Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
California is responding to the spread of a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (COVID-19). While investigations to learn more about the virus are ongoing, workers and employers should review their health and safety procedures to help prevent exposure to the virus.
The EDD provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California. For faster and more convenient access to those services, we encourage the use of our online options.
For the latest Unemployment Insurance claim data available, visit the Newsroom.
We have reviewed the federal CARES Act and like all other states, we are currently awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in order to implement the various provisions.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is a brand new program. The EDD is working with deliberate speed to stand up this new program and the other new provisions to serve unemployed Californians, including the self-employed. Californians should follow the current instructions on this page regarding potential UI benefits with more details to come later in the week.
- For faster processing, read How to Set Up a UI Online Account (DE 2338H) (PDF) to help you apply for benefits.
- For help completing the application, call your local America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM to schedule a phone appointment with an EDD representative.
- It takes at least three weeks to process a claim for unemployment benefits and issue payment to most eligible workers. We appreciate your patience.
- If you had to close your business to prevent or manage the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom’s executive order temporarily suspends the 60-day notice requirement for employers who give written notice to employees and meet other requirements.
- If your business is directly affected by COVID-19, you can request up to a 60-day extension to file your state payroll reports and deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. Include the impact of COVID-19 in your written request for the extension. Your request must be received within 60 days from the original past-due date of the payment or return.
Visit Coronavirus 2019 FAQs for answers to specific questions you may have about COVID-19 and what programs and benefits may be available to you.
COVID-19 FAQsWorkers
Sick or Quarantined
If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
Telehealth and virtual appointments are acceptable for a physical examination, but medical certifications are still required.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
For guidance on the disease, visit the California Department of Public Health website.
Caregiving
If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
Telehealth and virtual appointments are acceptable for a physical examination, but medical certifications are still required.
School Closures
If your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Eligibility considerations include if you have no other care options and if you are unable to continue working your normal hours remotely. File an Unemployment Insurance claim and our EDD representatives will decide if you are eligible.
Reduced Work Hours
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own. If you are temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with your employer within a few weeks, you are not required to actively seek work each week. However, you must remain able and available and ready to work during your unemployment for each week of benefits you claim and meet all other eligibility criteria. If you’re eligible, benefits can range from $40-$450 per week.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect UI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
Self-Employed
If you are self-employed, you may have benefits available from EDD employment insurance programs that you or your employer may have paid into over the past 5 to 18 months. You may have contributions from a prior job, or you could have been misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee. Apply for the benefit program that best fits your situation and include details about your employment to help us process your claim.
Visit Coronavirus 2019 FAQs and Self-Employed/Independent Contractor to learn more.
Employers
Workplace Health and Safety
For information on protecting workers from COVID-19, refer to the Cal/OSHA Guidance on Coronavirus.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for help with planning and responding to COVID-19.
Reduced Work Hours
If you are experiencing a slowdown in your businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy, you can apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs — retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Workers of employers who are approved to participate in the Work Sharing Program receive the percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60 percent.
Visit Work Sharing Program to learn more about its benefits for you and employees, and how to apply.
Potential Closure or Layoffs
If you are planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus, you can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help avert potential layoffs, and provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. For more information, refer to the Rapid Response Services for Businesses Fact Sheet (DE 87144RRB) (PDF) or contact your local America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM.
California WARN
Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-31-20 (PDF), which temporarily suspends the 60-day notice requirement in the California WARN Act for those employers that give written notice to employees and satisfy other conditions. The suspension was intended to permit employers to act quickly in order to mitigate or prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Executive Order does not suspend the California WARN Act in its entirety, nor does it suspend the law for all covered employers. The Executive Order only suspends the California WARN Act’s 60-day notice requirement for those employers that satisfy the Order’s specific conditions. Employers should continue to file a WARN per the legislation requirements regardless if the 60-day notice timeframe is not met. For more information, visit the COVID-19: WARN FAQs.
Tax Assistance
If you are experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19, you may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file your state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return.
For questions, call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center.
- Toll-free from the US or Canada: 1-888-745-3886
- TTY: 1-800-547-9565
- Outside the US or Canada: 1-916-464-3502
Resources
Employment Resources
- Labor and Workforce Development Agency – Resources for employers and workers including workers’ compensation and paid sick leave.
- Labor Commissioner’s Office FAQs – Employee leave options, compensation, and salary.
- Department of Fair Employment and Housing – Job protection and employment discrimination.
Health Resources
- Covered California – Resources to get information and apply for low or no cost health insurance.
- California Department of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- World Health Organization