I just wanted to add my voice to this incredibly supportive thread! I went through almost the exact same situation about 4 months ago - got hired at what seemed like a stable marketing position, worked there for exactly 3 weeks, then got let go for "cultural alignment" issues. I was absolutely panicking about my EDD benefits too. The good news is that reopening my claim was surprisingly straightforward! I followed similar advice to what everyone's shared here - documented everything I could remember from the termination conversation, sent a follow-up email requesting written confirmation (which they provided), and stayed calm during my eligibility interview about 10 days later. What really struck me during the phone interview was how routine the EDD representative made it sound. She said short-term employment situations like mine are incredibly common, especially in today's job market where companies are quick to hire and just as quick to let people go when they realize it's not a good fit. @Chloe your situation sounds so similar to mine - the "permanent" position that suddenly wasn't, the vague "culture fit" reason, all of it. You're handling this perfectly by getting everything documented and being proactive about reopening your claim. @Luca's insights about how these cases are actually evaluated from the inside have been invaluable for understanding that we're not the problem here! This thread should honestly be bookmarked by anyone dealing with short-term employment stress. The collective wisdom here is better than anything I found in official resources. Hang in there everyone - these situations really do work out! 🙏

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I had a very similar experience about a year ago - got let go from a tech company after just 2 weeks because they said I "wasn't integrating well with the existing team structure." I was absolutely terrified about what would happen to my unemployment benefits. The good news is that reopening your existing claim should be pretty straightforward since your benefit year is still active! I was able to do it online through UI Online, and while I did have to do an eligibility interview about 3 weeks later, the whole process was much less scary than I anticipated. The documentation advice everyone's giving here is spot-on - I wish I had thought to send a follow-up email right away like you did. Having that "organizational fit" confirmation in writing is actually really helpful because it clearly shows this wasn't a misconduct situation. What helped me the most during my interview was just staying calm and factual about what happened. The EDD rep seemed to understand that these short-term "fit" issues are pretty common in today's job market. Since you were only there 3 weeks and they're using vague language like "culture fit," it really doesn't sound like misconduct to me. Keep your job search documentation organized while you wait, and try not to let the anxiety get to you too much. Based on everything I've read in this thread from people with similar experiences, you should be in good shape! This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating these stressful situations. 💪

I went through this exact same situation last month with a temporary layoff from my manufacturing job. Got the CalJOBS notice even though I had a confirmed return date. I ended up registering just to be safe - took about 20 minutes and gave me peace of mind. The way I see it, even if there's an exemption for temporary layoffs, the automated system clearly doesn't recognize it when sending these notices. Better to spend a few minutes registering than risk any complications with your benefits, especially since you're only claiming for 3 weeks anyway.

I had a similar situation during a union-mandated break between projects last year. Even though my foreman gave us specific dates we'd be back, EDD's system just sees "unemployment claim = needs CalJOBS registration." The notice is automatically generated and doesn't take into account your individual circumstances. I'd recommend just getting the registration done - it's really straightforward and you can always update your profile later if your situation changes. Plus, having a CalJOBS account isn't a bad thing to have even when you're employed - you never know when you might need it for future reference or networking. The registration process asks for basic info like work history and skills, nothing too intensive.

This is incredibly helpful info! I'm new to unemployment benefits and got my EDD card last week but have been too scared to use it anywhere after reading all the fraud stories online. The idea that I can just walk into any bank and get a cash advance never even occurred to me - I thought I was stuck with potentially sketchy ATMs. One question - do different banks have different fee structures for this? Like is it worth calling around to find the cheapest option, or are the fees pretty much the same everywhere ($1-3 range)? Also planning to set up that Money Network app transfer to my personal account as backup. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - makes me feel way less anxious about managing these payments safely!

