If Coronavirus Claims Your Job, Right here’s What to Do First – NBC Bay Space

UPDATE No. 2, FRIDAY, March 20th, 3:15 p.m .: The Employment Development Department announced to NBC Bay Area that there is “unprecedented demand” for their services and some users may experience delays in filing or filing claims. EDD gave us the following statement: “SDI Online will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance from Friday, March 20th at 8:00 pm through Saturday, March 21st, at 2:00 am. During this period, individuals will be able to access their entitlement through EDD’s Disability and check payment information. Insured or paid family vacation automated phone systems. For their debit card information, visit the Bank of America EDD debit card website. The UI online page of our online systems works as usual. We encourage individuals to use our online services as far as possible as possible With this unprecedented demand for support, online customers may need to refresh their session to restore functionality during the online application process. “

UPDATE No. 1, FRIDAY, 03/20, 12:00 p.m .: We heard from several viewers that they were having difficulty filing jobless claims either online or over the phone. According to the Employment Development Department’s website, the system will be scheduled for maintenance from 8:00 p.m. Friday to 2:00 a.m. Saturday. We have asked EDD for more information and will share it here as soon as we learn more.

As businesses shut down across the state, California state employment offices are inundated with a surge in jobless claims.

Data released Thursday by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) to NBC Bay Area shows a significant surge in jobless claims this month. In the week of March 8-14, the state received 58,208 unemployment claims, an increase of 34% over the previous week. In the past few months, EDD said the average number of claims per week was around 41,000.

Source: California Employment Development Department

Loree Levy, the agency’s assistant director of public affairs, says EDD has “hands on deck” and is even recently hiring retirees to help out newly unemployed Californians.

“This is obviously unprecedented,” Levy told NBC Bay Area over the phone. “It was very sudden.”

As one of the largest government agencies in the state, the EDD processes unemployment insurance claims for hundreds of thousands of Californians every week. It is also responsible for collecting the taxes that fund the unemployment insurance program, also known as the UI.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, California had seen all-time highs in employment. Only 3.9% of working-age adults said they were unemployed. Levy says the number is expected to increase in the coming weeks and months, but the data won’t be available until April at the earliest.

To meet the anticipated surge in demand, EDD is taking exceptional measures, according to Levy.

“We saw a significant increase in claims activity,” she said. “Employees work overtime seven days a week and we are asking the youngest retirees to come back and hire additional staff.”

Did you lose your job Apply immediately for the user interface

The good news for workers who have lost their jobs in the past few weeks: They are most likely eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. This also includes employees who have been on leave or whose working hours have been reduced – even if they still receive a partial wage check.

To be eligible for the user interface, employees must meet these six requirements as outlined by EDD:

• you are wholly or partly unemployed.
• you are unemployed through no fault of their own. (For example: your employer has closed temporarily or permanently because of the virus pandemic.)
• you are physically able to work.
• you are available for work.
• You are ready and ready to Accept work immediately.
• you are actively looking for work.

There is one major exception: As a rule, the self-employed cannot receive any UI benefits. According to Levy, this is because state unemployment insurance is paid for through taxes on employers and most independent workers are not taxed for the user interface. For example, if your main source of income has been driving for a ridesharing app and you have lost business due to a lack of drivers, you will not be eligible for UI benefits.

According to Levy, if you lose your job, act fast – and apply for the UI right away, even if it’s the day you laid off or went on vacation.

How to apply for unemployment

Levy says the quickest, easiest way to apply and get the process started is to get online. From a desktop PC or laptop web browser, Visit this page on the EDD website edd.ca.gov. There is plenty to read, review, and fill out. So take some time and make sure you don’t get distracted.

EDD also has a mobile-friendly website for smartphones and tablets: UI Online Mobile. (Use this link if you are reading this story on your phone.)

Alternatively, you can call EDD at 800-300-5616 apply by phone.

It is important to note that you cannot apply for UI benefits in person. According to the EDD, the employment offices are not open to the public.

After your application is processed, a government official will contact you to ensure that you fully meet the eligibility requirements for unemployment insurance. You may also be asked to register with CalJOBS, a government job search website.

How much money do I get?

According to the EDD, unemployment benefits are a partial replacement of wages. So don’t expect to receive the same amount as your last full paycheck. The benefits are based on what you’ve paid for the last year or so and range from $ 40 to $ 450 per week. If you qualify, your accomplishments can last for up to a year.

While you can get a check mailed to you every other week, the agency says it’s faster and easier to request an EDD debit card.

What about part-time workers?

Patricia A. in San Francisco called NBC Bay Area this week to ask how part-time unemployment benefits work.

“My grandson worked for a theater, but it closed,” she said. “Can he get unemployed?”

According to the EDD, the answer is yes. Since the theater’s closure was due to the pandemic – and not his fault – your grandson can and should request the UI.

If you have any questions about unemployment, please let us know using this form. Or you can call us and leave a message – 888-996 TIPS.