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Justin Trejo

Where do I file for unemployment if I work remotely in California?

Okay so I'm in a situation I genuinely wasn't prepared for and I can't find a straight answer anywhere. I've been working remotely for the past two years as a project coordinator for a tech startup. Last week they let me go — restructuring, they said. I live in California but my employer is actually headquartered in another state. My paychecks always came from their out-of-state office and my W-2 shows their state on it. Now I'm sitting here trying to figure out where do I file for unemployment if I work remotely because literally everything I'm reading is giving me different answers. Some places say file where your employer is located, other stuff says file where YOU live and work. I've been working from my apartment in Sacramento this whole time so... does that count? I don't want to file in the wrong place and mess everything up before I even get started. Anyone dealt with this before?

This is actually a really common question for remote workers and the answer is more straightforward than most people realize. You file for unemployment in the state where you PHYSICALLY performed your work — not where your employer is headquartered. Since you were sitting in your Sacramento apartment doing your job every day, California is where you worked. That means California EDD is the agency you file with. The fact that your W-2 shows another state's address for your employer doesn't change which state's UI system you claim through. Go to edd.ca.gov and file your initial claim there. You'll need your employment dates, your reason for separation, and your earnings history. California EDD will reach out to your former employer to verify wages if needed.

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Okay this is super helpful, thank you. So California EDD is definitely the right place even though my employer never paid into California unemployment? Does that cause problems with my claim?

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Great question — your employer was REQUIRED to pay California UI taxes on your wages since you performed the work in California. If they didn't, that's on them not you. EDD handles this routinely with multi-state employers. File your claim, and if there's a wage discrepancy EDD will sort it out. Don't let that stop you from filing immediately because there's no backdating if you wait.

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this happened to my coworker exactly, she filed with california edd and it went through fine even though the company was in texas

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Just to add some practical info here — when you file your initial UI claim on UI Online through California EDD, there's a section where it asks about your employer's location. You just enter your employer's actual address (their out-of-state HQ) and California EDD handles the interstate wage stuff on the backend. Don't try to fudge anything or make it seem like your employer was California-based. Put in their real info. The system is set up to handle exactly this scenario. Also make sure you file as soon as possible — your benefit year starts from the week you file, not the week you were laid off.

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Wait, so I might lose the week between my layoff and when I file? I got laid off last Wednesday...

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Yes unfortunately that's how it works with California EDD — benefits are not retroactive to your last day of work, they're calculated from when you actually submit your claim. So file TODAY if you haven't already. Go to edd.ca.gov right now and start your UI Online account.

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same thing happened to me i waited like 5 days thinking i had to wait for my final paycheck to clear first. dont do that lol just file immediately

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I went through almost this exact same situation last year — remote worker in California, employer in Virginia. The multi-state employer thing threw me off completely and I spent like two weeks trying to reach California EDD to ask questions before I filed because I was nervous about doing it wrong. Couldn't get through to anyone on the phone for anything. Eventually someone in a different forum mentioned Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it was a game changer. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 that shows how it works. Basically it navigates the California EDD phone system for you and calls you back when an actual agent is on the line. I used it to get my questions answered before filing and the agent confirmed: file in California where you physically worked, full stop. Saved me from overthinking it for another two weeks.

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Oh interesting, I've been trying to call California EDD too and can't get through. Maybe I'll try this. Did the agent you reached actually know about multi-state remote work situations or was it a basic tier person?

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The agent was genuinely helpful and seemed familiar with exactly this scenario. They even walked me through which sections of the UI Online form to pay attention to. Definitely worth using Claimyr to get that reassurance if you need it before filing.

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I've heard of claimyr before, does it actually work? every time I try to call edd myself I get the 'we cannot take your call' message after like 45 minutes on hold

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Yeah it worked for me, I was skeptical too but I got a callback within a few hours and talked to a real California EDD person. Way better than the hold music nightmare

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ok but wait this whole thread is assuming OP only worked in ONE state. what if you travel for work or spent time in multiple states during the year? genuinely asking because im in a weird hybrid situation where i was remote in california but had to go to my companys hq in nevada for like 6 weeks total throughout the year

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For the OP's situation it's clean — 100% remote in California so California EDD is straightforward. For your hybrid situation it gets more complicated. If the vast majority of your work was performed in California, you still file with California EDD. The 6 weeks in Nevada is a gray area but California would likely still be considered your base state. If you're unsure, call California EDD directly to ask — this is exactly the kind of question an agent can clarify quickly.

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uggggh okay so I probably need to call edd then. the phone situation is so brutal

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For the Nevada weeks thing — check if your employer withheld Nevada state income taxes separately for those pay periods. That would give you a clue about how they were classifying your work location during that time. Might also matter for your UI claim calculations.

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Something nobody mentioned yet — when you file with California EDD as a remote worker, your BENEFIT AMOUNT is based on California wage calculations not whatever state your employer is in. California has one of the higher maximum weekly benefit amounts in the country (currently up to $450/week) so that's actually a good thing for you if you were earning decent wages. Make sure when you enter your earnings history in UI Online you put in your actual California wages accurately.

