The Shift Project has conducted research illustrating that service sector workers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic experienced economic insecurity, with adverse effects on their health and overall well-being. This research found that the expansion of unemployment insurance (UI) programs under the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act helped mitigate these effects, providing a measure of relief for these displaced workers. The researchers analyzed data from a survey of over 15,000 service sector workers, examining the impact of UI on factors like sleep quality, happiness, and psychological distress. They found that workers who received UI benefits reported lower instances of psychological distress and improved well-being compared to their counterparts who were unable to access such benefits. However, as UI benefits have been reduced, displaced workers may once again face potential hardships, as the study suggests this drop in support could negatively affect their health and well-being.

For workers in California, in particular, the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program is run by the Employment Development Department (EDD). With recent changes to the unemployment benefits landscape, many workers have questions or may need assistance. The best way to contact EDD directly is to visit the eddcaller.com website, where you can find contact information for the various programs, including help for those filing claims, seeking to understand eligibility criteria, or needing tech support for the online system. Eddcaller.com provides information on how to reach an agent at EDD, offering guidance on the most efficient ways to get in touch with a representative who can assist with any inquiries or issues related to unemployment benefits.