State Unemployment Benefits in California
The California Employment Development Department administers unemployment insurance. Benefits due a claimant who has died may be paid to the person legally entitled to them, on an affidavit filed with the EDD, and the death should be reported so future payments stop.
Administering agency
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Authority
Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341
State Unemployment Benefits in California: key facts
- Administering agency
- Employment Development Department (EDD).
- Unemployment customer service
- 1-800-300-5616, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, except California state holidays. An automated self-service line, 1-866-333-4606, is available 24 hours a day.
- Benefits due a deceased claimant
- Under Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341, 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.
- Who may claim
- The person or persons legally entitled to the benefits. Payment is made on an affidavit executed by the person claiming to be entitled to them, and receipt of the affidavit discharges the EDD from further liability.
- Reporting a death
- Call the unemployment customer service line at 1-800-300-5616 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday) to report the death and stop future payments. Messages can also be sent from a UI Online account reached through myEDD, using its Contact Us option.
- Claiming an uncashed UI check
- For a benefit payment more than three years old from its date of issue, file EDD form DE 903SD (Uncashed Benefit Payment Check or Unclaimed Electronic Benefit Payment Claim Form), which takes the claiming person's relationship to the claimant, such as heir. For a payment less than three years old, contact the Unemployment Insurance office at 1-800-300-5616.
Governing law: Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341
Steps to take when someone dies
- Report the claimant's death to the EDD at 1-800-300-5616 so benefit payments stop.
- Confirm with the EDD what benefit remains due on the claim.
- Ask the EDD what affidavit and documentation it requires from the person legally entitled to that benefit under Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341.
- For an uncashed payment more than three years old from its date of issue, file form DE 903SD with the EDD Stale Dated Warrant unit.
Frequently asked questions
The death should be reported to the EDD so future payments stop. Under Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341, any benefit still due the claimant may be paid to whoever appears to the Director of Employment Development to be legally entitled to it, on an affidavit executed by that person.
Call the EDD at 1-800-300-5616 to report the death, stop payments, and confirm what benefit remains due and what affidavit the department requires. For an uncashed benefit payment more than three years old from its date of issue, file form DE 903SD; for one less than three years old, contact the same unemployment line.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) administers unemployment insurance. Its unemployment customer service line is 1-800-300-5616.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in California primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Authority
Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341