September 4, 2021 is the expiration date for most federal unemployment benefits, including: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), the $300 Federal Additional Compensation (PAC) supplement, and Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). September 11, 2021, is the end of the Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED) extension. Claimants are receiving notices about these changes, with links to the other vital benefit programs that continue.
Although federal unemployment benefits will soon end for many unemployed Californians, the American Rescue Plan and California Comeback Plan have substantially expanded other vital benefits that continue to help eligible California families:
- Cash aid for families with children (CalWORKs) through county human services agencies at BenefitsCal.org (where people can also apply for food assistance [CalFresh], and free health coverage [Medi-Cal]).
- Over $234 per person per month for food via CalFresh (GetCalFresh.org or by phone at 1-877-847-3663), whether a person is working or not.
- Money for rent and utilities—including 100 percent rent and utilities—via Housing is Key (HousingIsKey.com or by phone at 1-833-430-2122).
- Free or low-cost health insurance through Covered California or Medi-Cal (CoveredCA.com or by phone at 1-800-300-1506). Californians who received unemployment insurance in 2021 may be eligible for Covered California’s best coverage for $1 per month.
- Golden State Stimulus payments for millions of qualified residents who file taxes, even if not required. (By phone at 1-800-845-6500).
The EDD has also provided resources to help claimants find jobs and get job training at the Returning to Work webpage. That includes CalJOBS, a no-cost virtual job center that includes more than a million job listings from private job boards and recruitment sites.
Fact Sheet on federal unemployment benefits ending can be found here.