MENDOCINO Co., 4/9/20 — The State of California has processed more than two million unemployment claims in the last four weeks, more than in all of 2019, but many people have either struggled to access the system, or are still waiting to receive their initial benefits, or the additional benefits including in the federal CARES Act, including up to $1200 in a one-time payment and an additional $600 a week in payments.
California residents who have filed unemployment (you can file here) will begin to receive an additional $600 a week beginning this Sunday, California Gavin Newsom said today (full statement below). These additional benefits will be offered for four months. The state has also created a website, OnwardCA.org to connect people looking for work with available opportunities.
Have you been laid off or had your hours temporarily cut, or are you an independent contractor out of work, and have you filed for employment? We want to know how this is impacting Mendocino County workers — comment on this story or get in touch with us at [email protected]
Here’s the statement from Newsom:
Governor Newsom Announces Additional Unemployment Benefits for Workers Impacted by COVID-19, as Unemployment Claims Reach Record Levels
The state will begin implementing new federal benefit payments of $600 on top of the weekly benefit received by California workers starting this Sunday
Californians have filed more claims in the last four weeks than in all of 2019
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that starting this Sunday, California workers who are receiving unemployment benefits will begin receiving an extra $600 on top of their weekly amount, as part of the new Pandemic Additional Compensation (PAC) initiated by the CARES Act. This comes as record numbers of unemployment claims are being filed on a weekly basis in the state.
This is an important benefit that will help individual Californians and our small businesses, especially those that are struggling economically as a result of COVID-19.
“Many Californians are feeling the effects of this pandemic, and this added benefit is very important to our workers so they have needed resources during this difficult time,” said Governor Newsom.
In the last four weeks, California has processed about 2.3 million unemployment insurance claims, which is more than the total number of claims filed in 2019. Just for the week ending on Saturday, April 4, 2020, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) processed 925,450 claims, which is a 2,418% increase over the same week last year.
Additionally, the EDD paid a total of nearly $684.3 million in unemployment benefits to Californians in need in the last four weeks, supporting families and their local economies.
For more information on how to apply for unemployment insurance benefits and what claimants need to know about these new $600 additional payments, visit the EDD website.
“I want to thank both our federal partners, as well as everyone in our Labor Agency and the staff in the Employment Development Department, who are working around the clock to ensure California workers have the resources they need to get through this difficult time,” added Governor Newsom.
Learn more about the state’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts here. Visit covid19.ca.gov for critical steps Californians can take to stay healthy, and resources available to those impacted by the outbreak.
I just read where you will not get the $600 extra pandemic check from unemployment if you filed your unemployment claim prior to March 29 however Governor Newsom ordered a shelter in place on March 20. This just came out in the last couple days that you have to filed on March 29 or later after July 31 that’s not really fair to people that filed earlier because he shut down pretty much the key the state on March 20 the gym I workout clothes on March 20 because of the governors orders so I filed on March 22 it’s not fair to people that filed before March 29 because businesses are already close prior to March 29 why aren’t we allowed to get that after six and a dollars check just like people that filed after us!
Hi Janna, where did you read that?
You are incorrect. I filed earlier than March 29th and I received the supplemental $600.
That’s not correct. Date of claim is not the factor. The $600/week bonus is only effective for 3/29 to 7/31, due to how the CARES Act (Federal “stimulus” bill) was written (it was enacted on 3/28). People who have active claims during that period will get the Federal bonus, regardless of date of claim (date of filing).
https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.htm
“An additional $600 to each PUA weekly benefit amount you may be eligible to receive, as part of the separate CARES Act Pandemic Additional Compensation program. Only the weeks of a claim between March 29 and July 31 are eligible for the extra $600 payments.”
Hello JC,
I am wondering if this is true why does it say “only the weeks of a claim between March 29 and July 31 are eligible for the extra $600 payments”? I am also worried because I filed on the 22nd due to the shelter in place order.
Hi Diana – I think this has changed in the last two days and they have extended the window, you should check on the status of your individual claim for those specifics.
Well i cant work do to disability under care of a doctor i cant work right know so where dose that leave people like me that are on edd disability
Diana, I am in the same situation. Did you get an answer?
My doctor put me on disability 3/16, due to underlying health concerns . I ended up contracting the Coronavirus 4/15 and still off work. I have never received the extra $600.???
I am already receiving unemployment benefits, does anyone know if I have to do anything on my end or will the extra payment automatically be applied to my benefits I’m already receiving?
You don’t have to do anything…it will automatically be issued every two weeks that you’re eligible.
That’s crap. So they give you extra money now for financial hardship. From experience it doesn’t matter what the reason. It was just as hard a year ago to be unemployed as it is now. Why do they think the regular rate isn’t enough? Well it never was that’s why.
