Can I get California EDD unemployment if I got fired for not having a babysitter?

Thank you so much, this is reassuring. I definitely have texts with my supervisor explaining the situation and I have like 6 emails from daycares saying they were full. Should I upload all of this when I certify or wait until EDD asks for it?

upload everything proactively don't wait. when i filed mine i waited and it took an extra 3 weeks because they had to send me a separate request for docs

Agreed with uploading early. Also make sure your documentation shows the DATES line up with the shifts you missed. EDD will cross-reference the timeline.

Super common misconception! California EDD differentiates between being fired for misconduct vs. being fired for reasons outside your control or poor performance. Misconduct has a specific legal definition in unemployment law — it's not just any reason an employer fires you.

yeah i learned this the hard way. got fired 2 years ago and didn't even bother filing because i assumed i'd be denied. turns out i probably would have qualified. just assumed the worst

Five weeks in adjudication sounds terrifying honestly. Did they ever give you a reason for why it took that long? I'm on day 3 and already anxious

adjudication timelines are all over the place. my cousin had a similar fired-for-attendance thing and hers resolved in 12 days. another friend waited 9 weeks. theres no real pattern

They never gave me a clear reason for the delay. When I finally got through to someone via Claimyr they said my file had been sitting waiting for an interviewer to be assigned. The agent actually expedited it after we spoke.

good to know about that service. ive been trying to get through to EDD for 2 weeks on an unrelated issue and the phone situation is absolutely maddening

This is incredibly helpful context. So EDD basically hears both sides? I didn't realize they contact the employer too. That makes me a little nervous but I do have the texts so hopefully that helps.

yes they absolutely contact the employer. happened to me. employer tried to say i quit when i was laid off. had to fight it but won because i had everything documented

Can they deny you just based on what the employer says even if you have proof? That seems unfair

Yes I've been certifying every week, I read that you have to keep doing that even while waiting. Good reminder though because I know some people forget and miss out on back pay.

This is correct — never stop filing your weekly certifications during adjudication or appeals. If you're eventually approved, you get paid for all the weeks you certified. If you stopped certifying, those weeks are gone permanently.

Oh wow I didn't know they do a phone interview — nobody mentioned that. I'll make sure to pick up every unknown number. Thank you for the heads up!

this is so important. my roommate missed the EDD interview call and her claim got delayed like 6 additional weeks. answer every call

Yes the interviewer call is critical. Also be concise and factual during the interview. Stick to what happened, when it happened, and what steps you took. Don't volunteer extra information that could complicate things.

also save the voicemail if they do leave one. the voicemail will usually tell you the case number and interviewer info so you can call back directly

Seeing the actual legal code reference makes me feel so much more confident. Section 1256 — I'm going to remember that if I need to reference it during an interview or appeal.

does this mean if you just like decided not to show up for no reason that would be misconduct? where's the line exactly

Generally yes — if you had no reason and just didn't show up without communication, that's more likely to be considered misconduct or voluntary leaving without good cause. The communication and legitimate reason are what separate your situation from that scenario.

You're not alone! This is way more common than people realize. File, document everything, keep certifying weekly, and be patient. The adjudication process exists literally for situations like yours where the termination reason isn't clear-cut misconduct.

Make sure you frame your situation accurately on your initial claim — 'discharged' not 'quit' and explain the childcare situation clearly in the additional information box. First impressions matter in how your claim gets categorized.

I think I put discharged but honestly the whole form was overwhelming and I'm not sure I explained it well enough in the box. Can I add more info somehow after submitting?

Oh shoot, I wasn't sure if job search applied during adjudication. I've been doing it anyway just in case but good to know it's required. 3 contacts per week — logging them in my notes app.

wait is it 3 per week now? I thought it was 1 per week still? it changed?

Yes it went back to 3 employer contacts per week. This was the requirement pre-pandemic and it's back in effect now. Check your UI Online account under 'work search requirements' for your specific claim details.

also you can use CalJOBS to log your work search activities which makes it much easier to track and proves you were doing it if EDD ever asks

This is fair to say. Approvals aren't guaranteed and it does depend on how both sides present their case. But the facts as described genuinely do lean toward 'not misconduct' under California law. Worth filing and fighting for.

I appreciate the reality check honestly. I'm trying to stay realistic. If I get denied I'll definitely appeal — I've read that a lot of denials get overturned on appeal when people actually show up to present their case.

Appeals are won by claimants more often than people realize, especially in childcare/family emergency cases. The appeal hearing is more informal than people expect — it's not like a courtroom. An Administrative Law Judge hears both sides.

Saving this for when I inevitably can't get through. The EDD phone situation is notoriously terrible from everything I've read.

I've heard of Claimyr too. A friend used it when her claim got stuck and said the same thing — actually got a live person who could access her account and give specific info. Way better than the generic recorded messages.

Bookmarking the Claimyr link just in case. Hoping I don't need it but if my claim drags past a few weeks I'll definitely try it.

The document upload portal is notoriously glitchy. Try using a different browser — Chrome tends to work better than Firefox or Edge for EDD's portal. Also compress large files before uploading, anything over 2MB tends to fail.

trying chrome thanks. been using safari this whole time lol

Also make sure to use pdf format not photos of documents if possible. The system reads pdfs much more reliably

That is such a specific and useful tip I never would have thought of. Consistency in how I describe the separation. Writing this down right now.

Great advice. Consistency matters a lot because EDD looks for discrepancies. Your claim file is reviewed holistically and conflicting statements raise flags even if unintentional.

This is spot on. Also make sure what you tell the phone interviewer matches what you put on the initial claim form. Interviewers are trained to probe for inconsistencies.

I absolutely will. This thread has been so much more helpful than anything I found on official EDD pages. I'll come back and post an update when I have one.

seconding this — please update! I'll probably still be going through my own adjudication by then lol

these kinds of real outcomes are way more useful than generic info

This is generally good advice though the option depends on your local CUIAB office and scheduling. Some hearings are still done primarily by phone. But if in-person is an option, showing up demonstrates commitment to your case.

I really hope it doesn't come to an appeal but it's helpful to know that option exists and that the in-person approach can make a difference. The CUIAB — is that the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board?

Yes exactly — California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. They handle all UI appeal hearings. If you're denied you have 30 days from the notice date to file your appeal, so don't delay if that happens.

I feel this so hard. The friction in the system is real. But I will say that once I actually got connected to a live agent (via Claimyr as I mentioned) the individual agents were actually pretty helpful. The systemic access problem is the real barrier.

Yeah the not being able to reach anyone is the worst part. You can deal with waiting if someone just tells you 'we have your claim, here's what's happening.' The silence is what kills you

exactly. a little transparency would go such a long way. just tell people where they are in the queue

CONGRATS!! This is such a great outcome and genuinely helpful for everyone reading this thread later. Thank you for coming back to update!

Oh my gosh this gives me so much hope. I'm still waiting on mine (week 3 of adjudication) but seeing your outcome makes me feel like it's possible. Thank you for updating!!

This is the best possible outcome and exactly what the evidence suggested should happen. Congrats! And to anyone finding this thread later — childcare emergencies leading to termination do NOT automatically mean denial. Document, communicate, certify, and fight for what you're owed.

Wonderful news. Your case is now a data point for everyone who finds this thread searching 'can I get unemployment if I get fired for not having a babysitter.' The answer, at least for documented good-faith situations like yours, is yes.