Governor Speeds Up Unemployment Benefits For Quake Victims

The State of California says its speeding unemployment benefits to workers who have lost their jobs because of the Easter Sunday earthquake in Imperial County. The state is also offering payroll tax extensions to employers in the county who were directly affected by a massive earthquake centered in nearby Mexico.

As News Channel 3 and KESQ.com first reported last week, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in Imperial County last Thursday, which allows the state to suspend the one-week waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for workers who lost their jobs because of the earthquake. The waiver of the waiting period applies to workers who file UI claims from April 4, 2010, through October 2, 2010.

Workers can file for unemployment benefits at http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ or by calling 1-800-300-5616. Filing on-line is the quickest and easiest method for workers to apply. Workers can use computers and phones at the EDD offices at 301 Heber Avenue in Calexico and 1550 W. Main St. in El Centro to file their UI claims. They can also find job search assistance at those offices.

Under the same Governor?s order, California employers directly affected by the earthquake can request an extension of up to 60 days to file their state payroll reports and to deposit state payroll taxes with EDD, without penalty or interest. The extension is granted under Section 1111.5 of the California Unemployment Insurance Code (CUIC) under a Governor-declared state of emergency.

State payroll taxes include UI, Employment Training Tax (ETT), State Disability Insurance (SDI) (includes Paid Family Leave), and California Personal Income Tax (PIT). To request an extension, employers must send a letter to EDD specifically requesting an extension of time under Section 1111.5 of the CUIC, along with the previously unfiled report(s) and payment(s). The letter must also provide detailed information as to why the report or payment could not be submitted in a timely manner.

Employers should mail the letter and tax report or payment to the address specified on their filing form. If an employer has already been charged a late filing or payment penalty that he/she believes may qualify for this extension, the employer should send a written request to:

Employment Development Department P.O. Box 826846, MIC 3A Sacramento, CA 94246-0001.