California’s Employment Development Department says that starting July 11, 2021 anyone receiving unemployment benefits must start looking for work – a return to the rules that applied before March 2020 when the federal government let states suspend the requirement.

Here’s what looking for work means in California. Note that it differs a bit depending on whether a worker is receiving regular unemployment benefits or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

For those collecting regular unemployment benefits, the agency offers this guidance:

Examples of reasonable efforts to search for suitable work each week include activities such as:• Prepare for Job Searches – Set up an account on CalJOBS, participate in reemployment services, post a profile on various job search or networking sites.• Expand Networks – Let friends, prior employers, or community members know you are looking for work. Participate in networking, job fair events or clubs.• Apply for Suitable Work – Apply for positions with employers reasonably expected to have suitable openings matching skills and experience, including government jobs and exams.• Participate in Training – Engage in permissible education and training opportunities that assist in obtaining employment and do not interfere with an ability to accept suitable full-time work.

For those collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the agency offers this guidance:

A variety of activities can meet the PUA work search requirement each week, including:• Rebuild Businesses – Pursue new or additional clients, market the business, or research, prepare or submit a bid on a new contract.• Expand Networks – Attend networking events, participate in relevant workshops, or expand business.• Establish Accounts – For independent contractors who participated in an online platform, establish an account on another platform that matches the individual’squalifications.• Participate in Training – Enroll in training or education courses that will help the business and does not interfere with an ability to return to full-time self-employment.

A person on a PUA claim who no longer wants to continue self-employment (or was previously employed but not eligible for regular UI benefits) can look for work just like a regular UI recipient. In addition, there may be pandemic-related exemptions to the work search requirement for PUA recipients such as providing primary care to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 or a child who cannot attend school because of a COVID-19 health emergency.

Source: California Employment Development Department. For more information check the EDD Return to Work webpage.