1) Filing for Unemployment / Healthcare

California residents are generally eligible for Unemployment Insurance Benefits through the Employment Development Department (EDD). One can file by phone, calling a toll-free number (available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese).

If you have just been terminated, unless you have a compelling reason not to, your very first action should be to file a claim (there is a one-week waiting period before benefits become available and the cut-off time is end-of-business Friday, so if you find out you are out of work on Friday, it is VERY important to file before cut-off that day if at all possible.)

• Using the Automated Telephone System to File a Claim, Check Payment Status and other Questions (information can also be accessed from http://www.edd.ca.gov/uirep/uiutatistx.htm)
• Toll-free Numbers to call to file a claim (information can also be accessed from http://www.edd.ca.gov/uirep/uiloctx.htm)
• More Information - California EDD Claim Filing Information (information can also be accessed fromhttp://www.edd.ca.gov/fleclmtx.htm)

Even if you believe your savings will cover your expenses, by filing for EDD coverage you also immediately activate your eligibility for free training, paid internships and other benefits.

Healthcare: During your exit interview, by law, you should have been informed of your right to purchase medical benefits under COBRA. If you find the costs for these prohibitive, California Blue Cross and Kaiser-California, among others, offer competitively-priced healthcare plans. For medical emergencies, all hospitals with an emergency room must treat you, regardless of your ability to pay. Obviously, it is better to have coverage, but in a true emergency, don't allow the state of your pocketbook to rule your decisions.

return to top of page