How to File a New Unemployment Claim in California (EDD 2026)

Step-by-step guide to filing a new unemployment claim with California EDD in 2026 — myEDD registration, UI Online application, ID.me verification, and what to expect after you submit.

✓ Updated: May 30, 2026  ·  ⏱ 8 min read  ·  📍 California (EDD)

Welcome to myEDD and UI Online — California’s online portal for applying and managing unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. In this 2026 guide, we’ll walk you through every step of filing a new UI claim with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), from gathering your documents to receiving your first payment.

Once you’ve filed your claim, you can use UI Online at any time to certify for benefit payments, check claim status, view payment history, and update your account. For a complete overview of California unemployment rules, visit our California unemployment guide.

Eligibility: Who Can File a New California UI Claim?

Before filing, make sure you meet California’s UI eligibility requirements:

• You’re totally or partially unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, hours reduced, or temporary loss of work).
• You earned enough wages during the base period:
  • At least $1,300 in your highest quarter, OR
  • At least $900 in your highest quarter AND total base period earnings of at least 1.25× your highest-quarter earnings.
• You’re physically able to work and available for work.
• You’re actively seeking work (and willing to accept suitable work).
• You’re legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Your base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. You can estimate your weekly benefit amount using the EDD UI Calculator.

What Information You’ll Need

Gather this information before starting your application — having everything ready makes the process faster and reduces the chance of payment delays.

Personal Information

• Full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (SSN).
• Complete mailing address and phone number.
• California Driver’s License or ID number (if you have one).
• If you’re not a U.S. citizen: employment authorization document number and expiration date (e.g., Permanent Resident Card, EAD).

Employment History (Last 18 Months)

For each employer you worked for in the last 18 months:

• Employer name (as shown on your W-2 or pay stub), address, and phone number.
• First and last day of work.
• Total gross wages earned and how you were paid (hourly, salary, commission).
• Reason your job ended (laid off, fired, quit, reduction in hours).

Other Information You May Need

• Federal employer (FedEx, USPS, military) — provide SF-8 or DD-214.
• Recent pension, severance, or vacation pay (if any).
• Bank account info (for direct deposit) or address (for EDD debit card).

Step 1: Create Your myEDD Account

EDD migrated from “Benefit Programs Online” (BPO) to myEDD in 2024. myEDD is now the single login portal for all EDD services — UI Online, SDI Online (disability), Paid Family Leave, and Benefit Overpayment Services.

If you already have a myEDD account from a previous UI, SDI, or PFL claim, you do not need to create another. Just log in with your existing email and password.

How to Create a myEDD Account

1. Go to myedd.edd.ca.gov.
2. Click “Create Account”.
3. Enter your personal email address (use one you check often — EDD sends notifications here).
4. Create a strong password (at least 8 characters, mix of letters/numbers/symbols).
5. Answer security questions and select a security image (used to confirm legitimate logins).
6. Confirm your email address via the link EDD sends you.

Step 2: Register for UI Online

Once your myEDD account is active, you’ll need to register specifically for UI Online (the unemployment service inside myEDD).

1. Log in to myEDD.
2. From your dashboard, click “UI Online”.
3. Click “Register” and enter:
   • Your Social Security Number.
   • Date of birth.
   • Last name (exactly as on your Social Security card).
   • EDD Customer Account Number (if you have one — only for existing claimants).
4. Confirm your information and complete registration.

Step 3: Verify Your Identity with ID.me

Since 2021, EDD requires most new UI claimants to verify their identity through ID.me — a third-party identity verification service. This step is critical: skipping it or failing it is the #1 cause of payment delays in California.

What You’ll Need for ID.me

• Photo ID: Driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID.
• Smartphone or webcam: Used to take a real-time selfie.
• Personal info: SSN, date of birth, address.
• Phone number for verification text/call.

ID.me Verification Steps

1. From your UI Online application, click the ID.me link when prompted.
2. Create an ID.me account (or sign in if you already have one).
3. Take photos of your driver’s license or ID (front and back).
4. Take a selfie — ID.me uses face-match technology to compare it to your ID.
5. Verify your phone number via text or call.
6. Once verified, you’ll be redirected back to UI Online to finish your claim.