I’ve been on unemployment since January. Will I be able to receive the 600?
yes
My unemployment ended 4/4/20 I was paid my normal amount no extra and was not given the 13 week extension. I have tried to cal to see what’s going on and the number just hangs up. On the website it says “claimants with claims that week will get an automatic retroactive payment soon” but I have not nor have I received any info on ui online or by phone. I have no clue what to do…
Hi J.C,
Thank you for clarifying. However, my friend filed UI online before Mar 23 and EDD didn’t have Covid 19 option in the drop down menu when she choose the reason why she lost her job. Now she already received her weekly benefits of week ending of 4/4 without $600. Will she get the PUA retroactive and also the upcoming ones? Because some one said that we need to have the reason of Covid 19 in the application to get the PUA. Not sure how we can figure it out since EDD is overload with phone calls at this time.
I received my weekly benefit amount when I certified April 12th but the extra $600 was not paid. So I’m assuming since that’s when they said they paid them out that people who were on unemployment before March 20th may not get the extra. I’d hope I am wrong. I will update this if I find an extra payment soon.
I received my first payment (debt card) today I filed at the end of March My co workers got the 600 dollars but I didn’t does that mean I’m not qualified?
The effective date is for weekending 3/29. I did not receive it for weekending 3/28 either, but I did for 4/04
I filed for two weeks at a time which r the week ending of 3/28 and 4/4, i didnt receive the 600 for the week ending of 4/4. Does any one know if they will add that 600 dollars soon?
My benefit status shows the additional $600, but is not on my benefits card. Is there a certain date that it will be put into account, I live in Indiana
what about people on state disability insurance edd ?
Hi, I am still waiting to hear does the $600 apply to those on disability.
I’ve been on pregnancy disability since 3/6, collecting sdi since 3/14. So does this mean only unemployed get the extra $600 weekly and get more than a sdi person forced to stop working due to health? If so how is that fair?
I was put on short term disability for medical. I am assuming that I won’t get extra $600 weekly because there is work available. I just can’t do it. Crisis assistance during a pandemic go figure I ended up having a freaking breakdown. But not officially work injury. Anyone know for sure? For reference, I will qualify for food stamps without it 😟
I am currently receiving unemployment and certifying for continued benefits. I have received the $600 but my regular unemployment benefits have been taken away and now they’re having me reopen a claim that is actively open.
I am on disability unemployment do I get to 600 a week
Is this also for the medical disability portion of the unemploymen
Do you know if people who where on temp disability qualified for the extra $600 a week??
My husband was put on sdi employment in January. Will he be eligible for the extra $600 a week?
I am already receiving my unemployment. I did get the 600 extra 1 time, but co-workers have been paid this twice already. I totally don’t understand how this works. Mind you I am great full for the 600 I am wondering why they are getting it and I’m not. I also applied a couple days before them.
So do people that are on SDI get the extra $600 or not?
What if I don’t have an active claim and I ended my benefits in October but now I was laid off because of Covid 19? Can I collect the 600? Thank you
will i get the $600 retroactive for my unemployment for the week of march 23rd?
Is California getting the extra 13 weeks of unemployment??
How are these funds being dispersed to the individual. I’m self employed and have never received any help from the government. Do they mail a check? I read somewhere about a card, but I don’t have a card.
I am on disability unemployment do I get to 600 a week
I am too
Apparently not
Hi I just got injured at work and am worried because I was on unemployment up until Feb 22. started work on 3/19 and now that I’m injured I’m gonna be getting shit for pay on disability and can’t receive unemployment for the extra $600 a week. Does anyone know if that will be available for me as well?
Hi I’m 0n disability and I’m barely pulling of it with I get do I qualify for those 600.00?
Hi I’m 0n disability and I’m barely pulling it of with what I get
do I qualify for those 600.00?
I am currently on maternity disability leave. Do I qualify for the additional $600 a week?
Hi, just wondering if you ended up getting the extra $600 while on SDI/PFL?
So why arent sdi getting anything extra. Being put off for fmla and health during this time for workers, cause u have to file a fmla or medical leave to save ur job gets no help?
I’ve been on disability from work since December 12th if I entitled to the $600 a week what paperwork do I need to file to get the $600 a week I get $300 for disability for a week.
Anyone know if people on Disability due to the COVID-19 will receive the extra $600…I received my first check but not the extra $600
Why is nobody answering the question about getting the 600 and being on Sdi
I was put on short term disability for medical. I am assuming that I won’t get extra $600 weekly because there is work available. I just can’t do it. Crisis assistance during a pandemic go figure I ended up having a freaking breakdown. But not officially work injury. Anyone know for sure? For reference, I will qualify for food stamps without it 😟
I applied for disability and I got my payments but didn’t include the extra$600. Do we get the extra$600 with disability?
I’ve been calling Sdi and like everyone else no answers ,I come to believe that we don’t have any extra payments coming we are still employed
No answers about SDI??? Guess we get ignored. Cant walk in, cant call, cant email, google says nothing and neither does this admin. Yay
Do you get the extra 600 dollars if you are on disability?
STOP asking about SDI, read the thread!!!