Can you file for unemployment if you get fired in California?

This is really reassuring thank you. The termination letter said something about 'performance expectations' — does that count as misconduct? I'm worried they framed it in a way that will get me denied.

Performance issues are generally NOT considered misconduct under California EDD guidelines. Misconduct requires intentional wrongdoing, not just failing to meet expectations. File your claim, answer the questions honestly about why you were separated, and let California EDD determine eligibility. If they need more info they'll contact both you and your former employer.

This is right. I was fired from a retail job two years ago for 'not meeting sales targets' and got approved with no issues. The employer did respond to EDD but it didn't change anything.

Do I need the exact termination letter or can I just go off what I remember?

You don't need to upload any documents when you first apply. Just answer the questions as accurately as you can from memory. California EDD may send you a questionnaire later asking for more details, and that's when you can reference any documents you have.

yeah just file it the portal is pretty easy to navigate tbh

Also keep that termination paperwork they gave you. Even if you don't need it now, if there's any dispute later about the reason for separation you'll want documentation.

Oh no, I didn't even think about my employer contesting it. Did they actually lie about what happened or just spin it?

They said I 'repeatedly violated attendance policy' which was technically true but I had FMLA paperwork for half those absences that they conveniently didn't mention. EDD gave me a chance to respond and I submitted my documentation. The key is knowing what your employer actually told them so you can respond to the specific claims.

This is good to know. I always assumed getting fired meant automatic denial, didn't realize employers have to actually prove misconduct.

Claimyr worked for me too when I had an adjudication issue. Getting a live person at EDD on the phone makes such a difference vs waiting for mail or trying to figure things out from the website alone.

Generally no. Occasional tardiness or even repeated attendance issues usually don't rise to the level of misconduct under California law unless there were very specific documented warnings and you blatantly disregarded them in a willful way. California EDD defines misconduct as a substantial breach of duty that is intentional or shows a wanton disregard for the employer's interests. Being late is not great but it's not usually disqualifying misconduct.

ok that makes me feel better. i have like 3 written warnings tho

Even with written warnings, tardiness typically isn't disqualifying misconduct in California. File if you get let go, let EDD make the determination. Worst case you can appeal.

California EDD appeals can take 8-14 weeks or longer unfortunately. Your appeal goes to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB), not back to EDD directly. You should have received a hearing notice with a date — if you haven't gotten that yet, you need to follow up. Keep filing your weekly certifications throughout the appeal process so if you win, you get backpaid for those weeks.

I stopped filing weekly certs because I thought I had to wait for the appeal result. Did I just lose all that money??

Unfortunately if you stopped certifying, you may have lost those weeks. You ALWAYS need to keep filing weekly certifications even if your claim is denied or under appeal, otherwise you can't receive payment for those weeks even if the appeal is won. Call California EDD immediately and explain what happened — sometimes they can work with you on this but there are no guarantees.

This is such an important point that so many people miss. Regardless of your claim status — pending, denied, in appeal — NEVER stop filing your weekly certs. It's the number one mistake people make.

Do I have to start the job search requirement immediately? Like do I need 3 contacts this week even though I just found out I can file?

The job search requirement starts after you file and your claim is active. Your first week is typically a 'waiting week' where you don't receive payment regardless. From the second week onward you need to meet job search requirements. California EDD currently requires a minimum of 3 employer contacts per week, and you need to document them with the employer name, contact method, and position applied for.

can you use like linkedin applications for the job search contacts or does it have to be direct employer contact

Yes, LinkedIn applications count as long as you're applying directly to an employer, not just clicking 'interested' or something vague. Keep a log with the date, company name, position, and how you applied. California EDD can ask to see your job search records at any time.

I hadn't even thought about that angle. The whole thing felt really rushed and they didn't follow their own progressive discipline policy. Would that matter to EDD at all?

For EDD purposes, whether they followed their own procedures matters somewhat — if they're claiming you committed misconduct but didn't follow their own disciplinary steps, that can work in your favor. Document everything you remember about the process while it's fresh.

This is good advice. I'd also recommend writing down a detailed timeline of events including any witnesses while your memory is clear. Useful for both EDD adjudication and any other legal action.

That's actually quite unlikely if the employer reported the reason accurately. Termination for theft is one of the clearest examples of disqualifying misconduct under California unemployment law. If your cousin received benefits in that situation, either the employer didn't respond to EDD's inquiry, or the circumstances were more complicated than 'stealing.' EDD does make errors sometimes too.

maybe the company just didnt respond idk he said he got approved so 🤷

Yeah if an employer doesn't respond to EDD's request for information, EDD typically decides in the claimant's favor by default. That's why it's important for claimants to always respond to EDD inquiries — because employers don't always bother.

5 days is very early in the process. California EDD typically takes 3-5 weeks from the date you file to make an eligibility determination, and longer if your claim goes into adjudication due to a separation issue. Pending status is completely normal at 5 days.

ugh 3-5 weeks is so long. i have bills due next week

I know it's stressful. If things are urgent, 211 California can connect you with emergency assistance programs while you wait for EDD benefits to kick in. Also check if your county has emergency rental assistance.

I started that job 14 months ago and it was full time the whole time, so I should be fine on the wages thing right?

14 months of full-time work is almost certainly enough to establish a valid claim based on wages. The minimum qualifying requirement is earning at least $1,300 in your highest quarter or $900 in your highest quarter plus total base period wages of 1.25 times your high quarter. On full-time wages for 14 months you'd far exceed either threshold.

