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Claim Filing
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1. How do I file a claim?
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File a claim for UI benefits or extension for UI benefits using one of the
following methods:
- Access eApply4UI:
The eApply4UI application is available as a "Top Link" from the EDD home page.
Answers to questions are entered on-line. After the application is completed
the individual submits it on-line to the Department. Note: This is the fastest way to file your claim.
- Contact EDD by telephone.
Individuals will speak to a Department representative who will ask a
series of questions and record the responses.
- Complete a UI Application, DE 1101I:
This form is available in the Forms and Publications section of this
Web site. The DE 1101I is printed, completed by hand and either faxed
or mailed to the Department.
Note: The above options may also be used to reactivate an existing claim or file for
extended benefits.
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2. We are going to lay off several people. What can EDD do to assist?
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The EDD and employers can work together to assist laid off employees. EDD can
provide information on services such as:
- Unemployment Insurance
- Recruitment and Referral Services
- Disability Insurance
This information can be provided by mail, telephone, or in-person. Employers can
assist by providing their laid off employees with an EDD booklet entitled,
"For Your Benefit - California's Programs for the Unemployed, DE 2320."
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3. What is the best way to get answers to my questions about a claim?
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Contact EDD.
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4. How are fraudulent claims prevented?
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The EDD and employers work together to prevent fraudulent claims.
When an individual files a UI claim, we ask for several identifying pieces of data.
In addition, employers assist EDD in identifying whether the individual filing
the claim is the correct individual. We notify the last employer, former
employers and current employers when a claim is filed.
The following documents help us prevent fraudulent claims:
- Notice of Claim Filed, DE 1101CZ is sent to the last employer when a UI
claim is filed.
- Notice of Wages Used for Unemployment Insurance Claim, DE 1545 is sent to
base period employers when benefits are paid.
- Benefit Audit, DE 1296B is sent to an employer who reports wages for a
social security account number during the same calendar quarter that UI benefits
were paid under that social security account number.
UI benefits are taxable and we report the amount of benefits paid to the
Internal Revenue Service. This is an additional safeguard.
Review Benefit Audit Information to find out more about the
benefit audit process.
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5. What are my responsibilities as an employer under the Worker Adjustment
Retraining Notification (WARN) Act?
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The WARN Act has very specific requirements. Employers with 100 or more employees
who are planning mass layoffs (of 50 or more workers for a period of 30 days or
more), or plant closures, must give the affected employees at least 60 advance
days written notice of the layoff. Report mass layoffs, or plant closures to:
Workforce Investment Division
Automation and Local Support Section
PO Box 826880 - MIC 69
Sacramento, CA 94280-0001
For more information about mass layoffs and plant closures contact the Workforce
Investment Division at (916) 654-8008.
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6. How do my employees file their partial claims?
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The employees can contact EDD to file a claim for
partial UI. They should be prepared to provide the following:
- Name and social security account number
- Mailing and residence address (if different)
- Telephone number
- Last employer information, including:
- Name, address (mailing and physical location) and telephone number
- Information on all employers during the 18 months prior to claim filing claim, including:
- Name, period of employment, wages earned and how paid
- Driver's license or ID card number, if employee has either
- Last date worked and the reason employee is no longer working
- Citizenship status (which may include alien registration number)
If the Department needs to verify any of the information provided while filing a claim, additional forms will be
sent by mail and additional information and/or documentation will be requested.
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7. Who can apply for UI benefits?
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Individuals who are currently unemployed or working part-time can apply
for UI benefits (you cannot apply for benefits in anticipation of your
last day of work). Use one of the following methods:
- Access eApply4UI:
The eApply4UI application is available as a "Top Link" from the EDD home page.
Answers to questions are entered on-line. After the application is completed
the individual submits it on-line to the Department. Note: This is the fastest way to file your claim.
- Contact EDD by telephone.
Individuals will speak to a Department representative who will ask a series of
questions and record the responses.
