INFORMATION CONCERNING EXCLUDED SERVICES AND ELECTIVE COVERAGE
UNDER SECTIONS 702 AND 702.1 OF THE CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CODE (CUIC)
SECTION 702
The effect of elective coverage under Section 702 of the CUIC is to extend Unemployment Insurance (UI) and State Disability Insurance
(SDI)* coverage to all employees at a distinct establishment or separate place of business whose services do not constitute employment.
Elective coverage under Section 702 of the CUIC does not apply to those specific family members whose services are excluded under
Section 631 of the CUIC. Elective coverage for these services may be covered for SDI purposes only under Section 702.5 of the CUIC. The
election can be made through the Application for Elective Coverage of State Disability Insurance, DE 1378J.
Employers electing coverage under Section 702 of the CUIC are required to contribute to the UI and Employment Training Tax (ETT) funds
in the same manner as employers covered on a mandatory basis. They are also required to deduct contributions from wages paid
employees as specified in Sections 984 to 988 of the CUIC.
Coverage cannot become effective until approved in writing by the Director. At that time, the employer should begin withholding SDI
contributions from wages paid to its employees.
Example:
Mr. Brown operates a real estate sales business in Los Angeles. All of the salesmen are licensed real estate salesmen meeting all the
requirements to be excluded under Section 650. He also operates a branch office in San Diego and the services of the salesmen there are
also excluded under Section 650 of the CUIC. The salesmen in San Diego want to be covered and those in Los Angeles do not. This can be
accomplished by filing an application for elective coverage under Section 702 of the CUIC and specifying on the application it is intended
to cover only the salesmen at the San Diego office and that coverage is not wanted for the Los Angeles office.
SECTION 702.1
The effect of elective coverage under Section 702.1 of the CUIC is to extend UI and DI coverage to services in the employ of nonprofit
corporations, community chests, funds, or foundations of the type described in Section 608, where some or all of these services are exempt
under Sections 629, 630, 634.5, 635, and 639 to 648 of the CUIC.
Coverage cannot become effective until approved in writing by the Director. At that time, the employer shall begin withholdings SDI
contributions from wages paid its employees.
Any services excluded under Section 634.5 of the CUIC may be excluded from the elective coverage, except services mandatorily included
in "employment" for SDI purposes under Section 2606 of the CUIC (particularly nonprofit hospitals).
Employers electing coverage under Section 702.1 of the CUIC may contribute to the UI and ETT Funds in the same manner as employers
covered on a mandatory basis or they have the option of electing the reimbursable method of financing coverage permitted under
Section 803 of the CUIC. The election for financing method is done by submitting the Selection of Financing Method by a Nonprofit
Organization Described in Section 501(c)(3)of the Internal Revenue Code, DE 1SNP, form.
Elective coverage under Section 702.1 of the CUIC may be terminated by the Department regardless of the length of time it has been in
effect, if the employer elects the reimbursable method of financing for UI under Section 803 of the CUIC and is delinquent in reimbursing
the Department.
Examples:
1. A children's museum is a nonprofit corporation formed to encourage children’s interest in wildlife and nature. The services of most of
its staff are in "employment" under Section 608 of the CUIC. It does, however, have some "work-training" employees whose services
are otherwise excluded under Section 634.5(e) of the CUIC. An election under Section 702.1 of the CUIC would enable the nonprofit
corporation or museum to provide UI-DI coverage to these employees also. The method of financing previously selected with respect
to the employees covered on a mandatory basis under Section 608 of the CUIC would also be applicable to the employees under
elective coverage.
2. A church employs a pastor, an assistant pastor, a handyman-gardener who performs services in and around the church, and a
housekeeper who cooks and keeps house for the pastor and his assistant at the residence provided by the church and located across
the street. The services of all these individuals are excluded under Section 634.5(a)(1) of the CUIC. The church may elect to cover all
of their employees; all except for the pastors; all employees at the church location; all employees at the church except for the pastors;
or all employees at the residence location.
3. A nonprofit hospital, specified in Section 2606 of the CUIC, employs student nurses and interns in addition to its regular staff. The
services of the student nurses and interns are excluded from UI coverage in accordance with Section 645 of the CUIC. Their services
are, however, covered for DI purposes. The hospital may, under Section 702.1 of the CUIC, elect to cover them for UI purposes also.
* Includes Paid Family Leave (PFL).
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