California begins sending extra $900 to those unemployed due to COVID-19
4 years, 3 months ago

California begins sending extra $900 to those unemployed due to COVID-19

LA Times  

People seek employment opportunities at a JobTrain office in Menlo Park before the pandemic. As California’s economy continues to struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials will mark the Labor Day holiday by sending a $900 supplemental unemployment benefit to jobless residents — but many will not get the assistance right away, and nearly 200,000 people are not expected to get it at all. The latest payment “will provide much-needed relief” for California’s unemployed workers, said Dana Hadl, directing attorney for Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles, but she said more is needed. The state Employment Development Department said it is starting to send the first $900 in federal supplements out Monday to 3.1 million people who have been receiving at least $100 in weekly unemployment benefits from the state and previously certified that they were unemployed due to a COVID-19-related reason. However, some 192,000 unemployed Californians will not receive the extra $300 benefit because they have been receiving less than $100 in state benefits, the threshold set by the federal government for participation, according to researchers at UCLA’s California Policy Lab.

Benefits State Covid Federal Californians Benefit Edd Unemployed California  extra  payment  unemployed  california  covid19  sending  begins  state  federal  workers  benefit  weeks  week  benefits  300  900

History of this topic

As job growth in California falls back, unemployment rate remains highest in the country
7 months, 1 week ago

As job growth in California falls back, unemployment rate remains highest in the country

LA Times  

A poster explains ways to file for unemployment insurance benefits at the JobTrain employment office in Menlo Park. California posted another month of anemic job growth in April, keeping the state’s unemployment rate the highest in the country, 5.3%, the government reported Friday. Major sectors of California’s economy — including manufacturing, information and professional and business services — showed job …

California in a jam after borrowing billions to pay unemployment benefits
8 months ago

California in a jam after borrowing billions to pay unemployment benefits

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom discusses his proposed state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year at a January news conference in Sacramento. Although the pandemic is largely to blame for California’s huge unemployment insurance debt — and there’s been a lot of attention on dollars lost to fraud — analysts and workers’ rights groups point to another problem: Even during more-normal economic times, …

California may pay unemployment to striking workers. But the fund to cover it is already insolvent
1 year, 4 months ago

California may pay unemployment to striking workers. But the fund to cover it is already insolvent

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Southern California’s summer of discontent — marked by a series of work stoppages from hotels to Hollywood — has inspired labor-supporting Democrats in the state Legislature to try and change the law so striking workers can get unemployment checks while they picket for better pay and working conditions. It’s why California’s unemployment insurance trust fund “has consistently …

Editorial: Undocumented workers should be able to get unemployment benefits when they’re laid off
1 year, 8 months ago

Editorial: Undocumented workers should be able to get unemployment benefits when they’re laid off

LA Times  

Janette Hernandez waits with her daughter in 2020 to receive a check to help cover expenses. Excluded from unemployment benefits, however, are an estimated 1.6 million undocumented workers, whose labor we rely on to pick vegetables and fruits in the fields, care for children, mow lawns and build new homes, even though many of these workers pay taxes. There’s a …

California sets new low unemployment record in July
2 years, 4 months ago

California sets new low unemployment record in July

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in July, the lowest point since 1976 as employers in the the nation’s most populous state continued to defy expectations by adding 84,800 new jobs. While California makes up 11.7% of the nation’s civilian labor force, the state accounted for 16.1% of all new jobs in the U.S. last month. The …

California recovers $1.1 billion in unemployment aid amid fraud investigation
2 years, 6 months ago

California recovers $1.1 billion in unemployment aid amid fraud investigation

LA Times  

The California Employment Development Department was overwhelmed with unemployment benefits applications and widespread fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. California officials have recovered $1.1 billion in unemployment insurance funds amid an ongoing investigation into widespread pandemic-related fraud, authorities said Tuesday. “We’re taking aggressive action to return that money to the taxpayers.” The California Employment Development Department was overwhelmed with unemployment benefits …

California workers have new COVID-19 sick pay benefits. Here’s how it works
2 years, 10 months ago

California workers have new COVID-19 sick pay benefits. Here’s how it works

LA Times  

Fanny Ortiz, a union organizer, raises her fist in a “drive-thru strike line” at a McDonald’s in Monterey Park on April 9, 2020. “We wouldn’t be here without them and I’m honored to be able to sign these pieces of legislation today.” The sick leave policy allows all workers at businesses of 26 or more employees to take paid time …

New COVID-19 sick pay for California workers approved by lawmakers
2 years, 10 months ago

New COVID-19 sick pay for California workers approved by lawmakers

LA Times  

California lawmakers passed legislation on Monday to provide most workers with up to two weeks of COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave, a move policymakers hope will slow the spread of the coronavirus across the state. “As the Omicron surge intensified, workers screamed from the rooftops about the desperate need to reinstate COVID paid sick leave,” California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer …

California’s unemployment fraud reaches at least $20 billion
3 years, 1 month ago

California’s unemployment fraud reaches at least $20 billion

LA Times  

California has given away at least $20 billion to criminals in the form of fraudulent unemployment benefits, state officials said Monday, confirming a number smaller than originally feared but one that still accounts for more than 11% of all benefits paid since the start of the pandemic. Employment Development Department Director Rita Saenz said the state has implemented new identity …

Jobless claims fall to pandemic low as labor market remains tight
3 years, 2 months ago

Jobless claims fall to pandemic low as labor market remains tight

Live Mint  

Jobless claims fell slightly and notched a new pandemic low last week, a sign layoffs remain low as companies struggle to hire workers. Worker filings for initial unemployment benefits decreased to 290,000 last week from a revised 296,000 a week earlier, the Labor Department said Thursday. The number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits overall is shrinking after programs created to …

Federal unemployment benefits have ended. Here’s what that means for millions of Californians.
3 years, 3 months ago

Federal unemployment benefits have ended. Here’s what that means for millions of Californians.

LA Times  

Federal unemployment benefit programs, which helped keep households financially afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, came to an end Saturday, leaving many Americans — including millions of Californians — without income support. Those programs include: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, or Pandemic Additional Compensation : Provides additional financial aid to those already receiving state unemployment benefits, including additional weekly payments of $300. …

‘Hungry to celebrate being alive’: California reopening fuels job growth
3 years, 6 months ago

‘Hungry to celebrate being alive’: California reopening fuels job growth

LA Times  

Casey Schwartz unwraps greenery at Flower Duet, a floral design business she co-owns with her sister Kit Wertz, as they prepare for events this weekend at their studio in Torrance. “A full California labor market recovery from this pandemic is still likely several years away,” said Scott Anderson, an economist with Bank of the West in San Francisco. “Even with …

Getting unemployment benefits in California is changing. What you need to know
3 years, 6 months ago

Getting unemployment benefits in California is changing. What you need to know

LA Times  

Job seekers use phones at the California Employment Development Department office in Sacramento in 2013. Starting next month, Californians who receive unemployment benefits will have to show that they are looking for work, a requirement that the state waived last year when COVID-19 led to economic upheaval. Claimants for unemployment benefits must start job hunting by July 11 so they …

Unemployment benefits: These people want to get back to work but can’t – and fear losing $300-a-week benefits will spell financial disaster
3 years, 6 months ago

Unemployment benefits: These people want to get back to work but can’t – and fear losing $300-a-week benefits will spell financial disaster

CNN  

CNN — Once she became fully vaccinated in April, Lindsey Bates wanted to get back to work. Florida is one of at least 24 Republican-led states that recently announced they were terminating pandemic unemployment benefits early, which means Bates will lose the $300 weekly federal boost to the $275 she receives weekly in jobless benefits at the end of June. …

US Unemployment Claims Decline to 444,000, a New Pandemic Low
3 years, 7 months ago

US Unemployment Claims Decline to 444,000, a New Pandemic Low

News 18  

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 444,000, a new pandemic low and a sign that the job market keeps strengthening as consumers spend freely again, viral infections drop and business restrictions ease. The data release coincides with rapid moves by nearly all the nation's Republican governors to cut off a $300-a-week federal unemployment benefit that …

US jobless claims fall to 473K as more GOP governors bar aid
3 years, 7 months ago

US jobless claims fall to 473K as more GOP governors bar aid

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000, a new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen. In Thursday’s report on jobless claims, the government said nearly 16.9 million people were receiving unemployment aid during the week of April 24, …

The Latest: N Korea again claims no coronavirus infections
3 years, 7 months ago

The Latest: N Korea again claims no coronavirus infections

Associated Press  

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea has told the World Health Organization that it has tested 25,986 people for the coronavirus through April but still has yet to find a single infection. ___ THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: — In coastal Senegal, beginning of the fishing season renews hope for industry ravaged by COVID-19 — While wealthier nations stockpile vaccines, some of …

California is ‘clawing back’ from pandemic recession. But some have quit the job hunt
3 years, 8 months ago

California is ‘clawing back’ from pandemic recession. But some have quit the job hunt

LA Times  

Ian McFarland, a 33-year-old video editor and screenwriter, has been applying for jobs unsuccessfully since he was laid off in March 2020. “California is clawing back some of the huge job losses suffered during the pandemic, but much progress remains to be achieved,” said Lynn Reaser, an economist at San Diego’s Point Loma Nazarene University. “I may even have to …

Lawmakers push reforms at state unemployment agency as the jobless face new delays
3 years, 8 months ago

Lawmakers push reforms at state unemployment agency as the jobless face new delays