- Complete a UI Application, DE 1101I:
This form is available in the Forms and Publications section of this
Web site. The DE 1101I is printed, completed by hand and either faxed or
mailed to the Department.
Note: The above options may also be used to reactivate an existing claim or file for extended benefits.The Department will
then determine if the individual is entitled to benefits
The Department will then determine if the individual is entitled to benefits.
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8. How can an individual qualify for UI benefits?
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Most work performed in California, or in other states qualifies an individual
for UI benefits. Self-employment does not usually qualify for UI benefits
coverage. Contact EDD and we will determine if the
individual is entitled to benefits.
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9. How are UI benefits calculated?
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Benefits are calculated using an individual's earnings during a specific 12
month period (this is called a base period). The base period begins
approximately 15-17 months prior to the date the claim is filed. The amount
paid each week is calculated based on the calendar quarter with the highest
earnings during the base period.
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10. How much do claimants receive?
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Weekly benefit amounts range from a minimum of $40 to a maximum of $450
depending on the claimant's quarterly earnings. To qualify for the maximum
amount each week ($450) an individual must earn at least $11,674.01 in a
calendar quarter during the base period (an individual's earnings during a
specific 12 month period).
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11. How long do UI benefits last?
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A claim is effective for one year. During the year claimants can receive from
12-26 weeks of full benefits. The number of weeks varies, based on total
earnings during the base period (an individual's earnings during a 12 month
period). During periods of high unemployment, additional benefits may be
granted by Congress, or the State Legislature.
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12. When should an individual apply for UI benefits?
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Individuals should apply for benefits as soon as they are unemployed, or working
less than full-time. All claims are effective on the Sunday prior to
applying for benefits, and have a one week unpaid waiting period. The waiting
period does not begin until the claim is filed.
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13. What do I need to file a claim?
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Individuals must be out of work (for any reason), or working less than full-time.
In addition, you must provide the following information:
- Your name and social security account number
- Your mailing and residence address (if different)
- Your telephone number
- Last employer information, including:
- Name, address (mailing and physical location) and telephone number
- Information on all employers you worked for during the 18 months prior to claim filing your claim, including:
- Name, period of employment, wages earned and how paid
- Your driver's license or ID card number, if you have either
- Last date worked and the reason you are no longer working
- Citizenship status (which may include your alien registration number)
If the Department needs to verify any of the information provided while filing a claim, additional forms will be
sent by mail and additional information and/or documentation will be requested.
After the claim is filed, the Department will determine if you are eligible
to receive benefits.
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14. When do UI benefits start?
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Benefits start with the effective date of the claim, which is the Sunday prior
to the date an individual contacts us to file a claim. All claims have a one
week waiting period. The one week waiting period is not a paid week, and does
not begin until the claim is filed.
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15. What are the eligibility requirements?
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To be entitled to benefits an individual must be:
- Out of work due to no fault of their own
- Physically able to work
- Actively seeking work
- Ready to accept work
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16. What if I am sick or injured, and cannot work?
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California has a State Disability Insurance (SDI) program.
SDI provides affordable, short-term benefits to eligible workers who suffer a
loss of wages when they are unable to work due to a NON-WORK RELATED illness
or injury, or a medically disabling condition from pregnancy or childbirth.
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17. Why did I receive a Notice of Unemployment Insurance Claim Filed,
DE 1101CLMT in the mail? What am I supposed to do with it?
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All claimants are mailed a copy of the claim information they provided to EDD
when filing for UI benefits. This information is contained on the
DE 1101CLMT. The notice advises you of your right to correct errors or
omissions, and provides instructions on how to contact the Department to
make corrections.
The Department considers the information provided during claim filing to
be correct unless you advise us otherwise. If any information on the
DE 1101CLMT is not correct, you have ten days from the mailing date of
the notice to advise the Department so we can correct our records.
You can correct the information in writing or by telephone.
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18. How can I get a copy of my UI records?
