EDD interview coming up - can 'change in relationship' termination reason affect my UI benefits?

You should absolutely state exactly what's on your termination paperwork. "Change in relationship" is actually a common corporate euphemism for a no-fault termination. This is actually good for your unemployment claim because it doesn't indicate misconduct, which is what would typically disqualify you. During your eligibility interview, be honest about the circumstances. Mention that you were not given any specific performance-related reasons, had no write-ups, and were told it was a position elimination. The EDD interviewer may contact your employer for verification, so keeping your story consistent with their documentation is important. I went through something very similar last year with my claim and was approved without issue. Just be prepared to answer questions about your work history, last day worked, and whether you're able and available for full-time work.

BE CAREFUL! My boss put "professional separation" on my paperwork which sounds similar to ur "change in relationship" thing. But then they told EDD I was fired for attendance issues!!!! I had to fight for 3 months to get my benefits approved. Make sure u get EVERYTHING in writing from your employer before the interview!!! The EDD will believe whatever your employer says!!!!

I've helped several coworkers through this process after our company had layoffs. Here's what you need to know: 1. "Change in relationship" typically means a no-fault separation - this is good for your claim 2. In your interview, stick to the facts without embellishment 3. Mention you had no disciplinary action or performance issues 4. If asked why you think you were let go, be honest that they didn't provide a specific reason beyond what's on the paperwork 5. Don't speculate or make assumptions about their reasoning It's important to understand that the burden of proof is on the employer to show misconduct if they want to contest your claim. If they provided no specific reason on your termination paperwork, they'll have a hard time arguing misconduct later. Also, be prepared with your employment dates, final wages received, and make sure you're certifying on time while you wait for your interview.

same thing happened to my cousin last month!!! she got approved no problem. just tell them exactly what ur paperwork says and ur fine

They can call anytime during that window. Make sure your phone is charged, you have good reception, and you're in a quiet place where you can speak freely. Have your paperwork in front of you so you can reference it if needed. They won't expect you to remember exact dates without looking at your documents.

Hey also FYI i waited almost TWO HOURS past my scheduled interview time for EDD to call and then when I called to see what was happening I got the "we're experiencing high call volume" message over and over for days!! So frustrating!!

When I had trouble reaching EDD during my interview reschedule nightmare last month, I used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a live EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. Their system basically holds your place in line so you don't have to keep calling back. I was skeptical at first but it worked really well. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their website is claimyr.com if you need to reach someone at EDD quickly.

Change in" relationship is actually better for your case than if they cited performance issues. I went through something similar in 2023 - the interview was painless and I got approved within 2 days after. Just be truthful and'don t overthink it. Your claim will probably be processed faster than most since this is prettystraightforward.

One more important tip: make sure to maintain your work search requirements while waiting for your interview and claim processing. Document all job applications, interviews, and networking activities. You'll need to certify that you're looking for work, and they can ask for this documentation later. Even though your separation reason seems clear-cut, staying on top of work search requirements will prevent any potential issues with your ongoing claim.

wait can they see ur search history?? i havent been keeping track of mine just checking boxes YIKES

Just wanted to add some reassurance - I had almost the exact same situation happen to me about 6 months ago. My termination letter said "organizational restructuring" which is similarly vague, and I was also worried about how to handle the EDD interview. The key thing that helped me was having a clear, simple story: I was let go due to company restructuring (or in your case, "change in relationship"), I had no performance issues, and I was ready and able to work. The EDD interviewer was actually very straightforward and didn't try to trip me up or anything. One thing I wish I had known beforehand - they might ask if you received any severance pay or accrued vacation payout, so have those details ready if applicable. Also, if you had any non-compete agreements or other restrictions, they may ask about those. You're doing the right thing by being prepared and honest. The fact that you're worried about doing everything correctly actually shows you're approaching this the right way. Good luck with your interview!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - got laid off two weeks ago and my paperwork just says "workforce reduction" with no other details. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful since I have my EDD interview coming up next week too. One thing I wanted to add based on my research - make sure you know your exact last day of work and whether you worked any partial days that week. They'll ask about your final week's earnings and you want to be precise about that. Also, if your employer offered you any other positions before letting you go (even if they were clearly unsuitable), be prepared to explain why you didn't accept them. @Lucy Taylor - your situation sounds totally normal for unemployment purposes. The fact that they put something vague like "change in relationship" on paper instead of citing specific misconduct actually works in your favor. Stay confident going into that interview!

I just wanted to share that I went through this exact same situation about a year ago. My termination paperwork said "business needs" which is just as vague as your "change in relationship" wording. I was also really anxious about the EDD interview, but it ended up being much more straightforward than I expected. The interviewer asked me basic questions like when I started working there, what my job duties were, my last day of work, and why I was separated from employment. When I said it was due to "business needs" as stated on my paperwork and that I wasn't given any specific performance-related reasons, they just made a note of it and moved on. They didn't press me for more details or act suspicious about the vague wording. The whole interview took maybe 15 minutes, and I was approved for benefits about 3 days later. The key is just being honest and consistent - don't try to speculate about what your employer's real reasons might have been, just stick to what you know for sure. One small tip: have your Social Security number, employer's contact info, and employment start/end dates written down in front of you during the call. It helps you sound more prepared and confident when you can quickly reference the exact information they're asking for.

I've been through this process twice in different states, and your situation actually sounds pretty ideal from an unemployment perspective. "Change in relationship" is corporate speak for "we're letting you go but it's not your fault" - which is exactly what you want on your paperwork for UI benefits. During my interviews, the EDD representatives were very matter-of-fact. They're not trying to catch you in a lie, they just need to establish the basic facts: were you fired for misconduct (no), did you quit voluntarily (no), are you able and available to work (yes). Your clean performance record and the vague, non-misconduct language on your termination papers check all the right boxes. One thing that really helped me during my interview was writing out a simple timeline beforehand: hire date, job duties, any promotions/raises, last day worked, and the reason given for termination. Having it in front of me made me feel more confident and kept my answers concise and factual. You've got this - try not to stress too much about it. The hard part (losing your job) is already behind you.