EDD penalty weeks for 'False Statement' - what does this mean for my claim?

Penalty weeks means EDD believes you knowingly provided false information on your claim or certification. Most common false statement penalties are 5-15 weeks where you remain eligible but don't receive payment for those weeks. You need to immediately request information about what triggered the false statement determination - call the appeals number on your determination letter. You have 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal if you believe this is incorrect. The key is understanding what specific information they consider false before proceeding.

omg this happened to me 2 months ago!! i got hit with 12 penalty weeks for supposedly not reporting some income from a side gig. its absolute BS! i reported everything correctly but EDD claims i didnt. anyway youre not disqualified forever, just have to serve those weeks - keep certifying every 2 weeks like normal but you wont get any $$$ until the penalty weeks are done. its basically EDD's way of punishing you without completely disqualifying you. and yes, DEFINITELY file an appeal!!! you only have 30 days!!!

False Statement penalties are serious business. Just to be clear - penalty weeks are different from disqualification. You'll still qualify for benefits but won't receive payment during penalty weeks. You MUST continue certifying each week to serve the penalty weeks. If you stop certifying, the penalties don't count as served, and the clock stops. See if your determination notice explains what specific information they're claiming was false - it could be about your separation reason, work search activities, or unreported income. If the notice doesn't specify, request a copy of your case file immediately.

i think u can request ur employer response thru the edd records department..i did this last year when my employer accused me of misconduct. took like 3 weeks but i got all the paperwork they submitted. u absolutely shud appeal if u think its wrong. but ur gunna wanna kno what they said first so u can fight it properly

Getting through to EDD about this is going to be critical. I was in a similar situation last year and spent DAYS trying to reach someone who could explain what triggered my penalty weeks. After dozens of failed attempts and getting disconnected repeatedly, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). It connected me to an EDD rep in about 25 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Being able to talk to an actual person made all the difference - found out exactly what the issue was and successfully appealed.

WAIT. EVERYONE SAYING TO APPEAL WITHOUT KNOWING WHATS GOING ON IS BEING STUPID. I used to work for the EDD appeals board. First step is to 100% find out WHAT EXACTLY they are saying was false! The most common false statement penalties are from people claiming benefits for weeks they worked without reporting wages. Did you work AT ALL during any weeks you certified for? Even a few hours? Another common one is when people say they were laid off but employer says they were fired for cause or quit. Call them and get SPECIFIC information before you appeal.

Based on your response about how your employer let you go, this is likely where the issue occurred. When you filed your claim, you probably indicated you were laid off, but your employer may have reported to EDD that you were terminated for cause or perhaps that you voluntarily quit. This discrepancy can trigger a false statement determination. This is why getting a copy of your employer's response is crucial before appealing.

if ur struggling financially while dealing with this there are some emergency assistance programs that might help! 211.org can connect u with local resources for rent help, utilities, food etc. also food banks dont usually have income requirements and can help a lot

To summarize next steps based on everyone's advice: 1. Request your claim file from EDD Records Department (includes employer's response) 2. Continue certifying every two weeks even though you won't receive payment during penalty weeks 3. Contact EDD to find out exactly how many penalty weeks you're serving and what specific statement they considered false 4. File an appeal within 30 days of the determination notice if you have grounds to dispute 5. Consider utilizing 211.org for temporary assistance with basic needs The key information you need is what specific statement was considered false - was it about your separation reason, work search efforts, or something else? This will determine your appeal strategy.

