Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are temporary income for eligible workers who lost their job (or had hours reduced) through no fault of their own. You get from $40 to $450 each week, depending on how much you earned in the past 18 months. Our Unemployment Benefit Calculator helps estimate your benefit amount. It takes at least three weeks to process your benefit application and make the first payment. Unemployment benefits can be complicated. Please carefully read all emails and mail communications we send you. Fix any errors right away.

You may also be able to attend school or training while receiving unemployment benefits. Learn more about California Training Benefits.

To receive benefits, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Have earned enough wages during a specific period of time based on your earnings over the past 18 months. This is called the base period. See How Unemployment Insurance Benefits Are Computed (DE8714AB) (PDF).
• Totally or partially unemployed.
• Unemployed through no fault of your own.
• Physically able to work.
• Available for work.
• Ready and willing to accept work immediately.

If you are unsure if you are eligible to receive unemployment benefits, apply. We will let you know if you meet eligibility requirements. Learn more about how we determine eligibility.

Even if you quit, were fired, or were incorrectly classified by your employer as an independent contractor, you may still qualify for benefits. There is no penalty for applying even if we determine you are not eligible.