Can you get unemployment after a temporary job ends in California?

Okay that's a huge relief. So when I file on UI Online, I put the staffing agency as my employer? Not the company where I actually did the work?

Correct, the staffing agency is your employer for California EDD purposes. They're the ones who paid your wages and handled your payroll taxes. The client site is irrelevant to your claim.

This is right. I went through the same thing last year — temp assignment ended, filed against the staffing agency, got approved within 3 weeks no issues.

The new assignment they're talking about is part time and about 30% less pay than what I was making. Does that count as suitable work I'm required to accept?

That's actually a gray area. California EDD looks at several factors but a 30% pay cut could be considered unsuitable, especially early in your claim. I'd honestly call EDD and ask them directly before declining — you want documentation that you inquired.

yeah dont just decline without asking first, that's how people end up disqualified and then have to do an appeal and wait forever

I've been dreading calling EDD because everyone says you can never get through. I'll check out that Claimyr thing, thanks.

I've heard of this! My neighbor used it when her claim got stuck in adjudication. Said it worked really well.

does it actually work or is it one of those scammy things

I was skeptical too but it's legit. You can watch the demo video before doing anything — https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 — and see how it works. EDD called me back within a few hours.

Omg same, I thought because it was 'temporary' work I wasn't entitled to anything. Applied anyway after a friend pushed me to and got approved.

Yeah the staffing agency rep I talked to made it sound like I should just wait for my next assignment and not worry about filing. Starting to think that was not great advice lol

EXACTLY. They don't want you to file because it affects their unemployment insurance rates. Always file if you qualify, that's what the system is there for.

So I shouldn't wait to file even if I think I might get another assignment soon? Should I file now and then just stop certifying if I get placed?

File now. You can always stop certifying when you start working again. The waiting week is unpaid and you can't get it waived so every day you delay is potentially a day of benefits lost.

This is solid advice. Filing early is always better. If you get placed before your first certification, you just report the income. Don't wait to see what happens.

That's really helpful specificity. Did EDD ever contact you or ask for more info?

Nope, just processed straight through. I think being clear in the separation description helped a lot. They just needed to verify I didn't quit voluntarily.

good tip. i was vague on mine and it went to adjudication which added like 5 extra weeks of waiting

Wait they can come back and audit you after the fact? That's kind of terrifying. What counts as a job search activity?

Applying to jobs, attending a job fair, submitting a resume, networking in a professional capacity — those all count. CalJOBS registration also counts as one activity in your first week. Just keep records of everything with dates.

yeah the audit thing is real, my cousin got an overpayment notice like 8 months later because he couldn't prove his job search activities. Not fun.

California EDD typically also registers you with CalJOBS which is the state job bank. You'll probably get a notice about completing your profile there within the first couple weeks of your claim.

Yes, UI Online at ui.edd.ca.gov is the main way. You can also call to file by phone but honestly the online process is faster and easier. Have your employment info, Social Security number, and last employer (staffing agency) info ready.

Okay filing tonight. Super nervous about the suitable work question because my agency already texted me about a new placement.

Just be honest on the application. If you haven't accepted or declined yet, you're not in violation of anything. You can address the suitable work question if it actually comes up.

It depends on how much you earned total. California EDD looks at your entire base period, not just your most recent job. So if you had other work during the base period (roughly the past 12-18 months) that counts too. 6 weeks of full time work alone might not meet the minimum threshold depending on your wages.

oh okay i did work before that too so maybe i qualify. gonna try filing

Apply anyway and let EDD make the determination. Worst case they tell you you don't qualify and you can ask them to review it. Always worth trying.

Seriously, try Claimyr — claimyr.com. I know it sounds weird to use a service just to reach EDD but after 3 days of failed calls it was worth every second. They get you into the callback queue so EDD calls you instead of you sitting on hold.

I've heard people mention this before. Does it actually get you a REAL agent or one of those automated things that can't actually help you?

Real agent. The EDD calls you back directly, it's not some middleman. Same as if you had been on hold and they picked up, just without the hours of hold music.

Fine I'll try it. I'm desperate at this point.

Oh wow I definitely would have confused that. So the questions are asking about work and earnings two weeks ago, not this week?

Basically yes. They ask about each individual week in the two-week certification period. Makes sense once you do it once but the first time is confusing.

The UI Online interface is actually not that bad once you're in there. Just read every question before answering, don't rush through it.

Yeah at this point I'm just going to file and figure it out. Thanks everyone for the info.

good luck!! it usually works out. the waiting is the worst part

Can they actually do that? Even if the assignment just ran out naturally?

Yes they can protest any claim. It doesn't mean they'll win, it just means there will be a fact-finding process. As long as you're honest about why you're unavailable for the placement they offered (if that's the case), you have a reasonable argument.

Had this happen to me. Agency protested, I responded within the deadline explaining why the offered placement was unsuitable (way different skill set from my experience), and EDD sided with me. The process took about 3 weeks but I got approved.

This is why you DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Keep texts from the agency, emails, anything in writing. If they claim they offered you suitable work you want receipts showing what they actually offered.

You can earn some income while collecting benefits. You have to report all earnings when you certify. California EDD uses a formula where they deduct a portion of your earnings from your benefit payment — you don't lose the full benefit dollar for dollar until you earn more than your weekly benefit amount. But gig work can get complicated depending on how you're classified.

Just make sure you report everything. Unreported earnings while claiming UI is fraud and EDD does catch it, especially with gig platforms that file 1099s.

yeah no of course reporting everything, just wondering if it was even allowed thanks

Nice! I'm filing tonight too after reading all of this. Let us know if you hear back quickly!

Good luck! If you filed clean with clear separation details, adjudication usually isn't triggered. You should see movement in your claim status within 1-2 weeks.

The waiting week thing is annoying though. Like I understood intellectually that there's an unpaid week but it still stings seeing it on the dashboard lol

Everyone feels that way about the waiting week. But once you clear it the payments start coming regularly. The two-week certification cycle becomes routine pretty fast.

How do you even know if it went to adjudication versus just processing normally?

On UI Online there's a claim status page. If it shows 'pending' with an issue code or 'adjudication in progress,' that means something needs to be resolved. Normal processing just shows pending without the issue indicator.

And if you're in adjudication and can't figure out why, that's specifically a case where calling EDD matters. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) when my claim was stuck — actually got through to an agent who told me exactly what document they needed. Saved me probably weeks of waiting.

Good to know. I'll keep an eye on the status page.

I actually got that notice in my UI Online inbox already! Glad you mentioned it because I hadn't done it yet.

Do it today if you can! EDD gives you a deadline and missing it creates headaches.

yeah caljobs is one of those things nobody warns you about and then people are surprised when their payments stop

Glad it worked out for you! This thread has been genuinely helpful, I feel way less panicked than I did this morning.

The system is aggravating but it does work eventually. Just stay on top of it and don't let things sit unresolved.

good to hear a success story, gives me hope for mine