Once you'reeligible, your next step is to register and apply for unemployment.
Create an Account
It’s an important step to register for an online account with us. You can use ouronline servicesto report the information required for your unemployment claim.
Learn more abouthow to set up your UI Onlineaccount (PDF).
Get Your Information in Order
A little preparation goes a long way!
Identity Documents
We launched ID.me, a safe and easy way to verify your identity inUI Online. When you file a new claim, you will be redirected to the ID.me site where you will take a selfie (personal photo) and upload a photo of your ID to verify your identity.
For more information, reviewTop Nine Reasons Your Document May Get Rejected(PDF).
If we need additional information to verify your identity, you will need to join a video call with ID.me and provide either:
- Two primary documents
- One primaryandtwo secondary documents
Primary Documents
ID.me primary documents include:
- Driver license (US or foreign)
- Passport or passport card (US or foreign)
- US Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
- Employment Authorization Card (I-766) issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
- Federal or state ID
- Veteran health ID card
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ID Card
- Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)
- National ID card (only if you live outside of the US)
- Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) Personal Identity Verification card
Secondary Documents
ID.me secondary documents include:
- US health insurance card
- Social security card
- US birth certificate
- School documents (ID with photograph, school record, report card)
- US voter registration card
- US citizen ID card (Form I-197)
- Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214)
- National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service (NGB Form 22)
- Foreign birth document
- Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545)
- Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
- Border crossing card
- Native American tribal document
- Tribal-issued photo ID card
- Canadian Indian and Northern Affairs card
- US Coast Guard merchant mariner card
After your video call with ID.me, you need to finish your unemployment application. Log in to UI Online and return to your application. UI Online will take you to the ID.me login page. Log in to allow ID.me to share your identity information with the EDD. SelectAllowand finish completing your unemployment application.
If you are unable to verify your identity through ID.me when applying online, you will need to file a claim by phone, fax, or mail.
For help with the ID.me verification process, you can:
- Speak to an ID.me video agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through your ID.me account.
- VisitID.me Supportand submit a request for help.
- ReviewHow to Set Up and Protect Your ID.me Account(PDF).
Prepare to Apply
Timing is important. Waiting to apply can delay your benefits.
File for unemploymentin the first week that you lose your job or have your hours reduced. Your claim begins the Sunday of the week you applied for unemployment.
If you filed for unemployment within the last 52 weeks and have not exhausted your benefits, you mustreopen your claimto restart your benefits.
Benefit Year End Date
A regular unemployment insurance benefit year ends 12 months after the claim started.
You cannot be paid for weeks of unemployment after your benefit year ends, even if you have a balance on your claim. Continue to certify for benefits if you have weeks available within your benefit year.
You can reapplyfor a new claim if you earnedenough wagesin the last 18 months and are still unemployed or working part time.Apply online, and we will notify you when your new claim is processed. This usually takes two to three weeks.
For more information, refer to theunemployment benefit calculator.
If you served in the military, worked for a federal government agency, or worked in a state outside of California within the last 18 months, you mustreapply for a new claim by phone, mail, or fax.
You do not need to reapplyif you did not earnenough wagesin the last 18 months to establish a new claim. Continue to certify for benefits, and we will notify you when your benefit weeks are processed.
To find your benefit year end date,log in to UI Online and view yourClaim Summary. Your benefit year end date is 12 months after the start of yourBenefit Year.
For more information, refer to yourNotice of Unemployment Insurance Award(DE 429Z) for your claim ending date or reviewBenefit Year End.
Apply Now
- Online
- By Phone
- By Fax or Mail
Online
UI Onlineis the best way to file your claim. File online during the times listed below:
| Days of the Week | Available Time |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 5 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. |
| Monday | 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| Tuesday – Friday | 2 a.m. – 10 p.m. |
| Saturday | 2 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Note: To file a claim online, you must be at least 18 years old. If you are underage, you can file your claim by phone, fax, or mail.
By Phone
Call us to file a claim at the following toll-free numbers, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time) except onstate holidays.
- English and Spanish1-800-300-5616
- Armenian 1-855-528-1518
- Cantonese1-800-547-3506
- Korean 1-844-660-0877
- Mandarin1-866-303-0706
- Tagalog 1-866-395-1513
- Vietnamese1-800-547-2058
- TTY1-800-815-9387
General Unemployment Questions or Technical Help with UI Online
If you have general questions about unemployment, call one of the phone numbers listed above.
If you need help with UI Online account setup or login issues, call 1-833-978-2511 and selectoption 1after the introductory messaging. The phone line is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, except onstate holidays.
By Fax or Mail
Unemployment Insurance Application
Use the paper Unemployment Insurance Application. Select one of the following that best describes your employment. If you have been affected by a disaster, complete the disaster section of the unemployment application.
- Worked in CaliforniaEnglish|Spanish
- Worked in California and Another StateEnglish| Spanish
- Served in the MilitaryEnglish|Spanish
- Worked for the Federal GovernmentEnglish|Spanish
Fax
Fax your application to the number listed on the form. You can contact your localAmerica’s Job Center of Californiafor help with faxing your paper application.
Tip:The fastest way to apply is throughUI Online.
Mail your application to the address on the form and allow extra time for processing. You can contact your localAmerica’s Job Center of CaliforniaSMfor help with mailing your paper application.
Next Steps
There are important steps you must take so that your unemployment benefit payments are not delayed or denied. After you file, you will receive important documents from us within two weeks of filing for unemployment.
- Review theseImportant Next Steps – After You File a Claimfor more information.
- Give us youreligibility informationevery two weeks.
This moves you into the next stage toCertify for Benefits.
Certify and Manage
Certify
Let us know you are still eligible to receive unemployment.
Learn More
Manage
UI Onlineis the fastest and most convenient way to file or reopen an unemployment insurance claim, certify for benefits, and get up-to-date claim and payment information.
Create Account
