EDD eligibility interview after quitting job that refused to pay me - constructive discharge?

You should be fine. This situation falls under what's called 'constructive discharge' or 'good cause' for leaving employment. When your employer fails to pay you, that's considered a material breach of the employment agreement. Be sure to explain clearly that you quit BECAUSE they repeatedly failed to pay you despite multiple requests. Have documentation ready during your interview - copies of your wage claim filing, any emails requesting payment, text messages, etc. The EDD interviewer will likely ask if you took reasonable steps to resolve the situation before quitting, so emphasize that you repeatedly asked for your wages before leaving. This type of situation is actually specifically covered under EDD regulations as good cause for voluntary quit.

omg this EXACT same thing happened to me at a startup last year!!! they kept promising the 'funding round was almost closed' but never paid me for 6 weeks. i quit and got denied benefits initialy but won on appeal. make sure u mention u had no choice and it was THEM who broke the employment contract not u. good luck!!

During your interview, focus on three key points: 1) You made multiple attempts to get paid before quitting, 2) Working without pay made continuing employment impossible, and 3) You took proper legal channels afterward (wage claim, attorney). This clearly qualifies as "good cause" under EDD regulations. Have you been certifying for benefits while waiting for this interview? Make sure you're completing your bi-weekly certifications even before your eligibility is determined. Also, make sure you're meeting work search requirements by applying to at least 3 jobs per week while collecting benefits.

this is why I always tell ppl NEVER QUIT just let them fire u... smh

Try calling EDD before your interview to see if you can get an agent to note your account with the details of your situation. Getting through to EDD is nearly impossible though - I spent 2 weeks calling constantly and never got through. I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD rep within 15 minutes. They have a demo video of how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Their website is claimyr.com. I was skeptical but it actually worked and saved me days of frustration. Might be worth it to talk to someone before your interview to understand exactly what they're looking for.

Print out Section 1256-30 of the California Unemployment Insurance Code and have it ready during your interview. It specifically addresses constructive discharge situations including cases where an employer fails to pay wages. The relevant part states that when an employer fails to pay agreed-upon wages, this constitutes a substantial breach of the employment agreement sufficient to establish good cause for leaving. Highlight this section and reference it directly when they ask why you left. Being specific about the regulation will show you've done your homework.

The EDD system is COMPLETELY RIGGED against workers!!! I bet they'll still try to deny your claim even though it's OBVIOUS you had good cause. They denied mine when my boss was literally screaming at me daily and throwing things at employees!!! Had to fight for 3 months to get benefits I deserved. The system is designed to reject first and make you appeal. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and don't take NO for an answer!!!!!

wut industry was this? just curious cuz sounds like my friends restaurant situation

One more important tip: when the interviewer asks why you left your job, start your answer with "I left because my employer failed to pay me for 3 months despite multiple requests." Be direct and clear from the start. Don't begin with "I quit because..." or "I resigned because..." as that language can sometimes trigger automatic disqualification flags in their system. Focus on the employer's action (failure to pay) rather than your response (quitting). This framing matters in how they code your case.

I went through a similar situation last year when my employer bounced three paychecks in a row. The key thing that helped me during my EDD interview was having a timeline ready - exact dates of when payments were due, when I made requests for payment, and when I finally left. The interviewer asked very specific questions about my attempts to resolve the situation before quitting. Make sure you can clearly explain that you gave them reasonable opportunities to fix the problem and only left when it became clear they weren't going to pay you. Also, if you have any witnesses (coworkers who also weren't paid, customers who saw the situation, etc.), mention that during the interview. The fact that you recovered most of your wages through legal action actually strengthens your case - it proves the employer was genuinely at fault.

I work for a nonprofit that helps people with unemployment claims, and your situation is exactly the type of constructive discharge case that EDD regularly approves. The fact that you have documentation of your payment requests AND successfully recovered wages through legal channels makes this a very strong case. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - be prepared for the interviewer to ask about your work search efforts since filing. They sometimes use phone interviews to verify you're meeting all ongoing requirements, not just the reason you left your job. Also, don't be surprised if they ask whether you're receiving any settlement payments in installments, as this could affect your weekly benefit amount. The good news is that wage theft cases like yours are pretty clear-cut for EDD - they see these situations regularly and have specific procedures for handling them.

I'm a former EDD eligibility specialist and I can tell you that your case has all the hallmarks of a successful "good cause" determination. The fact that you documented your payment requests, waited 3 months giving them multiple opportunities to pay you, and ultimately recovered the wages through legal action shows you acted reasonably throughout the process. During your interview, emphasize these three points in this order: 1) You were never paid despite working 50+ hours weekly for 3 months, 2) You made multiple documented requests for payment before leaving, and 3) The state labor board and your attorney confirmed the employer was violating wage laws. This creates a clear narrative that you had no reasonable alternative but to leave. One small but important detail - if they ask about your last day, explain that you informed the employer you couldn't continue working without pay rather than saying you "quit" or "resigned." The language you use can influence how they categorize your separation. You've got excellent documentation and a strong legal foundation for your case. Don't stress too much about Friday - this type of wage theft situation is exactly what the good cause provisions were designed to protect.