LA Times  

A boutique is shut down on San Diego’s University Avenue last May. A package of bills to help overhaul EDD’s operations approved Thursday by a key legislative committee would allow direct deposit of unemployment benefits, provide written instructions in more languages on how to get benefits, and require the agency to better explain to claimants why they have been disqualified …

Covid relief bill: Congress sends $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package to Biden’s desk
3 years, 9 months ago

Covid relief bill: Congress sends $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package to Biden’s desk

CNN  

CNN — The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan, paving the way for President Joe Biden to sign his top legislative priority into law later this week and deliver aid to most American households amid the pandemic. Key features of the plan include up to $1,400-per-person stimulus payments that will send money to …

Unemployed Californians face months of delays when appealing denial of jobless benefits
3 years, 10 months ago

Unemployed Californians face months of delays when appealing denial of jobless benefits

LA Times  

A boutique is shut down in San Diego in May. “The judges and staff are working as quickly as possible to resolve UI appeals once received from EDD,” said Board Chairman Marty Block, a former state senator from San Diego. “EDD recently acknowledged that it is has taken four to six weeks to send appeals to since December, which makes …

Am I eligible for California’s $600 COVID-19 stimulus check and other aid?
3 years, 10 months ago

Am I eligible for California’s $600 COVID-19 stimulus check and other aid?

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom, left, shown with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, announced a state stimulus that includes a onetime $600 payment to households whose income is below $75,000. Here are the key points: $600 state stimulus payment The onetime $600 payment to households, which Newsom proposed last month, would cost about $2.3 billion and go to people including those receiving the California …

Californians with low incomes to receive $600 checks under $9.6-billion COVID-19 economic package
3 years, 10 months ago

Californians with low incomes to receive $600 checks under $9.6-billion COVID-19 economic package

LA Times  

Gavin Newson, pictured this week at a vaccination site, said Wednesday that he and state legislative leaders have agreed on a package of COVID-relief measures. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders announced Wednesday that they have agreed to provide low-income Californians a $600 state stimulus payment to help them weather financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, part of a $9.6-billion economic …

A year into pandemic, California’s broken unemployment agency still hurting those in need
3 years, 10 months ago

A year into pandemic, California’s broken unemployment agency still hurting those in need

LA Times  

A job seeker waits to use a phone at a career center in Richmond, Calif. “EDD has for years been aware of many of the problems in its claims processing and customer assistance efforts that this report identifies,” said the first audit report released Tuesday. “Nonetheless, EDD did not take adequate steps to address these deficiencies.” A second report released …

California officials say unemployment fraud now totals more than $11 billion
3 years, 10 months ago

California officials say unemployment fraud now totals more than $11 billion

LA Times  

Pandemic job losses led to a surge of unemployment claims, some of them fraudulent, officials said. California officials said Monday they have confirmed that $11.4 billion in unemployment benefits paid during the COVID-19 pandemic involve fraud — about 10% of benefits paid — and another 17% are under investigation. “California has not had sufficient security measures in place to prevent …

US jobless claims decline to a still-high 900,000
3 years, 11 months ago

US jobless claims decline to a still-high 900,000

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

US unemployment claims jump to 965,000 as virus takes toll
3 years, 11 months ago

US unemployment claims jump to 965,000 as virus takes toll

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking unemployment aid soared last week to 965,000, the most since late August and a sign that the resurgent virus has likely escalated layoffs. “While prospects for the economy later in 2021 are upbeat, the labor market recovery has taken a step backward,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, an economist at Oxford Economics, “and we …

US jobless claims soar to 965,000 as COVID surge triggers layoffs
3 years, 11 months ago

US jobless claims soar to 965,000 as COVID surge triggers layoffs

Al Jazeera  

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits with states surged to 965,000 last week as soaring COVID-19 infections and measures to contain them accelerate layoffs. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits climbed toward one million last week as business-sapping restrictions designed to contain soaring COVID-19 infections continue to hobble the United States labour market recovery. Some 965,000 …

US jobless claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of virus
4 years ago

US jobless claims rise to 885,000 amid resurgence of virus

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000, the highest weekly total since September, as a resurgence of coronavirus cases threatens the economy’s recovery from its springtime collapse. On Wednesday, congressional negotiators closed in on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that would deliver additional help to businesses, $300 per week …

Scams led California to send COVID jobless benefits to Scott Peterson, death row inmates
4 years, 1 month ago

Scams led California to send COVID jobless benefits to Scott Peterson, death row inmates

LA Times  

San Quentin inmate Scott Peterson, convicted of killing his wife and unborn son, was sent California unemployment benefits in recent months, according to a group of state and federal prosecutors who have been investigating fraud in the pandemic relief system administered by the state Employment Development Department. Pat Harris, Peterson’s attorney, said he was “absolutely certain Scott was not involved, …

