State Unemployment Benefits in California

Reporting a death

The EDD takes a report of a claimant's death on its unemployment customer service line, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday; reporting the death stops future payments.¹

Claimant portal

Messages can also be sent to the EDD from a UI Online account reached through myEDD, using its Contact Us option.¹

Benefits at and after the death

Section 1341 of the Unemployment Insurance Code provides that benefits due a person who has died may be paid to whoever appears to the Director of Employment Development to be legally entitled to them.²

An uncashed benefit payment more than three years old from its date of issue is claimed on EDD form DE 903SD; for a payment less than three years old, the EDD directs the claimant's representative to the Unemployment Insurance office.³

Who may claim a final payment

Under section 1341, the person or persons legally entitled to the benefits are paid on an affidavit executed by the person claiming to be entitled to them, and receipt of the affidavit discharges the EDD from further liability.²

Documents for a final payment

Form DE 903SD takes the claiming person's relationship to the claimant, such as heir.³

Governing law: Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341

EDD Stale Dated Warrant unit

Receives form DE 903SD for an uncashed payment more than three years old from its date of issue³

1. 1.Contact Unemployment Insurance (California Employment Development Department)
2. 2.Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341
3. 3.DE 903SD, Uncashed Benefit Payment Check or Unclaimed Electronic Benefit Payment Claim Form, Rev. 1 (2-24)