If you’re laid off or fired in California—or even if you quit for good cause—you’re probably entitled to unemployment benefits.
To start receiving benefit payments, you first need to make sure you're eligible. Then, you need to submit an application to California’s Employment Development Department (EDD), which handles all unemployment benefit claims.
If your claim is granted, you need to continue demonstrating your eligibility every two weeks to keep receiving payments. The payments are usually about 45% of your prior weekly earnings, and you can receive them for up to 26 weeks. If your unemployment claim is denied, you have the right to file an appeal.
Let's take a closer look at each of these steps.
Do You Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in California?
To be eligible for unemployment benefits in California, you must be totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own. In addition, you must be physically able to accept work and actively looking for a job. Finally, your past earnings must meet certain minimum thresholds.
Are You Unemployed Through No Fault of Your Own?
You’re entitled to unemployment benefits only if it’s not your fault that you’re out of work. This means that if you were laid off or fired, you’re probably eligible for unemployment benefits. On the other hand, if you quit your job voluntarily, you’re probably not eligible for unemployment benefits.
However, there are exceptions to these general rules. First, you won’t qualify for unemployment benefits if you were fired for misconduct—defined in California as an intentional or reckless violation of a duty that you owed your employer.
Second, if you quit voluntarily but you had “good cause” to do so, you may still qualify for unemployment benefits. Examples of good cause to quit in California include caring for a family member, relocating with a spouse, unsafe working conditions, constructive discharge, or experiencing domestic violence.
To be eligible for unemployment benefits, however, you must be able to demonstrate that you tried to preserve the employment relationship and remedy the situation before quitting.
Are You Able to Work and Looking for a Job?
To qualify and maintain your eligibility for unemployment benefits, you must be physically able to work, available to accept a job, and actively looking for work. If you’re offered a suitable position, you must accept it. The EDD advises that you keep records of your job search for future use and potential eligibility interviews.
Do Your Past Earnings Meet the Minimum Threshold?
Finally, to qualify for unemployment benefits in California, you must have earned a certain amount of wages during a 12-month period in the 15 months preceding your application for unemployment.
To establish a valid claim, you must have earned at least $1,300 over one calendar quarter (such as January through March or April through June) in the preceding 15 months, or at least $900 in one calendar quarter plus a fourth again as much in the four calendar quarters preceding your claim.
How to Apply for Unemployment in California
You can apply for unemployment benefits online, by phone, or by email. Before you begin your application, you’ll need to have certain documents and information ready.
To verify your identity, you’ll need two to three identity documents, such as a driver’s license, a passport, or a social security card.
To demonstrate your work history, you’ll need information about your last employer (including company contact information, wages from your last work week, and the reason for your unemployment) as well as information about your employment history for the last 18 months (including companies, dates, hours, wages, and reasons for leaving).
If your application is granted, you must certify your eligibility every two weeks in order to continue receiving benefit payments.
How Much Can You Receive in Unemployment Benefits?
How much you receive in unemployment benefits depends on how much you made prior to your unemployment (or on any current earnings you report when certifying for benefits every two weeks). This usually works out to about 45% of your prior weekly earnings, and ranges from $40 to $450 per week.
How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits
The EDD will notify you whether your benefits claim has been granted or denied. Common reasons why a claim might be denied include failure to meet the earnings requirement, firing for misconduct, quitting without good cause, or refusing an offer of suitable work.
If your unemployment claim is denied, you have the right to file an appeal. It doesn’t always make sense to do so—for example, if you didn't earn enough in the past to be eligible for benefits, no appeal will change that.
However, if you can demonstrate that the denial was in error—for example, because you had good cause to quit or the work you were offered during your job search wasn’t suitable—then filing an appeal might make sense.
You have 30 days after your benefits claim is denied to file an appeal. Mail a completed appeal form or a letter explaining the reason for your appeal to the address shown on the determination notice. The EDD will then set a hearing on your appeal, where you and your former employer will have the right to present evidence to an administrative law judge.
If you disagree with the judge’s decision, you have the right to file a second appeal with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board.
Contact a California Attorney
If you've been denied unemployment benefits and need help filing an appeal, contact an employment law attorney to discuss the best way to proceed.