Recently the “Programs for the Unemployed” pamphlet which informs individuals about the programs offered by the Employment Development Department (EDD) was updated. The pamphlet covers Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (SDI), and Paid Family Leave (PFL).
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is an insurance program paid for by the employer. It provides an affected individual with an income when he/she is out of work through no fault of their own.
The pamphlet updates impact how an affected individual understands California’s EDD unemployment insurance process, including rights and responsibilities. The changes include:
- Clarification of what information and /or materials an applicant needs to have access to and supply about past employers and the reason for being out of work. To ensure the individuals claim is filed as quickly as possible, they need to have the updated materials and information ready.
- The claims the affected individual will file depends on the type of employer he/she worked for and where he/she worked. EDD has added military claims, combined wage claims, and interstate claims.
- New information and chart has been added to the section that covers how an individual’s benefits are determined. This includes the standard base period and the alternate base period. If the affected individual does not have sufficient wages in the standard base period to establish a claim the EDD will consider whether the individual qualifies to file a claim using the alternate base period.
- New information addressing waiting periods has been added. In order to serve a waiting period the affected individual must certify for benefits using one of the two methods; EDD Web-Cert or EDD Tele-Cert. Both methods are described and the ways in which to certify are listed.
- The new EDD Debit Card and how it works is explained.
- “Holding fees” and “picket pay” were added under the reported earnings section which outlines what types of incomes must be reported.
- Substantial information was added under the “Eligibility” section. When a claimant files they are asked a number of questions. The EDD has gone into considerable detail about the types of questions and “employer notification” claimants must be aware of.
- Under telephone interviews there are eligibility issues that can affect a claimant’s status. The list has been updated to add individuals who are out of work due to lockout or strike, quit because of lack of child care, unable to work because of illness or injury, or certify late using EDD Web-Cert or EDD Tele-Cert.
- New section added: Telephone Interview/Contact by Mail. This section explains the EDD process of scheduled telephone interviews to solve eligibility issues.
- Includes a list what to do when an appeal is pending.
- Information about special programs and how a claimant can continue to receive weekly UI benefits while they attend retraining has been added. This covers what types of training are authorized under California training benefits (CTB).
- Migrant and seasonal farm workers and food processing workers section and assistance information has also been added to the special programs and services section.
- The YEOP Youth Employment Opportunity Program provides special services to youth. The ages covered were 15 to 21, NOW it covers ages 15 to 25.
To purchase the updated pamphlets click here. Employers in California are required to distribute this pamphlet to any staff member who is terminated, laid off, or takes a leave of absence.