California unemployment claims are granted to unemployed or underemployed workers that qualify under the Employment Development Department's (EDD's) guidelines. Jobless workers that need to claim benefits can file with a variety of convenient methods, but need to ensure that they have the required information available prior to filing an unemployment claim.
What Information is Needed to File for California Unemployment?
In order to file for California unemployment benefits, jobless workers must have certain information available. When filing online or by telephone, this information should be compiled prior to starting the filing process.
- Identification information: The EDD of California requires all claimants to provide the social security number and name used for any jobs held during the base period employment, as well as a California driver's license or ID card number when possible.
- Contact information: California's EDD needs the claimant to provide a mailing address, and the actual residence address if the two are different, as well as a telephone contact number when available.
- Employer information: EDD needs information about all employers that the claimant worked for during the last 18 months, including the reason for leaving the last employer: Eligibility depends on the reason for leaving employment, so claimants must be able to explain the reason for termination. Claimants must also provide the duration of the longest period of employment during the previous 18 months, and the name of that employer.
- Amount of additional pay expected from the employer, if any.
- Availability for work: EDD will not provide unemployment benefits to jobless workers who are unable to work, unavailable for work or who are unable to legally work within the United States. For more information about appropriate work history, read File for Unemployment in California - Who Qualifies for Benefits?
Work History Information Required by EDD
In order to expedite the claim process, EDD asks that all claimants provide information about the 18 month period before filing an unemployment benefit claim. The name of each employer, the dates employed, how much was earned, and the method of payment are required for all employers during the 18 month work history.
In addition to general information about the 18 month period immediately prior to the filing for unemployment, the claimant must also provide more specific information about the most recent employer. The claimant needs to provide the contact information, such as mailing and location address and zip code, and telephone number including area code for his most recent job.
Opening a CA Unemployment Benefits Claim
California's EDD processes unemployment benefits claims in the order they are received, but without the necessary information the claim will be delayed. Jobless workers can ensure that the process moves as fast as possibly by providing EDD with all the necessary information during the initial application, to reduce the time the EDD has to spend tracking down the additional information.
References:
California Employment Development Department - Before You Start
Related Articles:
California Unemployment Benefit Extension - Qualifying & Filing
Victoria Nicks - Victoria Nicks has a Master's Degree in IT, and extensive hands-on experience with various types of hardware and software.
Join the Conversation