Los Angeles Unemployment Benefits Lawyer
eing unemployed can be incredibly stressful. Lacking an income can leave you feeling vulnerable to potential emergencies, and being financially strained can often cause tension in a household. California workers who have been laid off or fired will likely need to file for unemployment with California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) to alleviate the pressure.
Filing for unemployment is a valuable option for those who have had to leave work involuntarily. Many workers are unaware of the options available to them following an event like this, and it can be challenging to manage alone. Enlisting the guidance of an experienced unemployment benefits lawyer can be beneficial.
What Unemployment Benefits Are Available in Los Angeles?
Working Californians who become involuntarily unemployed benefit from California’s Unemployment Insurance program. Unemployment benefits provide temporary financial help to employees who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own.
California’s Employment Development Department oversees the unemployment benefits program. Unemployment benefits replace lost pay and are calculated based on your income over the previous 18 months. Employer contributions help to fund the program. Benefits from unemployment insurance are taxable and must be recorded on federal tax forms.
Los Angeles Unemployment Benefits Eligibility Requirements
Funds to support the unemployed are not openly available to absolutely everyone without a job. When applying for unemployment benefits and certifying for benefits, you must meet all eligibility requirements.
When applying for unemployment benefits, the EDD states you must meet the following requirements:
- You have accumulated sufficient earnings during the base period.
- You are unemployed entirely or partially.
- You are unemployed due to circumstances beyond your control.
- You have the physical ability to work.
- You are available for work.
- You are immediately available and willing to accept a job.
A base period is a 12-month period used by the EDD to determine if you earned enough wages to make a claim. The Standard Base Period and the Alternate Base Period are the two types of base periods that can be utilized to establish a claim. Each base period is divided into four quarters, each lasting three months. To make a successful claim, you must have earned at least (1) $1,300 in one quarter of your base period or (2) $900 in your highest quarter and total base period earnings of 1.25 times your high quarter earnings to make a successful claim.
Who Is Eligible for Unemployment in Los Angeles, CA?
California places further restrictions on who is eligible for unemployment benefits. To qualify for benefits, you must meet each requirement listed below:
- You must be actively seeking work each week you are collecting benefits
- You must be a California resident
- You must have earned a minimum amount of wages determined by California guidelines
- You must be unemployed
- You must have worked in California during the past 12 months
As evidence you are making a reasonable attempt to find acceptable employment, you should retain a log of the dates you conducted a job search and the contacts for any employers you may have talked to. This log will be beneficial for future reference and eligibility interviews.
Additionally, although you must have worked in California during the previous 12 months, this time frame may be extended in some cases. To clarify your eligibility, discuss your case with an experienced Los Angeles unemployment benefits lawyer.
Why Would You Be Turned Down for Unemployment Benefits?
Filling out an application does not guarantee you will receive the benefits you seek. A lot goes into determining whether someone is eligible for benefits and whether they will receive them. Eligibility is not always common knowledge. Also, the EDD can make mistakes. You may be turned down for unemployment benefits for various reasons.
Some of the most common causes for the denial of unemployment benefits include the following:
- The EDD disqualified you because of a prior claim issue
- The EDD does not recognize all of your income during your base period, resulting in a lesser benefit calculation
- The EDD believes you were fired for misconduct
- You made an error when completing your application
- The EDD calculated your eligibility inaccurately and refused to pay the correct Weekly Benefit Amount
- The EDD will not backdate your claim’s effective date
- Your old employer has challenged your eligibility
- The EDD determined you freely left your job
These are just some of the reasons you may be turned down for unemployment benefits. Securing your benefits may not be as straightforward as possible, but you should know that there are legal professionals who can help guide you through this process. Enlisting the help of an experienced Los Angeles unemployment benefits lawyer could help reduce the issues you may encounter when attempting to obtain your benefits.
Why Should I Hire a Los Angeles Unemployment Benefits Lawyer?
California’s unemployment regulations can be challenging to understand. As a result, many workers have difficulty getting unemployment benefits or unemployment insurance in California. You may have difficulty filing unemployment benefit claims and filling out unemployment applications. Without a clear understanding of what you need to be eligible, your application for California unemployment insurance may be denied.
To determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits, contact an experienced unemployment benefits lawyer from Blackstone Law. We can guide you through the application process and help you appeal if your application gets denied. Reach out to our firm for a free initial consultation and guidance on unemployment insurance appeals.
Get Help From an Experienced Los Angeles Unemployment Benefits Lawyer
For anybody dealing with unemployment, securing unemployment benefits is undoubtedly vital to maintaining their lifestyle until they can obtain a new job. The unexpected loss of a job may already be weighing on your mind. Thinking about the loss of income and its impact on your future is likely overwhelming. It would be best if you had someone in your corner to help you navigate this complex process and fight for your benefit.
Contact the experienced legal professionals at Blackstone Law to give you the advantage you need to overcome this difficult situation. Our unemployment benefits lawyers have the skills and experience to ensure that you receive the unemployment benefits you deserve. Also, we work on a contingency basis because we believe that passionate advocacy should be available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Make an appointment for your initial consultation at (310) 956-4054, or fill out our contact form.