Tip of the Week Archive

2012: May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012

2011: December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011

May 2012

• Week of May 14 2012

  Services for Youth

  The Employment Development Department offers the youth of California several programs and services for the successful transition from school to gainful employment. Find details about the Youth Employment Opportunity Program (YEOP), career information and resources, employment and work experience, and education and training programs on the Services for Youth page. 

• Week of May 7 2012

  Explore different careers in California using the EDD’s California Occupational Guides

  The California Occupational Guides can help you explore and learn about new careers. You can search by keyword or by topic to find jobs by location, top pay, jobs with the most openings, and even match jobs to your interests. When reviewing the different occupations in your area, information may include:

  Job tasks and training requirements California licensing information Working conditions Local benefits and wages

  Links to possible employers in your area Ways to find a job Associations and agencies to contact

April 2012

• Week of April 30 2012

  The EDD and Social Media

  The Employment Development Department (EDD) through social media ensures that the most current and accurate information is reaching the widest possible base of our customers. Get the latest info on the Federal Unemployment Extensions, upcoming job fairs and workshops, and more.

  Follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook page, or watch our YouTube videos. Simply select one of the social media icons in the Connect With Us area on the EDD Home page.

• Week of April 23 2012

  Did you know that the EDD provides information about additional resources that may assist you?

  While the EDD provides services such as Unemployment and Disability Insurance, EDD also offers information about other resources available such as: food assistance, medical care and healthcare coverage, housing resources, utilities assistance, and much more. This information can be found on the EDD website on the Additional Resources page.

• Week of April 16, 2012

  What is the Experience Unlimited “Job Club” and how can it help professionals looking for work?

  Many highly qualified individuals who have unexpectedly found themselves out of work network through Experience Unlimited job clubs to find new employment opportunities. The EDD’s Experience Unlimited services are available at select locations throughout the State. Various professionals participate in these networking groups to lend one another job hunting assistance.

  There are no fees for either job seekers or employers. To find an Experience Unlimited Job Club meeting in your area or for more information, visit the Job Fairs and Workshops and Experience Unlimited pages.

• Week of April 9, 2012

  Paid Family Leave: A Financial Benefit for New Parents

  Becoming a new parent is an exciting and unforgettable time. Did you know you could receive up to six weeks of benefits through California’s Paid Family Leave program to bond with your new child? The Paid Family Leave program was created for these moments in life. California is leading the nation in making it easier for working people to balance the demands of the workplace and family care needs at home. To find out more information about Paid Family Leave visit the Paid Family Leave page.

• Week of April 2, 2012

  Employee or Independent Contractor?

  The EDD offers the Employment Determination Guide (DE 38) to help business owners determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Make sure your workers are classified correctly.

March 2012

• Week of March 26, 2012

  Ways to Certify for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits

  There are three methods to certify for UI benefits:

  1. Online: EDD Web-Cert^SM allows you to certify 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  2. Phone: EDD Tele-Cert^SM allows you to certify over the phone by calling the EDD Automated Self-Service number at 1-866-333-4606, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  3. Mail: Complete your Continued Claim form within 10 days of receiving it in the mail.

  For more information, check out the Managing Your UI Claim page for links to YouTube videos and other information about your claim.

• Week of March 19, 2012

  How can I access my Unemployment Insurance (UI) payment information?

  The quickest way to find out your UI payment information is by phone at 1-866-333-4606. You can get payment information without waiting, and it is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Payment information instructions are available on the Where is my payment? page.

• Week of March 12, 2012

  Employment and Training Services for Job Seekers

  Are you looking for new skills? Do you need training? Find out about employment and training services available throughout California on the Job Seekers and Individuals page.

• Week of March 5, 2012

  Did you know that the e-Services for Business application has been updated with new features?

  e-Services for Business has a new look and offers our customers a fast, easy, and secure way to manage their payroll taxes. Updates include a faster response time and the ability to access e-Services for Business on multiple operating systems, tablets, and smart phones. Additionally, this new application no longer requires the installation of Microsoft Silverlight. Visit the e-Services for Business Information page for enrollment information, video tutorials, and FAQs.

February 2012

• Week of February 27, 2012

  Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tip and Fact Sheets

  For your convenience, there are several UI tip sheets, facts sheets, and informational brochures available online. Information to help on filling out your Continued Claim form (DE 4581), a checklist for filing a UI claim, and tips for qualifying for the California Training Benefits (CTB) are a few different resources available on the UI Tip Sheets and Fact Sheets page.

