Pay nothing until a live EDD agent is on the phone with you.
Can't reach California Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
$0 upfront. We only hold your card.
No live agent, no charge.
$19.99 is charged only once a live EDD agent is on the phone with you.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the EDD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the EDD drops your call
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
wait im confused...do u have to quit to get unemployment or not?? my boss cut my hours too (from 35 to 22) but im scared to apply cuz what if they say im committing fraud or something?? everyone tells me different things!!
No, you absolutely do NOT need to quit to get unemployment benefits. In fact, quitting voluntarily could disqualify you. When your hours are substantially reduced (like yours - from 35 to 22), you can qualify for partial unemployment benefits while continuing to work those reduced hours. This is perfectly legitimate and not fraudulent at all.
Second update: My claim went through! I got a message in my UI Online inbox saying my weekly benefit amount is $267. I just did my first certification and reported the 20 hours I worked. The calculator said I'll receive a partial payment of $164 for the week. Not as much as I hoped but definitely helps with the reduced income. Thanks again everyone!
Congrats! That's exactly how it should work. Every bit helps when your hours get cut!
You're SO LUCKY it went through that fast!! Mine took FOREVER!!
Join the conversation
My cousin said the whole EDD system is messed up now and everyone is getting automatically flagged for interviews! Be prepared to wait FOREVER
That's not accurate. While some claims do get flagged for eligibility interviews, it's not automatic for everyone. Furloughs with definite return dates are actually some of the most straightforward claims, especially if the employer properly reports the furlough to EDD. The system has improved significantly since the pandemic overload.
Just to clarify something important: when you apply before your last day, make absolutely sure to enter your correct last day of work. Don't put the application date as your last day worked. This is a common mistake that causes problems. The system will ask for your last day worked - that should be your actual final day at work (July 11th based on your post). And be careful with your first certification. If you work any days in that first certification period, accurately report those days and earnings or you could end up with an overpayment situation later.
Thank you for pointing this out! I definitely would have been confused about how to handle the overlap between application and last day worked. I'll make sure to be precise with all the dates.
Join the conversation
hav u applied 4 disability 2? sounds like u qualify 4 both with ur situation. my cousin got EDD and then disability for her back injury when she got laid off
I haven't applied for disability because I'm physically able to work - just with the restrictions my doctor gave (no heavy lifting). But maybe I should look into that as a backup if unemployment doesn't approve me? I'm just worried about paying rent next month if this drags on.
Based on everything you've shared, I think you have a strong case for unemployment approval. The fact that other employees had similar COVID absences but weren't terminated is very relevant - definitely mention that in your interview as it suggests potential discrimination or retaliation related to your workers' comp claim. As for the work restrictions issue, that's a separate potential violation but it reinforces the narrative that your termination wasn't truly about attendance but about your workplace injury. Bring any emails or documentation showing they were assigning duties outside your medical restrictions. One last tip - if for some reason your claim is denied (which I don't expect), remember you can appeal the decision. The appeal approval rate in California is actually quite high when employees have documentation.
Join the conversation
btw make sure u check ur spam folder too. sometimes edd emails go there and u miss important stuff. happened to me
Just checking back - were you able to contact EDD about your delayed payment? If so, what did they say was causing the hold-up?
Thanks for following up! I was finally able to get through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Turns out EDD had flagged my account for an eligibility interview because of the amended wages, but they never sent me a notification about it. The rep scheduled an interview for next week and said my payments should process after that. At least now I know what's happening!
Elin Robinson
I'm dealing with something similar (different field) and I'm so nervous about the eligibility interview next week. What kinds of questions do they ask? Do I need a lawyer? My employer is a large corporation with HR and legal teams and I'm just me...
0 coins
Amy Fleming
•You don't need a lawyer for an eligibility interview. They'll mainly ask about the circumstances of your separation - why you were terminated, if you received warnings, your work history, etc. Be honest, stick to facts, and have any supporting documentation ready. The interviewer is trying to determine if you were fired for misconduct that would disqualify you from benefits. Most people handle these interviews on their own without legal representation.
0 coins
Esteban Tate
Make sure you CERTIFY FOR BENEFITS every two weeks even while waiting for the initial determination!!! I made the mistake of waiting until my claim was approved, and I lost out on several weeks of backpay because I didn't certify. Even if your claim is pending or under review, you need to certify for each eligible week or you won't get paid for those weeks later!
0 coins
Savanna Franklin
•I didn't know this - thank you! I would have probably waited for approval before certifying. So even while they're deciding if I qualify, I should still do the bi-weekly certification?
0 coins
Esteban Tate
•YES! 100% certify for EVERY eligible week regardless of your claim status. If your claim is eventually approved, you'll only get paid for weeks you certified for. Miss a certification and that money is GONE forever.
0 coins