How to Know if Your Unemployment Will Be Extended in California

If you are currently receiving unemployment benefits in California and are close to using up the awarded compensation, you may be concerned about what happens next. In California, as well as other states, an extension of benefits may be available to you. As long as you are still unemployed, looking for a new job and within the specified time frame, you may be able to continue receiving your unemployment compensation in the state.

Instructions

1

Claim all your current awarded benefits. Before you can qualify for an extension of benefits, you must use up all your existing benefits.

2

Check the extended benefit claim deadlines on the California Employment Development Department website. The deadline indicates the last day you can start the extension and still be eligible to claim it. As of May 2011, four federal extensions are available for California residents as well as a separate California benefits extension. The last of the four federal extensions is available to residents of states in which the average unemployment rate over the previous three months exceeds 8.5 percent. As of May 2011, California is among the states that qualifies for that extension.

3

Look on your last benefit payment stub for a message about qualifying for the extension. In California, a message typically is provided on the stub and a separate letter is sent to your mailing address if you qualify for the extension.

4

Contact the California Employment Development Department (EDD) by secure email via the California Employment Development Department website to ask about your extension status. Response time typically is within 72 hours.