About 6.63 million Americans are unemployed, and many rely on unemployment checks to get them through until their next job.
In California, the unemployment rate grew from 5.1 percent to 5.4 percent over the past year. It was the second-highest percentage in America only to Nevada, and many Californians may be wondering when their next unemployment benefit kicks in.
Why It Matters
California has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. The state has also experienced a mass exodus and higher resignation rates than others in recent years.
In October, 352,000 Californians resigned from their jobs. That marked the highest number of resignations in a single month for the entire year and was 78,000 more than in September, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What To Know
Unemployment benefits are available to California workers who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced through no fault of their own.
Anywhere between $40 and $450 is available each week, depending on your earnings for the last 18 months.
Once you apply for benefits, it can take at least three weeks to process the application and earn your first payment.
The unemployment benefits have strict requirements in California. You must:
- Have earned enough in wages during a specific period of time based on your earnings over the past 18 months.
- Be totally or partially unemployed.
- Be unemployed through no fault of your own.
- Be physically able to work.
- Be available for work.
- Be ready and willing to accept work immediately.
To continue earning unemployment benefits, you must provide your eligibility information every two weeks by using the state's UI Online tool or certify your status by mail.
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "If you become unemployed in California or any other state, you need to immediately file a claim with your state's unemployment office and be ready to provide your work history and the reason for unemployment....Expect payments to arrive within three weeks of filing, and while multiple payment options are available, usually direct deposit is the quickest way for receiving your benefits. My advice is to stay organized, track your job search activities, and explore other forms of financial assistance that can supplement your income while out of work."
Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, told Newsweek: "To avoid delays, submit accurate and timely applications and certify regularly every two weeks. Stay proactive by checking the UI portal frequently for updates and potential issues. Also, ensure you are correctly classified as an employee—misclassification as an independent contractor could impact your eligibility and benefits."
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: "Losing your job anywhere in the US feels like being thrown to the wolves. For Californians, the first thing to do is to file for benefits immediately. Don't wait. EDD is regularly slammed. The sooner you're in the system, the sooner you'll hopefully start seeing checks."
What Happens Next
Those who continue to be unemployed in California must certify their eligibility every two weeks to continue securing their unemployment benefits.
"The reality is people need to push and advocate for themselves because the system isn't going to do it for them," Driscoll said. "Be persistent, call your reps, don't let anyone shame you for needing help. Unemployment isn't a moral failure on your part. It's a symptom of a system that treats workers as disposable."
English (US) ·