Phone interview for EDD PFL eligibility with only 1 quarter of work - caregiving for husband with cancer

First, I'm really sorry about your husband's cancer. That's a lot to deal with. For the interview, they'll likely ask about: 1) your work search efforts, 2) why you haven't been able to find work (availability issues), 3) details about the 1 quarter you did work, and 4) your caregiving responsibilities. The big challenge is that for UI benefits, you need to have earned enough wages during your base period (usually 4 quarters) AND be able/available for work. Since you only have 1 quarter of earnings and caregiving makes you unavailable for regular work, you might not qualify for regular UI right now. Did you already receive the 8 weeks of PFL for caregiving? If so, that's separate from UI and doesn't require the same work history requirements once you're approved.

ya theyre gonna ask why u havent been working and if ur available to work NOW. thats the big one. if ur still taking care of ur husband fulltime u might have trouble cuz UI requires u be able to start a job right away if offered. happened to my cousin last yr

I went through this exact situation in 2023 when my mom had cancer. For the phone interview, be completely honest but emphasize any flexibility you DO have in your schedule. They'll ask specifics about: - Your base period earnings (which sounds limited in your case) - Any job offers you've turned down and why - What hours/days you COULD work if offered a job - If you've looked into remote or flexible work options - Whether your husband has any other caregivers who could cover while you work Unfortunately, with only 1 quarter of wages, you likely won't qualify for a new UI claim. You need earnings in at least 2 quarters of the base period, with minimum total earnings requirements. Have you looked into State Disability Insurance (SDI) for your husband? If he qualifies, that might free you up to find some work. Also, check if you're eligible for Caregiver Resource Centers support through your county.

If you need to talk to someone directly at EDD before your interview to get more information, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year with caregiving issues and couldn't get through to EDD for weeks. Claimyr got me connected to an actual EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/DOLxZQb92wM?si=6N1iCQ3a8Cdb2Ay5 The agent I spoke with explained exactly what documents I needed to prepare for my interview and what my realistic options were given my specific situation. Much better than going in blind.

Honestly I think the whole system is RIGGED against caregivers!! I had a similar situation with my dad last year and tried to get UI after my PFL ran out. They did the whole interview thing and still denied me saying I wasn't "available for work" even though I TOLD THEM I could work evenings!!! The EDD interviewer basically said that being a caregiver means you're not eligible for unemployment no matter what. It's SO UNFAIR that we have to choose between caring for family and having income. What are we supposed to do??? Let our loved ones suffer alone??? Sorry for the rant but this makes me SO ANGRY every time I see someone else going through it.

I want to bring up another option you might not have considered. Have you looked into the Paid Family Leave (PFL) extension that California implemented? As of 2025, in certain situations, you may be eligible for an extension beyond the standard 8 weeks if your care recipient's condition continues to require caregiving. It's not automatic, but worth asking about. Also, if your husband has paid into SDI through his work, he might qualify for State Disability Insurance benefits while he's unable to work due to his medical condition. This won't directly help your eligibility issue, but could provide some household income. For your interview, be prepared with documentation showing: 1. Your husband's ongoing medical situation (doctor's notes) 2. Any work search efforts you've made 3. Any accommodations you've tried to arrange that would allow you to work They'll likely ask specifically about what kind of work schedule you could accommodate and why you haven't been able to find suitable employment.

my mom went thru this and they flat out told her she wasnt eligible cuz she could only work weird hours bc of my dads care. sucks but thats how it is

Have you contacted the American Cancer Society? They sometimes have resources for families dealing with cancer including transportation assistance and financial guidance. Might be worth calling them while you sort out the EDD situation.

Coming back to add: Be very careful how you phrase things in your interview. If you say "I can't work because I'm caring for my husband," that's an automatic disqualification for UI. Instead, explain that you are actively seeking work that accommodates your constraints, such as remote positions, flexible scheduling, or evening/weekend hours. Be prepared to provide examples of jobs you've applied for that would work with your caregiving responsibilities. This shows you're making a good faith effort to find suitable employment while balancing your caregiving duties. However, I want to set realistic expectations - with only one quarter of earnings, the monetary qualification will likely be the biggest hurdle, regardless of availability issues. Benefits are calculated based on your highest quarter earnings in the base period, and you need a minimum amount across multiple quarters to qualify.