Unemployed workers can have enough income to pay the bills in California. Financial support is paid by the state Employment Development Department from its unemployment fund as a worker searchers for work. The benefits checks keep an income steady.

But, the unmotivated and the disabled are refused one by one.

Workers With an Eligible Need

Any Californian out of work, or with shortened hours, can gain income during a period they lost their earnings if the worker can work and commits to finding a job. These workers go to all lengths to make their contribution to the workforce.

The Ineligible Worker

Benefits are not available for workers that do not try to pull through an unemployed period by depending on their own work commitment and skills. These workers go through the motions. After getting fired for bad conduct, the liking for work goes away and the job searches get put on hold. Or, the worker quits their job without any explanation, and decides work days are over for awhile.

If there is a serious reason for a firing or a quit that does not misrepresent a worker's fault, and the worker applies, an EDD interviewer may call and resolve any questions about eligibility.

When The Support Ends

After the EDD says an applicant is eligible, the worker has a standard 52 week to receive checks. Twenty six weeks of benefits is the most a Californian can receive during this benefit period. A one week waiting period without benefits begins the 52 weeks.

Benefit Amount

The unemployment income adds up week by week. EDD calculates the weekly amount by using the highest quarter earnings during a 12-month eligibility period. For example, a worker that files during the three months of the second quarter of the year, April, May and June, can submit their earnings for January 1 through December 31 during the previous year, the base period.

One quarter earnings at $1,300 or above is enough to succeed in the application for benefits. Workers without at least $900 earned during their highest three month quarter and a total earnings over the 12 months of at least 1.25 times the highest quarter earnings have not earned enough to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

A $900 highest quarter registers at the $40 weekly benefit mark. The benefit equals $224 when the highest quarter is $5,800. Top quarter earnings at $11,674.01 or more gets a $450 benefit, the maximum benefit, in return.

Benefits During Training for Real Earned Income

Enrollment in a training course that builds up a worker's skills useful on a job in their labor market in California does not necessarily end their eligibility for benefits. Building skills in a training program the EDD approves is not only permitted while on unemployment, it is supported. During training, the worker does not have to look for work.

California offers its Training Benefits Program. Or, the EDD might approve a program the worker chooses. The worker must live without work for four or more continuous weeks. The program must be at least 20 hours a week or 12 semester or quarter units. The training must improve the workers employment opportunities in the local market or a market the worker will move to when the local market does not have enough job opportunities for a person with the worker's skills.

The EDD has a list of criteria.

The worker has time to get their earned income back up to the regular amount. California keeps sending checks each week the worker stays able to work and looking for work.

Sources:

California Employment Development Department, Unemployment Insurance: A Guide To Benefits and Employment Services (2010).

California Employment Development Department, Unemployment Insurance Benefit Determination Guide (online), April 12, 2011.