California will no longer cover unemployment to people which are not actively seeking new jobs starting early next month, the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD) declared on Thursday after the state government paid out over $128 billion since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under normal conditions, jobless workers were generally required to actively seek out new jobs for them to continue to get unemployment benefits. During the pandemic, the federal government allowed countries to waive this condition since it urged individuals to remain home as companies shuttered their surgeries during lockdowns.

However, California, along with many other nations, has ended most of its pandemic restrictions and will begin requiring jobless workers to actively seek employment as of July 11.

“The requirement to look for work has been a part of the unemployment insurance program since its beginning. During the pandemic, the federal government briefly allowed nations to waive this condition, and because March 2020 the job search requirement has been suspended in California,” California’s EDD explained in a Thursday press release.

Also Read: Ross: The kiss of death on a bipartisan compromise

“The need to search for work has been a part of the unemployment insurance plan since its beginning. Throughout the pandemic, the federal government temporarily permitted states to waive this condition, and since March 2020 the job search requirement was suspended in California,” California’s EDD clarified in a Thursday press release.

“California offers many resources to help people to find safe and suitable careers and training opportunities that keep the economy moving,” Saenz said in a press release. “We want to make sure those on unemployment have enough lead time to start searching for work so they can remain eligible for benefits as they seek their next career opportunity.”