Is There a Waiting Period for Unemployment in California?
- All applicants are required to wait one week after they file their initial claims before beginning to receive benefits. California law requires the waiting period to be unpaid. Applicants can receive up to 26 weeks of benefits without federal and state extensions.
- California limits unemployment benefits to those who are unemployed or underemployed for lack of available work and through no fault of their own. Claimants must be mentally and physically able to work and actively search for employment while they are receiving benefits. If a claimant is unable to work due to a non-job-related injury, California law precludes him from receiving unemployment benefits, but he may apply for short-term disability benefits through the California State Disability Insurance program.
- After the unpaid waiting week, claimants must continue filing biweekly claims certifying they are still unemployed, have registered for work through the state, are actively looking for work and will accept suitable work.
The California Employment Development Department may provide some claimants with a credit for their first unpaid waiting week if they file subsequent claims after their initial benefit period expires. In this case, if an applicant received all allowable benefits, filed a subsequent claim during the last week remaining in his prior claim, and meets the other nonmonetary and monetary eligibility requirements for unemployment, the state will not require him to wait and serve another unpaid week during his new benefit period. - Since state laws can frequently change, do not use this information as a substitute for legal advice. Seek advice through an attorney licensed to practice law in your state.
