EDD eligibility after being fired for missing work due to denied accommodations

This is actually a pretty complex situation because it involves potential ADA rights. When you file for unemployment, EDD will ultimately determine if you had "good cause" for leaving your job. The fact that you requested accommodations first works in your favor, but documentation is critical here. Do you have: 1. Written proof of your accommodation request? 2. The denial from your employer? 3. Medical documentation of your condition? EDD will likely interview both you and your employer. Be prepared to explain why the lack of accommodations made it impossible for you to continue working. If you can demonstrate you had a legitimate medical need that your employer refused to accommodate, you have a better chance of qualifying.

u shuld defiintely file ASAP, dont wait! u get backpaid from when u file not from wen u got fired. i had somethin similar happen at my last job and got approved but took forever

I worked for EDD for several years. Here's what's likely to happen: When you file your claim, you'll need to explain why you stopped going to work. Be very clear that you requested accommodations for a medical condition, they were denied, and you were physically unable to perform the job without those accommodations. The key distinction here is whether EDD determines you had "good cause" to leave. After you file, you'll probably be scheduled for a phone eligibility interview. MAKE SURE you're available for this call - missing it can significantly delay your claim. During this interview, explain calmly and clearly what happened. Have your documentation ready. The interviewer will also contact your employer for their side. If your claim is initially denied, don't panic - many claims are. You can appeal, and many appeals are successful when proper documentation is provided. The judge will look closely at whether you took reasonable steps to preserve your employment (requesting accommodations counts) before leaving.

I WAS IN THE SAME BOAT LAST YEAR!!!! My company refused my accommodations for my anxiety disorder and when I couldn't come in they fired me after 2 weeks. EDD DENIED my claim at first saying I voluntarily quit!!! I was sooooo mad. Had to appeal and wait 3 months with NO MONEY coming in. Eventually won but the process is TERRIBLE!!

Hey, I know this is stressful. One thing I learned in my situation that might help - call your former employer's HR and ask them to email you a confirmation of your termination date and reason. Having official documentation that they terminated you for job abandonment (rather than you quitting) can be helpful for your case. Also, were there any witnesses to your accommodation request meeting? Their statements could help too.

Something to consider - have you looked into filing a complaint with DFEH (Department of Fair Employment and Housing)? If your condition qualifies under ADA or FEHA, your employer may have violated the law by denying reasonable accommodations. This might be separate from your unemployment claim, but could potentially strengthen your unemployment case if you have an active discrimination complaint. For your EDD claim, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an EDD representative quickly. Given the complexity of your situation, speaking directly with a claims specialist is critical. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. I was stuck in pending for weeks until I used their service to actually speak with someone who could review my specific situation.

Make sure when you certify that you mark yourself as "able and available for work" each week (assuming you are able to work with proper accommodations at a different job). I made the mistake of indicating I had medical restrictions and my payments got held up for months while they determined if I should be on disability instead. It was a nightmare getting it sorted out.

I wanted to follow up on something important. When you complete your initial application, you'll reach a section asking about your separation reason. There's usually options like "laid off/fired" or "quit." This is tricky in your situation. If you select "quit," you'll definitely get flagged for an eligibility interview, but selecting "fired" might not fully explain the situation either. My recommendation: Choose the option that most accurately represents what happened (likely "fired" since they formally terminated you), but be prepared to fully explain the circumstances during your eligibility interview. The key is consistency between what you report and what your employer reports.

just wondering did u get anything in writing from ur doctor before u asked for accommodations? that might help ur case

One last bit of advice - since your situation involves potential disability discrimination, you might qualify for expedited processing of your claim. When you're able to speak with an EDD representative (which can be challenging - see the Claimyr recommendation above), specifically ask if your case qualifies for expedited handling due to the potential hardship and possible disability discrimination elements. Also, keep certifying for benefits every two weeks even if your claim is pending or under review. If your claim is eventually approved, you'll only be paid for weeks you properly certified for.

UPDATE YOUR RESUME NOW AND START APPLYING FOR JOBS!!! EDD requires work search activities and they WILL ask for proof during interviews sometimes!! Don't get caught unprepared!!

I'm new to this community but have been following unemployment issues closely. Just wanted to add that if you do end up needing to appeal an initial denial, don't try to handle it alone - consider getting help from a legal aid organization or disability rights group. Many offer free consultations for cases involving accommodation denials. Also, document EVERYTHING moving forward - keep a log of all your interactions with EDD, save screenshots of your online account, and make notes after every phone call with dates and representative names. This documentation becomes crucial if you need to escalate your case later. One more thing - if you're struggling financially while waiting for your claim to process, look into local food banks and utility assistance programs. Many cities have emergency assistance specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits. Good luck with your claim!

I'm going through something very similar right now! My employer denied my request for schedule modifications due to my chronic condition, and I had to stop working because I couldn't handle the physical demands without accommodations. I filed for unemployment about 3 weeks ago and just had my eligibility interview yesterday. A few things that helped me prepare: I created a timeline of events with dates (accommodation request, denial, last day worked, termination date) and gathered all my documentation in one folder. During the interview, the EDD representative was actually very understanding when I explained that I tried to work with my employer first but they refused reasonable accommodations. One thing I wish someone had told me - when they ask about your availability for work during the interview, be clear that you're able to work WITH proper accommodations at other jobs. Don't let them think you're unable to work at all, or they might push you toward disability instead of unemployment. My claim is still pending, but the interview went much better than I expected. The representative said cases involving denied accommodations are becoming more common and they're trained to recognize when someone had "good cause" to leave. Keep your head up and make sure you file soon!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I went through a similar situation last year. The key thing that helped my case was getting a statement from my doctor that specifically explained why the denied accommodations were medically necessary and how the lack of those accommodations made it impossible for me to perform my job duties. When you file, be very specific about the timeline - that you requested accommodations first, they were denied, and only then did you become unable to work. EDD really focuses on whether you made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment before leaving. Also, if your employer contests your claim (which they probably will), don't get discouraged. Many employers automatically contest to try to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes. The appeals process exists for exactly these kinds of situations where the initial decision might not capture the full picture. One practical tip: when you're looking for new jobs for your work search requirement, apply to positions where you know the employer can provide the accommodations you need. This shows EDD you're genuinely available for suitable work. Good luck!

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. My employer denied my accommodation request for flexible scheduling due to my autoimmune condition, and I had to stop working when my health deteriorated without the accommodations. The most important thing I learned is to be completely honest about the sequence of events when you file. Don't try to make it sound like you were "fired" if you actually stopped showing up first - EDD will figure this out anyway when they interview your employer. I was upfront that I requested accommodations, they were denied, I couldn't continue working without them, so I stopped attending. They classified it as "good cause" separation. A few practical tips that helped my case: - Get a detailed letter from your doctor explaining how your condition requires the specific accommodations you requested - If possible, get something in writing from your employer about the denial (even if it's just an email follow-up saying "As discussed in our meeting, my accommodation request was denied") - Keep records of any other employees who received similar accommodations - shows yours weren't unreasonable My claim was approved after the initial eligibility interview, though I know that's not always the case. The EDD representative told me that having clear documentation of my accommodation request and medical need made the difference. Don't give up if you get an initial denial - the appeals process is there for exactly these situations. You've got a legitimate case here!