California Unemployment
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Can you get California EDD unemployment if you were fired for attendance issues?
So I got let go from my warehouse job about two weeks ago and the reason they listed was 'excessive absenteeism.' Here's the thing though - most of those absences were because my kid was sick and I had no backup childcare, and my manager knew about it every single time. I always called in, always gave notice, never just ghosted. HR told me during my termination meeting that it was a 'policy violation' but wouldn't elaborate beyond that. I went ahead and filed my UI claim with California EDD anyway because I figured I had nothing to lose, but now I'm second-guessing myself. The claim is showing as pending and I haven't gotten any determination letter yet. Has anyone successfully gotten approved for unemployment after being fired for attendance? Does California EDD actually investigate the reasons or do they just take the employer's word for it?
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How does unemployment insurance work in California EDD?
So I got laid off two weeks ago from my warehouse job and honestly I've never filed for unemployment before in my life. I'm completely lost on how does unemployment insurance work through California EDD. My coworker said I should apply right away but I don't even know where to start or what I qualify for. From what I can tell you go to the EDD website and fill out some kind of application but then what happens? Do they just start sending you money or is there some kind of waiting period? My manager told me I was being let go due to budget cuts so I think I should qualify but I'm not sure. I've been working at the same place for about 4 years so I definitely have work history. Can someone explain the whole process from start to finish? Like what happens after you file, how much do you get, how long does it take, and what do you have to keep doing each week to get your payments? Sorry for all the questions I'm just really stressed about covering my bills.
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also nobody mentioned this but if you get a call from a number you dont recognize while your claim is processing ANSWER IT. EDD agents call for phone interviews with no warning and if you miss it your claim can get stuck for weeks waiting for them to reschedule. learned this the hard way
missed an EDD call once and it delayed my claim by nearly a month. definitely answer everything!!
And if you do miss one and need to reschedule or check on your interview status, that's exactly the kind of thing where being able to get through to an agent matters. Claimyr saved me when I needed to sort out a missed call situation - claimyr.com if you need it.
ok random question but is there a difference between how EDD handles laid off vs fired employees? asking for a friend who got let go under not great circumstances
Performance-based terminations have historically been treated as non-disqualifying under California UI law in many cases. The employer will have to report the reason for separation and EDD will make a determination. Your friend should absolutely apply and be honest about the circumstances. They have appeal rights if initially disqualified.
Filing is always the right move. Worst case you get a determination letter explaining why you're not eligible and you can appeal. Never not file because you think you might not qualify.
Are nonprofits exempt from federal unemployment tax? California EDD implications explained
So I've been going back and forth trying to figure out the tax situation for the nonprofit I work for and honestly the whole thing has my head spinning. Our HR director mentioned something about us potentially being exempt from federal unemployment tax (FUTA) but she wasn't 100% sure how that works in California or how it affects our EDD obligations. I've been down the rabbit hole on the California EDD website for like two hours and I'm more confused than when I started. Basically what I'm trying to understand is: if we're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, does that mean we're completely off the hook for federal unemployment tax AND California's state unemployment insurance contributions? Or is it just one or the other? We have about 14 employees and we've been operating for 3 years. Would really appreciate if anyone has dealt with this because the official documentation is written like it was designed to confuse people on purpose.
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this thread has been way more informative than anything I found on google lol. bookmarking it
same honestly I've been trying to piece this together from like 6 different websites and this thread covered more than all of them combined
Glad it's helpful for others too! I came here pretty lost and feel a lot clearer about next steps now.
To summarize what's been covered for anyone who finds this thread later: 501(c)(3) nonprofits are exempt from federal FUTA tax by federal law. However California EDD still applies - you must register as an employer and can choose between the contribution method (paying quarterly like regular employers) or reimbursable employer status (reimbursing California EDD only when claims are paid out). The election window is 30 days from becoming a subject employer. Missing the window defaults you to the contribution method. ETT and employee SDI withholding still apply regardless. Religious organizations may have additional exemptions. Employee UI claim eligibility is not affected by the employer's tax method. When in doubt call California EDD employer services directly - the reimbursable election and specific deadlines are things worth confirming for your specific organization.
great summary, should be stickied honestly
adding to my notes, this covered the 501(c)(6) question too which I wasn't sure about
California EDD unemployment while changing jobs - can I file a claim during the transition?
So here's my situation and I'm genuinely confused about whether I even qualify for unemployment benefits right now. I left my last job about three weeks ago - it was a planned career transition, not a layoff. I had been in logistics coordination for about six years and decided to move toward project management in tech. I gave two weeks notice, wrapped everything up professionally, and then accepted what I thought was a firm offer at a new company. That offer got rescinded about a week before my intended start date due to some internal restructuring on their end. So now I'm in this weird limbo - I voluntarily left Job A to go to Job B, and Job B fell through before it even started. I don't know how California EDD classifies this. Am I considered voluntarily unemployed? Do I have a valid claim because the job I was transitioning TO disappeared? I've been applying to other project management roles but nothing has converted yet. My friend said I might qualify under something called 'good cause' for leaving but honestly I have no idea what that even means in terms of California unemployment. Has anyone navigated this kind of situation where you're between jobs by choice but the new gig evaporated? Really need some clarity here before I bother filing.
