Can I get California EDD unemployment if I was fired from my job?

This is really reassuring to hear. The termination letter just says 'failure to meet performance standards' - nothing about any intentional rule-breaking or anything like that. Does EDD actually contact my former employer to verify their side?

Yes, EDD will send a questionnaire to your former employer asking them to describe the circumstances of your termination. That's why it's important that you also give your side clearly when you file. If there's a discrepancy, EDD may put your claim in adjudication while they investigate further. Don't be alarmed if that happens - it just means they're gathering more info before making a determination.

same thing happened to my brother, got fired for attendance issues and still got approved because he had documentation showing his manager kept changing his schedule last minute

Did you have to do a phone interview with EDD during your adjudication? I'm worried about what to say if they call.

Yes I had a phone interview. It was pretty straightforward - they just asked me to explain the circumstances from my perspective. Be factual, stay calm, and don't exaggerate anything. The interviewer I spoke with was actually pretty neutral and just wanted the facts. Prepare a simple timeline of events before the call so you don't get flustered.

the phone interview is what stresses me out too, I have a pending claim right now and been waiting to hear back for two weeks already

Omg I didn't know something like this existed. I've been calling EDD every morning and can never get through. Going to check out that video tonight.

ive seen this recommended a few times on here, does it actually work or is it just another thing that overpromises

I was skeptical too but it worked for me. Got connected to an actual EDD rep who pulled up my claim right there. No guarantees obviously but way better than hitting redial for hours

bookmarking this for when my claim inevitably hits a wall lol

Generally no - excessive absences due to illness are typically not considered misconduct under California EDD rules, especially if you were actually sick and notified your employer. Where it can get complicated is if you had a written attendance policy you agreed to and kept violating it after formal warnings. Even then EDD looks at whether the absences were willful vs. unavoidable. If health issues were involved, mention that clearly in your claim.

ok that makes me feel a little better, I had a doctors note for most of the absences so hopefully that helps

Doctor's notes are HUGE for this kind of claim. Keep copies of everything

That's really helpful context. My employer's termination letter is pretty vague - just says I didn't meet performance standards with no specific incidents listed. Sounds like that might actually work in my favor?

Vague termination letters are very common and yes, they often work in the claimant's favor during adjudication. If EDD can't verify specific misconduct incidents from your employer's questionnaire response, they'll typically approve benefits. Make sure your own account of events is detailed and honest even if theirs isn't.

this is the most useful info in this whole thread honestly

That's a good point I hadn't considered - whether my employer even bothers to push back. This was a big warehouse company so I'm guessing they have HR people who handle these things regularly...

Yeah bigger companies tend to respond more thoroughly because they have dedicated HR. Doesn't mean you'll get denied, just means there may be more back and forth. Stay patient and respond promptly to anything EDD sends you.

my employer fought mine really hard and I still got approved after appealing so even if they contest it doesn't mean its over

This is exactly why I used Claimyr - I was in the same adjudication limbo and couldn't get any updates through normal EDD channels. claimyr.com helped me actually reach an agent who could see my claim notes and tell me what was holding things up. Saved me weeks of anxiety honestly.

might have to try that, i've literally called 47 times and gotten through maybe twice and both times got disconnected after waiting 30 minutes

47 times is genuinely painful. EDD phone lines are a nightmare. Hope you get some resolution soon - adjudication for termination cases can run 4-8 weeks unfortunately but it does end eventually

Oh wow I did NOT know this. I filed my initial claim but haven't certified for any weeks yet because I thought I had to wait. Going to do this right now, thank you!

same, I had no idea you were supposed to keep filing during adjudication. this thread just saved me money lol

Yes please file every week even if your status shows pending! This is one of the most common mistakes people make and it's so frustrating when they lose backdated payments because of it. Set a calendar reminder every Sunday.

EDD should make this way more obvious in their communications honestly, the system is so confusing

You can have someone present but they typically can't speak on your behalf during the interview. The interviewer needs to hear your answers directly. That said, having someone nearby for moral support or to help you stay calm is perfectly fine. You can also ask the interviewer to repeat questions or give you a moment to think - they're not trying to trick you, just gather information.

that's actually really helpful, even just having my partner in the room would help me stay calm

Also worth knowing - if you miss the scheduled interview call, you can often request a reschedule. Missing it isn't the end of the world though it does delay things further. Try to pick up or call back ASAP if you miss it.