• Week of February 20, 2012

  EDD’s Online Job Center

  The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies through the Online Job Center. These services, provided statewide through the One-Stop Career Center system, benefit job seekers, laid off workers, youth, individuals currently working, veterans, and people with disabilities. For more information about services and resources available, visit the Online Job Center.

• Week of February 13, 2012

  What business owners or the self-employed need to know about Disability Insurance Elective Coverage (DIEC).

  The DIEC program offers a financial safety net to small business owners, entrepreneurs, or self-employed individuals.

  Under DIEC, you could receive Disability Insurance benefits when you are unable to work due to injury, pregnancy, or illness. You could also receive Paid Family Leave benefits to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, or domestic partner or to bond with a new child.

  For more information:

  • General Elective Coverage Information
  • Elective Coverage and the Self-Employed

• Week of February 6, 2012

  Services for Veterans

  Are you a veteran looking for employment services and not sure where to begin? Visit our Services for Veterans page for more information. To connect with a local EDD Veteran Representative, go to the EDD Office Locator, type in your city, select the “Veterans Services” option with the flag, and submit to find the One-Stop Career Center closest to you.

January 2012

• Week of January 30, 2012

  Did you know the EDD has payroll tax courses online?

  Currently, the EDD offers two online payroll tax courses, at no cost. The Employment Status Course teaches the basics about common law and statutory employment and describes the differences between employees and independent contractors and is available in English and Spanish. The How to Complete a Payroll Tax Deposit (DE 88 or DE 88ALL) course is offered as a mini-tutorial or a full course. For more information, visit the Web-Based Payroll Tax Seminars page.

• Week of January 23, 2012

  Did you know the EDD has a YouTube video channel?

  The EDD has several important and informative YouTube videos available to help our customers. Find in-depth information about “How to Use the EDD Debit Card,” “Applying for UI Benefits,” “How to Complete the Continued Claim Form,” and more, all on the California EDD’s YouTube Channel.

• Week of January 16, 2012

  Did you know as an employer, you are required to notify your employees about the availability of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

  You must provide written notification to employees in person or by mail. Notification must be given within one week before or after, or at the same time you provide an annual wage summary (such as IRS Form W-2 or IRS Form 1099). Posting of this information on an employee bulletin board will not satisfy the notification requirement.

  To obtain more information about this requirement, visit Year-End Notification Requirements.
  For additional information about EITC, go to the Internal Revenue Service website.

• Week of January 9, 2012

  State Disability Insurance Webinars

  Informational presentations on State Disability Insurance (SDI) are available on the second Wednesday of each month, at no cost to the public. The presentations offer a general overview of Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave including information on eligibility, benefit rates, and employer responsibilities. To register for a SDI webinar, contact the EDD Disability Insurance Branch.

• Week of January 2, 2012

  Wondering when you’ll get your Form 1099G?

  The Form 1099G reports the total taxable unemployment compensation issued to you from the EDD for a calendar year. Total taxable unemployment insurance includes Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (DI) benefits when received in lieu of UI, Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits, and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits. The EDD will mail out the annual Form 1099G during the last week of January and claimants who received benefits during the year of 2011 should receive their form by January 31, 2012. For more information, visit the FAQ - Form 1099G: Report of Taxable Unemployment Compensation Payments page.

December 2011

• Week of December 26, 2011

  Did you know there is emergency and disaster assistance available for employers?

  California employers directly affected by an emergency or disaster may request an extension of up to 60 days to file their state payroll reports and to deposit state payroll taxes with the EDD, without penalty or interest. The extension is granted under Section 1111.5 of the California Unemployment Insurance Code (CUIC) if the Governor declares a state of emergency.  For more information, visit the Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers page.

• Week of December 19, 2011

  Are employers required to post employment information for their employees?

  Yes. Per state and federal law, employers are required to display various posters and notices to inform their employees of certain laws and regulations pertaining to employment and working conditions, such as Unemployment Insurance or Disability Insurance information. For further information, check out Required Notices and Pamphlets.

• Week of December 12, 2011

  Stay up-to-date with EDD and receive our latest news and announcements.

  The EDD’s e-mail subscription services make it easy to stay up-to-date. Subscribe to our e-mail lists to be informed of the latest news about the EDD’s programs and services, including news and announcements, recently added forms and publications, and events. Subscribe and Get E-mail Notices today.

• Week of December 5, 2011

  Important EDD Debit Card^SM Information.

