State of California

Alpha.CA.gov is no longer being updated.

This was a 12-week pilot project in 2019-20 that explored new approaches for state websites.

If you need the current state homepage, visit CA.gov.

Apply for unemployment insurance

Unemployment insurance (UI) pays part of your income after your employer lays you off or reduces your hours.

Who can apply When to apply What you need before you apply How to apply After you apply Update us every two weeks

Who can apply

To get UI, you must be:

  • Fully or partly unemployed
  • Unemployed not because of anything you did
  • Physically able to work
  • Available and willing to work
  • Looking for work

You also must have made enough money in the last 18 months to get UI benefits. Find out what your UI payments would be with our calculator:

Calculate payments