California EDD Now Requiring Proof of Job Search To Gather Unemployment Advantages – CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF / AP) – After more than a year of a COVID-19 hiatus, California officials again began demanding job-search evidence from citizens in order to receive their unemployment benefits.

The job search obligation had been suspended during the months of the pandemic.

CONTINUE READING: The California EDD requires proof of job search starting July in order to receive benefits

“If you receive regular unemployment benefits, the job-search obligation will be reintroduced for most applicants from July 11th in order to maintain entitlement to benefits,” Labor Department officials wrote on their website. “The requirement applies to the search for a suitable job that is safe for re-entry and which is comparable to your skills, experience, your usual job, your age and your state of health.”

To help with the search, EDD officials have published resources for unemployed applicants.

Here’s what state officials say is appropriate for “reasonable efforts in finding suitable work.”

• Set up an account with CalJOBS, take part in re-employment services, publish a profile on various job search or network sites.
• Let friends, previous employers, or community members know that you are looking for work. Take part in networking, job fair events or clubs.
• Apply for positions with employers who are reasonably expected to have suitable vacancies with appropriate skills and experience, including government agencies and exams.
• Participate in approved education and training opportunities that facilitate access to employment and do not interfere with taking up decent full-time employment.

The state created 104,500 jobs in May – the fourth month in a row with six-digit job growth, after 102,000 jobs created in April, 132,400 jobs created in March and 156,100 new jobs in February:

“California continues to lead the country’s economic recovery, adding 104,500 jobs in May, the fourth straight month in six-figure jobs,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “Our health-centric approach has saved lives and resulted in one of the lowest case numbers and the most vaccinations in the country – now we are the nationwide leader in health and economic outcomes. We’ve reclaimed more than half the jobs we lost last year, but there’s still a long way to go – that’s why we’re investing in historic tax cuts and grants for small businesses, tax breaks for two-thirds of California families, and rental breaks for those who those most affected by the pandemic. “

Since the pandemic began, California – the nation’s most populous state with nearly 40 million residents – has processed more than 20 million jobless claims and paid out more than $ 128 billion in benefits.

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Typically, the highest money anyone can get from unemployment benefits in California is $ 450 a week. But Congress added an extra $ 300 a week because of the pandemic. This additional money does not expire until September.

However, as coronavirus cases have declined while more people are being vaccinated, employers have indicated they are having a hard time finding work, especially in the service industry.

Kyle Conner, who owns the Alameda Cinema Grill, Alameda Theater, and Cineplex, is one of those small businesses struggling to reopen fully.

“I started closing on Mondays,” he told KPIX 5. “I was always out seven days a week.”

The staff shortage also forced him to shorten his business hours. He has a dozen vacancies.

“I work with two chefs,” he said. “Before the pandemic, we had five or six. I’m looking for a head chief, two or three line cooks, probably three waiters, bussers, dishwashers, bartenders. Everything.”

Labor experts blamed the labor shortage in part on adding extra money from unemployment benefits to incentivizing people to stay home. And not only the gastronomy, the entire service industry is facing the same challenge.

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“We were open seven days a week before the pandemic,” said Julie Pruitt, owner of Acne Specialists of Oakland. “And now we’re only five open because I don’t have enough staff.”