Great Tips for Applying for Unemployment Benefits in California

It is not a secret that California has been financially depleted for some time, as recession continues to take a toll on us all. The state has currently an 11.9 percent unemployment rate as released Friday August 21^st by the Employment Development Department (EDD). Look at the bickering between governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state legislature as they battle what social programs to cut or not in order to bring California's deficit to manageable level. If you are one of the thousands who find his or her self unemployed, you need to hurry to file for unemployment because since the state is in deficit, they are tightening their belt to give unemployment benefits to as few people as possible. Below are tips for applying for unemployment benefits in the golden state of California.

1. Proof that you have lost your job: in order to even apply for unemployment, you need to have been a previously employed worker in the state of California. It is not enough to just say that you don't have a job. You need to get termination letter from your former employer stating the date of termination and the reason for such. They need this evidence because some people quit their job on their own and they cannot benefit from unemployment if they leave on their own accord. Those who are terminated for theft, embezzlement, drug abuse, or such improper conducts will not qualify you for unemployment.

2. Get your resume ready and start applying for other jobs: The EDD despises having people sit on unemployment without attempting to find a job. Before they can approve you for unemployment benefits, you need to show not only evidence of termination from previous employment, but evidence that you are actively seeking another job and you are willing to work when another job is found. Keep track of all the places you have sent your resume as well as the outcome of your quest.

3. Gather necessary documents: apart from termination letter and the likes, you need to make sure that you have all your personal identification information on file. Applying for unemployment is no easy matter, especially now that California has high level of unemployed workforce. Being honest and consistent with the information you provide the EDD is ever more important because any mistake could result in denial of your application for benefits. Date of birth, social security number, your address, previous employer information including name and address and last date of employment are some of the information you will need to compile as they will be needed when you apply for unemployment benefits.

4. File as soon as possible: once you are given the bad news that your job is over, get to your nearest unemployment agency and file. There is a one week elimination period from when you file, which you do not get paid for. Thus, it is imperative that you file for benefits as soon as you know you do not have a job. Waiting longer will only prolong the time it takes for you to get your check. Your best bet is to apply online at www.edd.ca.gov

Remember that as soon as you find another job, you need to report to the EDD office that you are now employed. If not, they will fine you for reimbursement of all the money paid to you in the time you had been working. Help California get better by truly searching for new job or getting trained in another field. Best of luck!

Sources:

http://www.unemploymentcalifornia.net/californiaunemployment-tips.php

http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/