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First, contact EDD and request a copy of your claim records. We will mail a paper
copy of the requested information to you by the end of the next business day. If
there is a hardship or emergency, we can fax copies of the requested records to an
EDD Job Service site where you can pick them up. If requested, we will also fax the
files to a fax number other than an EDD site.
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19. Why can't I get through to a "live person?"
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When our telephone system receives too many calls that the telephone network becomes
temporarily overloaded. If that occurs, you will hear a message that states, "We are
currently receiving more calls than our system can handle. Please try again later."
This tends to happen between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., and the problem should resolve itself
in a few minutes. This is also likely to occur on our busiest days (Mondays, and days
after a holiday).
Once you have reached our telephone system, and you make the menu
selections to speak to a Representative, the system routes your call to the location
with the shortest wait time. However, if it appears that your call cannot be answered
within 10 minutes because of the number of callers already waiting, you will hear a
message advising you to call back later. To avoid this possibility, you may want to
call on Wednesday or Thursday, which are our least busy days.
Statewide increased demand
for UI services, seasonal fluctuations and holidays contribute to a longer wait time
when calling the Department. We understand that your time is valuable and EDD is making
every effort to shorten the time you must wait for service.
You can avoid telephone wait
time by using one of our
on-line applications to file your claim.
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20. How do I end my claim?
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Discontinue mailing your Continued Claim Form, DE 4581. If the Department doesn't receive
a claim form from you we will assume you have returned to work, or no longer wish to
claim benefits. It is not necessary to contact the Department to stop your
benefit payments.
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21. How do I check on my claim status?
I filed a claim using one of your on-line applications, it's been 10 days
and I haven't received any information. What should I do?
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Contact EDD.
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22. How do I file my claim when my on-line e-Apply4UI application was rejected?
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Contact EDD
by telephone to file your claim.
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23. How do I find out why I was denied benefits? I paid into the UI system.
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Many employees believe they have paid into the UI system. In fact, UI is
entirely financed by employer tax contributions. The claimant must meet basic
eligibility requirements
before benefits can be paid.
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24. How do I change information on a claim I filed electronically?
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Contact EDD.
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25. How do I find out the status of my claim?
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Contact EDD.
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26. How do I file a claim on-line if I was in the military, worked for the federal government
, worked outside of California, applied for UI in another state, or was issued a form by my
employer or union? Your on-line application tells me to file by calling EDD; I would
rather file on-line.
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Currently we do not have the ability to process these types of claims on-line.
Military, federal, out-of-state and claims initiated by an employer or union
require special filing procedures. In the future, additional types of claims
may be filed using the on-line applications.
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27. I already responded to a Department notice about one of my employees.
Why did I get a Request for Additional Information, DE 1326ER? |
You received the DE 1326ER because there is a
question as to the identity of the individual who filed the UI claim. The
Department needs your help to validate claim filing information provided by
that individual. Mail the completed form (and any other additional documentation)
within ten days of the mailing date of the DE 1326ER. The information you provide
will be used to ensure that all charges made against your account are correct.
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28. Why did I receive a Request for Identity Verification, DE 1326C?
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This notice was sent because the Department has:
- been unable to verify your identity using the information you provided when you filed
your UI claim, or
- received information that your identity may have been compromised
As a result, further identifying documents are required. Whenever there is a
question of correct identity, the Department requires identifying documents to
ensure benefits are paid only to those who are legally entitled to receive them.
Failure to provide the requested documentation may result in a denial of benefits.
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29. Why did I receive a Request for Information, DE 1326E,
I have never filed a UI Claim?
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You are receiving this notice because a UI claim was filed using the social
security number documented on the notice and there is a question about the
identity of the individual who filed the claim.
Complete the form and provide the documentation that is being requested to
verify ownership of the social security number. You are not required to
provide the requested information, but the Department needs your assistance
and cooperation to ensure benefits are paid only to those who are legally
entitled to receive them.
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