Calif. Employment Development Department To Clear Unemployment Claims Backlog

In a statement issued Wednesday, the state Employment Development Department said that it will clear a backlog of unemployment claims. The announcement comes one week after Gov. Jerry Brown (D) ordered the agency to begin paying backlogged claims for continued benefits before determining if claims are eligible for payment.

• "California Says Backlog of Jobless Benefits Nearly Cleared" (Siders, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 10/2).