NR No. 25-03
Contact: Loree Levy/Greg Lawson
916-654-9029
mediainquiries@edd.ca.gov
The One-Week Waiting Period is Waived for Regular Unemployment Claims Impacted by Los Angeles County Fires
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.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued a State of Emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and an executive order waiving the one-week waiting period for workers who qualify for regular unemployment benefits and are affected by the Los Angeles County fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Woodley, and Lidia fires. In addition, employers may request up to a 60-day extension to file their state payroll reports or deposit payroll taxes.
Workers Seeking Unemployment Benefits
The fastest and easiest way for individuals to apply for unemployment benefits is through myEDD. Individuals can also apply by phone between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time), Monday through Friday:
- English and Spanish: 1-800-300-5616
- Armenian: 1-855-528-1518
- Cantonese: 1-800-547-3506
- Korean: 1-844-660-0877
- Mandarin: 1-866-303-0706
- Tagalog: 1-866-395-1513
- Vietnamese: 1-800-547-2058
- TTY: 1-800-815-9387
EDD’s Disaster-Related Services webpage includes more information for individuals and businesses impacted by disasters, including tax filing extensions for affected employers. EDD also encourages individuals to visit the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for information on Local Assistance Centers where individuals, families, and businesses can access disaster assistance programs and services.
Monitor EDD’s Disaster Services webpage and the EDD newsroom for updates, including if federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) becomes available for self-employed workers a/nd those who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
Employers Requesting a 60-day Extension
Employers in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties directly impacted by the fires can request up to a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports or deposit payroll taxes without penalties or interest.
Send a written request to the EDD for the extension within two months of an original payment or return due date.
For more details, visit Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers, or call EDD’s Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1-888-745-3886 for questions.
To learn more about active emergencies, visit ready.ca.gov