(COVID-19) Coronavirus Pandemic
In the face of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) and the Employment Development Department (EDD) of the State of California wants to keep all the workers, both the employees and employers safe and provided. You may use the guidance below to determine what can help best for you, your family, and your workplace. The following information below serves as your general guidance as to what programs are available and what situations may apply to. You can choose what program may best fit your needs and the EDD will determine your eligibility for the benefits.
Disability Leave Benefits
You can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim if you can’t work due to contracting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Eligible workers who have lost a full or partial part of their salary due to non-work related illness, injury, or pregnancy. The benefit amount will depend on the amount of your income for it can amount approximately 60-70% of salary and range $50-$1,300 a week. You can also calculate your potential benefit amount using the EDD’s Disability Insurance Calculator. Most workers in California are DI covered due to deductions from their monthly paychecks that are noted “CASDI” on most payslips. You can collect the benefits the week right after you are out of work. The EDD will process and issue payments for a few weeks after receiving the claim.
Eligibility for Disability Insurance
You must submit medical documentation to file for your eligibility for the Disability Insurance (DI) benefits. The documentation should consist of a medical certification with the signature of a physician or medical practitioner. The certification should have the diagnosis of COVID-19 and ICD-10 code or a statement of symptoms together with its starting date. It should also state the probable duration and doctor’s or medical practitioner’s license number or facility information. A written order from a state or local health officer also meets the requirement. You can also be eligible if you are under quarantine if a medical professional or local/national health officer certifies your condition. Lastly, the agency accepts physical examinations from telehealth or virtual appointment but it will still require medical certification.
DI Claim Processing
Submit your claim online for faster processing for your claim together with your supporting medical documentation. You can also order online or file a request from the EDD for a Claim for Disability Insurance (DI) Benefits (DE 2501) (PDF) form. Fill it up then submit it to the EDD inside the envelope that they provide. Submit separately by mail if your medical documentation is provided in a form other than EDD’s designated claim form. Mail it to:
Employment Development Department
PO Box 10402
Van Nuys, CA 91410-0402
Paid Family Leave Benefits
You may file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim if you can’t work because you are caring for a quarantined family member with COVID-19. The eligible workers who have a loss of salary because the time off work to take care of a family member affected with Coronavirus pandemic will get receive the PFL benefit payment for up to 6 weeks and will extend to eight weeks later on July 1, 2020. The family member will refer to a child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or legal domestic partner. The benefit amount will depend on the amount of your income for it can amount approximately 60-70% of salary and range $50-$1,300 a week. You can also calculate your potential benefit amount using the EDD’s Paid Family Leave Calculator. The EDD will process and issue payment in a few weeks after receiving a claim if you are eligible.
Eligibility for Paid Family Leave Benefits
Medical documentation should be presented of the family member you are caring for due to Coronavirus pandemic to be eligible for the PFL Benefits. The documentation must include the signature by the treating physician or the medical practitioner certifying the diagnosis of COVID-19 and ICD-10 Code. But if there is still no diagnosis, a signed statement from the medical provider with the symptoms, its start date, and the probable duration should be included. Additionally, a written order from a state or local health officer about your family member’s situation is also valid. Lastly, physical examinations will be accepted from telehealth or virtual appointment but it will still require medical certification.
PFL Claim Process
PFL Claim Process You can always submit your claim online with the supporting documents submitted after for fast processing of your claim. You can also order online or file a request from the EDD for a Claim for Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits (DE 2501F) (PDF) form. Fill it up then submit it to the EDD inside the envelope that they provide. Submit separately by mail if your medical documentation is provided in a form other than EDD’s designated claim form. Mail it to:
Employment Development Department
PO Box 45011
Fresno, CA 93718-5011
Unemployment Insurance Benefit
If you are not sick or have no family member that is affected with the Coronavirus pandemic, you are encouraged to apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefit with reasons that include:
- Reduced hours of work due to quarantine
- Separated from the employer during the quarantine
- Mandatory self-quarantine required by a medical provider or a state or local health officer
You can already collect UI benefits on the first week out of work since the Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period. The EDD will process and issue payment in a few weeks after receiving a claim if you are eligible. A phone call interview with an EDD representative might be needed to collect for details and information.
- You do not need to meet the usual requirement of looking for work while you are collecting unemployment benefits if you are temporarily out of work and plan to return to the same employer. The EDD will inform you if you are not required to look for work each week.
- You are required to look for work while collecting benefits if you are not connected to a certain employer with a job to return to. The EDD will inform you if you are required to look for work each week.
Eligibility for Unemployment Insurance Benefit
You should have earned enough wages from last 12-18 months base period to establish a claim and be:
- Actively looking for work
- Willing to accept work immediately
- Available for work
- Physically able to work
- Totally or partially unemployed
- Unemployed unintentionally or no fault of your own
You can calculate your base period on How Unemployment Benefits are Computed (DE 8714AB) (PDF). The weekly benefit may range from $40 to $450 and you can estimate your weekly benefit amount using the UI Benefit Calculator. Expect a phone interview with an EDD representative to discuss your claim and circumstances.
Final Thoughts
It’s a tough time for employees and employers everywhere, but we have all each other’s backs. If you’re looking for a healthcare provider that would help prevent illnesses while ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, Gurmu OccMed Svs can help you. They provide quality occupational medical services for companies and organizations. To schedule an appointment, visit us at 500 Greenfield, Ave, Hanford, CA or call us at (559) 587-5587.