  In light of reports of various phishing scams, we want to remind our customers to be cautious if you receive any type of inquiries by phone or e-mail regarding your EDD Debit Card^SM. Neither the Employment Development Department nor the Bank of America will contact you under any circumstances to request your EDD Debit Card^SM account number and/or PIN. If you are contacted by phone or e-mail and asked for your information, do not respond.

November 2011

• Week of November 28, 2011

  When does a business become subject to state payroll taxes and need to register for an EDD account number?

  A business becomes subject to state payroll taxes once wages of over $100 are paid to one or more employees in a calendar quarter and must register with the EDD within 15 days. Wages consist of compensation for services performed, including cash payments, commissions, bonuses, and the reasonable cash value of non-cash payments (like meals and lodging). For more information, visit the Am I Required to Register as an Employer? page. To register for an EDD account number online, visit e-Services for Business.

• Week of November 14, 2011

  Paid Family Leave.

  Did you know you may be eligible to receive up to six weeks of paid State Disability Insurance (SDI) benefits to care for your spouse, registered domestic partner, parent, or child? To find out more information about Paid Family Leave (a component of SDI) visit the Paid Family Leave page.

• Week of November 7, 2011

  Job Fairs and Workshops Near You.

  Job fairs and workshops are available to job seekers throughout California to assist with career guidance. There are various workshops available that help with building résumés, applying for jobs, interviewing techniques, networking skills, and much more. To find a local job fair and/or workshop near you, visit the Job Fairs and Workshops page.

October 2011

• Week of October 31, 2011

  How can I protect myself against Unemployment Insurance Fraud?

  Be sure to carefully review each statement and/or notice and respond in a timely manner to any items you have questions about, including the:

  • Notice of Unemployment Insurance Claim Filed (DE 1101 series)
  • Request For Additional Information (DE 1326ER)
  • Notice of Wages Used for Unemployment Insurance Claim (DE 1545 series)
  • Benefit Audit (DE 1296B) and New Employer Registry (NER) Benefit Audit (DE 1296NER)
  • Statement of Charges to Reserve Account (DE 428T)

  To report an incident of fraud, call our toll-free Fraud Hotline at (800) 229-6297 or Report Fraud online.

• Week of October 24, 2011

  How can I avoid late penalties on my payroll tax deposits?

  Employer contributions of Unemployment Insurance and Employment Training Tax are due quarterly. Monies withheld from employees’ wages for State Disability Insurance and California Personal Income Tax (PIT) may need to be deposited more often. The deposit frequency is based on your federal deposit schedule/requirement and the amount of accumulated PIT withheld. If the PIT withheld exceeds $350, you may be required make deposits more frequently. For more information: Timely Payroll Tax Deposits.

• Week of October 17, 2011

  Did you know the EDD has no fee payroll tax seminars?

  The classroom seminars are offered throughout the state and are designed to help you better understand and comply with payroll tax laws. Seminars are offered on a variety of topics, including Employee or Independent Contractor, Federal and State Basic Payroll, State Labor Law and Payroll Tax, and How to Manage Unemployment Insurance Costs.

  For a complete list of seminars offered and information on registering to attend, visit the Payroll Tax Seminars page.

• Week of October 10, 2011

  Employers - File and pay your payroll taxes online with e-Services for Business.

  Did you know you can manage your payroll tax account online through e-Services for Business? File reports, make deposits, find your rates, update your business information, or inactivate your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Enroll in e-Services for Business today!

• Week of October 3, 2011

  How do I certify for my benefits after I receive my EDD Debit Card^SM?

  You will continue to certify for benefits the same way you did before receiving your EDD Debit Card^SM.

  • Unemployment Customers: Even though a check is no longer issued, a Continued Claim form will be sent to you. See Maintaining Your Claim for more information.
  • Disability Customers: Even though a check is no longer issued, if required for benefit payments, a Continued Claim form will be sent to you.

  Benefits will be deposited onto your card after you submit a properly completed Continued Claim form to EDD.

September 2011

• Week of September 26, 2011

  Activating your EDD Debit Card^SM.

  Your card must be activated before it can be used. To activate your card, call Bank of America at 1-866-692-9374 or go online on the Bank of America EDD Debit Card^SM website. Generally, most people will be asked for the last four digits of their Social Security number. You will also select a four digit PIN that can be used for point-of-sale purchases and ATM transactions. Do not share your PIN with anyone and remember to sign the back of the card. This activation process ensures that your card is secure.

• Week of September 19, 2011

  Will I be charged fees to use my EDD Debit Card^SM?

