California Unemployment
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What is technological unemployment and can I file a California EDD claim if I lost my job to automation?
So I work in data entry and my company just laid off our entire department because they implemented some new AI software that basically does everything we used to do. My supervisor actually said the words 'we're automating your roles' in the meeting. I've been with this company for 6 years and now I'm just... done. I filed for California EDD unemployment benefits last week but I'm genuinely confused about something — what is technological unemployment exactly, and does it affect how California EDD processes my claim? Like is it treated differently than a regular layoff? My claim is just sitting there showing 'pending' and I don't know if there's some special category I should have indicated when I filed. I reported it as a layoff but now I'm second-guessing myself. Anyone dealt with this kind of situation?
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Can your previous employer deny unemployment in California EDD?
So I got laid off from my job at a logistics company about six weeks ago and finally filed my California EDD claim. Everything seemed fine at first and then I got a notice saying my claim was being reviewed because my former employer submitted a response disputing my separation. I had no idea employers could even do this? Like can your previous employer deny unemployment or is that not actually a thing? I thought since I was laid off I'd automatically qualify. Now I'm sitting here watching my rent due date creep closer and I have no idea what's happening with my benefits or whether I'm even going to get approved. The UI Online portal just says 'pending' and there's been zero communication from California EDD explaining what specifically is being contested. Has anyone been through this before? Did the employer actually succeed in blocking your claim or does California EDD usually side with the claimant?
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For anyone landing on this thread later with the same question - can your previous employer deny unemployment - here's the summary: No, only California EDD can approve or deny your claim. Employers can contest or dispute by providing their version of your separation, which triggers adjudication. During adjudication, EDD evaluates both sides. For layoffs/position eliminations, employer contests rarely succeed because layoffs are qualifying separations. Keep filing weekly certifications during adjudication. Respond promptly to any EDD questionnaires. If disqualified, appeal within 30 days. You have more rights in this process than it might feel like.
Really well put. The system is frustrating and opaque but workers do have meaningful protections here.
Agreed. The anxiety of not knowing what's happening is often worse than the actual outcome. And getting accurate info by actually reaching an EDD agent can make a huge difference in understanding where you stand.
OP any update on your situation? Did you get through to California EDD and find out what your employer disputed?
That's exactly the kind of thing you can only find out by actually talking to someone. Really glad that worked out - sounds like a strong case once they see that documentation.
Voluntary' quit when you have a layoff notice is one of the most clear-cut disputes to win. Submit that documentation ASAP and you should be in goodshape.
Can California EDD unemployment see if you are working while claiming benefits?
So I've been on unemployment for about two months now and my sister keeps telling me I need to be super careful because California EDD can supposedly see everything. I'm not doing anything shady, I just picked up a couple of side gigs doing odd jobs for neighbors and I honestly have no idea if I'm supposed to report that or not. Like can unemployment see if you are working even if it's just small stuff that's not exactly a 'real job'? I reported my hours on my weekly claims but my brother in law told me that was unnecessary and I'm overthinking it. Now I'm second guessing myself. I did disclose everything but I'm nervous I did it wrong or something got flagged. Does California EDD actually cross-reference employment records? Do they check with the IRS? Anyone know how deep they actually look into this stuff?
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can they see work if its under a different name? like if i was paid to an llc i set up
okay yeah that makes sense i guess. thanks
This comes up more often than you'd think with freelancers and contractors. The test EDD applies is whether YOU personally performed the services - the payment structure doesn't change your reporting obligation.
Been lurking this whole thread and OP just asked the question we were all too afraid to Google honestly. The bottom line seems to be: report everything, document everything, and if you have any doubt about your claim status call EDD. And if you can't get through to EDD use something like Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a live agent instead of wasting days redialing. Already bookmarked that for my own situation.
Good attitude. Being proactive and keeping clean records is genuinely the best protection. EDD isn't out to get people who are trying to follow the rules.
honestly this whole thread was therapeutic lol
Why have I not received my unemployment debit card from California EDD?
I certified for my first two weeks of unemployment about 10 days ago and my claim shows as approved in UI Online, but I still haven't gotten my debit card in the mail. The payment history shows that EDD processed the payment already. I've never been on unemployment before so I don't totally know what to expect, but I figured the card would have shown up by now. Do they mail it separately from the payments? Is there some kind of activation I have to do that I haven't done yet? My address in my EDD account looks correct. I'm starting to stress because I really need this money and I have no idea if the card is lost in the mail or just delayed or what. Has anyone dealt with this? How long did it actually take you to get your Bank of America EDD debit card?