I went through this exact same situation 6 months ago - penalty weeks for "false statement" with zero explanation from EDD initially. Turns out my employer reported I was fired for attendance issues when I thought I was being laid off due to "company restructuring" (that's literally what my manager told me). The mismatch between what I reported and what they reported triggered the false statement penalty. I got 8 penalty weeks but successfully appealed after getting my employer's response through a records request. The whole process took about 3 months but I eventually got all my back pay. Don't give up - if you genuinely reported what you believed to be true based on how your termination was communicated to you, you have solid grounds for appeal. Document everything you remember about your termination conversation and any witnesses if possible.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - just got hit with penalty weeks for "false statement" and like you, I have no idea what I supposedly said that was false. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially learning that I need to keep certifying even though I won't get paid during the penalty weeks. I had no idea about that! One thing I'm wondering about is timing - has anyone figured out if there's a pattern to when EDD reviews these cases? Like do they typically do eligibility interviews and then immediately impose penalties, or does it usually take longer? I had my interview 2 weeks ago and just saw the penalty status appear today. Also, for those who successfully appealed - how long did it typically take from filing the appeal to actually getting a hearing scheduled? I'm trying to budget for how long I might be without income while this gets sorted out. The financial stress is really getting to me, especially with rent due next week. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's making me feel less alone in this mess!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the false statement penalty situation is incredibly stressful, especially when you have no idea what triggered it! Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the discrepancy between what your employer told you ("we're letting you go") versus what they reported to EDD is likely the culprit. This happens way more often than it should. A few additional thoughts from someone who went through a similar appeals process: 1. When you request your claim file, also ask for a copy of the actual determination notice if you haven't received one yet - it might have more details about the specific false statement allegation 2. If your employer was truly vague about the termination reason, try to think of any coworkers who might have witnessed the conversation or heard similar things from management about layoffs/restructuring 3. For the financial stress while waiting - in addition to 211.org, check if your county has emergency rental assistance programs. Many still have COVID-related funding available 4. Consider reaching out to your local legal aid society - many offer free consultations for unemployment appeals and can help you prepare your case The good news is that genuine miscommunications about termination reasons are often successful on appeal, especially when the employer wasn't clear about the separation reason. Document everything you remember about that conversation ASAP while it's still fresh. You've got this!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the false statement penalty is one of the most stressful things that can happen with unemployment claims, especially when you have no idea what triggered it. Based on your description of how vague your employer was when letting you go, this is almost certainly about a mismatch between what you reported as your separation reason versus what your employer told EDD. Here's what I'd prioritize in your situation: 1. **Get your employer's response IMMEDIATELY** - Request your complete claim file from EDD Records. This will show exactly what your employer reported about your termination. If they said you were fired for cause but told you it was just "letting you go," that's your smoking gun for the appeal. 2. **Document the termination conversation NOW** - Write down everything you remember about how you were let go. Who was present? What exact words were used? Any mention of layoffs, restructuring, or budget issues? This documentation will be crucial for your appeal. 3. **Keep certifying religiously** - Even though you won't get paid during penalty weeks, you MUST continue certifying every 2 weeks or the penalty clock stops completely. 4. **Don't panic about the timeline** - Yes, penalty weeks suck financially, but if this is genuinely a miscommunication about separation reason (which it sounds like), you have excellent appeal grounds. I've seen many successful appeals for exactly this scenario. For immediate financial help while you sort this out, definitely check 211.org and your county's emergency assistance programs. Many areas still have rental assistance available. You've got a solid action plan from everyone here - this is absolutely fixable if it's a genuine employer miscommunication issue!

I went through this exact same nightmare last year and want to share what I learned to hopefully help you navigate this mess. The "false statement" penalty without explanation is unfortunately very common, and in most cases it's related to a disconnect between what you reported about your job separation versus what your employer told EDD. Here's my step-by-step recommendation based on successfully appealing a similar situation: **Immediate Actions:** 1. Request your complete claim file from EDD Records Department - this will show your employer's actual response and reveal what they claimed about your termination 2. Write down EVERYTHING you remember about your termination conversation right now while it's fresh - exact words used, who was present, context about company layoffs, etc. 3. Continue certifying every 2 weeks even though you won't receive payment (this is critical - if you stop, the penalty clock stops too) **What Likely Happened:** Based on your description, your employer probably reported you were terminated for cause/performance while you reported it as a layoff. This creates the "false statement" flag even when it's just miscommunication. **Financial Relief While Fighting This:** - Contact 211.org for emergency assistance with rent/utilities - Check your county website for rental assistance programs - Local food banks don't require income verification and can help stretch your budget **Appeal Strategy:** You have 30 days from the determination notice to appeal. If this is genuinely employer miscommunication (which sounds likely), you have solid grounds. I got my 7 penalty weeks overturned and received all back pay after a 3-month appeals process. The stress is real, but this is absolutely fightable if you take action quickly. Don't let EDD intimidate you - many of these penalties get overturned on appeal when there's genuine confusion about separation circumstances.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely infuriating to suddenly see penalty weeks without any explanation! Based on your description of the vague termination ("we're letting you go" with no specifics), this is almost certainly about the disconnect between what you reported as your separation reason versus what your employer told EDD. Here's what I'd focus on immediately: 1. **Call EDD Records Department TODAY** - Request your complete claim file, specifically the DE 1101CZ form (your employer's response). This will reveal exactly what they reported about your termination. 2. **Document everything NOW** - Write down every detail about your termination conversation while it's fresh: exact words used, who was present, any office talk about budget issues or layoffs you heard before being let go. 3. **Keep certifying religiously** - Even though you won't get paid during penalty weeks, you MUST continue certifying every 2 weeks or the penalty stops counting. 4. **Gather supporting evidence** - Check old texts/emails where you might have told friends/family about being "laid off." Look for any company announcements about restructuring around that time. The good news is these employer miscommunication cases are very winnable on appeal if you act quickly and gather good documentation. I've seen multiple successful appeals just in this thread where people thought they were laid off but employers reported termination for cause. You have 30 days to appeal once you get the determination notice. For immediate financial help, definitely check 211.org for emergency assistance while you fight this. Don't let the financial pressure make you give up if you genuinely reported what you believed to be true!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare! As someone new to this community, I've been reading through everyone's experiences and I'm really struck by how similar your situation is to so many successful appeals. The vague termination language ("we're letting you go") combined with office talk about budget issues creates exactly the kind of reasonable misunderstanding that appeals judges understand. Reading through all these responses, it's clear you have an excellent roadmap: get that DE 1101CZ form through records request, document every detail of your termination conversation, keep certifying religiously, and prepare your appeal with all the evidence you can gather. The success stories here are really encouraging - multiple people have overturned similar penalties and gotten full back pay. One thing that really stands out is how your employer's vagueness actually works in your favor. If there had been misconduct or performance issues, any reasonable employer would have been specific about that instead of just saying "we're letting you go." The fact that they weren't suggests they knew it wasn't a for-cause termination. While you're dealing with the financial stress, remember that 211.org and local emergency assistance programs can help bridge the gap. This penalty situation is temporary and fixable if you stay organized and persistent with your appeal. You've got this - the community here has given you all the tools you need to fight this successfully!