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Can we talk about how ABSURD it is that EDD makes people in this kind of limbo situation justify themselves so extensively? OP did everything RIGHT. They gave proper notice, had a legit offer, the company ghosted them essentially, and now they have to build a legal case just to access benefits they paid into. The system is designed to make people give up. I'm convinced of it. I spent 11 weeks fighting adjudication on a much simpler situation.
The frustration is understandable but the adjudication process for voluntary quit situations exists because there genuinely is a high rate of people claiming good cause that doesn't hold up. For OP specifically whose situation is well-documented the process should be manageable even if annoying.
I get the reasoning I just wish the PROCESS was better designed so people with legitimate claims didn't have the same experience as people gaming the system. the anxiety it creates is real.
late to this thread but just wanted to confirm - I am an HR professional who has dealt with the employer side of EDD adjudication many times. When an employee resigns to accept an offer elsewhere and that offer falls through, the reasonable HR department and the EDD both recognize this as a legitimate circumstance. The key factors EDD looks for are: (1) written evidence of the firm offer, (2) that the resignation was contingent on or in response to the offer, (3) that the offer was genuinely rescinded rather than declined, and (4) that the claimant is actively seeking new work. OP appears to have all four. File with confidence and document everything clearly.
Worth adding - if your former employer is large enough to have dedicated HR they're probably used to EDD adjudication calls and will handle it professionally. Smaller companies with less HR infrastructure can sometimes give inconsistent answers that muddy the waters.
My former employer is about 400 people so definitely has a real HR department. Feeling genuinely optimistic now. I'm going to file tomorrow morning and get this process started. Thank you everyone in this thread - this was incredibly helpful.
How do I get my 1099-G from California EDD unemployment?
Okay so I've been dreading tax season and now it's here and I just realized I never got my 1099-G from EDD. I collected unemployment benefits for about 7 months last year after getting laid off from my warehouse job, and now my tax preparer is asking me for the form and I have no clue where to find it. I didn't get anything in the mail that I can remember. Is there a way to download it online through UI Online? Or do I have to call them? I really don't want to call because every time I try I get the busy signal or it just hangs up on me. Anyone dealt with this?
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UPDATE for everyone - I finally successfully downloaded my 1099-G! It was exactly where people said, in the Tax Information section of UI Online. For anyone searching for this: log into myEDD, click UI Online, then look on the left navigation for '1099G Tax Form'. Click View and it'll open as a PDF. Mine loaded fine in Chrome. The amount matches what I calculated from my payments so everything looks good. Thanks everyone for the help, this thread saved me a lot of stress!
glad you got it sorted! this thread was helpful for me too honestly
bookmarking this for next tax season lol
One last thing worth adding for the thread - if you filed for unemployment but your benefits were in a different program or there was any complexity with your claim type, make sure you're looking at the right 1099-G. EDD issues separate 1099-Gs for different benefit programs in some cases. Your UI Online should show all of them but just double check if you think an amount looks off.
Oh interesting - I did use some SDI briefly before switching to UI. I should check if there's a separate 1099-G for that too.
Yes check your UI Online inbox and the 1099-G section for both. SDI and UI are separate programs and EDD handles the reporting differently for each.
Ravi Malhotra
this thread answered literally every question I had before I even asked them. been sitting on filing my claim for two weeks because I was convinced I had zero chance. going to file tonight.
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Paolo Longo
File immediately and make sure to note your effective claim date. Benefits don't backdate to before your filing date so every day you wait is potentially money left on the table.
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Ravi Malhotra
oh wow I didn't realize that. filing RIGHT now. thanks for the push.
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Zainab Ahmed
Just want to consolidate the key takeaways from this thread for anyone who finds it later: 1) Being fired for attendance is NOT automatic disqualification in California. 2) EDD applies its own misconduct standard independent of what your employer claims. 3) Absences due to illness or family emergencies with proper notification typically don't meet the misconduct threshold. 4) Document everything - texts, emails, call logs. 5) Answer EDD questionnaires carefully and thoroughly. 6) If denied, appeal within 30 days - many attendance-related denials are overturned. 7) If you need to reach an EDD agent by phone, Claimyr (claimyr.com) is a resource worth knowing about for cutting through the phone access nightmare.
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AstroAlpha
Pinning this in my brain. Thank you to everyone who contributed real information here instead of just saying 'you're screwed' like every other forum I checked.
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Connor Gallagher
Real talk this is one of the more genuinely helpful threads I've seen on this topic. Most places just have generic non-answers.
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