Actually under California law it's technically the opposite - the employer does bear the burden of proving misconduct. In practice though the process can feel like you're constantly on the defensive because EDD asks both sides for their account. The legal standard is claimant-friendly but the administrative process can feel intimidating.

huh okay that actually makes me feel a bit better about it even if it doesn't match how it feels in practice

The law being on your side doesn't help much when you can't even get EDD on the phone to talk to a real person about your specific situation

Don't give up! And seriously try Claimyr if you haven't - I know it sounds like I'm just promoting something but I genuinely got through to an EDD agent within a couple hours after weeks of failed attempts. Go to claimyr.com and check the demo video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 to see how it works. An actual agent can look at your claim and tell you if there's something missing or holding it up that the online portal isn't showing you.

ok fine I'll try it. at this point I've got nothing to lose, been refreshing my UI Online account like 10 times a day for weeks

Two months is a long time but it does happen especially for disputed termination cases. If it goes much longer you also have the option to file a complaint with the California Employment Development Department's ombudsman office which can sometimes move things along.

Good to know! I set up mail forwarding recently so hopefully that won't be an issue but I'll make sure to check actual physical mail more often.

yeah EDD still uses a LOT of physical mail even for stuff you'd expect to be digital. check your mailbox regularly while any claim is active

this is such an underrated tip, I almost missed my determination letter too because I expected everything online

Yeah that's one of the most persistent misconceptions about unemployment. Layoffs and firings are both potentially qualifying events under California UI law. The difference is that layoffs are almost always approved without dispute while firings go through more scrutiny. But fired claimants get approved all the time when the termination wasn't for proven misconduct.

wild, I would have talked my coworker out of even filing if they asked me. gonna make sure I correct that from now on

i believed this myth too for so long, so glad i actually looked it up before deciding not to file

Good question - these mean slightly different things. A denial typically means you don't meet basic eligibility requirements like insufficient work history or base period wages. A disqualification means you met the basic requirements but something specific disqualifies you from receiving benefits, like being fired for misconduct, voluntarily quitting without good cause, or refusing suitable work. Disqualifications can sometimes be appealed and potentially overturned. Both outcomes should come with a letter explaining the reason and your appeal rights.

ok so disqualified actually sounds more specific and potentially more fixable than I thought. mine was for the misconduct reason but based on this thread it sounds like that determination can be challenged

Absolutely - misconduct disqualifications are some of the most commonly overturned on appeal, especially when employers provide vague or insufficient documentation. You have 30 days from the mailing date of the determination to file an appeal. Do not miss that window.

second this - appeal immediately and don't assume the first determination is final

For a straightforward layoff with no disputes, most people see their first payment within 3-4 weeks of filing. There's a mandatory one-week waiting period for your first week of benefits (you certify for it but don't get paid for it), then payments start coming from the second week forward. EDD processes payments about 10 days after you certify for the week. So realistically budget for about 3-4 weeks before seeing any money.

That's really helpful for planning purposes. She was worried she'd have a huge gap so knowing the rough timeline helps.

Tell her to file as soon as possible because the clock doesn't start until you file - you can't backdate a claim to before your filing date under most circumstances. Every day she waits is a day of potential benefits she won't be able to recover.

This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you. Six weeks sounds like an eternity but knowing there's a light at the end of the tunnel helps.

It really does get resolved. Just keep certifying every week, respond promptly to anything EDD sends you, and don't give up. The waiting is the hardest part but it ends.

needed this reminder today honestly, week 5 of adjudication and starting to lose hope

Week 5 is rough but you're in the home stretch. Hang in there.

Gig work and app-based work is a complex area for California UI because the classification of workers matters a lot. Under AB5 and related California labor laws, many app-based workers may actually be employees rather than independent contractors, which would make them eligible for UI. If you were deactivated by a gig platform, it's worth filing a claim and letting EDD determine your classification - don't assume you're ineligible just because you were called an independent contractor.

ok that's interesting, I always assumed gig workers couldn't get unemployment at all. might be worth filing just to find out

Yes absolutely file - worst case they determine you're not eligible and you're no better or worse off than before. But if they classify you as an employee under California law you could be owed significant benefits.

This is the most encouraging thing I've read all day. Thank you for coming back to share your outcome. I'm going to bookmark this whole thread.

Good luck - based on what you described your situation sounds very similar to mine. Scheduling-related performance issues are not misconduct. You should be fine.

these outcome update comments are so valuable for people in the middle of the process who just need to know it can work out