I went thru this last year and ended up doing Instacart, which was better than food delivery cuz I didn't have to drive as much. just shopping and then dropping off in my neighborhood. not great money but better than nothing!

UPDATE: I got through to EDD this morning! The rep said I DO qualify for a new claim, but at a much lower benefit amount ($97/week vs. my previous $450). She said this is because my base period only includes that one quarter with the November job. It's not much, but it's something to help with groceries while I keep searching for work. She also confirmed the CalFresh application should be approved since my income is now so low. Thank you everyone for the advice and support. For anyone else in a similar situation - definitely check if you have ANY earnings during your benefit year that might qualify you for a new claim, even a small one.

just curious wht kind of job was this? retail? office? factory? different industries have different standards for what counts as "hostile" so it might matter

On the day of your hearing, arrive early (at least 30 minutes), dress professionally, and bring multiple copies of all your evidence (one for you, one for the judge, and one for the employer's representative). Also, as stressful as it may be, try to get a good night's sleep beforehand so you can think clearly. Finally, don't be afraid to respectfully ask the judge for clarification if you don't understand a question. And remember that if the employer doesn't show up for the hearing (which happens quite often), that significantly increases your chances of winning as long as you can articulate your case clearly.

People don't realize how common this problem is! The EDD systems were completely overwhelmed during the pandemic and they're still dealing with the aftermath of all the fraud. Always double-check any tax documents you receive, especially from government agencies. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice others have given: check if your employer received any notices about disability claims filed in your name. Sometimes EDD contacts employers to verify employment details for SDI claims, so your HR department might have information that could help your case.

wait so did they tell u how someone got ur info?? thats scary they could just file for benefits in ur name without u knowing!!

my neighbor works for edd and she says theyre super understaffed rn

One more tip - while you're waiting for your appeal hearing, you might want to try contacting your former employer directly. Sometimes if you can get them to submit a correction to EDD stating you were laid off rather than fired for misconduct, you can potentially get the disqualification reversed without waiting for the full appeal process. It's a long shot, but worth trying.

my brothers gf works for edd and she says they r really backed up right now so expect to wait FOREVER for interviews.. apply now so u can get in line

One more important point: When you explain your case to EDD, be very careful about how you frame what happened. Don't say "I disobeyed my supervisor" or "I knowingly violated policy." Instead, present it as "I had to respond to a family emergency involving my child's safety after work hours." Framing matters tremendously in these cases. Also, California has specific protections for parents dealing with emergencies related to their children. If your employer has more than 25 employees, you might have been protected under California's Family Rights Act, which could strengthen your unemployment case by showing the termination itself may have been improper.