EDD benefits for voluntary quit due to health reasons - what amount can I expect in LA?
I've been at my current job for about 3 years, but the stress is taking a serious toll on my mental and physical health (insomnia, anxiety attacks, even developed high blood pressure recently). My doctor has suggested I need to make a change ASAP. I have a small business idea I'm getting off the ground, but it'll take a few months before it generates income. I'm wondering if I'd qualify for UI benefits if I quit for health reasons? I've heard there are 'good cause' provisions, but not sure if my situation counts. Also, what kind of weekly amount could I expect in Los Angeles? My current salary is about $58,000/year. Would really appreciate any insights from those who've navigated something similar!
21 comments
Hannah White
Quitting for health reasons CAN qualify for UI but you need ACTUAL MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION!!! EDD doesn't just take your word that you're stressed. Trust me, I went through this last year and they DENIED my claim initially until I appealed with a doctor's note. Even then it was a HUGE hassle with multiple phone interviews. They make it SO HARD to actually get benefits when you quit, even with legit reasons!!!
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Nick Kravitz
•Oh wow, that sounds stressful. Did you have to get a specific kind of doctor's note? My primary care physician is aware of my situation but I'm not sure if I need something more formal or detailed for EDD purposes.
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Michael Green
To address your question about benefit amounts - in California, weekly UI benefits typically range from $40 to $450 depending on your previous earnings. With a $58k salary, you'd likely qualify for something close to the maximum ($450/week). The EDD calculates this based on your highest-earning quarter during your base period (typically the 12-month period ending right before the last completed calendar quarter). You can use the EDD's benefit calculator on their website to get a more precise estimate based on your specific earnings history. Just remember that UI is taxable income, so you may want to opt for tax withholding.
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Nick Kravitz
•Thank you for the detailed breakdown! $450/week would definitely help as a cushion while I get my business started. I'll check out that calculator too.
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Mateo Silva
just fyi u should know they dont approve most voluntary quits. my roommate tried this last yr & got denied even tho she had anxiety attacks at work. maybe apply 4 disability instead?
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Victoria Jones
•This isn't entirely accurate. EDD does approve voluntary quits with good cause, but you need to demonstrate that you've taken reasonable steps to preserve your employment before quitting. For health reasons, this typically means requesting accommodations, asking for a transfer, or taking leave if available. You should document these attempts. Also, State Disability Insurance (SDI) is different from unemployment - it's for temporary inability to work due to medical conditions, not for when you're able and available to work but left a job with good cause.
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Cameron Black
I was in a similar situation in 2024 - quit my retail management job because it was causing severe anxiety and depression. Here's what worked for me: 1) Had my doctor document my health issues and specifically state that my work environment was the cause 2) Before quitting, I formally requested accommodations through HR (reduced hours, different position, etc) and kept copies of all communications 3) When these accommodations were denied/inadequate, I quit citing health reasons 4) During my EDD phone interview, I explained how I tried to preserve my employment I did get approved, but it took about 5 weeks from application to first payment. The good cause provisions definitely cover health situations when properly documented. Good luck with your new business!
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Nick Kravitz
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I haven't formally requested accommodations yet - that seems like an important step I should take. Did you have any specific language you used when making those requests that seemed effective?
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Jessica Nguyen
If ur trying to reach EDD to ask questions about this, save yourself the headache and use Claimyr. I spent DAYS trying to get thru on my own with no luck. Used Claimyr and got connected to a rep in like 20 min. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. Seriously made the whole process way less stressful when I could actually talk to someone about my situation.
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Isaiah Thompson
•does this actually work? i tried calling edd like 50 times last month and never got through. kinda desperate at this point
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Jessica Nguyen
•Yeah it worked for me! The system just keeps calling EDD for you until it gets through, then connects you. Saved me so much time and frustration.
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Victoria Jones
To clarify some of the advice you've received: For a voluntary quit to qualify for UI benefits, you need to establish "good cause" - meaning a real, substantial, and compelling reason that would cause a reasonable person who genuinely wants to remain employed to leave their job. Health reasons can qualify, but you need to show: 1. Medical documentation that clearly connects your health issues to your specific work conditions 2. Evidence that you attempted to resolve the situation before quitting (requesting accommodations, transfers, leave, etc.) 3. Why these attempts failed or were insufficient You'll have a phone interview with an EDD representative who determines if your reason meets the good cause standard. Be prepared to explain why you couldn't maintain employment and what steps you took to try to preserve it. Regarding your business plans, be aware that during certification, you must be able, available, and actively seeking work. Self-employment activities can complicate this requirement, so be careful about how you report your business development activities.
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Nick Kravitz
•This is really comprehensive, thank you. The part about being able, available and actively seeking work while developing my business is something I hadn't considered. Do you know if there are specific guidelines for how much time I can spend on my business startup while still qualifying as 'actively seeking work'?
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Hannah White
One more thing - when you have your phone interview, RECORD THE DATE AND TIME and be ready when they call!!! I missed mine because they called from a weird number I didn't recognize and had to reschedule which delayed everything by THREE WEEKS. Also write down EXACTLY what you're going to say beforehand about your health issues and how you tried to resolve them before quitting. They try to trip you up!!!
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Ruby Garcia
•omg yes this happened to me too! missed the call and it set everything back forever. they should really send a text reminder or something
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Isaiah Thompson
u might want 2 check how much u paid in 2 ui during ur base period...my benefit was way less than i thought it would b because of how they calculate it...got like $320/week instead of the max even tho i made good money
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Michael Green
•This is correct. Your benefit amount is based on earnings in your highest-earning quarter during the base period, not your most recent salary. For most claims, the base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So depending on when OP files and how their earnings were distributed, it might not be the full $450 maximum.
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Victoria Jones
Regarding your question about active work search while developing a business: When certifying for benefits, you must report any self-employment activities. The key test is whether your business activities restrict your availability to accept full-time work. If you spend all day working on your business and aren't applying for jobs, EDD will likely determine you're not available for work. A practical approach: dedicate specific hours to job searching and keep detailed records of your search activities (applications submitted, interviews, networking). Then work on your business during other hours. Document everything clearly so you can show you're meeting the work search requirements while also developing your business on the side. It's a balancing act, but many people manage it successfully.
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Nick Kravitz
•That makes a lot of sense. I could definitely schedule my time to include job searching while working on the business development during other hours. I'll be sure to keep detailed records of both activities.
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Mateo Silva
btw my friend who got denied waited 4ever 4 the interview then got denied & had to appeal & the whole thing took like 3 months b4 she got any $$ so don't quit ur job expecting 2 get ui right away
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Cameron Black
•This is unfortunately true - even with a legitimate health-related quit, the process can take time. Make sure you have enough savings to cover at least 2-3 months of expenses in case there are delays with your claim. The appeal process especially can add significant time if your initial claim is denied.
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