Disaster-Related Services FAQs

If you lost your job or had your hours reduced due to a disaster, we encourage you to apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits. If you meet eligibility requirements, you can receive benefits payments that equal up to half of the pay you’ve lost. Be sure to mention the disaster that has affected you in your application for benefits. 

Benefits are paid every other week as long as you remain unemployed and otherwise eligible. For more information, visit Unemployment Insurance or contact UI by phone.

Generally, there is a one-week waiting period if you are applying for unemployment benefits. The Governor’s Emergency Proclamation waives that waiting period if you have been impacted by the disaster, so you can be paid benefits for the first week you are unemployed.

For more information, visit Unemployment Insurance or contact UI by phone. Be sure to mention the disaster that has affected you in your application for benefits. 

Employers directly affected by a disaster can request up to a two month extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest.

The EDD must receive a written request for extension within two months from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. For more information, visit Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers and Help During Disasters on the IRS website.

Disability Insurance (DI) provides partial wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. If you were injured by the disaster, you may be eligible for DI benefits.

For more information, visit Disability Insurance or contact DI by phone .

Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides benefits if you lose wages when you need to take time off work to care for a seriously ill child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner. If you need to care for a family member injured in the disaster, you may be eligible for PFL benefits.

For more information, visit Paid Family Leave, or contact PFL by phone.

After a disaster, Workforce Services, Unemployment Insurance, and Tax representatives will often be available at Local Assistance Centers that may be set up by state and local officials. They offer a wide range of job search assistance and employer support services, as well as general support, referrals, and resources. 

You can also use CalJOBS^SM , California’s online job exchange system or visit a local America’s Job Center of California^SM .