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Oh that's good to know, I was worried being paid by an out-of-state company would somehow reduce my benefit amount

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Nope — the calculation is based on your base period wages, and since those wages were earned while you were physically working in California, they count toward your California EDD benefit calculation in full

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wait is the max really only $450? that seems really low for california cost of living lol

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The maximum weekly benefit amount in California is currently $450 per week. Yes it's not a lot for high-cost areas, but that's the system as it stands. Benefits are calculated at roughly 60-70% of your average weekly wage up to that cap.

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I'm going to push back slightly on the 'always file where you physically worked' rule because I've seen some edge cases. If your employer never paid California UI taxes — which some out-of-state employers legitimately don't do for remote workers if they classify you differently — you might get a claim denial that requires adjudication and back-and-forth with California EDD. It SHOULD get resolved in your favor eventually but it can take weeks and requires documentation. Just want to set realistic expectations that 'file in California' is correct but it doesn't always mean it goes smoothly.

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This is fair and accurate. The rule is still file in California, but yeah if your employer wasn't properly registered to pay California UI taxes there can be a delay while EDD investigates. The outcome should still be in your favor since the obligation was on the employer, not you.

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Okay that's actually scary, how would I even know if my employer was paying California UI taxes? Is there a way to check before I file?

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You can ask your HR department directly — request your wage records and ask if California state unemployment insurance contributions were made on your behalf. If they're evasive or say no, document everything and still file with California EDD. The paper trail will support your claim.

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Also check your pay stubs if you have them — California SDI (State Disability Insurance) deductions appearing on your check is one indicator that your employer was treating you as a California worker for payroll purposes

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Something really important that nobody's brought up: once you file with California EDD, you'll need to certify for benefits every two weeks through UI Online or by phone using EDD Tele-Cert. You also have to meet California's job search requirements — currently 3 job search activities per week that you have to log. Being a remote worker doesn't exempt you from any of this. In fact, since remote jobs are in your pool of eligible positions to search for, California EDD considers you to have a WIDER job market available to you. Keep records of your job search activities because California EDD can audit them.

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Three job search activities per week — is that like applications only or does attending a virtual job fair count?

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California EDD accepts a variety of job search activities: submitting applications, attending job fairs (virtual counts), contacting employers directly, attending workforce development workshops through America's Job Center of California, even networking events. You just have to document each one with dates and contact info.

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also register with CalJOBS, california edd will ask if youve done that during the filing process and you're technically supposed to do it within 21 days of your claim i think

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honestly the remote work unemployment question is SO confusing and California EDD's own website doesn't explain it clearly at all. I spent like 3 hours on their site trying to find a definitive answer before I just gave up and filed assuming California was right. It was. But the lack of clear guidance for remote workers on edd.ca.gov is genuinely frustrating

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100% agree the edd website is a maze. I've filed twice now and still get confused navigating UI Online every time

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like they have FAQs for every obscure situation but 'I work remotely for an out of state company where do I file' somehow doesn't have a dedicated answer page

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in 2025 when like a third of the workforce is remote you'd think this would be prominently addressed lol

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OP update us when you file — also want to mention again that if you run into ANY issues during the filing or adjudication process and need to reach a California EDD agent, Claimyr (claimyr.com) is really the only reliable way I've found to actually get someone on the phone without spending half your day redialing. Given the multi-state situation you have, there's a decent chance you might need to speak to someone at some point during your claim. Just keep it in your back pocket.

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Will do, filing today. Thanks for the Claimyr tip, I'll use it if things get complicated

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Good luck! File now, ask questions later if needed. The important thing is getting that claim date established.

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random question but does your employment contract say anything about which state's laws govern your employment? I've seen some remote work contracts that specify a state for legal purposes and I always wondered if that affects unemployment

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For UI purposes, the governing law clause in an employment contract doesn't override where you physically performed the work. California EDD determines jurisdiction based on work location, not contractual choice-of-law provisions. So no, that clause wouldn't redirect your UI claim away from California.

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oh interesting, I always assumed that kind of clause mattered for everything. good to know it doesn't apply to unemployment claims

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went through this last year and want to share what the California EDD adjudication process looked like for my multi-state employer situation since it might prepare OP. My claim was initially flagged because my employer's account was registered in a different state. California EDD sent me a Notice of Determination asking for documentation of my work location. I submitted utility bills with my California address, my home office photos (yes really), and a letter from my employer confirming I was a remote California employee. Claim was approved about 3 weeks after that. Total time from filing to first payment was about 5 weeks which was stressful but it worked out.

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5 weeks is a long time but good to know it eventually resolved. What did you use for proof of California work location? I work from home so I don't have like a lease in my employer's name or anything

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Utility bills, internet service bills, and bank statements showing California address were all accepted. Also got a letter from my former employer's HR stating my designated work location was my California home address — that was probably the most convincing piece.

