Unemployment Benefits
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an unemployment claim by phone or mail with the State of California. The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period to file for people who are unemployed and/or disabled because of COVID-19.
- https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm.
- To file a claim: https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online_File_A_Claim.htm.
For more information about Unemployment Insurance and COVID-19, visit these links:
- https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
- https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm
Sick Leave
For information, contact your employer and visit https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm.
State Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave
Disability insurance and Paid Family Leave are part of the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. If a medical professional has certified that you can’t work because you have, or have been exposed to, COVID-19, you can file a claim for State Disability Insurance. If you can’t work because you are caring for an eligible relative who is sick or quarantined by COVID-19, you can file for Paid Family Leave. For more on State Disability Insurance, paid family leave and unemployment, see https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm.
Sick or Quarantined
If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (as certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
Telehealth or other virtual medical appointments are acceptable methods of completing a physical examination and obtaining the required medical certification.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
Caregiving
If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (as certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
Telehealth or other virtual medical appointments are acceptable methods of completing a physical examination and obtaining the required medical certification.
School Closures
If your child's school is closed and you are unable to work while caring for them, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Eligibility considerations include if you have no other care options and if you are unable to continue working your normal hours remotely. File an Unemployment Insurance claim and state EDD representatives will determine if you are eligible.
Reduced Work Hours
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced through no fault of their own. If you are temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with your employer within a few weeks, you are not required to actively seek work each week. However, you must remain able, available and ready to work during your unemployment for each week of benefits you claim as well as meet all other eligibility criteria. If you’re eligible, benefits can range from $40-$450 per week.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect UI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