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I've been dealing with a similar situation but mine is different - my UI Online shows payment as pending not processed and I haven't gotten a card either. Is pending the same as processed or should I be worried about that?
oh no there's a notice in my account that says I need to provide additional information. I didn't even see that. I need to look at this more carefully
Yeah definitely look at that notice right away. Pending status with an unresolved notice could mean your claim is in adjudication or needs additional verification. That would explain why you haven't received payment or a card yet.
FINAL UPDATE: I wanted to post an update for anyone who finds this thread later. I checked my address in UI Online and it was correct. I called the Bank of America EDD line at 1-866-692-9374 and they confirmed a card had been mailed to my address. It showed up the very next day in a plain white envelope like everyone warned me about. I activated it on the phone and both weeks of payments were already loaded. Total time from payment processing to card in hand was about 13 business days. Thanks everyone for the help, this community is great.
So glad it worked out! And for anyone reading this in the future who needs to escalate or talk to EDD directly about a card issue or anything else - claimyr.com is still the best way I've found to actually get through to a live agent without spending all day on hold.
love a happy ending on these threads, congrats!
When is federal unemployment tax due? California EDD FUTA filing deadlines explained
I run a small business in California and I'm completely turned around on the federal unemployment tax deadlines. I know there's FUTA involved and I've been trying to figure out when exactly the deposits and annual filing are due. My accountant is unavailable this week and I have a nagging feeling I might be close to a deadline. I've been trying to reach someone at the IRS and California EDD to get clarity on whether my state unemployment tax payments affect my FUTA credit, but I can't get through to anyone on the phone. Can someone break down the federal unemployment tax due dates so I know where I stand? Specifically when quarterly deposits are required versus the annual Form 940 filing deadline. I'm especially worried about whether my California state unemployment insurance contributions are up to date because I know that affects the FUTA credit calculation at the end of the year.
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this thread answered every question I had and several I didn't know I should ask. bookmarking for my records. quick summary for anyone landing here via search: federal unemployment tax (FUTA) deposits are due quarterly if liability exceeds $500 (April 30, July 31, Oct 31, Jan 31), annual Form 940 is due January 31 with extension to Feb 10 if deposits were timely, and California EDD SUI payments must be current to claim the 5.4% FUTA credit that drops your effective rate to 0.6%
solid summary. only thing id add is to verify your California EDD employer account in e-Services before filing 940, as others mentioned above. don't assume the numbers match
good addition. verifying California EDD account matches your records before 940 filing = critical step
Late to this thread but want to add one more thing nobody mentioned - if you have employees in multiple states, you may have SUI obligations to each state's unemployment agency AND a single federal FUTA obligation. The FUTA credit calculation gets more complicated in that scenario because you're crediting SUI payments across multiple states. Just something to be aware of if your California business has workers in other states too.
exactly right - the credit reduction issue is per state so California employers with California-only workers are generally in good shape as long as California stays off the credit reduction list
I did not know any of this multi-state stuff. Glad I only have California employees for now lol
Gianna Scott
Coming in late to this thread but wanted to add — I work in tech and got laid off when my team got restructured around an AI pipeline. One thing my career counselor mentioned: California's Employment Training Panel (ETP) and some of the EDD-connected retraining programs specifically have pathways for workers displaced by technology. Might be worth looking into alongside your unemployment claim, not instead of it.
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Harper Collins
Correct — the EDD's CalJOBS system and affiliated workforce development programs do include options for skill retraining. Looking into this early is smart because some programs have enrollment windows.
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Edwards Hugo
adding this to my research list. thanks
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Mikayla Brown
CLAIM UPDATE: Wanted to report back since this thread has been so helpful. My claim status changed this morning from 'pending' to 'approved' — exactly 17 days after I filed. No adjudication, just straight to approved. EDD's determination letter cites 'lack of work' as the reason code which is exactly what I filed. First payment is processing now. For anyone finding this thread later in the same situation — yes, getting replaced by automation counts as a standard layoff for California EDD purposes, file it as lack of work, keep certifying, document everything from your employer about the automation, and don't panic if it takes 2-3 weeks.
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Edwards Hugo
congrats!! gives me hope for my own claim still sitting in pending
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Dylan Fisher
Happy ending! And for real — keep that HR email saved. If anything ever comes up with your claim down the line like an overpayment audit or whatever, that documentation will matter.
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