CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

---

California Unemployment Insurance benefits is an option for unemployed residents who have lost employment through no fault of their own. The State provides benefits in the form of UI assistance set by both Federal and California State law.

California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board

UI amounts are determined by the amount you were earning before being laid off. Keep in mind, there are requirements to qualify for UI to begin with, like how many weeks you worked at your previous job.
UI benefits are generally offered for a 26 week maximum. It is important to note that when the state rate number is higher than usual, unemployed California residents can qualify for an unemployment extension. The State will compensate you for 50% percent of the wage amount you've previously earned (in most cases).

Unemployed workers are expected to continue to search for new employment
in order to maintain their UI eligibility.

California Unemployment Insurance Code

Requirements for UI amounts and lengths of benefits depend on the current rate. Full detail on all requirements in regards to receiving compensation can be found on the claims page.

CA Unemployment Insurance Extension

Those who have exhausted all original UI are entitled to extended benefits IF the rate is higher than usual.

Under these circumstances, the basic extended benefits program in actually provides up to 13 extra weeks of compensation. As of 2012, CA has implemented a voluntary program to compensate another 7 weeks all the way up to 20 weeks at maximum. See the Eligibility for CA section for additional information.