Current Cases
LAS–ELC Helps Low Income Workers Get Unemployment Insurance
Like many states, California’s Employment Development Department has been overwhelmed by record numbers of unemployment claims. Despite existing laws that require the timely payment of jobless benefits, those out of work often face long delays before receiving their unemployment checks. For workers who survive one paycheck at a time, even a week’s delay can mean missing a rent payment or going hungry.
Among those greatly hurt by recent delays in unemployment benefits were Luis Coronel and his pregnant wife. Coronel, who lost his job as a janitor at a San Francisco hotel, waited a month after filing his unemployment claim to hear back from the Employment Development Department—only to learn that his benefits had been denied. Coronel filed an appeal and heard nothing for three months. Unable to find a new job, he and his pregnant wife skipped meals and then lost their home, eventually moving in with Coronel’s mother.
“I was terrified my wife and daughter would have to live on the street,” says Coronel. “The worst day was when my daughter was born. I had no clothes for her, and no car seat.”
Unsure where else to turn, Coronel contacted the LAS–ELC for help. A LAS–ELC staff attorney specializing in wage and hour cases met with Luis and reviewed his documents and the facts of his case and represented Coronel at his appeal hearing. Thanks to our assistance, the judge ruled in Coronel’s favor, reversing the EDD’s denial of his unemployment insurance benefits. Although it took six months to receive his compensation, Coronel finally received $6,000 in back benefits for the many months he had spent waiting.
Press / Media
- Jobless Checks for Millions Delayed as States Struggle
- New York Times, July 24, 2009
- Critics rebuke delays in unemployment benefits
- Oakland Tribune, July 17, 2009