FAQ - Extended Unemployment Benefits

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What benefits are available as part of the most recently approved federal extensions?

The legislation approved by the U.S. Congress and implemented on December 23, 2011, extended the filing deadlines for federal extensions of Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. The legislation did not add more weeks of unemployment benefits to the federal extensions. It only extended the deadlines for filing the federal extensions. Up to 99 weeks of total benefits is still the maximum available to unemployed workers in California. The total number of benefit weeks for which someone is eligible depends on their individual situation, when the prior claims were filed, and California’s unemployment rate.

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Who is eligible for federal extension benefits?

Federal extension benefits are designed to provide further income support to eligible unemployed workers who have been out of work for a long period of time. The current legislation makes Sunday, February 26, 2012, the deadline for filing a first federal extension of benefits, once a regular UI claim runs out. The deadline for filing a second, third, or fourth federal extension of benefits, is March 4, 2012, once the prior level of extension runs out.

 

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What do I need to do if I believe I’m eligible for federal extension benefits?

The EDD should be able to automatically file federal extension claims for unemployed workers who have exhausted all available benefits. This will help you transition seamlessly into your first federal extension or into the next available federal extension as long as you remain otherwise eligible.

Once the federal extension is filed, a notice and/or claim forms will be sent to eligible claimants. If you do not receive a claim form in the mail from EDD after 10 days from the date you received your last check, you will need to contact EDD regarding your UI claim. A very small percentage of claims may not have been filed automatically and therefore, if you have not received any type of correspondence from EDD regarding the new extension, you may need to file a claim. You may apply online at EDD’s Web site, www.edd.ca.gov, or contact EDD by telephone. The EDD anticipates high call volumes so you are encouraged to apply online. Filing online is the fastest way to file your claim.

Again, we encourage you to monitor our website and follow us on Twitter for further updates.

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What is the Deferred New Claim Payment program?

The Deferred New Claim Payment program was established by federal legislation in late July 2010. For eligible claimants, this program requires California to continue paying on the federal extension at the higher weekly amount even though they qualify for a new regular unemployment claim. The federal legislation that created the Deferred New Claim Payment program requires California to continue paying you on your federal extension if you meet ALL of the following five criteria:

  • The end date of the benefit year of your regular unemployment claim, on which your current federal extension is filed, is July 24, 2010, or after;
  • You have a federal extension filed on the regular unemployment claim, which has an end date of July 24, 2010, or after;
  • You have unemployment benefits still available on your federal extension;
  • The weekly benefit amount of your new regular unemployment claim is at least $100 or 25% less than the weekly benefit amount of the federal extension you are currently collecting on;

    AND
  • You did not earn enough wages in another state to be eligible for a new unemployment claim before your regular unemployment claim ended in California.

If you meet ALL five criteria to continue being paid on your federal extension, current law states that the new regular unemployment claim that was filed will remain open for one year. Even though we are not paying you on that regular claim now, it will remain available if you are still unemployed beyond the extent of your current federal extension benefits. You will not be able to file another new regular unemployment claim until after the one year period and you will not be paid on the new regular unemployment claim for the same weeks that you were paid for on the federal extension.

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If I run out of my regular UI benefits, how do I file for the first federal extension that’s been available?

Once you have exhausted your entitlement to your regular UI claim, you may be eligible to file the first extension. If you are eligible to file the first extension, EDD will automatically file the first extension and send you an additional Continued Claim Form, DE 4581. No action is required on your part.

Once the federal extension is filed, a notice and claim forms will be sent to eligible claimants. If you do not receive a claim form in the mail from EDD after 10 days from the date you received your last check, you will need to contact EDD regarding your UI claim. A very small percentage of claims may not have been filed automatically and therefore, if you have not received any type of correspondence from EDD regarding the new extension, you may need to file a claim. You may apply online at EDD’s Web site, www.edd.ca.gov, or contact EDD by telephone. The EDD anticipates high call volumes so you are encouraged to apply online. Filing online is the fastest way to file your claim.

Again, we encourage you to monitor our Web site and follow us on Twitter for further updates.

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Do I need to reapply for the second, third, and fourth federal extensions?

Once you have collected all benefits payable on your current federal extension, you may be eligible to file the next federal extension in the series. If you are eligible to file the next federal extension in the series, EDD will automatically file the next federal extension you are eligible to file and send you an additional Continued Claim Form, DE 4581. No action is required on your part.

If you do not receive a claim form in the mail from EDD after 10 days from the date you received your last check, you will need to contact EDD regarding your UI claim. A very small percentage of claims may not have been filed automatically and therefore, if you have not received any type of correspondence from EDD regarding the new extension, you may need to file a claim. You may apply online at EDD’s Web site, www.edd.ca.gov, or contact EDD by telephone. The EDD anticipates high call volumes so you are encouraged to apply online. Filing online is the fastest way to file your claim.

Again, we encourage you to monitor our Web site and follow us on Twitter for further updates.

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What are the deadlines for filing for the first federal extension?

Under current federal extension filing deadlines, the last date the first federal extension can begin is February 26, 2012. If you exhaust your entitlement to regular UI benefits before February 26, 2012, and meet all of the following eligibility criteria, you may be eligible for the first federal extension if you:

  • Are fully or partially unemployed on or after July 6, 2008,
  • Have exhausted your entitlement to your regular UI claim,
  • Are not qualified to file a new regular claim,
  • Have had a valid claim that began on or after May 7, 2006,
  • Meet all eligibility criteria, AND
  • Have a regular UI claim where the total amount earned in the base period is either:
    • More than 40 times your weekly benefit amount

      OR
    • More than 1.5 times the highest quarter in your base period.
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What are the deadlines for filing for the second, third, and fourth federal extension?

