If you are laid off due to store or distribution center closures, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits through the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
You may qualify if:
- You are unemployed or partially unemployed through no fault of your own (such as a store closing).
- You earned enough wages during the base period (typically the past 12–18 months).
- You are physically able to work, actively seeking work, and available for work.
Note: Even if your Rite Aid store is closing as part of a bankruptcy, you are still fully eligible to apply for unemployment benefits in California.
How to Apply Online:
Visit edd.ca.gov and follow the steps to get the necessary information ready, create a Login, use UI Online to manage your claim, certify for benefits, and check payment status.
Information to Have Ready:
- Social Security Number
- Last employer’s name, address, and phone number
- Last date worked and reason for unemployment (e.g., “store closed due to bankruptcy”)
- Gross earnings from last week worked
- Union affiliation (UFCW 8-Golden State)
CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible California families in need. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments.
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/calworks
