More than a million Californians languishing in employment department’s antiquated system.

State agency tells 889,000 who are unemployed that ‘We can't approve these claims at this time’

About 1.13 million unemployed California workers are stuck in EDD payment limbo, including 889,000 workers that the state Employment Development Department says it can’t pay “at this time,” even if they have been out of work for months amid coronaviruslinked business shutdowns.

At a state legislative hearing last week, the EDD was blasted by lawmakers and members of the public for repeated failures in making payments to unemployed workers, who in many instances lost their jobs in business shutdowns ordered by state and local government agencies to combat the deadly bug.

The embattled state agency said it is aware of at least 1.13 million unpaid claims over the four months from March through July.

Those unpaid jobless claims break down this way: 889,000 unemployed California workers who “may be eligible with additional information” and another 239,000 whose claims are “pending EDD resolution.”

After the hearing, however, the EDD made it clear that the 889,000 workers need to provide more information to the state agency if they are going to get paid.

“We can’t approve these claims at this time,” EDD spokesperson Loree Levy said. “These claimants are basically ineligible unless they follow up on notices they’ve been given.”

Countless workers say they haven’t been paid since they lost their jobs in mid-March in the first wave of layoffs.

“Unfortunately all EDD can do is remind claimants where possible that action from them is needed,” Levy said.

Among the requirements: The EDD says

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