We Continue to Expand Access to Unemployment Benefits in Multiple Languages

We are one of the only public benefit agencies in the nation that has translated its vital information resources into the State’s top 15, most-commonly spoken languages particularly important for our Unemployment Insurance program. Our Language Resources webpages include information, forms, and contact information for all EDD benefit programs and services, including dedicated, in-language phone numbers to call and instructions about how to request an interpreter at no cost.

The Department continues to make progress with translated versions of the unemployment benefits application through UI Online and the shared benefits portal, myEDD. In December 2023, we added translated unemployment benefit applications in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese to the English and Spanish applications already offered. In March 2024, we will add Armenian, Korean, and Tagalog languages for online applications. These seven languages represent the top languages, other than English, spoken by working-age adults in California. Additionally, translations in UI Online and myEDD extend to password resets, claim status information, application forms, and text message alerts. Customers are now empowered to complete tasks and manage their claims in their preferred language.

One key challenge to effective translations is ensuring that the underlying documents are written in plain language and are easy to understand the first time they are read or heard. To that end, we have engaged in a comprehensive effort to overhaul forms and implement plain language at every opportunity. Customer research is a key part of EDDNext. Direct customer feedback will be gathered and applied to improve EDD forms and documents to make them easier to read and understand. We are also working with the Governor’s Office of Digital Innovation on this initiative.

Our Customer Experience and User Experience teams are busy helping to improve benefit application processes. These specialists have interviewed past customers, new applicants, advocates, and community-based organizations to help inform the design of new EDD services and changes to applications and forms. We have cut multiple questions from the unemployment benefit application, and we are working on plain-language revisions to make it easier to read and understand in the months ahead.