Under current federal extension filing deadlines, the last date the second, third, and fourth federal extensions can begin is March 4, 2012. If you meet all of the following eligibility criteria you may be eligible to file, the second, third, or fourth federal extensions if you:

  • Were eligible for the first extension,
  • Collected all benefits on the first extension,
  • Are not qualified to file a new regular claim in California or in any other state(s), AND
  • Meet all eligibility criteria.
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What is the FED-ED extension?

The Federal-State Extended Duration Benefits (FED-ED extension) is an extended benefit program that is separate from the federal extended benefit program. FED-ED extended benefits are available once California’s unemployment rate reaches a certain percentage. The FED-ED program currently provides up to 20 weeks of extended UI benefits to individuals who are unemployed and have collected all of their available UI benefits.

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What are the deadlines for filing for the FED-ED extension?

There is no deadline for filing the FED-ED extension at this time. When the FED-ED program ends depends on California’s unemployment rate. Once California’s unemployment rate drops below a certain level the FED-ED program will end and no further FED-ED extensions can be filed.

If California’s unemployment rate continues to meet the State requirements to file FED-ED extensions, California can continue to file FED-ED extensions even after the separate federal extended benefit program has ended. Please monitor our EDD Web site for further developments.

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How are FED-ED requirements different from previous extensions?

The FED-ED program is a separate extended benefits program than the “federal extension” program. It is based on a different set of laws than the “federal extensions.” The requirements to receive FED-ED extended benefits are stricter than the requirements from previous extensions. In order to receive FED-ED extended benefits, you must continue to meet all UI eligibility criteria. You may also be required to:

  • Document at least three (3) work search contacts on the back of your Continued Claim Form, DE 4581.
  • Accept offers of suitable work that may not be in your normal occupation.

For more information regarding FED-ED requirements refer to the Notice of Determination for Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED Extension) that was mailed to you when your FED-ED extension was filed.

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Do I still need to fill out a Continued Claim Form for extensions?

Yes. As one of the requirements to receive UI benefits, including extended benefits you must continue to complete the Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, and mail it to EDD in a timely manner.

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My check didn’t include a Continued Claim Form. Where can I get one?

Individuals who did not receive a Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, should contact EDD online, or call the toll-free number. You are encouraged to contact EDD online as the EDD is currently experiencing high call volumes. Contacting EDD online is the fastest way to get your Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, mailed to you.

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Can I check the status of my extended benefit checks online?

No, you cannot check the status of your extended benefit checks online. However, you can check the status of any UI benefit check, including extended benefit checks, by using our automated telephone system. You will need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access your information. You create your PIN using the automated telephone system.

You can call the automated self-service system at 1-866-333-4606 for check information and One-Stop Career Center locations. The automated self-service system can be used by individuals who do not need to speak to a representative. The recorded information about your most recent Unemployment Insurance benefit check is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

If you want to speak to an EDD representative you can call one of EDD’s toll-free numbers.

English 1-800-300-5616
Spanish 1-800-326-8937
Chinese 1-800-547-3506
Vietnamese 1-800-547-2058
TTY 1-800-815-9387

If you have not received your check or any response from EDD within 10 days of mailing your Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, contact EDD. Also contact EDD immediately if you lose your check.

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Can I use the same PIN number that I use to check the status of my regular UI checks to check the status of my extension benefit checks?

Yes, you can use the same PIN number to check the status of any UI benefit check, including extended benefit checks.

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If I’m granted an extension, will I get benefits for any missed weeks?

In general, if you qualify for an extension you will be mailed a bi-weekly Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, for the first two weeks of your extension. You cannot be paid extended benefits unless you submit a completed and signed Continued Claim Form, DE 4581. Once EDD receives your Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, and it is determined you meet all the eligibility criteria, your extended benefit check will be issued with the next bi-weekly Continued Claim Form, DE 4581 attached to the check.

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If an extension is automatically filed for me by EDD, what will I be receiving in the mail?

If the first, third, or fourth federal extension is filed for you, you will receive a notice informing you that your federal extension has been filed, and a Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, for the first two weeks.

If the second federal extension is filed for you, you will receive a Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, for the first two weeks. You will have already received notification of the amount of your second extension on the check stub for the last payment on your first federal extension.

If the FED-ED extension is filed for you, you will receive a Notice of Determination for Federal-State Extended Duration Benefits (FED-ED Extension) and a Continued Claim Form, DE 4581, for the first two weeks.

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Do employers have to pay for federal extended benefits?

The federal government has approved an unprecedented total of unemployment extension benefits for unemployed workers during the course of the recession. They have included four tiers of federal extension benefits providing up to 53 weeks of additional unemployment benefits called Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) extended benefits. A separate extension called the Federal-State Extended Duration program, otherwise known as the FED-ED extension in California or the Extended Benefit (EB) extension in other states, provides up to 20 additional weeks of benefits.

The four tiers of federal EUC extension benefits are entirely federally-funded. This means California employers will not be charged for any EUC extended benefits paid to claimants.

Payments made on the separate FED-ED extensions, are currently entirely federally-funded for most employers. This means that most employers (mainly tax-rated ones) will not be charged for any benefits paid to claimants on FED-ED extensions filed with an effective date of March 4, 2012, or before.

However, governmental entities, federally-recognized Indian Tribes, and a few other entities as outlined in the Employer Extended Benefit Cost Web page, are always charged for 100 percent of FED-ED extension benefits paid whenever this program is active.

For more information about employers’ charges on EUC and FED-ED extensions filed with an effective date of March 4, 2012, or before, refer to the Employer Extended Benefit Cost Web page.

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