I'm really sorry you're going through this incredibly stressful situation! As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the amazing advice everyone has shared, and I'm genuinely hopeful for your case based on the success stories here. Your situation with the vague termination ("we're letting you go" with zero explanation) really does sound like a classic employer miscommunication case that many people have successfully appealed. The fact that there was office talk about budget issues and restructuring makes your interpretation completely reasonable - any employee would assume that meant layoffs rather than termination for cause. What's encouraging is how organized your action plan has become thanks to everyone's help: requesting that DE 1101CZ form from EDD Records, documenting every detail of your termination conversation, continuing to certify religiously, and gathering supporting evidence like that positive performance review you mentioned. The multiple success stories in this thread prove these cases are absolutely winnable when there's genuine miscommunication. One thing that really stands out to me is that your employer's vagueness actually works in your favor. If there had been legitimate performance or misconduct issues, any responsible employer would have been specific about that instead of just saying "we're letting you go" and walking away. While you're dealing with the financial stress, definitely take advantage of the emergency assistance resources people mentioned like 211.org. Remember that if you win your appeal, you'll get full back pay for all those penalty weeks - think of it as temporarily delayed rather than lost income. You've got this! The community support here is incredible, and you have all the tools needed to fight this successfully. Keep us posted on what you find out from that employer response - I have a strong feeling you're going to have excellent grounds for appeal.

I'm new to this community but felt compelled to reach out after reading about your situation. What you're experiencing sounds absolutely overwhelming, especially dealing with penalty weeks while already struggling financially. However, I'm genuinely encouraged by all the success stories shared here - it seems like employer miscommunication cases like yours have a really good track record on appeal. Your description of being told "we're letting you go" with zero specifics, combined with office talk about budget issues and restructuring, creates exactly the kind of reasonable misunderstanding that appeals judges recognize. The vagueness actually works in your favor because it shows you had no choice but to interpret their words reasonably given the context you had. Based on everyone's advice, you've got such a solid action plan now: getting that DE 1101CZ form through records request, documenting every detail while it's fresh, continuing to certify during penalty weeks, and building your case with evidence like that positive performance review. The fact that multiple people here have successfully overturned similar penalties and received full back pay is really inspiring. While the financial stress is real, remember to check out those emergency assistance resources like 211.org that people mentioned. And don't let EDD's bureaucracy intimidate you - this community has shown that these cases are absolutely fightable when there's genuine miscommunication involved. You're not alone in this fight anymore, and it sounds like you have excellent grounds to challenge this penalty. Keep us posted on what you discover from that employer response - rooting for you to get this overturned!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - the sudden appearance of penalty weeks without explanation is absolutely terrifying, especially when you're already struggling financially! As someone new to this community, I've been reading through everyone's incredible advice and I'm genuinely hopeful for your case based on all the success stories shared here. Your situation really does sound like a textbook employer miscommunication case that others have successfully appealed. The fact that your employer was so vague during termination ("we're letting you go" with zero specifics) while there was office chatter about budget issues and restructuring creates the perfect storm for reasonable misunderstanding about separation reason. What's really encouraging is how your employer's vagueness actually works in your favor - if there had been legitimate misconduct or performance issues, any competent employer would have been specific about that instead of just walking away after such a brief, unclear statement. You've got an amazing action plan now thanks to everyone's guidance: get that DE 1101CZ form from EDD Records ASAP, document every detail of your termination conversation while it's fresh, keep certifying religiously during penalty weeks, and gather supporting evidence like that positive performance review you mentioned. The multiple success stories here prove these cases are absolutely winnable when there's genuine employer miscommunication. Remember that if you win your appeal, you'll get full back pay for all those penalty weeks - think of it as temporarily delayed income rather than lost money. While dealing with the financial stress, definitely check out 211.org for emergency assistance. You're not facing this bureaucratic nightmare alone anymore - this community has your back! Keep us posted on what that employer response reveals. Rooting for you to get this overturned!