According to White, for those who previously filed an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim within the last 52 weeks and have not exhausted their benefits, to receive benefits they are required to reopen their claim to resume those benefits.

White further advised anyone who has not yet exhausted their benefits but has ceased benefit certification—for example, they were in the process of being hired when the stay-at-home order was issued and their hiring was placed on hold, will find their UI claim has become inactive.

Under the CARES Act, the EDD began automatically filing Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) extensions beginning May 27 for those who exhausted all available benefits on their claim with a benefit year that started on or after June 2, 2019.

Finally, White was asked whether there are UI options available for others who were on disability and whose disability benefits expired before (or after) the onset of Covid-19 but felt unable to return to work?

If the above information does not address your particular circumstances or needs, please refer to the EDD’s COVID-19 resources and Guide to applying for unemployment benefits.