California Unemployment
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EDD Appeal Center Address Needed - Disqualified for Wrongful Termination Claim
I'm so frustrated right now. I got fired last month from my retail management job for supposedly 'violating company policy' when all I did was approve an emergency schedule change without going through 3 levels of bureaucracy first. My former employer is claiming misconduct, but it was literally an emergency situation! I filed for unemployment right away since I know wrongful termination should qualify me for benefits. Just checked my UI Online account yesterday and saw that dreaded DISQUALIFIED status. The determination letter says I need to file an appeal within 30 days, but it doesn't clearly state WHERE to send the appeal documents. There's a PO Box mentioned but I want to make sure it's the correct address before I mail anything important. Has anyone gone through the appeal process recently? What's the current address for the EDD Appeals Office? I'm in Los Angeles county if that matters. This is my first time dealing with an appeal and I'm worried about missing the deadline.
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Can I increase my weekly benefit amount after high-paying freelance work ended?
I'm in a weird situation with my unemployment claim. Last year I was laid off from my regular job where I was making about $22/hr. I filed for unemployment and was getting around $340/week. Then I landed this amazing freelance contract in the tech industry that paid almost triple my previous salary (about $8,500/month). The contract lasted for 4 months, and during that time I properly reported my earnings and didn't collect any UI benefits. Now the contract has ended, and I need to reopen my claim. Here's my question - is there any way to update my claim to reflect these higher earnings? My current weekly benefit amount is based on my old lower-paying job. I've been on the EDD website for hours and can't figure out if this is even possible. Has anyone successfully increased their WBA after having higher earnings? Or am I stuck with the original calculation until my benefit year ends?
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Quick question related to this - I'm in the opposite situation where I had high-paying work when I first filed but then had to take a lower-paying job before getting laid off again. Am I stuck with the high calculation even though I can't find anything paying that much now?
You actually have the favorable situation in this case. Your WBA is based on your higher earnings, which means you'll receive more in benefits than if you had filed based on your lower-paying job. The system works both ways - it can't be adjusted up or down during your benefit year.
Thanks everyone for the responses. Looks like I'm stuck with my current WBA until my benefit year ends in November 2025. I'm still going to try calling EDD using that Claimyr service just to see if there are any exceptions or if I'm missing something. Really wish there was a way to file a new claim based on my recent higher earnings, but it sounds like that's not how the system works. I'll just have to budget accordingly with the lower benefit amount until I can find another good job.
That's the right approach. Use your time on unemployment to find another good opportunity in your field, hopefully at the higher pay rate you've proven you can earn. While your WBA is fixed, you've demonstrated you have skills that command a higher salary, which is valuable for your next position.
EDD asking for W2 after I already sent ID verification - what email address to use?
I'm really confused right now. I submitted my claim a week ago and got notified that I needed to verify my identity. I sent in my ID and birth certificate along with a recent pay stub through the UI Online portal, but just got another message saying they need my W2 form too. The problem is I can't figure out where to send it! The notification doesn't give an email address and the portal won't let me upload any more documents. I tried calling but keep getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message. Has anyone dealt with this recently? What's the correct email to send additional verification documents to EDD? I'm worried my claim will be delayed or denied if I don't get this W2 to them ASAP!
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UPDATE: I emailed my W2 to UI_ASSIST@edd.ca.gov yesterday with all my info in the subject line like suggested. Got an auto-reply saying they received it, and this morning my UI Online account status changed from "Pending Identity Verification" to "Processing Payment"! Thank you everyone for your help!
Great news! Glad it worked out quickly for you. The system can be frustrating but sometimes it actually works as intended!
lucky!! mine took 3 weeks after sending documents 😩
Can self-employed subcontractors qualify for EDD benefits during seasonal school breaks?