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this! I've been unemployed for about 6 months now and have been living in constant fear of using my EDD card. Last month my friend had $1,800 stolen from her card at a gas station ATM and she's STILL fighting to get it back from EDD. I had absolutely no idea you could do cash advances at regular banks - this is honestly life-changing information! I've been limiting myself to only using BofA ATMs even though the closest one is 45 minutes away from me. The stress of potentially losing my unemployment money has been keeping me up at night. Going to try this at my local Wells Fargo this Friday when my next payment comes through. A few dollars in fees is absolutely worth not having to worry about skimmers and fraud. Plus it sounds way more secure than standing at some random ATM hoping nobody is watching or recording. Seriously cannot thank you enough for posting this - you probably just saved me (and a lot of other people here) from potential fraud nightmares!

This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! As someone who's been through a similar situation with my company relocating to another state, I wanted to add a few things that helped me navigate the process. First, @Dmitri Volkov - congratulations on getting that layoff classification! That's honestly the best possible outcome for your situation. For anyone else reading this, that written confirmation from HR is pure gold when it comes to EDD claims. A few additional tips based on my experience: 1. If your company offers outplacement services, USE THEM. Even basic resume help can be valuable. 2. Consider asking for extended healthcare coverage during your transition period - some companies will negotiate on this. 3. Don't forget to update your emergency contacts and beneficiaries on any company accounts before you leave. 4. If you're in a specialized field, start reaching out to industry contacts now rather than waiting until you're officially unemployed. The silver lining in all of this is that having months of advance notice gives you time to be strategic rather than reactive. Many people don't get that luxury during layoffs. Use this time wisely to prepare, and you'll likely come out ahead! This community is amazing for providing real, actionable advice that you just can't get from official sources. Best of luck to everyone dealing with these relocations!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually an employment counselor who works with people navigating layoffs and relocations, and I wanted to add a few professional insights that might help others in similar situations. @Dmitri Volkov - getting that written layoff classification from HR was absolutely the right move. That documentation eliminates almost all potential complications with your EDD claim. For anyone else facing company relocations, here are some additional considerations: 1. **Timing matters for tax purposes** - if you're laid off in January vs December, it can affect which tax year your unemployment benefits fall into. Something to discuss with a tax professional if you have flexibility. 2. **COBRA notifications** - make sure you understand exactly when your health insurance ends and when COBRA kicks in. There's usually an 18-month eligibility period, but you need to elect it within 60 days. 3. **401k/retirement accounts** - if your company has matching contributions that vest over time, check if staying through the layoff date affects your vesting schedule. 4. **Professional references** - secure written recommendations from supervisors and colleagues before the chaos of the actual move. People get busy and harder to reach once they've relocated. The advice throughout this thread about documentation is spot-on. I've seen too many cases where people had legitimate claims but struggled because they couldn't prove their circumstances. You're all handling this exactly right by getting everything in writing!

Just wanted to add that if you're really in a bind while waiting for SDI, some credit unions and community banks offer emergency micro-loans (usually $200-500) that you can get within 24-48 hours, especially if you can show pending benefits documentation. Also, many churches and community organizations have emergency assistance funds that don't require you to be a member - they often can help with utilities or groceries to free up your remaining cash for rent. One more tip: if your doctor filled out the SDI forms, ask them for a copy of what they submitted. Sometimes there are small errors or missing information that can cause delays, and catching those early can save weeks. You can also ask your doctor's office to follow up proactively if EDD contacts them for additional information. Hang in there - this situation sucks but you'll get through it. Focus on the SDI claim and use these emergency resources to bridge the gap.

I've been through the SDI process twice and want to echo what others have said - definitely don't file for both UI and SDI. It's a recipe for delays and headaches. Since your doctor has already certified you can't work, stick with SDI. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also make sure you understand exactly what your doctor put as your disability start date on the medical certification. This matters for when your benefits will actually begin - SDI has a 7-day waiting period before benefits start, and if there are any discrepancies between when you stopped working and when your doctor says your disability began, it can cause processing delays. Also, if you're really strapped for cash while waiting, check if your county has any programs specifically for people waiting on disability benefits. Some areas have "gap funding" programs designed exactly for situations like yours where you're between employment and waiting for benefits to kick in. Keep us posted on how it goes - rooting for you to get through this rough patch!