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The documentation advice here is really solid. Even if your claim doesn't get flagged, having all this stuff ready just in case is smart practice for any remote worker filing UI

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This is a really helpful real-world account. The 5-week timeline with multi-state adjudication is consistent with what I've seen others report. Not ideal but survivable if you plan for it.

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also just chiming in — if you have any part-time work or gig work you do on the side, California EDD requires you to report ALL earnings when you certify for benefits each week, even small amounts. remote workers sometimes have multiple income streams and people mess this up thinking small gigs don't count. they do. underreporting can lead to an overpayment notice later and that's a whole other headache

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I don't have side gigs but good to know. I do have some stock options from my old company vesting — does that count as earnings I need to report?

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Stock option vesting is usually NOT counted as wages for UI certification purposes in California — it's considered investment income not earned wages. But I'd double check with California EDD directly on this to be safe because the tax treatment and the UI treatment can differ.

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Correct on the stock options — California EDD generally doesn't consider stock vesting as 'wages' for weekly certification purposes. However if you exercise options and receive income from selling shares, that's a different conversation. The vesting itself shouldn't trigger a reporting requirement.

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I'm confused about something in this thread — some people are saying file where you live and others earlier were saying file where you work. For remote workers those are the same place right? But what if someone is like a digital nomad moving around california vs different states??

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For a traditional remote worker with a fixed home office, yes — where you live and where you work are the same place, which is why California is the answer for OP. Digital nomads moving across state lines are in genuinely complicated territory and there's no clean universal answer. Most UI professionals advise that nomads file in whichever state they were physically present in most during the base period, but this gets complicated fast.

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okay that makes sense for OP. the digital nomad thing sounds like a nightmare to sort out lol

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UGHHH reading this thread because i'm dealing with the EXACT SAME THING right now. remote worker in california, company in massachusetts. filed with california edd 10 days ago and my claim shows 'pending' with no explanation. tried calling literally 30 times and can't get through. does anyone know if pending just means processing or does it mean there's actually a problem

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' Pending on its own usually just means California EDD is still processing your initial claim —'it s not necessarily a red flag. Given the multi-state employer situation though, it could be taking longer because EDD is verifying your wage records. Keep certifying for your weeks even while'it s pending so you'don t lose those weeks if/when'it sapproved.

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okay that's somewhat reassuring. and you're saying I should still do my weekly certifications even though nothing is approved yet?

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Yes absolutely — continue certifying for each week on UI Online regardless of your claim status. If your claim gets approved, California EDD will back-pay all the weeks you properly certified for. If you stopped certifying and then got approved, you'd lose those weeks. Always keep certifying.

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For the phone issue — this is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier in the thread. If you need to reach a California EDD agent to ask about your pending status, claimyr.com is genuinely worth trying. The hold time situation at California EDD is brutal right now and Claimyr navigates it for you. Demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 if you want to see how it works before trying it.

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my two cents — also make sure you save every single email, notification, and document California EDD sends you. I was a remote worker who filed last year and during my adjudication they referenced a notice they claimed to have sent me that I never received. Having a full paper trail of everything California EDD DID send me helped me push back. The myEDD inbox and your physical mail — check both constantly

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This is a good tip, I've been checking my email but didn't realize there's also a myEDD inbox separate from regular email

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Yeah the myEDD online inbox at myedd.edd.ca.gov can have notices that don't trigger email alerts. Check it every few days especially early in your claim.

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Critical advice. California EDD notices have strict response deadlines — usually 10 days for adjudication responses. Missing a notice because you didn't check your myEDD inbox can result in a denial or disqualification that then requires a full appeal. Check that inbox religiously.

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For what it's worth, I asked a California employment attorney (free consultation) about this exact scenario before filing and they confirmed 100% that remote workers file with the state where they physically perform the work. The attorney also mentioned that California has some of the stronger worker protections when it comes to multi-state employment situations, which is another reason it benefits you to have filed in California as opposed to wherever your employer happens to be headquartered.

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Getting a free consultation is a smart idea I hadn't thought of. Did they charge for that initial call or was it genuinely free?

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Genuinely free — most employment attorneys in California offer a free 15-30 minute initial consultation. Just googled 'California employment attorney free consultation' and called a few. Most confirmed the same thing EDD says — file where you worked.

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UPDATE for everyone who helped: I filed with California EDD this morning. UI Online was a bit confusing in the employer section but I just put in my employer's real out-of-state address and noted that my work location was my home address in Sacramento. The system accepted it without any errors. Claim is now showing as submitted. I'll report back when I get a status update. Thank you all so much — this thread was way more helpful than anything I found via Google.

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Great news! Now just make sure you set a reminder to certify for your benefits starting next week. California EDD will send instructions about when your first certification is due. Good luck!

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Glad it worked out! The system really is built to handle multi-state employer situations even if it doesn't make that obvious. Keep us posted on how it goes.

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Awesome — fingers crossed it processes smoothly! And if anything weird comes up and you need to reach California EDD, remember claimyr.com for getting through to an actual agent. Hopefully you won't need it but it's good to have the option.

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good luck!! hope it gets approved fast

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