Applying for benefits under the State Unemployment Insurance plan should be a serious consideration for all adjunct faculty during periods of unemployment.  

Note: for adjuncts who are immigrants, the Trump administration created a “public charge rule” that can negatively impact immigration applications and status. So far, unemployment benefits do not fall into the “public charge rule” category because one earn’s unemployment benefits through work.

Based on the Cervisi Court Case in California, adjunct faculty are entitled to unemployment during summer and winter breaks because there is no future guarantee of employment during the next semester.  (All adjunct faculty’s classes can be cancelled due to lack of enrollment.).

You can apply online at the Employment Development Department.  If you are earning other income performing work, during the summer and/or winter break, your unemployment insurance benefits may be reduced or even eliminated. CFT has put together a useful page please click on the link: https://www.cft.org/unemployment

In addition, Cabrillo Community College faculty have put together very valuable information about filing for unemployment.  The links are provided below:

How to file for unemployment:   http://contingentworld.com/unemployment/unemployment_overview.php

Earnings Worksheet:   http://contingentworld.com/unemployment/earningsworksheet.php

Earnings Worksheet 2 for filing a new claim:  http://contingentworld.com/pdfs/EarningsWorksheet2.pdf

To start your unemployment insurance claim, go to the following link:

https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/

Please mark that you do not have a guarantee of future work because your classes can be cancelled up through the first week of classes.