  You will not be charged any fees for the following: cash back with purchases at merchants such as grocery stores, drug stores, and U.S. post office locations; making purchases anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted; ATM withdrawals from one of 4,000 Bank of America ATMs in California; unlimited direct deposit transfers to a checking or savings account; and two free withdrawals per benefit deposit at non-Bank of America ATMs. Be sure to keep track of your available balance and read the Schedule of Bank Fees that comes with your card.

• Week of September 12, 2011

  Monitoring Your EDD Debit Card^SM.

  You can review your Bank of America EDD Debit Card^SM account transaction activity 24 hours a day at the Bank of America EDD Debit Card website. You can also call Bank of America EDD Debit Card Customer Service toll-free at 1-866-692-9374 for automated information about your recent debit card balance, deposits, and transactions. If you would like a monthly paper statement mailed to you, you may request statements at no charge.

• Week of September 5, 2011

  Using your EDD Debit Card^SM Online.

  In addition to using your EDD Debit Card^SM at banks, ATMs, and stores, you can also use it online to pay bills electronically and make purchases on websites that accept Visa®. Your EDD Debit Card^SM can be used anywhere Visa® is accepted. Be sure to keep track of your balances free of charge from Bank of America at their ATMs, online at the Bank of America EDD Debit Card site, or by phone at 1-866-692-9374 or 1-866-656-5913 (TTY).

August 2011

• Week of August 29, 2011

  How to withdraw cash from your EDD Debit Card^SM?

  You can withdraw cash in three ways at no charge: Request cash back when making purchases at merchants that accept VISA, from one of 4,000 Bank of America ATMs in California (other banks may charge a fee), and request cash from tellers at any bank or credit union where VISA cards are accepted (with valid ID). You should know your account balance before withdrawing cash. Check your balance free of charge from B of A at their ATMs, online at www.bankofamerica.com/eddcard, or by phone at 1-866-692-9374 or 1-866-656-5913 (TTY).

• Week of August 22, 2011

  How do I make purchases using my EDD Debit Card^SM?

  Your card can be used like a credit card or debit card. For use as a credit card, swipe your card and sign the receipt. For use as a debit card, swipe your card, select “debit,” and enter your PIN. Keep track of your account balance. Your card will be rejected if you do not have sufficient funds. Like any other debit card, some merchants may also charge a fee, usually identified at the point of purchase. If you choose, you may continue with the purchase and accept the fee, or go elsewhere where no fees are charged.

• Week of August 15, 2011

  How to find out your account balance?

  It’s important to know the account balance of your EDD Debit Card^SM to make purchases and withdraw cash up to your available balance. Find out your account balance free of charge by going to any Bank of America ATM, by calling 1.866.692.9374, or online at www.bankofamerica.com/eddcard.

• Week of August 8, 2011

  When will I receive my EDD Debit Card^SM for my Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits? Is there anything I should do before I receive my card?

  With close to 1.2 million UI customers, EDD is rolling out the new EDD Debit Card^SM in a phased approach with 22,500 cards being issued a day. As you are switched to the card, you will receive the following separately: a notification letter, a claim form without a check attached, and then the card in no more than 5 business days after receiving the notification letter. If you use automatic bill payments in your personal banking, allow a few extra days for such payments until you receive your debit card to avoid any potential fees.

• Week of August 1, 2011

  Should I keep my EDD Debit Card^SM?

  Yes. The card is good for three (3) years after it is issued. If you file a Disability Insurance, Unemployment Insurance, or Paid Family Leave claim within the next three years, the EDD will put your payments on the same card. Not having your card could delay access to your benefits. If you need a replacement card, contact Bank of America.

July 2011

• Week of July 25, 2011

  How do I set up a direct deposit transfer to my checking or savings account?

  After you receive and activate your EDD Debit Card for your benefit payments, contact Bank of America either online or by phone, 1.866.692.9374 (voice), or TTY 1.866.656.5913.

  You will need the following to set up a direct deposit transfer: an EDD Debit Card^SM issued in your name; a valid e-mail account; and your routing and account numbers for the bank account to which you want to transfer the money. You are not required to have a Bank of America bank account.

• Week of July 18, 2011

  How to withdraw cash from your EDD Debit Card^SM?

  You have an unlimited number of cash withdrawals at all 4,000 Bank of America ATMs in California. You get two withdrawals per benefit deposit at ATMs outside of the Bank of America network at no charge from Bank of America. Other banks may charge a fee at their ATM locations. You can also withdraw cash up to your available balance, free of charge, from tellers inside banks and credit unions where Visa® cards are accepted, but you must know your account balance and present valid identification.