Enhanced Unemployment

A “covered individual” eligible for benefits includes anyone who provides self-certification that he or she is able and available to work, but is unemployed or partially unemployed due to any of the following:

• Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis

• A member of the individual’s household has been diagnosed with COVID-19

• The individual is providing care for a family member or household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

• The individual is the primary caregiver for a child or other person in the household who is unable to attend school or another facility as a direct result of COVID-19

• The individual is unable to reach the place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of COVID-19

• The individual is unable to work because a health care provider has advised the individual to self-quarantine due to COVID-19 concerns

• The individual was scheduled to commence employment and does not have a job or is unable to reach the job as a direct result of COVID-19

• The individual has become the breadwinner or major support for a household because the head of household has died as a direct result of COVID-19

• The individual has to quit their job as a direct result of COVID-19

• The individual’s place of employment is closed as a direct result of COVID-19

• Extends unemployment insurance by 13 weeks and provides a four-month enhancement of benefits

• Makes unemployment insurance available for those with limited work history or those who have exhausted their state unemployment compensation benefits

Individuals are not eligible if:

• they are able to work remotely

• they are receiving paid sick leave or paid family leave

In addition to California unemployment benefits a covered employee is eligible for the following enhanced benefits:

• an additional $600 per week payment to each recipient of unemployment insurance for up to four months (expires on July 31, 2020)

• benefits will be equal to the amount determined under state law, plus an additional amount of $600 per worker per week

• an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who remain unemployed after state unemployment benefits are exhausted.

• assistance under the unemployment provisions shall not exceed 39 weeks, unless otherwise extended.

The Department of Labor stated “If an individual is eligible to receive even $1.00 of underlying (unemployment insurance) benefits for the claimed week, the individual, the individual will receive the full $600 under the program.

To read the DOL’s guidance please see https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200410.

Individuals apply for enhanced unemployment benefits through California’s unemployment insurance website. Here is a link https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/