking for work.You may be required to submit evidence of your job search if EDD determines that you are eligible forUI benefits.Keep track of the jobs you apply for.
Step 5: You can find the California Employment Development Department website.
You will need to go here to begin the application process.You can click on the link to file for unemployment.You should have the following information readily available: your name, social security number, address, and state-issued I.D.Your last employer's information, including their name, address, and phone number, as well as Reasons as to why you are no longer employed, are included in the number.
Step 6: You can complete the application process by choosing how you want to file your claim.
Once you have gathered the required information, you will be able to choose how you want to file your application.You can file online, over the phone, or by fax.Click here if you want to apply over the phone.You can follow the directions given to you over the phone.Click here if you want to apply by mail or fax.You can complete the application online or you can print it and fill it out with a pen.You can fax or mail the application after you've completed it.Click here to download the application.Click here if you are applying online.When you are done, you will be prompted to submit the application online.
Step 7: Wait for the EDD to respond.
EDD will evaluate the application once it has been submitted.You can expect to hear back from EDD in about ten days.Depending on your application and information obtained from your past employers, EDD will determine your eligibility.Depending on the information you and your employer give, you may be scheduled for a telephone interview so EDD can get additional information to determine you eligibility.You will begin receiving benefits if EDD determines you are eligible.If EDD determines you are not eligible for benefits, you will be given a notice of determination, which will explain why you were denied benefits and give you information on how to appeal their determination.This will be the notice of determination.People who don't meet the threshold eligibility requirements are often denied benefits.
Step 8: To keep your unemployment benefits, fill out the required forms.
The Continued Claim Form can be found here if you have been found to be eligible forUI benefits.You can complete the process over the phone, mail it, or file it online.Every two weeks, this process will need to be repeated.You can follow the directions to complete the form if you are filing online.The form asks you to complete a work search record in order to report the jobs you applied for.If you have doubts about how to answer certain questions on the Continued Claim Form, you can follow this guide.It has step-by-step instructions on how to answer each question.
Step 9: If necessary, report small amounts of income.
If you find a job while you are receiving benefits, you have to report it on your Continued Claim Form.Whether you receive money for your services or not, you still have to reveal the number of hours you worked, how much money you made, and whether you are still working there.Failure to report this information can result inUI fraud, which can lead to severe punishment.You should look here for information on how to report your income.
Step 10: If necessary, extend the unemployment benefits.
The benefits last for a year.You may be able to get a federal extension on yourUI benefits if you have received one year of benefits and are still unemployed.If you are eligible, EDD will send you a Continued Claim Form every other week.EDD will send you Continued Claim Forms if you need to file more than one extension.
Step 11: Take a second to read your denial letter.
Many people who are eligible for benefits are denied them.EDD has an appeals process if you think you were wrongly denied.You can request an appeal if you believe they wrongly denied your application.Not meeting the minimum eligibility requirements is the most common reason for being denied benefits.EDD can determine if you lost your job because of performance issues or because you quit voluntarily.EDD makes these determinations after interviewing your past employers.The most common denials that are voluntary appealed are quits and malfeasance.If you quit your job to getUI benefits, you need to prove that you had a good reason to quit.If you are denied benefits because of bad behavior, your employer will have to prove it on appeal.It is possible to win an appeal if your employer doesn't have enough evidence to prove you wrong.
Step 12: You can request an appeal.
If you disagree with EDD's reasons for denying your benefits, you have 20 days to appeal.If you want to appeal, state that you disagree with the decision and you are entitled to benefits under the law.It is possible that saying anything else will hurt your chances of winning an appeal.You have the option to submit an appeal form or letter.The form can be found here.Attach a copy of your Notice of Determination when the form is completed.When writing an appeal letter, state that you are appealing and send it to the address specified in your notice of determination.You should include your name, address, phone number, and social security number.
Step 13: Prepare for your hearing.
You will get a notice of a hearing after you submit your appeal.Depending on the reason for the denial, your employer will have an opportunity to attend the hearing and present evidence as well, and you will be able to present the reasons why your claim should be granted.The appeal file should be reviewed.You need to get a copy of the appeal file at the Office of Appeals in order to analyze it before the hearing.There will be claim notes, employer protests, records of interviews, and an appeal letter in the file.The basics of the law apply to your appeal.Understand the law that will govern your appeal.The guide should give you the basics you need.Support documents should be gathered.You should be prepared to introduce other evidence at the hearing, as well as the documentation in your appeal file.Performance reviews, personnel manuals, employee commendations and/or reprimands, and any written correspondence between you and your previous employer are some of the evidence you should try to bring.Call an attorney to help you with your appeal.You can bring a representative with you to the appeals hearing, but you may want to hire an attorney for that reason.A persuasive case can be presented by an attorney.Local legal services organizations often deal with these types of issues.The Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center is located in San Francisco.
Step 14: Attend the hearing.
You can either have the hearing conducted in person or via telephone.The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge or representative from the unemployment insurance agency.In order to make a record of the proceedings, the administrative law judge will make introductory remarks and turn on a recording device.An overview of the hearing process will be given by the administrative law judge.After the preliminary remarks, the agency representative will ask you questions related to your claim and you will have an opportunity to present evidence.Your employer will have an opportunity to ask you questions if you attend.
Step 15: Wait for a decision.
Your state agency will make a decision after your hearing.The facts of your case will be stated by the hearing officer.You can appeal again if you disagree with the decision.You have 20 days to file an additional appeal if you want to appeal.