Eligibility

• The state of California uses the earnings during a base period to determine eligibility for claimants. The base period includes the first four of the last five previous calendar quarters. California claimants must earn a minimum of $1,300 in one base period quarter. The claimant may also qualify with high quarter earnings of at least $900 and total base period earnings of at least 1.25 times the earnings in the highest quarter. The state disqualifies claimants who do not meet monetary eligibility requirements. In addition, claimants must be out of work through no fault of their own and physically capable of performing work.
  
  

Weekly Claim Requirements

• Claimants must file with the state for each week of unemployment benefits. The requirements to continue receiving unemployment compensation include the ability to perform work physically. The state also requires unemployment claimants to search for full time employment while collecting unemployment. The state of California will deny benefits to those who fail to meet the weekly filing requirements.
  
  

Administrative Law Judge

• Claimants have the right to appeal the decision to deny benefits or disqualify a claimant from receiving compensation. When a claimant disagrees with the decision of the California Employment Development Department, he can file an appeal before an administrative law judge. The state will schedule a hearing for the appeal, which allows the claimant to present evidence to the court. The administrative law judge will take testimony during the hearing and file a written decision.
  
  

California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board

• Claimants may file an appeal with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board after the decision by an administrative judge. The appeals board reviews the evidence, testimony and decision of the administrative appeals board to reach a conclusion. The board will not accept new evidence in the case.