Member Article

California has implemented procedures for employees to obtain unemployment, paid family leave, or disability insurance benefits related to COVID-19. Here are the main points:

• If employee is unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 and has the necessary supporting medical documentation, employee may file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim (1-week waiting period waived).
• Employee can qualify for DI benefits if quarantine is certified by a medical professional or a state or local health officer.
• If employee is unable to work because s/he is caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19, employee can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.
• Employees may apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits if they are unemployed, which includes reasons such as:hours are reduced due to the quarantine; separated from employer during the quarantine; subject to a quarantine required by a medical professional or state or local health officer.
• Employee could be eligible for UI benefits if they choose to stay home from work due to underlying health conditions and concerns about exposure to the virus.
• Employee may be eligible for UI benefits if child’s school shuts down and employee has to miss work to care for that child (who is not ill).

For more information, see https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm