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Unemployment Eligibility Requirements

To get unemployment benefits, you must meet all requirements when you apply and when you certify for benefits.

Requirements to Apply

When you apply for unemployment benefits, you must:

  • Have earned enough wages during the base period.
  • Be fully or partially unemployed.
  • Be unemployed through no fault of your own.
  • Be physically able and available to work.
  • Be looking for work each week.
  • Be ready and willing to accept work right away.

The base period is a specific 12-month period that tells us if you earned enough to set up an unemployment claim. To learn more, review How Unemployment Benefits are Computed (DE 8714AB) (PDF).

If you qualify, your weekly benefit amount will be between $40 and $450. You can use the unemployment benefit calculator to get an estimate of what you might receive.

If you think you are misclassified as an independent contractor, please apply. We will let you know if you qualify for benefits.

Requirements After You Apply

Certifying means answering questions every two weeks to show that you are still eligible for payments. To keep receiving benefits, you need to meet the requirements each week you certify. You must be:

  • Physically able and to work.
  • Looking for work each week.
  • Ready and willing to accept work right away.

To get benefits when you are not working or are working part-time, you must certify for benefits each week by submitting a certification online, by phone, or by mail.

If you answer incorrectly or miss a certification, your claim could be delayed. For help, see Understanding the Certification Questions or Unemployment Benefit Certification Question Information (YouTube).

If your answers show you did not meet the eligibility requirements, we will need more information. We will either schedule you for a phone interview, email you a questionnaire, or mail a Request for Eligibility Information (DE 4365FF). For more information, see Unemployment Determinations and Eligibility.

Note: You must serve a one-week unpaid waiting period on your claim before getting paid. You also need to certify and meet all eligibility requirements during this week. Your first certification will usually include the one-week unpaid waiting period and one week of payment if you meet the eligibility requirements for both weeks. Certify for benefits every two weeks to continue receiving benefit payments.

To be eligible for benefits, most people are required to search for suitable work and show they are trying to find a job. We suggest you keep a record of your job search dates and contacts. This may help you if we have to contact you about your eligibility for benefits. 

Your Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award (DE 429Z) will include work search instructions. For more information, see Job Seekers: Returning to Work.

Important: Most people are required to register for CalJOBS and create an online resume for employers to see. You need to do this within 21 days of receiving your Notice of Requirement to Register for Work (DE 8405) form. If you miss this step, your benefits could be delayed or stopped. Watch How to Register for CalJOBS and Post a Resume (YouTube) for guidance.

If you quit your job or are fired, we will need to check your eligibility. We will either send you an email questionnaire, mail you a Request for Eligibility Information (DE 4365FF) to complete, or schedule a phone interview. If you quit, you need to show that you had a good reason. If you are fired, your employer must prove there was misconduct. For more information, see Unemployment Determinations and Eligibility.

Additional Resources