Unemployment Insurance for Nonresidents

• Nonresidents can claim unemployment insurance benefits from California if they earned a sufficient amount of insured wages from a California employer. They must also meet all other eligibility requirements, including willingness and ability to work. Unemployment insurance benefits aren't taxable income in California, so you don't need to pay California income tax regardless of where you live. Since the benefits come from California, you don't have to claim them as income on the tax return for your state of residence, either.