Californians Getting Unemployment Have to Start Looking for Work Next Month to Remain Eligible

A customer walks behind a sign at a Nordstrom store seeking employees, in Coral Gables, Fla., on May 21, 2021. Marta Lavandier/AP Photo

Residents of California who receive unemployment benefits will have to, starting next month, show they are actively looking for work—which was waived by the state last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting in mid-July, the state’s Employment Development Department will reinstate the federal requirement requiring people who are out of work to be actively searching for a job. The work-search rule was waived in March of 2020.