EDD partial benefits while working part-time - can I quit toxic workplace and still certify?
I need some urgent advice on my EDD situation. I worked at a hotel for over 14 years until I was suddenly terminated via email after calling out sick (even though I notified management 24 hours in advance and had coverage). After filing for unemployment, I was approved for $485/week and collected for about 2 months. Recently found a new job at another hotel, but they're only giving me 15-20 hours weekly and the training environment is absolutely toxic. My supervisor constantly criticizes me in front of others, and coworkers refuse to properly train me then blame me for mistakes. My anxiety is through the roof and I'm seriously considering quitting. If I leave this hostile workplace, can I continue certifying for partial unemployment while job hunting? Will EDD consider this a valid reason to quit? I'm worried about losing benefits entirely but this workplace is affecting my mental health severely. Any advice appreciated... feeling desperate and trapped.
20 comments
Fatima Al-Qasimi
I've been through something similar. If you quit voluntarily, EDD will likely disqualify you unless you can prove you had "good cause" to leave. Workplace harassment CAN qualify as good cause, but you need documentation. Have you filed any formal complaints with HR about the toxic environment? Do you have texts, emails or anything in writing showing the mistreatment? Without evidence, EDD often sides with employers during eligibility interviews. Also, are you currently certifying and reporting your part-time wages to receive partial benefits?
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Giovanni Colombo
•Thank you for the advice! Yes, I'm currently certifying and reporting my part-time hours each week. I'm getting about $210 in partial unemployment after they deduct my earnings. I haven't filed anything with HR because it's a small place without a formal HR department - just the owner and managers. I could start keeping a journal of incidents with dates/times and maybe record some of the training sessions on my phone? Would that help my case with EDD?
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Dylan Cooper
dont quit!!!!! EDD will 100% deny u if u just walk out. they made me go thru 3 eligibility interviews when i quit my last job and i had to wait 9 weeks before getting paid again. its a nightmere. can u maybe ask for less hours or transfer to different department????
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Giovanni Colombo
•Thanks for the warning! Waiting 9 weeks sounds terrible 😣 There's no option to transfer since it's a small hotel with limited departments. I could try requesting fewer hours but that would mean even less income...
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Sofia Ramirez
I work as an employment counselor, and I can tell you that your situation is tricky but not impossible. If you quit, EDD will automatically schedule an eligibility interview to determine if you had "good cause" to leave. Mental health reasons CAN qualify, but you'll need medical documentation - like a note from a doctor or therapist stating the job was harming your health. Without that, it's an uphill battle. Your best options are: 1. Document everything about the toxic environment (dates, incidents, witnesses) 2. Consider getting medical documentation about your anxiety 3. Formally complain to management in writing before quitting 4. Look for another job while still employed (safest option) If you've already been receiving partial benefits while working part-time, make sure you continue certifying accurately if you decide to quit. Don't try to hide that you voluntarily left - be honest and prepare to explain your good cause reasons.
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Giovanni Colombo
•This is extremely helpful information. I have been seeing a therapist for anxiety, so getting documentation might be possible. Do you know how specific the medical note needs to be? Does it need to explicitly say the job is causing harm, or just confirm I'm being treated for anxiety?
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Dmitry Volkov
The doctor's note should specifically connect your health condition to your workplace. Something like "Patient is experiencing severe anxiety directly related to current work environment" is much stronger than just "Patient has anxiety." Most unemployment judges look for that direct connection.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Thank you! I'll talk to my therapist about this. Really appreciate the specific advice.
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StarSeeker
OP try to reach EDD before making any decisions!!!! U need 2 ask them directly about ur situation. good luck getting thru tho lol took me 3 DAYS of calling nonstop b4 someone picked up
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Ava Martinez
•Try using Claimyr - it's the only way I could ever get through to an EDD agent. You pay a fee but they call EDD for you and connect you directly to an agent when they get through. Saved me hours of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km - totally worth it when you need to talk to someone about something this important.
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Miguel Ortiz
Speaking from my experience working in hospitality for 22 years - this industry can be brutal. Have you tried having a direct conversation with your manager about the training issues? Sometimes being extremely direct like "I need proper training to succeed here" can change things. Also, document EVERYTHING like others said. If you decide to quit, during your eligibility interview make sure to emphasize that you made reasonable efforts to resolve the situation before leaving. EDD looks for that. Good luck!
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Giovanni Colombo
•I tried talking to my direct supervisor twice, but she just said "everyone goes through the same training" and basically dismissed my concerns. You're right about the industry being tough! I think I'll try one more conversation, this time with the general manager, and document that attempt as well. Thank you for understanding how difficult hospitality can be.
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Zainab Omar
wow this is makin me nervous i just started certifying.... how long does it usually take for the money to show up on the card thing?? sorry not helpful to ur situation just wonderin
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•That's a completely different topic. OP is asking about partial benefits and quitting with good cause, not payment timing. But to quickly answer - if your certification is processed without issues, payment typically posts to your Money Network card within 24-48 hours after certifying. First payments can take longer if you have ID verification or other pending issues.
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Sofia Ramirez
One more important point - while you're collecting partial unemployment, you must continue to be available for full-time work and actively searching for jobs. Make sure you're meeting the work search requirements by applying to 2-3 jobs weekly and documenting each application. If you're applying to jobs while working part-time at the toxic workplace, you might actually find something better before needing to quit!
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Giovanni Colombo
•Yes, I've been keeping track of all my job applications in a spreadsheet. Applied to 5 positions last week actually. Really hoping something comes through soon so I can give notice properly instead of having to quit without another job lined up. This part-time toxic job is barely covering my bills even with the partial EDD benefits.
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Dylan Cooper
wait i just reread ur post - u were fired by EMAIL after calling out sick???? did ur first employer challenge ur unemployment claim? if they fired u for just 1 absence that could be wrongful termination especially if u had coverage!
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Giovanni Colombo
•They didn't challenge my claim surprisingly! The email basically said I was "unreliable" despite my 14 years there with barely any absences. I think they were looking for reasons to let people go after business slowed down. At least that situation worked out with the EDD benefits, but now I'm stuck in this new toxic workplace dilemma.
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Dmitry Volkov
After reading all your responses, here's my suggestion: Start looking for work aggressively while still at this part-time job. Document the toxic environment thoroughly (dates, incidents, witnesses). See your therapist and request documentation connecting your anxiety to the workplace specifically. Then if you find yourself needing to quit before finding new employment, you'll have evidence for your eligibility interview. Just remember that even with good documentation, there's still a risk EDD could deny benefits, so having savings to cover a potential gap would be wise.
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Giovanni Colombo
•Thank you so much for this comprehensive advice. I'm going to follow these steps exactly. I've already started documenting incidents and have an appointment with my therapist next week. I'll keep certifying and job hunting aggressively in the meantime. Everyone's advice here has been incredibly helpful during this stressful time - I feel much more prepared to handle the situation properly now.
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