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Home→Agencies→Unemployment Benefits→California

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.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unemployment

California

edd.ca.gov/en/unemployment→

Administering agency

California Employment Development Department (EDD)

Phone1-800-300-5616
WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341

Verified Jul 2026

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 through the Contact Us tool in myEDD.
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

Frequently asked questions

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) administers unemployment insurance. Its unemployment customer service line is 1-800-300-5616.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in California

4-step process for California Employment Development Department (EDD).

View details →
SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

  • edd.ca.gov
  • leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in California primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unemployment

California

edd.ca.gov/en/unemployment→

Administering agency

California Employment Development Department (EDD)

Phone1-800-300-5616
WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code 1341

Verified Jul 2026
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