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.

This is exactly what happened to me! Got hit with penalty weeks for "false statement" when my employer told me I was being "let go due to budget cuts" but then reported to EDD that I was terminated for performance issues. The miscommunication between what they told me vs what they reported created this nightmare. Here's what I learned: 1) The penalty weeks start counting immediately once they're imposed, so you're already serving them 2) You MUST keep certifying every 2 weeks or the penalty clock stops 3) Get your employer's response ASAP through records request - this will show exactly what they claimed 4) If there's a genuine miscommunication like in my case, you have good appeal grounds. I ended up with 10 penalty weeks but got it overturned after showing documentation of what my manager actually told me during termination. The appeals process took 4 months but I got all my back pay. Stay strong and document everything you remember about your termination conversation!

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 stressful situation! As someone who works in employment law, I see these false statement penalty cases frequently, and the good news is that many are successfully appealed when there's genuine confusion about the separation reason. Based on your description, this almost certainly stems from a disconnect between what your employer told you ("we're letting you go") versus what they reported to EDD about your termination. Employers sometimes tell employees they're being "let go" to avoid confrontation, but then report to EDD that it was termination for cause or poor performance. Here's what I'd recommend as your immediate action plan: 1. **Request your claim file TODAY** - Call EDD Records Department and request your complete file including Form DE 1101CZ (your employer's response). This will reveal exactly what your employer claimed about your separation. 2. **Document everything NOW** - Write down every detail you remember about your termination: exact words used, who was present, any context about company issues, etc. Memory fades quickly, so do this immediately. 3. **Continue certifying** - You must keep certifying every 2 weeks even during penalty weeks, or the penalty clock stops completely. 4. **Prepare to appeal** - You have 30 days from the determination notice. If your employer misrepresented the separation circumstances, you have strong grounds for appeal. The financial stress is real, but don't let that pressure you into not fighting this if you genuinely reported what you believed to be true. These employer miscommunication cases are often successful on appeal. Stay strong and take action quickly!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of suddenly seeing "penalty weeks" without explanation is awful, especially when you're already struggling financially. From reading all these responses, it sounds like you have a really solid plan to fight this, and the fact that so many people have successfully appealed similar employer miscommunication situations gives me hope for your case too. One thing I wanted to add that I didn't see mentioned - when you're documenting that termination conversation, also try to remember any emails or texts you might have sent to friends/family right after it happened. Sometimes we vent about these things immediately and those messages can serve as evidence of what you understood at the time. I found old texts where I was complaining about being "laid off due to budget cuts" which helped prove that's genuinely what I thought happened. Also, while you're waiting for your employer's response, you might want to check if your former company has posted any public information about layoffs or restructuring around the time you were let go - company press releases, news articles, LinkedIn posts, etc. This kind of context can really help show why you reasonably believed it was a layoff rather than a termination for cause. The waiting and financial stress is brutal, but it sounds like you've got all the right steps mapped out. Keep us updated on how it goes - rooting for you to get this overturned!

I'm really sorry you're going through this nightmare - the false statement penalty without any clear explanation is absolutely maddening, especially when you're already dealing with financial stress. Based on everything you've described and all the great advice here, this definitely sounds like a classic employer miscommunication case that you can fight successfully. A couple additional thoughts that might help: **Timing the Records Request:** When you call EDD Records tomorrow, ask specifically for the "Notice of Unemployment Insurance Claim Filed (DE 1101CZ)" - this is the form your employer submitted. Sometimes being specific about the form number helps get faster results. **Building Your Case:** Since your employer was so vague ("we're letting you go" with no specifics), that actually works in your favor. Document not just what they said, but also what they DIDN't say - no mention of misconduct, performance issues, policy violations, etc. The vagueness itself supports your interpretation that it was a layoff. **Keep Your Spirits Up:** I know the financial pressure feels overwhelming, but remember that if you win your appeal, you'll get ALL the back pay for those penalty weeks. Think of it as money that's temporarily delayed, not permanently lost. You've got an amazing action plan from everyone here, and the fact that multiple people have successfully overturned similar penalties shows this is absolutely winnable. The hardest part is just getting started with that records request - once you see what your employer actually reported, you'll know exactly what you're fighting and can build a strong case. Hang in there!

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 really sorry you're going through this stressful situation! As a newcomer here, I've been reading through all the responses and it's clear you've gotten some excellent advice. The pattern seems really consistent - most of these "false statement" penalties stem from employer miscommunication about the reason for termination. What strikes me about your case is how vague your employer was ("we're letting you go" with zero explanation). That actually works in your favor because it shows you had no choice but to interpret their words reasonably. If there had been misconduct or performance issues, a responsible employer would have specified that. Based on everyone's experiences here, your action plan is solid: get that employer response through records request, document everything about your termination conversation, keep certifying, and prepare to appeal if needed. The success stories in this thread are really encouraging! One small addition - when you're documenting that termination conversation, also note any company context you were aware of at the time (budget discussions, other layoffs, restructuring rumors, etc.). This helps show why your interpretation was reasonable given the information available to you. Hang in there - it sounds like you have strong grounds to fight this if it comes to that. The financial stress is real, but remember that successful appeals result in full back pay for those penalty weeks. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! As someone new to this community, I've been reading through everyone's experiences and advice, and it's clear you're not alone in facing these confusing "false statement" penalties. The pattern seems really consistent - most cases stem from miscommunication between what employers tell employees during termination versus what they report to EDD. Your situation sounds very familiar to what others have successfully appealed. The fact that your employer was so vague ("we're letting you go" with zero specifics) actually works in your favor because it shows you had to reasonably interpret their words without clear guidance. If there had been misconduct or performance issues, any competent employer would have specified that. A couple things that might help as you gather evidence: - Document not just what was said, but the overall company atmosphere (budget talks, restructuring rumors, etc.) that informed your understanding - Look for any written communications from around that time that might support your interpretation - Remember that the burden is on EDD to prove you INTENTIONALLY provided false information, not just that there was a discrepancy The success stories here are really encouraging - multiple people have overturned similar penalties and received full back pay. The process takes time and persistence, but it's absolutely doable when there's genuine employer miscommunication. Stay strong and don't let the financial pressure make you give up if you truly reported what you believed to be accurate! You've got a solid action plan from everyone here.