Can someone collect unemployment if they are fired? California EDD explained

The DE 429Z is the document that shows my weekly benefit amount, right? I haven't gotten anything in the mail yet, it's only been a few days since I applied.

Correct, the DE 429Z shows your weekly benefit amount and the total your claim can pay. Processing a new application takes about three weeks, so give it some time before worrying the mail hasn't come.

Also make sure your address is right in myEDD so it doesn't get sent somewhere wrong, that tripped me up when I filed.

Should I try to get documentation from my former employer about the layoffs happening the same week, or is the phone interview just verbal?

Bring whatever you have but the interview is a phone call, not a document submission event. You can mention the timing and other terminations verbally. EDD will ask the employer separately.

EDD contacts both sides, so whatever your employer tells them you'll have had a chance to give your version first. The interview notice DE 4800 tells you in advance what topics they'll cover.

That's really helpful context, I'll keep an eye on the UI Online homepage for the interview time once my claim processes further. Good to know someone got actual answers about their pending weeks.

DE 4800 saved me too, the advance notice of questions lets you think through your answers before the interviewer phones at the scheduled time.

Pending weeks in Claim History stressed me out until I understood they just mean EDD hasn't decided that week yet, not that it's denied.

Just to be precise here: EDD's standard is that the employer has to show there was actual misconduct. Attendance issues can qualify as misconduct in some cases, so it's not guaranteed either way, but you're right that EDD doesn't just rubber-stamp whatever the employer says.

Fair point, I didn't mean it's automatic, just that people assume fired means automatically denied and that's wrong.

This is reassuring honestly, I was pretty much ready to give up on the whole thing based on what that person at the grocery store said.

I had no idea about CalJOBS. So I need to watch for that specific notice in the mail and act within 21 days of when it's dated?

Exactly right, 21 days from the date on the DE 8405. The resume doesn't have to be perfect, it just needs to be posted.

CalJOBS also has job listings and workshops at AJCCs if you end up needing those resources while you're in the process.

How do I estimate the range before the DE 429Z arrives? Is there a tool for that?

EDD's Unemployment Benefit Calculator on their site at edd.ca.gov lets you plug in your quarterly wages to get an estimate. You'd need your pay stubs or W-2 to do it accurately.

Even if the weekly amount ends up on the lower end it's still worth claiming, 26 weeks of anything beats nothing while you're looking.

That myth is really persistent and costs people a lot of money when they just walk away without filing. The fired-means-denied assumption is flat wrong in California.

Yeah he was pretty sure about it too, which is scary how confidently people spread wrong information about this stuff.

So I'll certify once and only get paid for one of the two weeks that certification covers?

Right, the first time. After that every certification covers two weeks and both pay if you're eligible for both. It's just that initial setup.

The waiting week thing confused me for weeks, I thought my payment was shorted when it was just standard.

Okay so apply once through myEDD to open the claim, then certify every two weeks starting about two weeks after EDD processes the application?

That's exactly it. UI Online is the fastest way to certify when the time comes, or Tele-Cert if you prefer phone.

Tele-Cert number is 1-866-333-4606, option 2, PIN required. I used it a couple times when the app was giving me issues.

I plan to. I'm going to write down a timeline before the interview so I don't forget any of the details under pressure.

Writing it down beforehand is exactly right. The DE 4800 tells you the questions ahead of time, so you can prep specific answers for each one.

Good to know about both options. I'll probably set up direct deposit since I already have a bank account I use for everything.

Direct deposit is easy to set up in myEDD, just have your routing and account numbers ready.

This is a good distinction. EDD has a range, and not every firing is treated the same. The interview is specifically for figuring out where on that range a particular situation falls.

Exactly, the phone interview isn't a rubber stamp either way, it's EDD actually looking at the specifics.

So even if they want to contest it, they have a deadline to do that through EDD?

Right, the 10 days is from the date on the DE 1101CZ. An employer that doesn't respond can't appeal EDD's decision. One that does respond can, but only within 30 days of whatever notice they get.

Both sides have timelines in this process. Following yours is what matters most: certify on time, do your interview at the scheduled time, appeal within 30 days if you get denied.

How long between the interview date and when pending weeks actually resolved for you?

Mine updated within about a week of the interview. EDD still had to make its decision officially, but once they did the payment came through.

Knowing nothing else was blocking the account is exactly the kind of answer that actually reduces the stress of waiting.

So even if I get denied I shouldn't stop certifying while I fight it?

Correct, do not stop certifying. The appeal can go in your favor and if the weeks weren't certified there's nothing to pay back. The form goes to the address on the notice.

Appeals go to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, and an administrative law judge handles the hearing. The notice comes at least 10 days before the hearing date so you have time to prepare.

Good to know, I might pick up some part-time shifts while I look for full-time work. So I'd report those wages when I certify?

Exactly, there's a wages section in UI Online when you certify. Report what you earned in that week regardless of when the paycheck comes.

Full-time work ends eligibility for that specific week entirely, whatever it pays. The formula is only for part-time hours.

So I can opt into the federal withholding each certification period? Or is it a one-time setup?

You choose it at each certification. EDD mails a 1099G in January showing total benefits paid, and it's also in UI Online under Payments.

If you're used to having withholding happen automatically from a paycheck the idea of opting in each time feels weird at first, but it's not a complicated step.

That's actually useful to know even though I hope I won't need it. So if I find work and then something happens, I don't start from scratch?

Right, you reopen, not refile, as long as the benefit year is still active. The year runs 52 weeks from when the claim starts.

That reframe actually helps a lot. I kept thinking about it from an HR perspective where their decision is final. EDD being an independent analysis is different.

Exactly the right way to look at it. Apply, tell your story accurately, and let EDD make its call.

The interview is EDD's way of getting past the official termination paperwork and hearing what actually happened. That's the whole point of it.

Knowing the base period quarters ahead of time seems like it would let you flag any missing wages before the interview rather than after.

That was exactly my reason for calling. The agent confirmed everything was in order and I went into the interview focused on the actual facts of my termination.

I hadn't thought about CalFresh, that might actually help bridge the gap. Thanks for bringing that up.

Also worth knowing: 2-1-1 connects to local assistance programs by area code if CalFresh isn't the right fit but you need something to hold things together while the claim processes.

Covered California is also worth a look if you lost health coverage when you got let go. EDD links to it as a resource specifically for people in this situation.