Also worth noting your weekly benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter in the base period, so if you got a raise recently it might reflect your earlier lower wages rather than your most recent pay. Just something to be aware of when calculating what to expect.

No, being fired and collecting unemployment doesn't create any long-term penalty on future claims. Each claim is evaluated independently based on the circumstances at the time. Your claim history doesn't follow you in a way that makes future claims harder to get.

ok cool thanks

wait so can you file multiple times in your life?? like is there a limit

Yes, you can file multiple unemployment claims over your lifetime. There's no lifetime cap. You just need to meet the eligibility requirements (sufficient wages in the base period, job separation that isn't disqualifying misconduct or voluntary quit without good cause) each time you file.

How long did it take to actually get through to someone using that?

Honestly it was much faster than my previous attempts trying to call directly. The regular EDD phone lines I would sit on hold for 2+ hours and then get disconnected. With Claimyr I got connected to an actual agent and got real answers.

I've heard mixed things about third party call services but I get why people use them — the EDD phone situation is genuinely terrible and sometimes you just need a live person to explain what's happening with your specific claim.

What day do you certify? Like is there a specific day you have to do it?

Your certification week runs Sunday to Saturday. You can certify starting Sunday for the previous week. California EDD recommends certifying on Sunday or Monday to ensure faster payment processing. If you certify later in the week you might wait a bit longer for the payment to process.

yea i learned this the hard way and missed a week early on, lost that payment. always certify as soon as the week ends

Also if you haven't set up a Bank of America EDD debit card or direct deposit, do that early. Setting up direct deposit through UI Online is faster for getting payments than waiting for the debit card to arrive in the mail.

I'm able to work, no health issues or anything. I'm actually really motivated to find something new. Just worried about the gap while I search.

Then you should be in good shape for that requirement. The job search requirement (3 contacts per week) and the able and available requirement both need to be met each week you certify. As long as you're actively looking and physically able to work full time, you're meeting those ongoing requirements.

The 'suitable work' piece is worth understanding too. As your unemployment extends, the definition of 'suitable work' broadens — meaning after a few months you're expected to be open to jobs somewhat outside your previous field or at slightly lower pay. This rarely comes up in practice but EDD can technically disqualify you for refusing a reasonable job offer.

I appreciate this. I was worried about how to word it. I'll just describe what actually happened — I got called in, was told my numbers weren't where they needed to be, and was handed separation paperwork. No real prior written warnings that I recall.

That's actually a strong fact pattern for you. No prior written warnings is significant. Misconduct typically requires the employer to have established a rule, communicated it, warned the employee, and had the employee willfully violate it anyway. Termination without prior warnings for performance rarely constitutes disqualifying misconduct.

Totally agree with this. Document what you just described somewhere before you forget the details. No prior warnings is a key fact in your favor.

Primarily by mail, but they also send notifications through UI Online. Important determination letters like the Notice of Determination (which tells you if you're approved or denied) come by physical mail to your address on file. This is why it's critical to make sure your mailing address in UI Online is current. Sometimes they do call if they need to schedule an interview for an adjudication issue.

oh ok i moved recently and havent updated it, thanks for the reminder

Update it now! Go to UI Online, go to your account profile, and update your address immediately. If an EDD determination letter goes to a wrong address and you miss a deadline (like a 30-day appeal window), it's very difficult to recover from that.

Part time work while collecting California unemployment benefits is allowed but affects your payment. California EDD uses an earnings disregard formula — you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. Earnings above that threshold reduce your benefit dollar for dollar. You MUST report all earnings in the week you work them, not when you get paid. Failing to report earnings is considered fraud.

ok so like if my weekly benefit is $400 I could earn up to $100 without it affecting anything?

Correct. 25% of $400 is $100, so you could earn up to $100 in a given week with no reduction. Earnings above $100 would reduce your benefit dollar for dollar. So if you earned $150, you'd receive $350 from EDD instead of $400, and your total income for the week would be $500. It's actually worth doing part time work if you can find it.

And even if you earn enough in a week that your EDD payment goes to zero, you should still certify for that week. It keeps your claim active so you don't have to re-open it. A $0 payment week doesn't cancel your claim.

Thank you, I really needed to read this. I keep catastrophizing but you're right, this is exactly what unemployment insurance exists for.

Exactly. You paid into it while you were working. This is the system working as intended. Good luck — you're going to be fine.

wholesome thread ending lol but seriously OP it works out

Can I use a plain Google doc or does it need to be a special EDD form?

Plain Google doc, notes app, Excel, whatever works for you. There's no required format from EDD. The important thing is that the information is there if you need it — date, employer, position, contact method.

Also CalJOBS is the state job search platform — you may be required to register there as part of your claim. Some claimants are required to register and some aren't, but it'll be indicated in your award letter. If required, do it within the timeframe they give you or your benefits can pause.

I did not know about CalJOBS at all, thank you. I'll look out for that in my paperwork.

is this legit? seems kinda sus that you need a service just to call the government lol

I thought the same thing initially. But honestly the EDD phone situation is so bad that people look for any solution that works. It's not a scam, it's basically a callback service that navigates the hold system for you.

I used it too and it's real. Honestly the state of EDD phone access is embarrassing — but until the system improves, tools like that exist because there's a genuine need.