can california resident collect unemployment and not actively be seeking a job?

The claimant needs to satisfy all the provisions of his or her claim including being ready, willing and able to work as well as actively seeking employment in the same or similar job as before. If the claimant is not being truthful there may be consequences. However a lot of people just go through the motions of seeking employment, continue to collect their check and enjoy themselves on their employer's dime (since employers pay into the unemployment fund for each of their employees).

Yes, but only if they are attending an approved educational or retraining program. Other than that, you have to be actively engaged in seeking employment.

The form DE-4581 (Continued Claim Form) that a claimant has to send in every two weeks while on unemployment has a question on it... "Did you look for work?" that must be answered "Yes" in order to get unemployment benefits. Below that question is a check box that says "If this box is marked, complete section B overleaf." On the back of the form is section B, which has a space to list the companies you contacted during the two week period. "Most" recipients do not have to actually report their job hunting activities, just answer "Yes" to the "Did you look for work?" question.

Richard

No. But the amount of time spent looking is not regulated, just proof that applications have been made to prospective employers.

No, they have to report jobs they have been applying to, whether people actually follow the rules in another issue.