Can you get California EDD unemployment if you get fired within 90 days of starting a job?

This is super helpful thank you. So the 'not a good fit' language on my termination paperwork could actually work in my favor? Like EDD would look at that and not consider it misconduct?

Correct. EDD distinguishes between misconduct (intentional violations of workplace rules, dishonesty, etc.) and simple discharge without misconduct. A vague 'not a fit' termination typically falls in the latter category which means you'd likely be eligible. File immediately.

yeah i got fired during my 90 days at a warehouse job last year and got approved. just make sure you answer the questions on the claim form accurately about why you were let go

I did start the claim last night actually. It's asking me some questions about the separation and I want to make sure I word things right without it looking like I'm hiding anything

Don't overthink the wording. Just be factual and honest. 'Employer stated position was not a good fit, no misconduct was alleged' is perfectly fine to write. EDD looks for patterns of behavior that show intentional wrongdoing, not just someone who got cut loose early.

same advice i got and it worked. filed mine last spring after getting cut during probation and approved within 3 weeks

Oh wow I didn't know that was a thing. Did you have to do anything complicated to use it? I really want to talk to an actual EDD person before I submit the claim

It's pretty straightforward honestly. I was skeptical at first too but it worked exactly like they said it would. Way less stressful than trying to get through on your own during peak hours

I've seen Claimyr mentioned a few times on here. Does it actually work or is it one of those things that sounds too good to be true lol

Worked for me 100%. Got connected to a live EDD agent same afternoon I signed up. The demo video at claimyr.com explains what they do pretty clearly

Okay this is making more sense now. My previous job I was at for almost 2 years so there's definitely significant earnings in that base period window. So EDD would use THOSE wages to calculate my benefit amount even though I just got fired from this newer job?

Exactly right. The reason for separation from your MOST RECENT employer affects your eligibility, but your BENEFIT AMOUNT is calculated from all qualifying wages in your base period. So yes, your two years of earnings from the previous employer would factor heavily into what your weekly benefit amount ends up being.

this is the part that confuses so many people. the eligibility question and the benefit calculation question are two completely separate things in EDD's system

The employer absolutely does get to respond to EDD's inquiry. That's actually why the reason for termination matters so much - if the employer claims misconduct and you say it was just 'not a fit' EDD will investigate both sides. But here's the thing: employers claiming misconduct have to actually PROVE it with documentation. A vague 'not a fit' from HR typically doesn't rise to the EDD standard of misconduct even if the employer tries to spin it.

oh okay so it's not just automatically whatever the employer says. that actually makes sense

Right and this is why it's so important to keep any documentation you have from your job - offer letters, emails, any performance feedback whether positive or negative. If it ever goes to adjudication you want to have your paperwork straight

This is so encouraging thank you. Did adjudication feel really scary? I'm worried about that part of the process

It's stressful mostly because of the waiting. You might get a questionnaire from EDD asking for your account of events - just answer it honestly and thoroughly. Keep it factual and don't get emotional in your written responses even if you're frustrated

the questionnaire part is key. i answered mine in like two sentences and wish i had been more detailed. give EDD everything they need to rule in your favor

This is exactly the kind of step by step breakdown I needed. I already filed last night so I'm on step 1. The job search log thing I didn't know about - does it matter what format it's in or does EDD have a specific form?

EDD has a Work Search Record form (DE 1896W) but you don't have to use it - any consistent log showing the date, employer name, contact method, and position applied for will work. The important thing is you're actually conducting the searches and can document them if EDD asks.

three job contacts a week feels like a lot when you're still processing getting fired but seriously keep up with it. i slacked on mine and it caused issues with my claim later

That may be true but from EDD's perspective what matters is what can be documented and proven. If the employer puts 'not a good fit' on the paperwork and can't substantiate a misconduct claim, EDD has to go with what's in front of them. Speculation about what really happened doesn't factor into the determination.

Yeah honestly I have no idea if there was more to it. My supervisor and I didn't click great but I never did anything that would be considered rule-breaking or intentionally wrong. I always showed up and did the work.

