Strengthening Access for Californians
Published: September 24, 2026
For many years, the Employment Development Department (EDD) has worked closely with California’s Latino community to make information easier to understand and access. As part of that commitment, EDD has translated important information into Spanish to help Spanish-speaking customers understand their benefits, complete important tasks and make informed decisions.
Building a Dedicated Translation Team
In 2015, EDD launched the Spanish Translation Services Unit as a two‑year pilot program within the Public Affairs Branch. The initial team (three translators) focused on unemployment, disability, and overall EDD customer outreach materials.
As the need for Spanish-language information grew, the team expanded its work to support more programs and prioritize translations for forms, publications and web content. In 2018, the unit became a permanent part of EDD because of its important role in improving the customer experience and providing high-quality Spanish-language information.
“A Spanish speaker who is undergoing a difficult situation, such as unemployment, has to have the same rights to access information as any English speaker or any other person, for that matter.”
Patricia, EDD Spanish Translator
A Team Focused on Quality and Collaboration
Today, the Spanish Translation Services Unit includes six translators and one manager. The team’s diverse backgrounds and experience help EDD provide translations that are accurate, clear and culturally relevant.
Collaboration is an important part of the process. Team members regularly discuss EDD-specific terms, consider the context and meaning behind the information, and work together on translations to support clarity and consistency.
“For me it is a lot of responsibility that I don’t take lightly. It is also a source of pride to know that each day, to be able to have an accurate document, not just in words, but meaning. Allowing our customers to make an informed decision in a language they prefer. That is the source of satisfaction for me.”
Priscilla, EDD Spanish Translator
Clear, accurate information matters most when customers are facing difficult or uncertain situations. The unit helps customers get the information they need to understand their options and make informed decisions.
Putting Language Access First
EDD is building on this work by making more services and support available in the languages customers prefer. Over the past two years, we’ve expanded online services and added new ways for customers to get information and support in English, Spanish, Armenian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
- 24/7 help in eight languages: EDD’s chatbot is available 24/7 across our website in eight languages. Customers can get answers about benefits, manage claims, find jobs and training, and access payroll tax and business information without having to call.
- Online unemployment application in eight languages: Customers can apply for unemployment benefits online in their preferred language. The shorter, simpler application also makes it easier to understand what information EDD needs and complete the application.
- Unemployment chat with live agent: Unemployment customers can now chat with an EDD agent through myEDD. Real-time translation helps customers get support in their preferred language, making it easier to ask questions and get the help they need online.
Language access is an important part of making government services easier to use. EDD is always looking for ways to make information clearer, services more accessible and the customer experience as fast and smooth as possible.
Stay Updated with Our Improvements
These are just a few examples of how EDD is continuing to modernize services around the people who use them. We’re working to make government services simpler, more accessible and easier to navigate.
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