What To Know Before Filing for Unemployment in California

For many people, there is nothing more life-stopping than losing a job. The overwhelming feelings and thoughts that start to creep in can terrify you. How can you ever feel safe and secure until you have another job? How will you sustain yourself and navigate the unknown without an income?

Thankfully, California offers unemployment benefits to those who get let go from their job through no fault of their own. If this sounds like you, then there are some important things you need to know before filing for unemployment in California.

Know the Benefits

One of the first things you should know is the benefits you could receive and the length of time you will receive said benefits. It's helpful to know this information so you can understand the benefits you're looking at and plan for the road ahead. California provides partial wage replacements, which can range from a $40 to a $450 payment every week. However, you can only receive those benefits if you qualify.

Know if You Qualify

It makes sense that you want to file for unemployment as soon as possible, but before you do, you need to know if you qualify under California law. The ideal recipient of California's unemployment benefits is someone who has experienced a recent and unexpected job loss, either permanent or temporary. That means the job loss must not be your fault. Moreover, the ideal recipient is able to work and is actively seeking new employment.

Start Searching Early

It's important to know that California's partial wage replacement is temporary as it means to assist you while you actively search for a job. That's why you should start searching for a new job as soon as possible. You might feel pressured to apply to every job you see, but that's not the best idea. One of the best tips for job searching while unemployed is to be intentional with your applications. As such, you should only apply for realistic jobs aligned with your skills and where you can see yourself working.