Unemployment Insurance – After You Apply

After you submit your unemployment application, there are important steps you must take to make sure your benefit payments are not delayed or denied.

Important Next Steps

Look for Important Documents from the EDD

You will receive these documents in the mail within two weeks of submitting your unemployment application:

• Unemployment Insurance Claim Filed (DE 1101CLMT) (PDF)
  An overview of the information you provided when you submitted your application. Contact us within 10 days of the Mail Date if any information is incorrect. Reporting incorrect information may result in a disqualification, overpayment, or overpayment penalties.
• Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award (DE 429Z) (PDF)
  Your weekly benefit amount and maximum claim amount, based on wages reported by your employer(s). Contact us within 30 days of the Mail Date if any information is incorrect.
• Employment Development Department Customer Account Number Notification (DE 5614) (PDF)
  Your EDD Customer Account Number (EDDCAN) is required to register for UI Online. If you were automatically enrolled in UI Online or already have an existing UI Online account, there is no need to re-register. Your EDDCAN may be used instead of your Social Security number when speaking with the EDD, so it is important to keep for your records.
• Unemployment Insurance Benefits: What You Need to Know (DE 1275B) (PDF)
  Covers requirements to be eligible for unemployment benefits and provides step-by-step guidance on how to certify for ongoing unemployment benefits.
• Continued Claim (DE 4581) (PDF)
  Use this form to certify for continued benefits every two weeks. You can also certify through UI Online or EDD Tele-Cert.

Certify for Benefits Every Two Weeks

You must provide the EDD with eligibility information every two weeks. This process is known as certifying for benefits. You can certify with UI Online, EDD Tele-Cert, or by mail.

Report work and wages correctly while receiving benefit payments. Report any work you performed and wages you earned (even if you weren’t paid) every two weeks when you certify for benefits. Watch Reporting Wages and Earnings (YouTube) for more information.

Note: You must serve a one-week unpaid waiting period on your claim before you are paid unemployment benefits. The waiting period can only be served if you certify for benefits and meet all eligibility requirements for that week. Your first certification will usually include the one-week unpaid waiting period and one week of payment if you meet eligibility requirements for both weeks. The waiting period has no effect on the maximum benefit amount on a claim. Certify for benefits every two weeks to continue receiving benefit payments.

Pending Claim Status

If you have a Pending status for any weeks in your UI Online Claim History, we may need to confirm your identity or eligibility before we can process payment. Monitor your UI Online homepage for notifications, and review the UI Online Claim Status Tracker for updates and possible next steps.

Possible next steps could include:

• Responding to requests for additional information in the mail.
• Checking your UI Online Inbox.
• Completing your Eligibility Questionnaire or Request for Eligibility Information (DE 4365FF).
• Preparing for a phone interview.

Register for CalJOBS

You must add or update your resume in CalJOBS within 21 days of submitting your unemployment application, unless otherwise instructed by the EDD. If you don’t take these steps, your benefit payments could be delayed or denied.

Receive Your Benefit Payments

It takes at least three weeks to process a claim for unemployment benefits and issue payment to most eligible workers.

Payment information is updated daily and is available through your UI Online account or by calling the Unemployment Self-Service Phone Line at 1-866-333-4606.

To learn about your payment options or change your payment preference, visit our Your Benefit Payment Options page.

Note: Money Network representatives cannot answer questions about your claim or pending payments.

Additional Information

California Training Benefits

The California Training Benefits (CTB) program allows you to further your education, upgrade your skills, or learn a new trade while receiving unemployment benefits.

If approved for CTB, you will not be required to look for work every week and may also be eligible for additional benefit weeks while completing your training or education.

For CTB eligibility requirements, approved programs, and more, visit California Training Benefits.

Previous Disqualification or Overpayments

A previous Unemployment Insurance claim disqualification or overpayment may affect your new claim.

If you previously received an overpayment, refer to your Notice of Potential Overpayment (DE 1447) (PDF).

Residents Moving Out of State

If you move out of California, you must actively look for work and register for job search assistance with the local employment office in your new state within 21 days of submitting your California unemployment application, or you could be denied benefits.