US jobless claims rise to 742,000; millions to lose aid
4 years, 1 month ago

US jobless claims rise to 742,000; millions to lose aid

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid rose last week to 742,000, the first increase in five weeks and a sign that the resurgent viral outbreak is likely slowing the economy and forcing more companies to cut jobs. But it also indicates that many jobless people have used up their state unemployment aid — which typically expires after …

California is slowly gaining jobs, but unemployment remains grim
4 years, 2 months ago

California is slowly gaining jobs, but unemployment remains grim

LA Times  

California’s unemployment rate ticked down last month as the state slowly recouped some of its lost jobs, even as it continued to rack up coronavirus cases. “If we keep adding jobs at September’s rate, the state will not return to February’s level of employment until sometime in 2022,” said Taner Osman, research manager at Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles consultancy. …

California’s troubled unemployment agency needs immediate overhaul, report says
4 years, 3 months ago

California’s troubled unemployment agency needs immediate overhaul, report says

LA Times  

A man looks for jobs at the One-Stop center in East Los Angeles before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “No matter how common this situation may be, it is unacceptable,” the strike team said in its report, noting that other states are also being overwhelmed with unprecedented numbers of claims for unemployment benefits. “The state must deliver this benefit to those …

COVID-19 danger continues to drive joblessness in US
4 years, 3 months ago

COVID-19 danger continues to drive joblessness in US

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of Americans applying …

COVID-19 danger continues to drive joblessness in US
4 years, 3 months ago

COVID-19 danger continues to drive joblessness in US

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to 860,000, a historically high number of people that illustrates the broad economic damage still taking place nine months after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the U.S. The Labor Department said Thursday that U.S. jobless claims fell by 33,000 from the previous week and …

COVID-19 danger continues to drive joblessness in U.S.
4 years, 3 months ago

COVID-19 danger continues to drive joblessness in U.S.

LA Times  

A help wanted sign hangs on the door of a Target store in Uniontown, Pa., on Sept. 2. The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to 860,000, still a historically high figure. The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to 860,000, a historically high figure that reflects economic damage from the coronavirus …

California’s job growth slowed dramatically in July: August will likely be worse
4 years, 4 months ago

California’s job growth slowed dramatically in July: August will likely be worse

LA Times  

California’s economic recovery slowed markedly last month as COVID-19 infections rose and the state resumed shutting businesses. “July’s forward progress is welcome, but measured against historical benchmarks, the California labor market remains very much in the ICU,” said Scott Anderson, chief economist of Bank of the West in San Francisco. Many small businesses may not survive.” Statewide, nine of California’s …

A $400 unemployment extension is unlikely to arrive soon, if at all. What you need to know
4 years, 4 months ago

A $400 unemployment extension is unlikely to arrive soon, if at all. What you need to know

LA Times  

With negotiations for further coronavirus relief stalled in Congress, it’s unclear whether or when President Trump’s order for an extra $400 of unemployment benefits could reach jobless Americans. With Congress and the White House at an impasse, President Trump recently ordered that people receiving unemployment benefits get an extra $400 a week. Gavin Gavin Newsom this week pushed back on …

Scammers could be targeting unemployment benefits in California, state warns
4 years, 4 months ago

Scammers could be targeting unemployment benefits in California, state warns

LA Times  

Signs are posted in May on the doors of the Orange County One-Stop Center in Garden Grove, which provides employment and training services. “It’s probably going to be all screwed up.” California’s unemployment agency has processed an unprecedented 9.7 million claims from people who lost jobs or work hours since March — more than double the number filed during the …

1.2 million seek jobless aid after $600 federal check ends
4 years, 4 months ago

1.2 million seek jobless aid after $600 federal check ends

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Nearly 1.2 million laid-off Americans applied for state unemployment benefits last week, evidence that the coronavirus keeps forcing companies to slash jobs just as a critical $600 weekly federal jobless payment has expired. Without effective virus containment, the recovery remains at risk from ongoing job losses that could further restrain incomes and spending.’' The pandemic, the lockdowns meant …

Jobless claims rise as cutoff of extra $600 benefit nears
4 years, 5 months ago

Jobless claims rise as cutoff of extra $600 benefit nears

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The nation got another dose of bad economic news Thursday as the number of laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose for the first time since late March, intensifying concerns the resurgent coronavirus is stalling or even reversing the economic recovery. With the count of U.S. infections passing 4 million and the aid ending, nearly 30 million unemployed people …

Stress rises for unemployed as extra $600 benefit nears end
4 years, 5 months ago

Stress rises for unemployed as extra $600 benefit nears end

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A major source of income for roughly 30 million unemployed people is set to end, threatening their ability to meet rent and pay bills and potentially undercutting the fragile economic recovery. In March, Congress approved an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits as part of its $2 trillion relief package aimed at offsetting the impact of the coronavirus …

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