EDD shows disqualification right after eligibility interview - no explanation why
I just had my eligibility interview with EDD today and immediately checked my UI Online account afterward. The status for my first two certified weeks suddenly shows 'disqualified' - which wasn't there before my interview! The rep didn't mention anything about being disqualified during our call. We just discussed my job separation (company downsized my entire department) and I explained everything truthfully. I'm totally confused and panicking a bit because I was counting on that money for next month's rent. Does the system update that quickly after interviews? Could this be some kind of glitch? Has anyone experienced getting disqualified immediately after their interview with no explanation? I'm wondering if I should call back tomorrow or wait for something in the mail first.
19 comments
PrinceJoe
The system updates pretty much instantly after they make a determination. Something during your interview must have triggered the disqualification. Did they ask about your availability for work or if you've been looking for jobs? Sometimes people get disqualified for those reasons even if the job separation was valid.
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Ella Harper
•They did ask about my work search, and I told them I've applied to 3 jobs per week as required. I've been documenting everything! Maybe I said something wrong without realizing it? This is my first time on unemployment.
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Brooklyn Knight
Don't panic yet. This exact same thing happened to me in January. My weeks switched to disqualified right after my interview, but then changed back to paid 2 days later. The EDD rep told me during my follow-up call that sometimes the system automatically updates with a temporary disqualification while they're still processing your claim. Wait for the official determination letter in the mail - that's the REAL decision. The online status can be misleading during processing.
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Ella Harper
•That gives me hope! Did you get a letter explaining the temporary disqualification? I'm checking my mailbox obsessively now.
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Brooklyn Knight
•No letter for the temporary status - only got the final determination letter saying I was approved. It took about 5 days to arrive after my interview. The online portal had already updated to 'paid' by then.
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Owen Devar
THWY ALWAYS DO THIS!!!! The online system is BROKEN and has been for YEARS. I had THREE interviews last year and each time they disqualified me before sending a letter saying I was actually approved. EDD is a JOKE. They make everything so confusing on purpose to discourage people from getting benefits they deserve!
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Daniel Rivera
•While the system definitely has issues, they don't purposely try to confuse people. There's an actual process that happens behind the scenes. The online status updates at different stages of review, sometimes before final determinations are made. It's not perfect but it's not a conspiracy.
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Sophie Footman
The disqualification might be real or might be temporary, but either way you should have a determination letter mailed to you within 7-10 business days explaining exactly why. If it's a real disqualification, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of the date on that letter. Appeals have a surprisingly high success rate, especially for first-time filers who made honest mistakes. In the meantime, if you need to talk to EDD directly to find out what's happening, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an EDD rep in under 15 minutes last month when I had a similar issue after my interview. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km - definitely better than spending hours redialing only to get a 'maximum callers' message.
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Ella Harper
•Thank you for the detailed information about the appeal process - that's reassuring. I'll wait for the letter first, but if I don't get clear answers, I might try that service. The waiting and uncertainty is the worst part.
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Connor Rupert
what reason did u put for leaving ur job? if u said anything that sounds like quitting even if it was a layoff they mite mark u as disqualified. happened to my brother when he said he 'left' the company instead of saying he was laid off
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Ella Harper
•I definitely said I was laid off due to company downsizing. I even provided the termination letter that stated 'position elimination' as the reason. Maybe I should have been more careful about my exact wording? This is stressful.
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Molly Hansen
Guys I'm dealing with something kinda similar but opposite! Had my interview 3 weeks ago and my status still says "pending" - no disqualification but no payment either. Online chat just keeps telling me to wait. Anyone know if that's normal?
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Brooklyn Knight
•That's a different issue - your claim is still under review. For the original poster, their claim has moved to the next stage but with a disqualification. You might want to start your own thread about pending claims since that's a separate topic.
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Daniel Rivera
Just want to clarify something that might help you understand what's happening: There's a difference between a disqualification and a denial. A disqualification means they found something specific that makes you ineligible, while a denial could be for incomplete information or something that needs correction. If your status changed immediately after the interview, that strongly suggests the interviewer entered something that triggered the disqualification. The most common reasons are: 1. Voluntary quit without good cause 2. Misconduct at work 3. Refusing suitable work 4. Availability issues (not being able to work full-time) 5. Insufficient work search activities Definitely wait for the official determination letter, but be prepared to file an appeal if needed. Make sure you have documentation ready showing your layoff was due to downsizing and evidence of your job search activities.
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Ella Harper
•This is incredibly helpful! Based on those reasons, I'm wondering if it was about my work search. The interviewer did ask a lot of questions about the specific jobs I applied for. I've been keeping records, but maybe not detailed enough? I'll gather everything for a potential appeal.
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PrinceJoe
Update us when u get your letter! Curious what happens
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Ella Harper
•Will do! Hoping it comes quickly. The uncertainty is making it hard to sleep.
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Brooklyn Knight
One more thing - check your UI Online inbox too, not just your regular mail. Sometimes they send electronic notices before the paper ones arrive. And make sure you continue certifying for benefits even during this uncertain period. If your disqualification gets reversed, you'll only get paid for weeks you properly certified for.
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Ella Harper
•Thank you! Just checked my UI Online inbox and there's nothing yet. Good reminder about continuing to certify - I might have forgotten to do that while dealing with this stress.
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