Yes actually - employers pay into the UI system through payroll taxes and their tax rate can increase based on the amount of claims paid out to former employees. This is called 'experience rating' and it IS one reason some employers contest claims even when they don't have a strong case for misconduct. Worth knowing.

ohh that explains a lot honestly. so it's literally in the company's financial interest to fight it even if they don't have grounds

Exactly, which is why EDD has a formal adjudication process rather than just taking the employer's word for it. The system is supposed to be neutral even if it doesn't always feel that way.

Yes! When I got through via Claimyr the agent was actually really helpful. I had a list of questions ready and they answered all of them. The key is having your questions written down before the call so you don't forget anything in the moment.

Smart advice. I'm going to try it. I have like six specific questions I need answered and I've been going in circles on the EDD website trying to find the answers.

EDD agents over the phone can be hit or miss honestly but when you get a knowledgeable one it's worth it. persistence is key

Common misconception. There's no minimum job tenure requirement for unemployment eligibility. What matters is your total base period earnings across all employers - California EDD looks at roughly a 12-15 month window of wages. Even if your most recent job was only a few weeks, as long as you weren't fired for misconduct and you have sufficient base period earnings, you can qualify.

huh okay good to know. i've been in a similar spot and assumed i couldn't file so i never did. that's kind of frustrating in hindsight

You might still be able to file depending on when it happened. There are time limits but it's worth checking. Don't assume you're out of options.

Good to know - I'm hoping I don't need to appeal but it's good to understand the backup plan exists

Fingers crossed you don't need it! But even if adjudication goes against you initially, don't give up. The ALJ hearings are more formal but they're genuinely designed to give you a fair shot to present your side.

second this completely. i know people who lost their initial determination and won on appeal. the 30 day window is everything though - miss it and you're done

Pending just means EDD hasn't made a determination yet - it's not the same as adjudication. Adjudication is a more specific status that usually shows up when there's an active dispute or issue that needs to be investigated. Pending can resolve to approved without ever going to formal adjudication if the employer doesn't contest or if EDD doesn't identify any eligibility issues.

Oh okay that's a relief. So pending is kind of the normal waiting state?

Yes - new claims are almost always 'pending' for at least a few weeks while EDD processes them and waits for the employer response period to expire. If you've done everything right and the employer doesn't contest it, you might just go from pending straight to approved.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I almost made the same mistake - I sat on this for almost a week before posting here and deciding to file. The misinformation really does have real consequences

Exactly. And if you're ever unsure whether you qualify, CALL EDD or use something like Claimyr to actually get through and ask. Don't just assume you're out.

honestly EDD's own website isn't even that clear about this stuff which doesn't help. it should just say plainly that probationary firing isn't automatic disqualification but instead it's buried in the fine print

This summary is exactly what I needed at the start of this whole thread. Thank you and everyone else here. I feel so much more confident about my claim now.

Good luck OP - come back and let us know how it goes. These threads help the next person who searches this same question

And keep filing your weekly certifications on time no matter what! That's the one thing people forget that creates the most unnecessary complications

Yes there's typically a difference. Layoffs - where the employer initiated the separation for economic reasons and isn't claiming misconduct - tend to process faster because there's usually no dispute to investigate. Discharges (firings) take longer because EDD has to contact the employer and evaluate whether misconduct was involved. Six weeks for a contested discharge isn't unusual unfortunately.

that makes sense. my cousin was losing his mind during those six weeks. he didn't know what was going on

The waiting is genuinely the hardest part. Setting up email notifications on UI Online helps because at least you find out the moment a determination is issued rather than waiting to check manually

You should be conducting your job searches from the very first week you're certifying, regardless of claim status. If your claim is eventually approved and backdated, EDD can ask about your job search activity for any week you're claiming benefits. If you can't document searches for those weeks it can create problems. Start the log now, continue it throughout.

ugh okay i've been slacking on this thinking i didn't need to start until i was approved. going to start tracking everything today thank you

Don't panic about past weeks if you were doing searches but just not logging them - try to reconstruct what you can from your email sent folder, LinkedIn activity, Indeed application history etc. Most people were searching even if they weren't formally logging it