EDD Farmworker Outreach Efforts Help Farmworker Avoid Eviction
Cesar Chávez worked to make life better for farmworkers in California. His nonviolent movement helped create laws that protect farmworkers today. To honor his work, March 31—Chávez’s birthday—is a state holiday that celebrates his help and kindness.
Even with these changes, farmworkers still face problems. Many have trouble applying for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and State Disability Insurance/Paid Family Leave (SDI/PFL). Finding steady jobs and affordable housing is also a big worry.
Luis Hernandez works for the Employment Development Department (EDD) as a Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Worker. He loves helping farmworkers. Luis gives support with unemployment benefits, labor laws, job advice, and housing help. He stays in touch with his clients to make sure they know about EDD services.
“It can be very rewarding to help out the farmworker community,” said Hernandez. “It's been a really good experience overall for my career growth and personal development as well, just because there's so much to learn and you know it's a very gratifying experience,” said Hernandez.
Applying for unemployment benefits can be hard. Many farmworkers have little help, different reading skills, or fear being deported. Some do not apply for SDI and PFL benefits because of these fears. UI claims often go unclaimed because of problems with appeals or identity checks. This is even harder for people who are not used to technology or do not know how the unemployment process works.
“I can identify with them, and I can feel their pain,” said Hernandez. “Sometimes they are afraid to speak up, so we are here to advocate for them, because not only was I a farmworker, but I was also undocumented. And you know, a lot of them have the same fears that I had when I was working in the fields.”
Hernandez started working at EDD in 2019 as an Unemployment Claims Representative, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, he became a Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Worker in his hometown of Indio, Riverside County. His past as a farmworker and knowledge of unemployment benefits helped him start helping people right away.
Recently, Hernandez helped a client named Martha Mejia. She was about to lose her home because her UI payments were delayed due to an identity check problem. She had tried to fix the issue but could not. Hernandez helped her fill out a form for California State Senator Stephen C. Padilla’s office (Senate District 18, San Diego). This partnership helped solve UI claim problems faster.
Over the phone, Hernandez collected the documents he needed from Mejia and sent them to EDD. At the same time, he called
Mejia’s landlord to explain the situation and let them know the issue was being fixed. Thanks to quick action and teamwork, Mejia’s identity was verified, and her payments were sent within an hour. She was very thankful for Hernandez’s help and praised the teamwork between EDD and Senator Padilla's office.
“This job is about helping people. I am so pleased that we were able to connect Ms. Mejia with critical assistance and am so thankful for our partnership with the outreach workers and the vital services they provide to the farmworker community in California.”
Senator Steve Padilla (Senate District 18, San Diego)
Hernandez is proud to help farmworkers in Riverside County. His passion for helping others drives him to speak up for people who need support. Through his work, he helps farmworkers get the help they need while making the community stronger.