EDD Farmworker Outreach Efforts Help Farmworker Avoid Eviction

Working tirelessly for the labor rights of farmworkers and immigrants, Cesar Chávez led the non-violent movement that paved the way for legally enforced improvements of working conditions and higher wages for farmworkers in California’s agricultural industry. On March 31, Cesar Chavez’s birthday is recognized as a state holiday, honoring a man whose life was dedicated to community service and the support of farmworker rights and protections.

Today, migrant and seasonal farmworkers benefit from Chavez’s work, however they still often face challenges with understanding and navigating Unemployment Insurance (UI) and State Disability/Paid Family Leave (SDI/PFL) benefit processes. Getting access to consistent employment and housing are also a huge concern.  

Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Worker Luis Hernandez has a true passion for the job he performs for the Employment Development Department (EDD). As an outreach worker, he is instrumental in assisting migrant farmworkers, with everything from housing to unemployment benefits, labor law protection and employment guidance. Hernandez monitors and mentors his clients regularly, educating them about EDD resources.

“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 a daunting task. The migrant farmworkers lack of access to personalized assistance combined with varying levels of literacy adds to their struggle. The fear of deportation or immigration trouble is a very real concern and deters some farmworkers from applying for State Disability Insurance and/or Paid Family Leave benefits. Similarly, pending UI claims may go unclaimed due to difficulties with the appeals process or proving identity, especially for individuals who are not tech-savvy or familiar with the unemployment process.

“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 at the EDD in 2019 as an Unemployment Claims Representative just before the Pandemic. He transferred to EDD’s Workforce Services Branch to be an EDD Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Worker in his hometown of Indio in Riverside County. With his knowledge of unemployment benefits and his own experience of being farmworker, he was able to hit the ground running.

Recently, one of Hernandez’s clients, Martha Mejia, faced imminent eviction due to her failure to pay rent resulting from a prolonged unemployment insurance claim hold caused by an identity verification issue. Despite Mejia’s previous attempts to resolve the matter, nothing had been resolved. Hernandez stepped in to provide guidance in completing an authorization form for Information Release to the office of California State Senator Stephen C. Padilla (Senate District 18, San Diego), through this effort a partnership was established to resolve these types of issues. Working efficiently over the phone, Hernandez gathered the necessary documents and information from Mejia and submitted them to EDD for verification and payment processing.

Simultaneously, Hernandez took the initiative to speak with Mejia’s landlord over the phone explaining the situation and the steps being taken to resolve her UI claim issue. Thanks to the collaborative effort and immediate action, Mejia’s identity was verified, her back payments were approved and paid within an hour. Mejia was incredibly grateful to have a Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach Specialist as her voice during such a challenging time and praised the collaborative efforts the EDD had with 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 feels fortunate to be able to connect on a level that opens more doors for farmworkers, and that in turn, supports the farming community in Riverside County. His passion for community service is evident in his work.