CA Employment Development Department - Benefits for Employees and Employers Both

California’s Employment Development Department

Following is some brief information about what is available through the EDD. Visit their “Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) page here https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm

For Workers

You may be eligible for Disability Benefits if:

  • you can’t work because you are sick or quarantined

You may be eligible for Paid Family Leave Benefits if:

  • you can’t work because you need to care for a family member who is sick or quarantined

You may be eligible for Unemployment Benefits if:

  • you can’t work because of quarantine, but are not found eligible for Disability Benefits
  • you choose not to work due to underlying health conditions and concerns about exposure to the virus
  • you can’t work because a family member’s school or day care is closed and you need to provide care for them
  • your employer reduces your hours or shuts down operations due to COVID-19

The information above provides general guidance as to what programs are available and what situations may be applicable to your circumstances. The EDD encourages you to apply for the program you believe best fits your needs and the EDD will determine your eligibility for benefits.

For Employers

Work Sharing Program as alternative to layoffs

Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may 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 the Work Sharing Program information page here https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program.htm

One important note about this program: Employers are charged for Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits the same way as regular UI benefits.

Tax Assistance

Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their 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.

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