CA Will No Longer Give Jobless Aid To Those Not Looking For Work

Los Angeles CA

19 June, 2021

3:24 PM

Description

CALIFORNIA — California's employment agency will stop giving aid to those who are not actively applying to jobs this summer, officials said this week. Beginning July 11, Californians receiving benefits will have to prove they are looking for work to stay eligible for payments, the Employment Development Department said. "California offers many resources to help people to find safe and suitable careers and training opportunities that keep the economy moving," said EDD Director Rita Saenz in a statement. "We want to make sure those on unemployment have enough lead time to start searching for work so they can remain eligible for benefits as they seek their next career opportunity." While the requirement to prove an active work search has always been part of the unemployment insurance program, it was waived during the pandemic. Beginning in March 2020, claimants were able to answer "no" when asked if they were looking for work and still receive payments. The news comes as the Golden State faces a widespread labor shortage. The state reopened this week and Gov. Gavin Newsom lifted most coronavirus restrictions, but California's employers are struggling to hire. Restaurants, bars and retail stores are hanging "now hiring" signs in cities all over the state, with some places offering incentives to apply. In pre-pandemic times, most unemployment claimants would receive $450 per week, but Congress added an additional $300 to the weekly amount after coronavirus swept the state. The $750 per week payments will continue until September. California, the nation's most populous state, has processed more than 20 million unemployment claims since the onset of the pandemic. The state has nearly 40 million residents. The state has added more than 390,000 jobs since February. Although payroll jobs have increased, California reported a 7.9 percent unemployment rate in May, one of the highest rates in the country. "Workers are not coming back to their job fairs in any significant numbers," Michael Bernick, research director for the California Workforce Association, told the Associated Press. Bernick added that California's 45 workforce development boards say fewer people have been coming to them to find work. The state is urging unemployed Californians to look for work in July. CalJOBS, a virtual job board, has more than a million job listings from Fortune 1,000 companies, schools, and government agencies, officials said. The state's unemployment agency offers resources and assistance for those struggling to find work here.