Simple Terms List
In state government, it’s easy to fall into using jargon and complex terms. It’s natural, you're close to the work! But we can’t expect our customers to understand our programs and policies the way we do. Using plain language helps make our services clearer for everyone. The ideas below are just a starting point to help you think about how we can simplify the words we use every day. Especially the tricky ones. Keep context in mind. These aren’t rules or must-do swaps, just inspiration to help you “plain language it up” that is right for your content.
Not sure how to simplify something you are working on? Reach out to the Strategic Communications Division. We’re happy to help!
| Word | Try This Instead |
|---|---|
| ABC Test | Explain in the first use as,“The ABC test is used to see if someone is an employee or independent contractor in California.” |
| appeal | Explain as, "You have a right to disagree. This process is called an appeal." |
| base period | Explain as, "The time frame we use to determine your benefit payments." |
| benefits | Use it as, "The EDD provides benefits." As well as, "apply for unemployment benefits" or "Use direct deposit to receive your disability benefits fast." |
| benefit determination | Use as, "We have made a decision about your benefits." |
| benefit year | Use as, "Your benefit year is the 12-month period starting from the date you file a claim for benefits." |
| Benefit Year End Date | Use it once and give context, "the end of your benefit period," explaining that "12 months after your claim starts." |
| Benefit Programs Online (BPO) | No longer exists. Use myEDD. |
| CalJOBS | Use once, give context, "An online system that connects job seekers with employers." |
| cannabis | (don't use), marijuana |
| certify, certification | Use once and define, "You must give us information you still qualify every two weeks. We call this certifying for benefits." |
| claim | Use as little as possible. Use in terms of “receiving unemployment benefits” |
| claimant, client | customer |
| click | select |
| Department | Capitalize when referring specifically to the EDD. |
| departmentwide | (don't use), Department-wide |
| determine, determination | decide, figure, find |
| Disability Insurance (DI) | (don’t use) whenever possible, use the general term “disability” and no acronym. |
| disqualification | Use once, give context, "If you were denied benefits before…" |
| EDD, the EDD | Use “we” as much as possible |
| EDD Debit Card | Money Network prepaid debit card, or "We issue your benefit payments on a debit card." |
| farm worker | farmworker |
| Identity Verification through ID.me | Simplify the use to, "you’ll need to prove your identity using an online tool called ID.me" |
| LGBTQ+ | Approved acronym term to use on its own- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning with the plus symbol representing all other sexual identities. This includes, but is not limited to, Two-Spirit, gender nonconforming, and Nonbinary. |
| Maximum Benefit Amount | Give context, "This is the total amount of money you can receive during your benefit year. |
| notice, Notice of ... | Use as little as possible. Consider the content context and customer need. Letter, Update, Balance Due, Reminder, Alert, Information, and Payment Error are easier to understand. |
| Overpayments | Use once, give context, "When you received more benefits than you were eligible for." |
| Please | Easy to use too much, get too wordy, and then your content is less meaningful. Only use when the EDD made a mistake, and the customer does need to do something to fix our problem. Use very little. |
| Partial Unemployment | Use once, give context, "When you received more benefits than you were eligible for." |
| Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) | Use as little as possible. Instead, "This program helps you with your job search." |
| remuneration | money, money paid |
| reopen, Reopen a Claim | It depends on how it’s being used. Either way, give context. Such as "This is when you open up a past claim, instead of applying for a new claim." |
| SDI Online and UI Online | Referencing accessing myEDD first, then the directions the customer needs to take within those applications after. Don't use SDIO and UIO in public communications. |
| separation, Separation Information | Use as little as possible. Instead, "We need information about why you left your previous job. We use this to decide if you qualify for benefits." |
| State | Capitalize when used as part of a formal name. |
| Social Security number | Always spell out (unless space is an issue). “Social Security” is capitalized and “number” is not. When an acronym must be used, it is “SSN,” not “SSn.” |
| TTY | Abbreviation for “teletypewriter” that does not need to be spelled out. |
| weekly benefit amount (WBA) | Use as little as possible. Use in terms of “The amount of benefits you are eligible to receive each week." |
| Work Search Requirements | Use as little as possible. Give context, "The job search activities you must do to receive benefits." |
| Work Sharing program | Unless part of a header, lowercase "program." |
| Unemployment Insurance (UI) | (don’t use) whenever possible, use the general term “unemployment” and no acronym. |
| UI Benefit Calculator | (don't use) whenever possible, use "our unemployment benefit calculator." |
| Word | Try This Instead |
|---|---|
| a and/or b | (don’t use) pick a, b, or both |
| accompany | go with |
| accomplish | carry out, do |
| accorded | given |
| accordingly | so |
| accrue | add, gain |
| accurate | correct, exact, right |
| additional | added, more, other |
| address | discuss |
| addressees | you |
| adjacent to | next to |
| advantageous | helpful |
| adversely impact on | hurt, set back |
| advise | recommend, tell |
| afford an opportunity | allow, let |
| aircraft | plane |
| allocate | divide |
| anticipate | expect |
| a number of | some |
| apparent | clear, plain |
| appreciable | many |
| appropriate | (don’t use), proper, right |
