Work and income
Practical information about pay, work and income.
What is going on?
All situationsPick the one closest to yours. Each one walks you through the guides, checklists and places to call, in order.
- My employer did not pay me what I am owedCheck what you are owed, gather proof and file a claim.5 steps
- I lost my jobYour last check, income help and health coverage.5 steps
- I got hurt or sick and cannot workWorkers' comp, disability pay and keeping your job.4 steps
- I am having a babyLeave, pay and changes at work.4 steps
- My boss harasses, threatens or discriminates against meName what is happening, keep notes and file a complaint.4 steps
- I do not have a work permit and need incomeWorking for yourself, an ITIN and taxes.5 steps
- I need to file taxes without a Social Security numberGet an ITIN, weigh the risk and get free help.5 steps
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- Taxes and filing helpFind official tax-preparation program information and local-site starting points.
- Workplace rights and payFind worker-information resources and qualified help for pay or workplace questions.
Everything in Work and income
Checklists to print105 guides and quick answers. Open a topic to see its titles.
Read everything on one page
- Overview: Work and incomeYou have rights at work. Your immigration status does not change that. California law protects your pay, your health and your safety. Start with what happened at your job, or what you want to do with your money. Then pick the page that fits you.
- Earning Without a Work Permit Complete GuideComplete guide
- Leave and Benefits Complete GuideComplete guide
- Money, Taxes and Credit Complete GuideComplete guide
- Work Permit Complete GuideComplete guide
- Workers' Rights Complete GuideComplete guide
By topic
Pay and wagesUnpaid wages, overtime, breaks and paychecks.9
Rights on the jobDiscrimination, retaliation, safety and immigration threats.31
- Workers' Rights Complete GuideComplete guide
- Arbitration agreements at work
- Boss Immigration Threat
- Can my employer fire me for any reason?
- Day Laborer Rights
- Disability Accommodation at Work
- Discrimination at Work
- Domestic Worker Rights
- Drug tests at work
- Employee or Contractor
- English Only at Work
- Federal DEI changes and your rights
- File a Discrimination Complaint
- Gig Worker Rights
- Heat at Work
- I-9 Audit
- Illegal retaliation at work
- Joining or starting a union
- LGBTQ+ rights at work
- No Match Letter
- Political Activity at Work
- Privacy at work
- Race and Hair Discrimination at Work
- Religious clothing and prayer at work
- Report unsafe conditions at work
- Rights at Work
- Sexual Harassment at Work
- Should I sign a severance agreement?
- Survivor Job Rights
- Update your Social Security number at work
- When a boss hurts, traps or lies
Leave, disability and unemploymentSick days, family leave, SDI and unemployment.22
- Leave and Benefits Complete GuideComplete guide
- Appeal an unemployment denial
- Benefits appointments and your job
- Bonding Leave for Every Parent
- Clinic guide to leave and pay
- Contractor applying for SDI or PFL
- EDD overpayment
- Health coverage after a job loss
- Job Loss Help Without Unemployment
- Job Protected Leave
- Paid Family Leave Caregiving
- Paid Sick Days
- Pregnancy and Pumping at Work
- Pregnancy Leave and Pay
- Reach EDD
- SDI and PFL Without Papers
- State Disability Insurance
- Time Off After Pregnancy Loss
- Unemployment
- When your job closes or lays people off
- Workers Comp
- Workers comp pay
Work permits and papersGetting, renewing and using a work permit.7
Money, taxes and creditITIN, taxes, banking and credit.17
- Money, Taxes and Credit Complete GuideComplete guide
- 401(k) and Pension
- Bank Account
- Build Credit
- Credit Report and Debt Collectors
- Free Money Help
- Free Tax Help ITIN
- Get or Renew an ITIN
- Immigrant Family Finances Research
- Is Filing with an ITIN Safe
- Lending Circles
- Money App Safety
- Money Steps Worksheet
- Remittance Tax
- Self Employment Taxes with an ITIN
- Tax Credits with an ITIN
- What your paycheck taxes pay for
Business and self-employmentEarning without a work permit and running a business.10
More work topicsTraining, school and other topics.9
Checklists to print
All 107 checklists- Before you sign: questions for a bank, card or loanFrom Money, Taxes and Credit Complete GuideChecklist
- Before you take your first clientFrom Earning Without a Work Permit Complete GuideChecklist
- How to ask for leave (say it or send it in writing)From Leave and Benefits Complete GuideChecklist
- If agents come to work (fold and keep in your wallet)From Workers' Rights Complete GuideChecklist
Organizations and resources
All resources in this area- California EDDOfficial unemployment information, job services, and guidance for navigating an existing claim.Work & benefits
- California Labor Commissioner wage claimsCalifornia’s state office for unpaid wages, overtime and missed breaks. File online, by email, by mail or in person. California labor laws protect workers regardless of immigration status. Most wage claims must be filed within 3 years.Unpaid wages
- Legal Aid at WorkFree legal information and advice for low-income California workers about pay, discrimination, leave and retaliation, with help in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and other languages. Call 415-864-8848 or start online.Worker rights
- USAGov job searchFind official job search tools and links to state job banks and American Job Centers.Official starting point
- IRS tax preparation helpLearn about volunteer tax preparation programs and how to find a participating site.Official starting point