Can I claim unemployment with California EDD? Not sure if I qualify

Thank you!! This is really helpful. So the 8 months thing doesn't matter as much as how much I actually earned? That makes way more sense. I'm going to file today.

also worth noting you have to file weekly certifications every two weeks to keep getting paid. a lot of people don't realize that part and then their claim just sits there

The base period calculation trips everyone up at first. The EDD website actually has a calculator you can use before you even file to get a rough estimate of your weekly benefit amount. Really useful tool.

Did you have any issues with the process? I'm nervous I'll mess something up on the application

honestly it was pretty straightforward just have your employment info and social security number ready. the questions are pretty clear

Wait so I might have already lost two weeks of benefits by not filing sooner?? That's frustrating, I didn't know that

There is technically a one-week unpaid waiting period built in regardless, but yes - the sooner you file the better. Don't stress too much about the time already passed, just get your claim submitted today.

THIS. i waited almost a month before filing when i got laid off because i thought i had to wait for my final paycheck first. cost me like $800 in benefits. file immediately people!!

Oh interesting, I've been trying to call EDD to ask about my specific situation and haven't been able to get through at all. I'll check that out

I've heard of Claimyr, a friend used it when her claim got stuck in adjudication. Said it was worth it just to finally talk to a real person

does it actually work?? I've been trying to call edd for 2 weeks straight and cannot get a human being on the line for anything

Yes it was definitely a layoff, they even gave us all a letter saying it was a reduction in force. So that should help right?

That letter is gold, keep it. If EDD ever questions your separation reason you have documentation. Most straightforward layoffs don't even get questioned though

Correct. RIF documentation is excellent to have. California EDD may contact your former employer to verify the separation reason but with a formal layoff letter this should be routine and non-issue.

What counts as a job search activity? Like just applying to jobs?

applying to jobs, attending a job fair, creating a resume, registering with CalJOBS, networking for job leads - there are a bunch of things that count. applying to jobs is the most common one

You also need to be registered in CalJOBS (the state job search system) as part of your eligibility requirements. You can do this at caljobs.ca.gov and it's free. Some people forget this step and then run into eligibility issues later.

wait do you have to apply to jobs you don't actually want? like what if I'm being selective while I look

$350-420 a week is actually more than I expected honestly. Better than nothing while I job search

For reference I made about $22/hr before my layoff and got around $410/week. So that estimate sounds right

Also don't forget benefits can last up to 26 weeks in California which is about 6 months. Gives you a decent runway to find something new

Yeah it was a regular warehouse job, W-2, taxes taken out of my paycheck and everything. Full time with benefits.

Perfect, that's the easiest type of claim. You're going to be fine.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr above - when my claim had an issue I could not get through no matter what I tried. Used claimyr.com and finally got through to an agent who could actually see my account and tell me what was happening. Check out their demo video too https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 - it shows you how the whole thing works

okay i just watched the video. going to try this tonight because i literally cannot take this anymore. 5 weeks with no income is destroying me

hope you get it sorted out, the edd phone system is genuinely broken. no normal person should have to fight this hard to access benefits they paid into

You don't notify them - California EDD notifies your former employer automatically after you file. The employer then has an opportunity to respond if they think you were fired for cause rather than laid off. For a legitimate layoff they typically just confirm the separation date and reason and that's it. Don't worry about this.

Okay that makes sense. I was picturing like having to call my old boss and be like 'hey I'm filing for unemployment' lol. Glad that's not how it works

lol no you definitely don't have to do that. The whole process is between you and EDD, your employer just gets a notice and has a chance to contest if they want to. Most don't for standard layoffs.

Ugh really? So even after I file I have to wait an extra week with no money? That's rough

Yeah it's frustrating but it's just how California EDD works. The upside is once you're past that first certification period the payments come pretty regularly as long as you certify on time

The waiting week is specifically the first week of your benefit year, not the first week after you file. Small distinction but timing matters. File ASAP.

Oh wow I had no idea they were taxable. Good to know, I'll definitely set up withholding

This is really important advice. California doesn't tax unemployment benefits at the state level but federal taxes still apply. The option to withhold 10% federal comes up during the initial claim setup and you can also change it later through your UI Online account.

wait seriously?? i did not have federal taxes withheld and I've been on unemployment for 4 months. do i need to make estimated tax payments or something?

That's really helpful to know what documents to have ready. I have my last pay stub so I should be able to get the EIN from that

exactly, pay stub has everything you need. also have your bank account and routing number for direct deposit which is way faster than the debit card option

What kind of info might they ask for in adjudication?

Usually more details about your separation - like exactly why you were let go, whether there was any performance issues, that kind of thing. With a documented RIF layoff it's usually just a formality. They might also verify your earnings if there's a discrepancy.

If you do end up in adjudication, having that RIF letter from your employer is really helpful. Respond to everything they send you as fast as possible, delays on your end = delays in getting paid

That sounds really stressful. How did you prepare for the phone interview?

I wrote out a timeline of what happened, kept it factual, had dates and any texts or emails that supported my side. EDD interviewer was actually pretty fair and professional about it. Just tell the truth and stay calm

This is a good point - employer disputes do happen even in legitimate situations. If you end up in an adjudication phone interview, stick to the facts, be specific with dates and details, and don't embellish. EDD interviewers have heard everything.

Same, reading all these responses made me way less nervous. I just submitted my claim about an hour ago!

good luck to both of you!! it really isn't as bad as it seems

congrats on filing!! fingers crossed for quick approvals for us both

This is huge, glad you got it sorted. 5 weeks is way too long to wait without any answers

seriously such a relief. i had convinced myself my claim was just lost in the system forever. turns out it was a fixable thing

So glad it worked out! That's exactly the kind of thing you NEED to talk to an actual agent about - the portal doesn't tell you anything useful when there's an issue

What happens if you certify late? Does it affect your payment?

usually it just delays that payment. if it's way late like more than a week past your window you might need to call EDD to get it manually processed. just try not to miss it - set a calendar reminder for yourself

UI Online also has a message center where EDD will send you important notices. Check it regularly, don't just rely on mail or email notifications. Some important things only show up there.

That's really reassuring to hear. I think I had this image of it being a months-long nightmare from all the stories I'd heard. Hopefully mine goes as smoothly as yours

the nightmare stories are usually when there's a complication - employer dispute, income discrepancy, that kind of thing. clean layoffs tend to move faster

agreed, mine took about 4 weeks total from filing to first payment. not bad at all

Yes - California has partial unemployment benefits for this exact situation. If you work part time and your weekly earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount, you can still receive a reduced benefit. You just have to report your earnings honestly when you certify. California EDD will reduce your payment by a portion of your earnings. The formula is a bit complex but the key thing is always report what you earned and let EDD calculate the deduction.

Oh that's great to know! I was worried taking any job would just immediately cut off my benefits

this is called 'partial UI' and it's actually a really smart way to bridge the gap while you look for full time work. just make sure you report every dollar you earn, EDD cross-checks with your employer

Really hope I don't need this but good to have in my back pocket. Thank you!

Appeals are very underutilized. So many people just accept denials and walk away. The process is free and the bar for getting a hearing is low.

To add to this - if you need help preparing for an appeal hearing, California has legal aid organizations that specialize in unemployment benefits and help for free. Search for 'unemployment legal aid California' if you ever end up in that situation.