I lost my job or cannot work because of the wildfires. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?

You may be eligible for either: (i) unemployment insurance benefits; or (ii) disaster unemployment assistance.

What are unemployment insurance benefits?

Unemployment insurance provides temporary income for workers who are unable to work through no fault of their own. Unemployment insurance benefits are paid weekly, and the amount of the weekly payments generally is based on a worker’s earnings in the prior calendar year. In order to be eligible, you must be able to work, be seeking work and be willing to accept a suitable job, in addition to meeting other criteria.

How do I file a claim for unemployment insurance?

Unemployment insurance claims are filed with the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Claims may be filed telephonically by calling (800) 300-5616 (English) or (800) 326-8937 (Spanish), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Claims also may be filed on-line at www.edd.ca.gov.
You will need the following information to file a claim:

  • Your Social Security number, mailing address and telephone number;
  • The last date you worked for any employer;
  • The name, mailing address and telephone number of your last employer;
  • The name of the employer you worked for the longest within the last year and a half, and the number of years you worked for that employer;
  • The reason you are no longer working for your last employer;
  • Whether you are receiving, or expect to receive, any payments from a former employer;
  • Whether you are able to work and are available to accept work; and
  • Whether you have a legal right to work in the United States, and, if applicable, your alien registration number.

What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federal program that provides financial assistance to workers, including the self-employed, who become unemployed as a direct result of a major natural disaster such as the wildfires. Eligible persons will receive weekly payments, which are calculated in the same manner as for unemployment insurance benefits (described above).
Am I eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
You generally will be eligible to receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance if you are an unemployed worker or self-employed individual who lived, worked or was scheduled to work in the wildfires area and, as a result of the wildfires, you:

  • are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits (described above);
  • no longer have a job or a place to work;
  • cannot reach your place of work;
  • cannot work due to damage to your place of work; or
  • cannot work because of an injury caused by the wildfires.

For how long may I receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits are payable for up to 26 weeks. The period during which benefits are payable begins on the first day of the week following the date of the disaster and ends 26 weeks after the date the disaster was declared. In other words, you may be eligible for assistance during the period beginning on October 27, 2003 and ending on April 23, 2004. You generally may receive assistance for as long as you remained unemployed during this period. You must accept any suitable jobs offered and must conduct a job search while receiving assistance.

How do I file a claim for Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

Claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance may only be filed telephonically. You should contact the EDD at (800) 300-5616 (English) or (800) 326-8937 (Spanish), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You must file your claim for Disaster Unemployment Assistance within thirty (30) days of the announcement of the disaster declaration, here, by November 26, 2003. Late applications are accepted only in certain limited circumstances.

I lost my job because of the wildfires and need assistance finding a job. Whom should I contact?

For information on job search assistance, on-line job listings, workshops and other employment and training services, contact your local EDD Job Service location. Following is a list of some EDD Job Service locations in the Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties:

Santa Clarita - 21515 Soledad Canyon Road (661) 255-1031
Riverside - 1161 Spruce Street (909) 955-2200
Temecula - 27447 Enterprise Circle West (909) 600-6000
San Bernardino - 646 N. Sierra Way (909) 386-0885
Rancho Cucamonga - 9650 9th Street, Suite A (909) 948-6606
Redlands - 814 W. Colton Avenue (909) 798-1796
San Diego - 8401 Aero Drive (858) 636-3100
Escondido - 1935 E. Valley Parkway (760) 737-2272
Simi Valley - 980 Enchanted Way, Suite 105 (805) 582-8721

A complete list of EDD Job Service locations can be found on EDD’s website at www.edd.ca.gov.

What if I become ill or injured and cannot work because of the wildfires?

You may be eligible for disability benefits under the California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program, a partial wage-replacement insurance plan funded through employee payroll deductions. Most California workers are covered under SDI, but some are exempt, including railroad employees, some employees of non-profit agencies, employees who claim religious exemptions and most government employees. Covered workers who are unable to work can receive approximately 55 percent of their lost wages, for up to one year.

You may not be eligible for SDI benefits if you are claiming or receiving unemployment insurance benefits or Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Am I eligible for SDI benefits?

SDI benefits can be paid only after you meet all of the following requirements:

  • You are unable to do your regular or customary work for at least eight (8) consecutive days;
  • You were employed or actively looking for work at the time you became disabled;
  • You earned at least $300 during a previous period, from which SDI deductions were withheld;
  • You are under the care and treatment of a licensed doctor or accredited religious practitioner during the first eight (8) days of your disability (and must remain under care and treatment to continue receiving benefits); and
  • Your doctor completes the medical certification of your disability.

How do I file a claim for SDI benefits?

You must complete and mail a claim form within 49 days of the date you became disabled or you may lose benefits. A claim form may be obtained on EDD’s website at www.edd.ca.gov or by calling (800) 480-3287. A completed claim form, including a doctor’s certification of your disability, should be mailed to any of the following addresses:

State Disability Insurance - P.O. Box 469 Long Beach, CA 90801-0469
State Disability Insurance - P.O. Box 513096 Los Angeles, CA 90051-1096
State Disability Insurance - P.O. Box 60006 City of Industry, CA 91716-0006
State Disability Insurance - P.O. Box 781 San Bernardino, CA 92402-0781
State Disability Insurance - P.O. Box 120831 San Diego, CA 92112-0831
State Disability Insurance - P.O. Box 10402 Van Nuys, CA 91410-0402