With more jobless people seeking Unemployment Insurance in the Southland and statewide, the state's Employment Development
Department will be available by phone from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays starting tomorrow.
The additional call center hours are coupled with a staff increase of 400 at the EDD in an effort to keep up with demand during tough economic times.
"EDD is committed to augmenting our time and resources to help the growing number of Californians who have lost their jobs during this nationwide recession," said EDD Director Patrick Henning.
The call center can be reached at (800) 300-5616 for English-speakers, (800) 326-8937 for Spanish-speakers.
Customers can also apply for benefits or request additional information online at www.edd.ca.gov.
Los Angeles County's unemployment rate was 10.9 percent in February, and the jobless rate in Orange County was 7.8 percent, according to the EDD.
California's jobless rate was 10.5 percent in February, and the national unemployment rate was 8.9 percent.
Californians are currently receiving a total of $77 million a day in regular Unemployment Insurance and federal extension benefits, according to the EDD.