| approximate | about |
| arrive onboard | arrive |
| as a means of | to |
| ascertain | find out, learn |
| as prescribed by | in, under |
| assist, assistance | support, help |
| attain | meet |
| attempt | try |
| at the present time | at present, now |
| be advised | (don’t use) |
| biannual | (don’t use) twice a year |
| Biweekly | (don’t use) every two weeks |
| birthdate, birthday | date of birth |
| by means of | by, with |
| capability | ability |
| caveat | warning |
| codifies | puts into law |
| close proximity | near |
| combat environment | combat |
| combined | joint |
| commence | begin, start |
| comply with | follow |
| component | part |
| comprise | form, include, make up |
| concerning | about, on |
| consequently | so |
| consolidate | combine, join, merge |
| constitutes | is, forms, makes up |
| contains | has |
| convene | meet |
| currently | (don’t use), now |
| deem | believe, consider, think |
| delete | cut, drop |
| demonstrate | prove, show |
| depart | leave |
| designate | appoint, choose, name |
| desire | want, wish |
| disclose | show |
| discontinue | drop, stop, end |
| disseminate | give, issue, pass, send |
| due to the fact that | due to, since |
| during the period | during |
| effect modifications | make changes |
| elect | choose, pick |
| eliminate | cut, drop, end |
| employ | use |
| encounter | meet |
| endeavor | try |
| ensure | make sure |
| enumerate | count |
| establish | set up, prove, show |
| evidenced | showed |
| evident | clear |
| exhibit | show |
| expedite | hasten, speed up |
| expeditious | fast, quick |
| expend | spend |
| expertise | ability |
| expiration | end |
| facilitate | ease, help |
| failed to | didn’t |
| feasible | can be done, workable |
| females | women |
| file | apply |
| finalize | complete, finish |
| for a period of | for |
| for example, etc. | for example, such as |
| forfeit | give up, lose |
| forward | send |
| frequently | often |
| function | act, role, work |
| furnish | give, send |
| has a requirement for | needs |
| herein | here |
| heretofore | until now |
| herewith | below, here |
| however | but |
| identical | same |
| identify | find, name, show |
| immediately | at once |
| impacted | affected, changed |
| implement | carry out, start |
| in accordance with | by, following, per, under |
| in addition | also, besides, too |
| in an effort to | to |
| In as much as | since |
| in a timely manner | on time, promptly |
| inception | start |
| incumbent upon | must |
| indicate | show, write down |
| indication | sign |
| initial | first |
| initiate | start |
| in lieu of | instead |
| in order that | for, so |
| in order to | to |
| in regard to | about, concerning, on |
| in relation to | about, with, to |
| inter alia | (don’t use) |
| interface | meet, work with |
| interpose no objection | don’t object |
| in the amount of | for |
| in the event of | if |
| in the near future | shortly, soon |
| in the process of | (don’t use) |
| in view of | since |
| in view of the above | so |
| is applicable to | applies to |
| is authorized to | may |
| is in consonance with | agrees with, follows |
| is responsible for | (don’t use) handles |
| it appears | seems |
| it is essential | must, need to |
| it is requested | we need |
| liaison | discussion |
| limited number | limits |
| magnitude | size |
| maintain | keep, support |
| maximum | greatest, largest, most |
| methodology | method |
| minimize | decrease, method |
| minimum | least, smallest |
| modify | change |
| monitor | check, watch |
| necessitate | cause, need |
| notify | let know, tell |
| not later than 10 May | by May 10, before May 11 |
| not later than noon | by noon |
| notwithstanding | In spite of, still |
| numerous | many |
| objective | aim, goal |
| obligate | bind, compel |
| observe | see |
| on a regular basis | (don’t use) |
| operate | run, use, work |
| optimum | best, greatest, most |
| option | choice, way |
| parameters | limits |
| participate | take part |
| perform | do |
| permit | let |
| pertaining to | about, of, on |
| portion | part |
| possess | have, own |
| practicable | practical |
| preclude | prevent |
| previous | earlier |
| previously | before |
| prioritize | rank |
| prior to | before |
| proceed | do, go ahead, try |
| procure | (don’t use) |
| proficiency | skill |
| promulgate | issue, publish |
| provide | give, offer, say |
| provided that | if |
| provides guidance for | guides |
| purchase | buy |
| pursuant to | by, following, per, under |
| reflect | say, show |
| regarding | about, of, on |
| relative to | about, on |
| relocate | move |
| remain | stay |
| remainder | rest |
| remuneration | pay, payment |
| render | give, make |
| represents | is |
| request | ask |
| require | must, need |
| requirement | need |
| reside | live |
| resources that can help | helpful resources |
| retain | keep |
| said, some, such | the, this, that |
| selection | choice |
| set forth in | in |
| similar to | like |
| solicit | ask for, request |
| state-of-the-art | latest |
| subject | the, this, your |
| submit | give, send |
| subsequent | later, next |
| subsequently | after, later, then |
| substantial | large, much |
| successfully complete | complete, pass |
| sufficient | enough |
| take action to | (don’t use) |
| terminate | end, stop |
| the month of | (don’t use) |
| there are | (don’t use) |
| therefore | so |
| therein | there |
| there is | (don’t use) |
| thereof | its, their |
| the undersigned | I |
| the use of | (don’t use) |
| this activity, command | us, we |
| telephone number | phone number |
| timely | prompt |
| time period | (either one) |
| transmit | send |
| type | (don’t use) |
| under the provisions of | under |
| until such time as | until |
| utilize, utilization | use |
| validate | confirm |
| viable | practical, workable |
| vice | instead of, versus |
| warrant | call for, permit |
| whereas | because, since |
| with reference to | about |
| with the exception of | except for |
| witnessed | saw |
| / (slash) | (don’t use) use “and” or “or” |