Hi everyone, I'm in a tricky situation with my work and hoping someone can help me figure out if I qualify for unemployment. I work as a self-employed speech therapy assistant subcontractor through a third-party agency that places me in various schools. With summer break starting next week, I'll be completely without income until late August when the students return. The agency doesn't provide any summer placement options, and I've been told I'm technically not laid off - just on 'seasonal pause.' My income will drop to zero for almost 3 months! Does anyone know if EDD considers this a valid unemployment scenario since I'm both self-employed AND working through a third party? I'm confused about whether I should apply as a regular employee or under some special category. Has anyone in a similar subcontractor situation successfully filed for benefits during school breaks?
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To answer your follow-up question - I would recommend being completely honest about your working arrangement when you apply, but focus on the facts rather than making legal claims about misclassification. Describe exactly how your work is structured: who sets your schedule, how assignments are determined, whether you can accept/reject specific placements, if you have multiple clients or just work through this one agency, etc. EDD will evaluate whether you're truly an independent contractor or an employee based on the ABC test under California law. If they determine you're actually an employee who's been misclassified, they'll handle that with the agency directly - you won't have to be the one making that claim.
This makes a lot of sense. I'll focus on accurately describing my working conditions rather than making legal arguments. I'm going to apply this weekend and see what happens. Thanks everyone for all the helpful insights!
One more thing I forgot to mention - make sure you certify for benefits every two weeks even if your initial application gets denied! If you win on appeal later, they can only pay you for weeks you properly certified for. I learned this the hard way and lost out on almost a month of potential benefits during my educational contractor case.
Concerned about high benefit amount on new EDD claim with minimal work history - overpayment risk?
I'm super confused about my new unemployment claim and worried I might get hit with an overpayment notice later. I exhausted most of my previous claim last year, then had to file a new claim in January 2025. The thing is, I only worked sporadically between claims—just a few gig jobs and a part-time position that lasted maybe 3 months. When I filed my new claim, I honestly expected to get denied or receive minimal benefits. Instead, I just checked my UI Online account and it shows I qualify for over $14,500 in total benefits! This seems WAY too high based on my limited work history. I'm scared to start certifying because if this is some kind of system error, will I have to pay everything back? I've been reading horror stories about EDD overpayment notices where they demand thousands back plus penalties. Has anyone experienced something similar? Should I contact EDD before I start certifying, or am I overthinking this?
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How did you manage to get through to them? I've been trying to reach EDD for TWO WEEKS about my identity verification issue and can't get past the automated system!!!!
I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. I was skeptical but it actually did get me connected after about 25 minutes. Before that I spent 3 days trying on my own with no luck.
Glad you got confirmation! That's always the safest approach when something seems off. One additional tip: Take screenshots of your UI Online account showing your benefit calculation and save copies of all your certifications. If there's ever any question in the future, having documentation that you verified everything and acted in good faith makes a big difference. Eligible benefits are your legal right - just make sure to report any income accurately during the certification process and you'll be fine.
Annabel Kimball
Since you're dealing with a misconduct disqualification, make sure your appeal letter specifically addresses these key points: 1. The emergency nature of the situation 2. Any policies or precedents that support your decision 3. Your history of following proper procedures in non-emergency situations 4. Any communication with supervisors about the incident 5. How your actions were in the company's best interest despite not following protocol The legal standard for misconduct requires that your actions showed a "substantial disregard of your employer's interests" - emergency situations often create exceptions to normal rules. You should also request a copy of your claim file using an EDD Request for Records form (DE 8330). This will let you see exactly what your employer told EDD.
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PaulineW
AuthorThank you for laying this out so clearly! I definitely have proof that I've followed the proper channels before in normal situations, and I can show that I was acting in the company's best interest during the emergency. I'll request my claim file right away.
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Jean Claude
One more tip that really helped me: after you mail your appeal, call the CUIAB office directly (not regular EDD) to confirm they received it. Their number is 916-263-6777. They're usually much easier to reach than regular EDD. Ask for your appeal case number and write it down somewhere safe. You'll need it for all future communications. And when you eventually get your hearing notice, call and request all documents your employer has submitted for the hearing - you have a legal right to see them before the hearing date.
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PaulineW
AuthorThank you! I would never have known to call CUIAB directly or that I could request the employer's documents. This community has been so helpful - I feel much more prepared to handle this appeal now.
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