When Is Your Final Paycheck Due?
| Situation | When Pay Is Due |
|---|---|
| Terminated / laid off | Immediately, at time of termination |
| You quit with 72+ hours notice | On your last day |
| You quit without notice | Within 72 hours |
Waiting Time Penalties
If your employer (county IHSS) fails to pay on time, you earn a penalty of one full day’s wages for each calendar day the payment is late, up to 30 days maximum.
Example
If your daily rate is $154 (8 hrs × $19.35) and your final check is 10 days late, you’re owed $1,540 in penalties on top of the wages owed.
How to Claim Penalties
File a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner’s Office:
- Phone: 1-844-522-6734
- Online: dir.ca.gov/dlse/howtofilelinkclm.htm
- You have 3 years from the date the wages were due to file
Keep documentation: your last timesheet, pay stubs, and any written correspondence about your final payment.