EDD has provided a variety of resources for those employees who have lost their job or have had their hours reduced due to COVID-19.
- Unemployment Eligibility Requirements
- File an Unemployment Claim
- What to Expect Throughout Your Claim
Work Sharing Program
Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.
The Work Sharing Program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced:
- Receive UI benefits.
- Keep their current job.
- Avoid financial hardships.
The Work Sharing Program helps employers:
- Minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs.
- Keep trained employees and quickly prepare when business conditions improve.
- Avoid the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Can I File and Unemployment Claim if I am Self-Employed; an Independent Contractor; or a Gig Worker?
If you are self-employed, an independent contractor, or gig worker and are unable to work or have had your hours reduced due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits under a few different scenarios:
- You chose to contribute to UI Elective Coverage and paid the required contributions to be considered potentially eligible for benefits.
- Your past employer made contributions on your behalf over the past 5 to 18 months.
- You may have been misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee.
You may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance if you are not eligible to receive regular state UI benefits. The EDD will begin accepting applications for this new, federally funded program on Tuesday, April 28.
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.html
