Unemployment Benefits

• If you lose your job through no fault of your own, in most cases you will be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. The amount of money you'll receive each week depends on how much you earned working in the previous year to 15 months. You'll need to register with EDD and file your claim online or by telephone. EDD will deposit your benefits each week into your bank account or onto a debit card you can use to purchase groceries, gas and other necessities.
  
  

Food Assistance

• If your income falls below a certain level, you may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program, or SNAP, more commonly known as food stamps. Eligibility and the amount of the benefit you'll receive depend on the number of people in your family and your income. Even if your income is too high for SNAP, your children may qualify for free or low-cost meals at school. Pregnant women may also receive commodities from the Women, Infants and Children program, or WIC.
  
  

Health Coverage

• When you lose your job, you probably will also lose your health insurance coverage. Low and medium income people may be eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. County health clinics can provide basic services, such as vaccinations for children, for people who don't qualify for Medi- Cal. EDD can also direct you to low-cost public health clinics.
  
  

Job Assistance

• To help you find a new job, EDD offers an online job center with links to employment offices, information about job fairs, tips for writing resumes and applying for jobs and information on additional job training. You can find out if you're eligible for special programs for veterans, older workers or workers who've lost jobs due to increased imports. California's One-Stop Career Centers offer in-person job counseling and classes to help in your job search.