Unemployed because of coronavirus lockdown? Extra benefits are on the way in California

More money is coming to unemployed workers in California, starting Wednesday.

Anyone who’s used their allotment of up to 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits can now get up to another 13 weeks of payments.

This is the third part of the law President Donald Trump signed two months ago to provide relief for those laid off by the worst employment crisis since the Great Depression. Unemployment in California last month was 15.5%, topping the 12.3% recorded in 2010.

The first part of the pandemic relief effort was the extra $600 claimants have been receiving since the law became effective March 29. Next was the April 28 start of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which allows the self-employed, independent contractors and others who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance to seek benefits.

Getting the benefit payment, though, has been hobbled by all sorts of problems stemming from the historic surge in claims.

The state’s Employment Development Department, which manages the unemployment insurance program, says on its website that each new step in providing the new relief has been “demanding extensive and complex programming due to differing dates and eligibility rules Involved.”

The California Legislature is watching closely, and members have not been pleased with the delays and inability of many constituents to communicate with the EDD in a timely, efficient fashion.

EDD Director Sharon Hilliard told an Assembly budget subcommittee last week her agency is hiring at least 1,800 more staff immediately to handle the new benefits and the increased workload.

“I don’t like it either. I totally agree with you it’s not acceptable and we are working hard to make sure we are addressing all the concerns as quickly as possible,” she said of the complaints.

One of EDD’s biggest challenges is identity verification. Hilliard said that unit had 13 employees prior to the coronavirus outbreak in mid-March. It was up to 218 last week and another 100 people are supposed to begin work there Tuesday.

Still, getting the 13 weeks of benefit payments on your EDD debit card, under the new federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, may require patience. And it could get complicated.

Here’s a quick guide to what to expect:

Q. How much of a payment will I get?

A. Benefits will be calculated the same way the 26 weeks have been figured. Maximum weekly benefit is $450, and until July 25 another $600 a week will be added.

Q. I’ve gotten benefits over the past year, but my 26 weeks are up. What should I do?

A. If your last unemployment insurance claim with the benefit year that began on or after June 2, 2019 has been exhausted and you meet all the criteria for the 13 week extension, the EDD will auto-file a claim for you. You will be notified by mail of your eligibility, when you are approved or denied for the 13-week program.

If your last unemployment insurance claim expired prior to May 30, 2020 — this coming Saturday — you will have to file a new regular claim before the EDD can determine your eligibility for the federal extension. If you do not qualify for a new unemployment insurance claim, the department will file a claim for the extension for you. You will be notified of your eligibility by mail.

Q. How will I actually know that’s happened?.

A. You should get a notice in the mail five to seven days after the 13 week extension is filed. But the quickest way to move on to certifying for your extension benefit payments is to watch your unemployment insurance online inbox for an update.

Q. Why is this notice going through the mail?

A. Members of the California Assembly wondered the same thing last week. Hilliard assured them that the agency will be using e-mail more often. However, some Californians still want paper notifications.

Q. I last received benefits in January, but I’m still out of work. How will EDD know that?

A. Once you learn the extension has been auto-filed, you should quickly certify to EDD that you’re unemployed and are eligible for the 13 weeks. Watch your UI Online inbox for an update.

The earliest week an extension payment can be made is for the week ending April 4, 2020. Any weeks spent unemployed without available benefits on a current 12 month claim prior to that week ending date are not eligible for the extension.

However, you may be eligible for a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claim for weeks of unemployment between February 02, 2020 and March 28, 2020.

Q. I exhausted my benefits a long time ago — almost two years ago. Can I get the extra 13 weeks?

A. You could be eligible for that extension. You have to first file a new regular unemployment insurance claim. The EDD will have to check your eligibility for a new regular claim before they can file an extension claim for you. You must file a new claim via existing channels, UI Online or phone, on or after Wednesday for the department to determine your eligibility for the 13 week extension.

If you do not qualify for a new unemployment insurance claim, the EDD will file a 13 week program claim for you as long as all of the eligibility criteria are met. You will be notified of your eligibility by mail.

Q. I exhausted my benefits two years ago. Then I got a job, but now I’m out of work again. Can I qualify again for payments?

A. Try, EDD advises. Apply for the state-run unemployment insurance benefit online.

Q. I can’t find my EDD debit card, and I know that’s where you’ll be adding the extra money. What should I do?

A. Go to the Bank of America website. Find the Replace My Card section.