Step 4: File Your New UI Claim

With your myEDD account and ID.me verification ready, you’re now set to file your claim.

Filing Steps

1. From your myEDD dashboard, click “UI Online”.
2. Click “File New Claim”. (If you have an existing claim, you’ll see “Reopen Your Claim” instead.)
3. Review the instructions and agree to the terms and conditions.
4. Complete the Applicant Information section: name, address, SSN, contact details.
5. Enter your Last Employer Information: employer name, address, dates worked, reason for separation.
6. Complete your Employment History (last 18 months): every employer in chronological order.
7. Answer the Eligibility Questions: able and available to work, school attendance, self-employment, pension, etc.
8. Choose your Payment Method: direct deposit (recommended) or EDD debit card (Money Network).
9. Review all answers carefully on the summary page.
10. Submit your application. You’ll receive a confirmation number — save and print this page.

Step 5: Register in CalJOBS

California requires UI claimants to register in CalJOBS (the state’s online employment system) within 21 days of filing their UI claim. Failing to register can delay or stop your benefits.

1. Go to caljobs.ca.gov.
2. Click “Register” and create an account.
3. Complete your profile: work experience, education, skills, and job preferences.
4. Upload your résumé (required for full registration).
5. Begin searching and applying for jobs — required work search activities count here.

What Happens After You File

After you submit your application, EDD will:

• Send you a Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award (DE 429Z) within 10 days, showing your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), maximum benefit amount, and benefit year.
• Mail an EDD Customer Account Number (used for phone interviews and all future correspondence).
• Schedule a phone interview if there are questions about your eligibility (school enrollment, self-employment, separation reason, etc.).
• Send you certification forms — most claimants certify online via UI Online.
• If approved, issue your first payment typically within 3 weeks of filing (after the unpaid waiting week).

The Unpaid Waiting Week

California requires a one-week unpaid waiting period at the start of your claim. You must certify for this week, but you will not receive payment for it. This is standard for all new claims.

The waiting week is typically the first week you’re eligible — so even though your claim starts the Sunday of the week you file, your first paid week comes after.

Certifying for Benefits Every Two Weeks

To receive payments, you must certify for benefits every two weeks — this is how you tell EDD you’re still unemployed, able to work, and looking for work.

Certification options:

• UI Online (recommended): Fastest. Payments typically arrive 1–2 business days after certifying.
• EDD Tele-Cert: Phone certification at 1-866-333-4606.
• Paper form (DE 4581): Slowest. Mailed forms can take 10+ days to process.

You’ll receive email reminders from EDD when it’s time to certify. Each certification covers the prior two weeks — you must answer questions about each week separately (able & available, earnings, work search efforts).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Reporting net instead of gross wages — always report gross (before taxes).
• Skipping ID.me verification — your claim will stay in pending status indefinitely.
• Not registering in CalJOBS within 21 days — can delay or stop benefits.
• Missing the certification deadline — late certifications can result in delayed or denied payments.
• Forgetting the waiting week — you must certify for it even though it’s unpaid.
• Ignoring EDD notices — read all mail and email; respond promptly to interview requests.
• Not reporting part-time earnings — failure to report can trigger overpayments and fraud penalties.
• Using outdated URLs — only use edd.ca.gov and myedd.edd.ca.gov. Avoid phishing sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related California Guides

• 📍 California Unemployment Guide (Main Hub)
• Can I Extend My Unemployment Benefits in California?
• When Can You Reapply for Unemployment in California?
• How to Verify Your Identity with UI Online
• How to Verify Identity with a Trusted Referee
• How to Reopen Your Claim with California EDD
• Update Your Personal Profile in California EDD

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. California EDD rules and procedures can change. Always verify current requirements at edd.ca.gov.

Official Sources

1. myEDD — Official Login Portal
2. EDD — Unemployment Insurance Homepage
3. EDD — Steps to File for Unemployment
4. EDD — Identity Verification with ID.me
5. EDD — UI Benefit Calculator
6. EDD — How UI Benefits Are Computed (DE 8714AB)
7. EDD — Unemployment Eligibility Requirements
8. CalJOBS — California Job Search Portal