Over a year into the pandemic, and more than a million Californians are still waiting for their benefits from the California Employment Development Department. In October of 2020, 1.6 million Californians were on a backlog. The nonpartisan state auditor’s investigation found “poor planning and ineffective management left EDD unprepared to assist Californians unemployed by COVID-19 shutdowns,” and “significant weaknesses in EDD’s approach to fraud prevention have led to billions of dollars in improper benefit payments.”
EDD has yet to make fundamental changes to its operations to serve the people of California.
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff), Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, will present his proposal – Senate Bill 232 – to implement permanent changes to fix EDD.
WHO: Senator Nielsen and a member of the State Auditor’s office will testify in Room 4203.
Residents who endured EDD’s lack of customer service will call in to testify, and will be available for interviews via phone or Zoom along with Senator Nielsen.
- La Toya Horne* of Sacramento is a hair salon stylist. Ms. Horne was denied benefits because EDD had the wrong address. As a result of EDD’s delays, Ms. Horne lost her home.
- April Carlton* of Citrus Heights is an office manager and bookkeeper. Ms. Carlton was denied EDD benefits because of a name change in 2018.
- Melanie Cruz* is an aspiring medical student. Miss Cruz was among the millions of Californians who could not access her claim due to EDD’s computer glitch.
- Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff)
WHEN: Monday, April 26 Upon Adjournment of Senate Session
WHERE: State Capitol, Room 4203
LIVESTREAM: https://www.senate.ca.gov/
BACKGROUND: Following two comprehensive audits of EDD, the independent State Auditor recommended specific, substantive recommendations to permanently change the operations of EDD. Below are links to the reports:
https://www.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/factsheets/2020-128and628.1.pdf
https://www.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/factsheets/2020-628.2.pdf
*Due to social distance protocols, constituents will call in to testify.
