Welcome to the Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE)

How to file a wage claim

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What is a wage claim?

An employee or former employee may file an INDIVIDUAL wage claim (** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** English ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Spanish ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Chinese ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Korean ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Vietnamese ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Tagalog) to recover:

  • Unpaid wages, including commissions and bonuses.
  • Wages paid by check issued with insufficient funds.
  • Final paycheck not received.
  • Unused vacation hours that were not paid upon termination of the employment relationship, e.g., a quit, discharge, or layoff.
  • Unauthorized deductions from paychecks.
  • Unpaid/non-reimbursed business expenses.
  • Failure to provide a meal and/or rest period in accordance with the applicable Industrial Welfare Commission Order.

What is the time period for filing a wage claim?
  • A claim based on an oral agreement must be filed within two years from the date the claim arose.
  • A claim based on a written agreement must be filed within four years from the date the claim arose.
  • A claim for minimum wage, unpaid overtime, and other statutory claims must be filed within three years from the date the claim arose.

What are the policies and procedures for processing a wage claim?

Click here to download a pamphlet that describes the policies and procedures for processing a wage claim.

How do I file a wage claim?
  • Download, complete, and print the Initial Report or Claim, DLSE Form 1 (** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** English ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Spanish ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Chinese ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Korean ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Vietnamese ** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE ** Tagalog).
    Please be sure to provide all information on the claim form to avoid delay in the claim process.
  • Please be sure to sign and date your claim form.
  • Copies of any documents you have to support your claim should be attached to your claim form. Please DO NOT send originals as they may be lost, damaged, or misplaced.

What other forms must be submitted with my Initial Report or Claim (DLSE 1)?

IMPORTANT: If your claim includes a request for wages due from commissions, overtime, meal and/or rest periods, or vacation, or any combination of the above, the appropriate form(s) provided here MUST be completed and submitted with your Initial Report or Claim (DLSE 1). If the forms are not completed, your DLSE 1 will be returned and will delay the filing of your claim.

  • Commission Summary/Nomina de Comisiones (DLSE-155) (Rev.12/03) and Sample DLSE-155
    • Instructions for completing: Commission Summary (Corresponds to DLSE Form 155)/Instrucciones para completar: Resumen de Comisiones (Corresponde a la forma 155 de DLSE) (** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE **Pdf / iconDoc)
  • Overtime, Rest Period, Meal Period Computation Form/Formulario para Calcular Sobretiempo, Descansos Y Comidas (DLSE-55) (Rev. 10/03) and Sample DLSE-55
    • Instructions for completing: Overtime, Rest Period, Meal Period Computation Form (Corresponds to DLSE-55)/Instrucciones para completar: Formulario de Horas Extras, Por Tiempo de Descanso y Comida(Corresponde a DLSE-55) (** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE **Pdf / iconDoc)
  • Vacation Pay Schedule (iconDoc) and Sample Vacation Pay Schedule (** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE **Pdf)
    • Instructions for completing: Recapitulation of Vacation Pay/Instrucciones para completar: Recapitulación de Pago de Vacaciones (** PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS IMAGE **Pdf / iconDoc)

Where do I file my wage claim?

File your claim either by mail or in person with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) office that handles wage claims for the city/location/community where you performed the work. To locate such office, click here for an alphabetical listing of cities/locations/communities.

The claim form CANNOT be filed electronically or by fax. If your internet browser supports email of pages, DO NOT use this feature to submit your claim form as an original signature is required. You MUST print and either mail or hand-deliver a copy of your claim form to the DLSE office that handles wage claims for the city/location/community where you performed the work.

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