In response to the coronavirus outbreak, some states are limiting or barring people from gathering in public places. This may affect your access to the physical office of the California Employment Development Department in person. Check the California unemployment insurance agency website for more information.
You can apply for unemployment benefits in California a couple of ways:
- online by going to the California unemployment insurance agency website, or
- by telephone if you call the California Employment Development Department at 800-300-5616 .
You can find information about how to file your initial claim for benefits and how to file your weekly claim for continuing benefits on the California Employment Development Department website, too. Get more information in our article, How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits in California?