California’s EDD freezes many people’s unemployment benefits to combat fraud By Carolyn Said and Kathleen Pender
California’s Employment Development Department has suspended unemployment payments for numerous people because of fear of fraud. Many Californians who said they are legitimately unemployed flooded social media over the weekend with laments that they desperately need the benefits that they rely on for housing, food and other necessities.
“You have been receiving unemployment benefits, but we have temporarily suspended your claim because it may be tied to fraudulent activity,” said a notice dated Dec. 31 that many people received. “You will receive further instruction from EDD on how to verify your identity beginning Jan. 6, 2021.”