EDD denied claim due to previous misconduct - can new work history override old disqualification?
I'm beyond frustrated trying to navigate my husband's unemployment situation. He was laid off in February 2025 from his construction job where he worked for 9 months (May 2024-Feb 2025). When he filed for unemployment, EDD denied his claim entirely saying he was ineligible because of a previous job where he was terminated for misconduct back in 2023. Here's his work history: Current employer (May 2024-Feb 2025): Laid off due to lack of work. Previous employer (April 2023-December 2023): EDD says he was fired for misconduct, though he disputes this. Does a misconduct determination from a previous employer permanently disqualify him from ever receiving benefits, even with clean employment afterward? This seems incredibly unfair since he's worked and paid into the system since that incident. The EDD representative wasn't clear about why his recent clean work history doesn't qualify him for at least some benefits. We really need this income while he job hunts. Has anyone dealt with this situation before? Do we need to appeal or is there another approach we should take?
18 comments


Eva St. Cyr
The misconduct disqualification doesn't permanently ban him from receiving benefits, but it can affect his current claim depending on the base period being used. EDD looks at your earnings in a specific 12-month period to determine eligibility. If they're using the standard base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed), some of those quarters might include the period when he was disqualified. You should definitely appeal this decision! Request a hearing and explain that he has sufficient earnings in his newer employment. Ask specifically that they recalculate using the alternate base period if necessary. Bring documentation showing his earnings from the most recent employer.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•Thank you so much for this explanation! I wasn't aware of the base period calculation. So if I understand correctly, once enough time passes and his newer employment fully comprises the base period, the old misconduct won't matter anymore? Do you know how long that typically takes? We'll definitely appeal.
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Kristian Bishop
had the same prblm last year my bf got fired for somthing stupid in 2023 and when he applied in 2024 they denied him completely said he was inelgible. its bs because he worked like 8 months after that with no issues but edd dosent care. you gotta fight it thats what we did
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Kaitlyn Otto
Misconduct determinations don't permanently disqualify you. The issue is likely related to the base period EDD is using to calculate his benefits. When someone files a UI claim, EDD examines their earnings during a 12-month base period, divided into quarters. Standard Base Period: The first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing Alternate Base Period: The last 4 completed calendar quarters before filing If your husband filed in February 2025, his standard base period would include quarters from Oct 2023-Sept 2024. If the misconduct occurred in 2023, that could be affecting his eligibility based on when exactly it occurred. I recommend: 1. Request a detailed explanation of the denial in writing 2. File an appeal within 30 days of the notice date 3. Ask specifically about using the Alternate Base Period 4. Bring pay stubs and employment records to your appeal hearing You can also check if he has enough qualifying wages in his recent employment by reviewing the EDD notice that shows quarterly wages.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! The denial letter wasn't clear about which base period they were using. I'll definitely request more information and file an appeal. Do you know if there's any way to expedite the appeal process? We're getting worried about paying bills while this gets sorted out.
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Kaitlyn Otto
•Unfortunately, there's no official way to expedite appeals. They typically take 4-8 weeks to be scheduled, though you can include a hardship statement with your appeal explaining your financial situation. In the meantime, document everything and continue certifying each week (if the system allows) even while the appeal is pending. If you win the appeal, you may receive backpay for those weeks.
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Axel Far
EDD is so frustrating!! They denied my claim for a similar reason last year and it took FOREVER to get through to anyone who could actually help. I ended up calling literally hundreds of times and either got disconnected or told the queue was full. After weeks of this I finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they got me through to an EDD agent in less than an hour! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I got through, I was able to explain my situation to a tier 2 specialist who helped me understand my options and how to properly appeal. Sometimes just talking to the right person makes all the difference rather than trying to figure it out from their vague denial letters.
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Jasmine Hernandez
•did that serivce actually work for you? ive been trying to call edd for days and cant get through at all
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Axel Far
•Yes! I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for weeks. Got through to a real agent in about 45 minutes. The key is they connected me with a tier 2 specialist who could actually see and explain my claim issues, not just the frontline people who basically read from scripts.
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Luis Johnson
The EDD system is DELIBERATELY designed to reject claims and make it difficult to appeal!!! I went through this exact nightmare scenario in 2024. Was let go from one job where they falsely claimed misconduct, then worked somewhere else for 6 months, got laid off and EDD STILL tried to deny my claim based on the previous employer's statement. Here's what I learned the HARD WAY: 1. The system automatically believes employers over workers 2. They DON'T properly explain base periods in denial letters 3. They HOPE you'll just give up rather than appeal 4. The appeal judges are ACTUALLY fair, unlike the initial claim processors FILE AN APPEAL IMMEDIATELY!!! Don't wait the full 30 days. And gather EVERY piece of documentation about both jobs. When I finally got my hearing, the judge completely sided with me and I got ALL my back benefits. They're counting on you getting discouraged and not fighting back!!!
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•Thank you for sharing your experience - it's actually encouraging to hear you eventually won your appeal despite the initial frustration. Did you have an attorney for your appeal hearing or did you represent yourself? We're trying to decide if we need legal help or can handle this on our own.
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Luis Johnson
•I represented myself and was fine. The judges are used to people without lawyers. Just bring ORGANIZED documentation, make a simple outline of your key points, and stick to the facts. Don't get emotional (even though it's infuriating). The process is designed to be navigable without attorneys. Save your money unless your case is extremely complicated!
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Ellie Kim
my sister just went through something similar! it turns out its all about the "quarters" they look at. if your husband worked enough in the most recent quarters they shouldnt be using the old job's misconduct against him. you gotta specifically ask for them to use the "alternate base period" when you appeal. make sure he keeps looking for work and documenting all his job search efforts while you wait for the appeal too.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
Update: I want to thank everyone for their advice! I filed an appeal yesterday specifically requesting they review his claim using the alternate base period. I also detailed all his recent work history and included copies of his pay stubs from the most recent job. Still haven't been able to speak with anyone at EDD directly, but at least the appeal is submitted. I'll update once we hear anything about a hearing date.
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Eva St. Cyr
•Great job filing the appeal! One more tip: make sure your husband continues to certify for benefits every two weeks even while the appeal is pending (if the system allows it). If you win the appeal, he can only receive backpay for weeks that were properly certified.
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Jasmine Hernandez
good luck!!! the system is so broken my claim was pending for 3 months and i couldnt even get anyone on the phone. hope your appeal goes fast
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Ethan Campbell
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My husband was denied benefits after being laid off because of an old misconduct issue from 2022, even though he's worked steadily since then. What I've learned from talking to other people in our situation is that the key is really understanding how they calculate those base periods. One thing that helped us was requesting a "wage and benefit statement" from EDD that shows exactly which quarters they're using for the calculation. Sometimes seeing the actual numbers makes it clearer whether the alternate base period would help your case. Also, if your husband's recent employer is willing to provide a letter confirming he was laid off due to lack of work (not performance issues), that can be really helpful documentation for the appeal. The whole process is so confusing and stressful when you're already dealing with job loss. Hang in there and keep pushing through the appeal process - from what I've read here, it sounds like many people do eventually get their benefits once they get in front of a judge who can actually review the details properly.
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Teresa Boyd
•Thank you for sharing your experience! I hadn't thought about requesting the wage and benefit statement - that's a really good idea to see exactly what numbers they're working with. Our recent employer already provided a layoff letter, but I'll make sure it specifically mentions it was due to lack of work and not performance. It's reassuring to hear from others going through the same frustrating process. How long has your appeal been pending so far?
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