Welcome to the Employment Development Department

EDD Services

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) offers a wide variety of services to millions of Californians under the Job Service, Unemployment Insurance (UI), State Disability Insurance (SDI), Workforce Investment, and Labor Market Information programs. As California's largest tax collection agency, EDD also handles the audit and collection of payroll taxes and maintains employment records for more than 17 million California workers.

One of the largest state departments, EDD has employees located at hundreds of service locations throughout the State who provide many important services to millions of Californians each year including:

  • Assisting California employers with their labor needs.
  • Helping California job seekers obtain employment.
  • Administering the federally-funded workforce investment programs for adults, dislocated workers, and youth.
  • Assisting disadvantaged recipients in becoming self-sufficient.
  • Helping unemployed and disabled workers through the administration of the UI and SDI programs.
  • Supporting state activities and benefit programs by collecting and administering employment-related taxes (UI, DI, Employment Training Tax, and Personal Income Tax withholding).

Workforce Services Branch
Tax Branch
Unemployment Insurance Branch
Disability Insurance Branch
Information Technology Branch
Program Review Branch
Public Affairs Branch
Administration Branch
Directorate Office
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
Legal Office
Legislative Liaison Office

Workforce Services Branch: Operates one of the largest public employment services operations in the world. The Job Service (JS) program offers services at hundreds of service locations statewide and connects one million job seekers with employers each year.

California receives federal Wagner-Peyser funds for employment services. Job seeker services include job referral, job search workshops, placement services, and special assistance to individuals who are experiencing difficulty in finding work.

Services to employers include matching job openings with qualified candidates and specialized recruitment campaigns. The JS program also offers CalJOBSSM, EDD's Internet-based job and résumé listing system, which lists thousands of job openings and the largest pool of job seekers in California.

The Branch also administers several statewide workforce preparation programs and initiatives that focus on preparing adults and youth for the labor force and building the State's economy. California distributes more than $400 million annually in federal funds statewide to provide training services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. Workforce investment services are provided through comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers that provide access to a full range of services pertaining to educational activities, employer services, and referrals to other appropriate social services.

Within the Branch, the Labor Market Information Division collects, analyzes, and publishes thousands of statistics on agricultural and nonagricultural industrial employment; occupational duties, skills, wages, and staffing patterns; and labor force statistics and characteristics.

The Branch also includes the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Tax Branch: One of the largest tax collection agencies in the nation, the Tax Branch handles all administrative, education, customer service, and enforcement functions for the audit and collection of UI, DI, Employment Training Tax, and Personal Income Tax (PIT) withholding. Each year, EDD collects almost $42 billion in payroll taxes, including more than $35 billion in PIT, processes more than 21 million employer payroll tax documents and remittances, and maintains records for more than 17 million workers. The Branch offers a variety of payroll seminars and workshops, and provides one-on-one services to employers to help them meet their tax obligations.

Unemployment Insurance Branch: Established more than 60 years ago, the UI program provides benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, are actively seeking work, are able to work, and willing to accept employment. Each year, EDD pays out nearly $5.3 billion UI benefits and receives and processes more than 2.4 million new claims. The program is funded by mandated employer contributions. Additional services provided under the UI program include Work Sharing, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and Trade Adjustment Assistance.

State Disability Insurance Branch: For 60 years, EDD had administered the SDI program, which provides partial wage replacement for California workers who are unable to work due to illness, injury, or pregnancy. Each year, EDD pays out more than $4.2 billion in DI benefits and receives and processes more than 927,000 claims. The DI Branch also administers the Paid Family Leave program, and DI Elective Coverage program for self-employed individuals. Employers also have the option of electing an alternative Voluntary Plan.

Information Technology Branch: Responsible for automation planning, policy, development, maintenance, support, operations, and oversight of automation systems within the Department. The Branch provides data processing technical support and services for one of the largest information technology environments in state government including the administration of telecommunication systems such as cabling, voice, and data equipment.

Program Review Branch: Performs review oversight and technical assistance functions for the Director, EDD's executive staff, and state and local EDD program management. Services include assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, operations, and systems; performing compliance oversight to ensure that EDD programs are in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations; and serving as an advocate to improve services for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.

Public Affairs Branch: Comprised of Marketing and Constituent Services and Communications, the Branch provides outreach, marketing, communications, and training that support EDD programs and services.

Administration Branch: Provides administrative support to the Department including business operations planning and support services, human resource services for EDD employees, and accounting for the Department's annual budget.

Directorate Office: The Director's Office orchestrates the direction of the Department to ensure that programs and services are consistent with the Department's mission and goals. In addition, the Directorate Office consists of:

Equal Employment Opportunity Office: Investigates and resolves discrimination complaints filed against the Department by employees, employers, and applicants for employment and training, and provides consultant services on all aspects of equal employment opportunity.

Legal Office: Provides legal advice and support to the Director and Department management in connection with court cases, administrative hearings, contracts, legislation, and regulations.

Legislative Liaison Office: Serves as the Department's primary liaison with state and federal elected officials and provides information, analyses, and guidance on legislative matters to the Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the Governor's Office, other governmental entities, and outside groups.