State of California

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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

Update us every two weeks

To keep getting payments, you have to contact us every two weeks to let us know you still qualify for UI. This is called certifying for benefits.

Certify online
or

Certify by phone

1-866-333-4606

or

Certify by mail

We’ll mail you a Continued Claim Form (DE 4581CTO) within 10 days after we’ve processed your application. Fill it out and mail it to the address we’ve listed in your letter.