FAQs – Unemployment Insurance (2024)

The fastest way to apply orreopen a claim is through UI Online. You can also apply by phone or by mailing or faxing the paper application form. Allow additional time for processing.

Exception: The following claim type can only be filed by phone, fax, or mail:

• Combined Wage Claims: Filed when a customer has worked in, or has wages from, two or more states (including California) in the last 18 months.

For more information, visitFiling an Unemployment Claimand watchUI Online: Reopen Your Claim(YouTube).

ID.me is a safe and easy way to verify your identity. When applying for benefits on UI Online, you will be redirected to the ID.me site, where you will take a selfie (personal photo) and upload a photo of your ID to verify your identity.

A list of the acceptable documents can be found atRegister and Apply for Unemployment Insurance.

WatchID.me Tips to Verify Your Identity with a Trusted Referee(YouTube)and reviewTop Nine Reasons Your Document May Get Rejected(PDF).

You should log in to UI Online and see if you can upload your ID documents.

If you are unable to upload your documents, you can mail in your documents. You have10 calendar daysfrom theMail Dateon theRequest for Identity Verification(DE 1326C) mailed to you to respond with your proof of identity.

To request more time, you must call 1-866-401-2849 or mail a request to the address at the top of theRequest for Identity Verification(DE 1326C) mailed to you. We must receive your request within10 calendars daysof theMail Dateon the paper form.

For more information, visitRespond to Your Request for Identity Verificationand watchHow to Verify your Identity with UI Online(YouTube).

The fastest way tocertify for benefitsand get paid quickly is through UI Online. Payments often post to the debit card within 24 hours. For more information, watchCertify for Continued Benefits(YouTube).

You can also certify by phone usingEDD Tele-Certby calling866-333-4606and selectingMenu Option 2to get started. First time users will need to enter their SSN, weekly benefit amount, and establish a four-digit PIN to use the system.

If using the paper claim form, you should mail the form to the address provided and allow 10 days for processing.

VisitUnderstanding the Certification Questionsand reviewUnemployment Benefit Certification Question Information(YouTube).

You can log in to UI Online and select thePaymentspage to view your payment status. If it shows “Pending,” you can select theClaim Status Trackerbutton and see if any additional steps are required or if an eligibility determination interview has been scheduled. If you need to reschedule, you can reschedule for a later date and time.

For more information, visitClaim Status: Pending Payment.

After your first payment is authorized, you will automatically be sent a Money Network debit cardunless you indicate a preference to receive a check in the mail.

For your convenience, you canset notification alertswhenever a deposit is made or when you have a low balance.

You can contact Money Network Debit Card Customer Service at 1-800-684-7051 for all debit card related matters such as balance inquiries and lost or stolen cards.

Detailedpayment informationis available in UI Online. All payment history is available underHistory.You can also get information on your last payment made by calling the UI Self-Service Phone Line at866-333-4606and selectingMenu Option 2to get started.

For more information, watchView Detailed Payment Information Using UI Online(YouTube).

You can find most of your answers or complete most tasks on your own through UI Online. You can certify for benefits, check payment information, reopen an existing claim, update contact information, reschedule an eligibility phone interview, and send a secure message to UI agents.

There are many helpfulUI Online videosavailable to guide you step-by-step, with many available in multiple languages.

You have the legalright to appealany decision made by the EDD that negatively impacts your benefits. If you have been disqualified, you will receive written notification in the mail stating the reasons why. AnAppeal Form (DE 1000)will be provided, and you have 30 days from the mail date to file a timely appeal.

For more information regarding the appeals process, visitUnemployment Insurance Appeals.

You can reset your myEDD password following the steps below:

1. Go to the myEDD login page.
2. Select Forgot Password.
3. Enter email address.
4. Select Confirm Your Email from the email sent from the EDD.
5. Verify your identity.
6. Provide new password and submit.

Note: If you cannot verify your identity, you will need to contact UI at 800-300-5616, available daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, except state holidays.

The following federal unemployment benefit programs have ended:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
• Pandemic Additional Compensation (PAC)
• Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED)

You cannot appeal the end of federal unemployment benefits. If you were receiving benefits from one of these programs before September 11, 2021, you were sent a notice about the end of the program (DE 6331EN-[Program Name]). This notice states at the bottom, “This notice cannot be appealed and there is no need to contact us.”

The last date payable for federal unemployment benefit programs is determined by federal law in the CARES Act, as amended by the American Rescue Plan. Federal law does not allow the EDD to pay federal unemployment benefits after the end of these programs.