News and Announcements

California gained 15,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in December 2024 and the unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.5 percent, according to the latest Employment Development Department (EDD) data coming from two separate surveys. December’s job gain follows a downward-revised job gain of 9,600 for November.

What You Need to Know: California is committed to supporting workers in their communities impacted by the devastating Southern California wildfires and windstorms. In partnership with local resources, the Employment Development Department is helping to deliver temporary jobs for humanitarian assistance and cleanup efforts while strengthening services to return affected workers to long-term, meaningful jobs as soon as possible.

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What You Need to Know: In response to the wildfires and windstorms, federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available for workers and self-employed people who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits. DUA benefit claims must be filed by March 10, 2025.

What You Need to Know: California supports the communities impacted by the Palisades Fire and the windstorm conditions resulting in multiple fires devastating Southern California.

What you need to know: California is investing in the education necessary for farmworkers to enter job training programs and transition to existing and high-paying jobs in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology fields. Partnering with community-based resources, the Employment Development Department is committed to helping these essential workers improve the quality of their jobs and wages.

What you need to know: California boosted Paid Family Leave and Disability Insurance benefits up to 90 percent of regular pay for many workers—a landmark increase that will make it much easier for Californians to take time off for an illness or injury, or to care for loved ones.

California gained 11,100 nonfarm payroll jobs in November 2024 and the unemployment rate stayed at 5.4 percent, according to the latest Employment Development Department (EDD) data. October’s job numbers were revised up to a 9,100 job gain following the receipt of more responses after the survey collection week.

What You Need to Know: As the holiday shopping season continues, EDD reminds customers to keep protecting personal and financial information from criminals who use many creative tactics to steal sensitive information—such as phishing, smishing, and even fake websites. EDD also offers tips on how to figure out if something is a scam or trustworthy, and how to distinguish legitimate EDD messages.

What You Need to Know: California agriculture depends on nearly 800,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers who cultivate over 400 different agricultural commodities across the state. These essential workers help California to lead the nation in the processing of agricultural goods with 59% of the country’s vegetables and 61% of the nation’s fruits and nuts (2023 crop year); and California is the world’s top exporter of produce. The Employment Development Department, along with state and local partners, held its 45th annual Farmworkers Appreciation Breakfast in Calexico, CA this morning to thank the state’s agricultural workers.

California lost 5,500 nonfarm payroll jobs in October 2024 as the unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.4 percent, up one tenth of a percentage point from September, according to data released by the Employment Development Department (EDD). October’s job loss follows a downward revised job gain of 12,700 for the previous month.

California lost 5,500 nonfarm payroll jobs in October 2024 as the unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.4 percent, up one tenth of a percentage point from September, according to data released by the Employment Development Department (EDD). October’s job loss follows a downward revised job gain of 12,700 for the previous month.

This Veterans Day, the Employment Development Department honors all who served in the United States Armed Forces. California provides veterans and their eligible spouses with priority of service to employment, training, and supportive resources. An updated 2024 Strengthening California’s Veteran Workforce webpage features these valuable resources for veterans transitioning from military service to a civilian career, including an annual California Veterans in the Workforce (PDF) report highlighting the latest data in California veteran employment.

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What You Need to Know: The Employment Development Department launched a more customer-friendly online unemployment application with fewer questions, less jargon, and simpler questions and instructions.

What You Need to Know: California is embracing renewable energy and investing in workers at the center of this change. The Employment Development Department has awarded another grant from the $30 million Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund to help workers find stable, good-paying jobs.