Convenience Big Store: EDD end of benefit year: What to do for unemployment payments in California

End of benefit year: What you need to do for unemployment in California – If you have received a message from EDD that you have reached the end of the benefit year for unemployment claims, you may be caught in the debate between waiting or re-applying. As we pass the one-year mark of stay-at-home orders in California related to the coronavirus pandemic, a growing number of people are receiving the message that their benefit year had ended and they will no longer be receiving unemployment money. While is may seem like bad news, it is actually a move that EDD is required to take. Daniela Urban, Executive Director with the Center for Workers' Rights, says if you complete the necessary steps, it likely means you will be able to continue receiving your federal benefits. It can be a bit complicated, but how the end of the benefit year affects you, and what you need to do, depends on what type of benefits you receive. (Josh Lyle, ABC10)

13 more California counties improve to less-restrictive reopening tiers – Colusa, Tuolumne, and Yuba counties are among 13 California counties on the move to less-restrictive tiers of California’s coronavirus reopening plan. The state has tied its reopening plan to its efforts to vaccinate within communities with people who are more likely to struggle from contracting the coronavirus. Within the next couple of weeks, California should surpass its goal of vaccinating 4 million residents. Then the state will make it easier for counties to be in the orange and yellow tiers of its reopening plan. (Matthew Nuttle, ABC10)

Why Sacramento County's child abuse cases took a drop after kids left the classroom in 2020 – At the beginning of the pandemic, kids across California left the classroom with little idea of how long they'd be out of school. When those school bells rang for the last time in 2020, Sacramento County's Department of Child, Family and Adult Services knew a good portion of their reporting base was going too because many of those school employees were mandated reporters for Child Protective Services. “We’re not fully able to determine if child abuse and neglect incidents are actually decreasing or if there’s underreporting, but we absolutely have seen that there are circumstances where the calls coming in… do warrant an open investigation," said Melissa Lloyd, deputy director of Child Protective Services. (Eric Escalante, ABC10)

Reserve your St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway ticket by this Friday, April 2nd and you’ll be eligible to win the house and a $150 Mikuni Gift Card!

Tickets are almost sold out so call 1-800-564-8758 to reserve your ticket for only $100 and help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continue its life saving work. Then watch ABC10 on April 8th to see who wins the house and other prizes.

You could win a house. You will make a difference in the lives of children with cancer.

TIP OF THE DAY

Hummus recall About 2,100 cases of Sabra Classic Hummus, sent to 16 states (including California), have been recalled after the FDA said salmonella bacteria was found during a routine screen of a single tub. The recall is only for 10 oz Classic Hummus with a “Best Before” date of April 26. The FDA said no other Sabra products were impacted by the recall. (Erin McHugh, TEGNA)

SMILE

Cherry blossoms We may not be able to travel to see these springtime beauties in person, but at least we can look at these lovely photos. Japan is pink with cherry blossoms, as this year peak bloom was reached on March 26 in the ancient capital of Kyoto. (Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press)