EDD Paper Application DE 1101I: How to File for California Unemployment by Mail

When You'd File on Paper

Most California unemployment claims go through myEDD and UI Online, but paper filing exists for a reason. Some situations where Form DE 1101I makes sense:

• You can't complete ID.me or Socure identity verification online
• You don't have reliable internet access or a device that works with the portal
• The myEDD system is experiencing technical issues that block your application
• You need in-person assistance filling out the form

Paper applications take longer to process than online claims; EDD advises allowing additional time when mailing an application. If you can file online, that's the faster path. But if online isn't an option, DE 1101I gets you into the system.

Where to Get Form DE 1101I

You can pick up a paper application at any America's Job Center of California (AJCC) facility. These are the local workforce centers scattered across the state — there's at least one in every county. Staff at the AJCC can also help you fill out the form if you need assistance.

You can also request a form by calling EDD's main unemployment line at 1-800-300-5616 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific, excluding state holidays). EDD will mail the form to your address.

If you visit an AJCC in person, bring your identification and employment records with you. Even though you're picking up a paper form, having your documents ready means you can complete and submit it on the spot rather than making a second trip.

What the Form Asks For

DE 1101I collects the same information that UI Online asks during the digital application. You'll need:

• Your full legal name, Social Security number, and date of birth
• California driver's license or state ID number
• Your mailing address and phone number
• Employment history for the last 18 months: employer names, addresses, employment dates, gross earnings, and reasons for separation
• Whether you're receiving or expecting any other payments (severance, vacation pay, pensions, workers' compensation)

The employment history section is where accuracy matters most. EDD uses this information to verify your wages against what your employers reported — discrepancies trigger delays. Use pay stubs and W-2 forms to fill in exact figures rather than estimating.

For the separation reason, be straightforward. Write what actually happened — laid off, position eliminated, hours reduced — in plain language. If you were fired, state the circumstances briefly. EDD will investigate further if needed.

Submitting the Form

Mail the completed DE 1101I to the EDD address printed on the form. Your claim's effective date will be the Sunday of the week EDD receives your application, not the date you mailed it.

That timing detail matters. If you mail the form on a Friday and EDD receives it the following Wednesday, your claim starts on the Sunday of that second week — not the week you mailed it. Filing online gives you an immediate confirmation and locks in the earlier effective date.

After EDD processes your paper application, they'll send you a Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award (Form DE 429Z) showing your base period wages and weekly benefit amount. You'll also receive instructions for certifying for benefits — which you can do online, by phone using Tele-Cert (1-866-333-4606), or by mail using the Continued Claim Form (DE 4581).

Paper Filing for Reopening Claims

Form DE 1101I is also used to reopen a claim that's been inactive. If you previously filed an unemployment claim, went back to work, and lost that job again within your benefit year (the 52-week period from your original claim date), you may be able to reopen the existing claim rather than filing a new one.

Reopening can be done online, by phone, or by submitting a new DE 1101I. The reopen process is faster because EDD already has your wage and identity information on file.

Getting Help With the Application

If the form is confusing or you're unsure how to answer specific questions, AJCC staff can walk you through it at no cost. You can also call EDD's customer service line for guidance on individual questions.

Our California Unemployment Claim Guide breaks down every section of the unemployment application — whether you're filing online or on paper — with a pre-filing document checklist so you have everything assembled before you start.

Filing on paper is slower, but it gets you into the same system and the same benefits as everyone filing online. The key is submitting it as quickly as possible after losing your job, since your claim starts the week EDD receives the form.

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