EDD unemployment eligibility after quitting job to care for terminally ill family member?

This is actually a complicated situation. Generally, when you voluntarily quit a job, EDD considers you ineligible UNLESS you had "good cause" to quit. Family caregiving responsibilities CAN qualify as "good cause" in some circumstances, especially for immediate family members with serious health conditions. When you apply, you'll likely be scheduled for a phone eligibility interview where you'll need to explain your situation in detail. Make sure you have documentation ready: medical records showing your sister's condition, any communications with your employer about the situation, and proof that you were the primary caregiver. The EDD interviewer will determine if your reason meets their good cause standard.

im so sorry about ur sister. my mom had cancer 2. EDD is realy strict about the "able and available" requirement so u might get denied if u tell them u cant work right now. but definately apply and see what happens, u paid into the system

I went through something similar with my father's illness last year. You will face two main hurdles with EDD: 1. The voluntary quit issue (which can be overcome with good cause) 2. The "able and available for work" requirement Here's what I learned: You must be able and available for work to receive UI benefits. If you cannot accept work offers because you're providing full-time care, you might not qualify right now. However, you should still apply immediately and be honest about your situation. In the certification process, you'll be asked if you were able and available for work each week. If you weren't available, you won't receive benefits for those weeks, but your claim will remain open. Once your caregiving responsibilities end and you become available for work, you can begin receiving benefits without having to file a new claim. Your benefit year lasts for 12 months from initial filing. I'm sorry you're going through this difficult time.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY YOU!!! They will make it impossible to get benefits even though you have a completely valid reason. I quit to care for my elderly mother and they denied me saying I "abandoned my job" which is RIDICULOUS!!! Then they scheduled an interview at 8am and called me at 4pm instead and marked me as "no-show"!!! Fight for your rights and DON'T GIVE UP!!!

My cousin works for EDD (not saying this publicly lol) and she says that caring for immediate family members with terminal illness actually IS considered good cause, but you need to prove there were no other options (like other family members who could help, hospice care, etc). Also she says most people get denied initially and have to appeal, so dont give up if that happens to you.

Getting through to EDD to explain your situation can be a nightmare! I was in a somewhat similar position (had to quit to care for my mom after a stroke) and spent WEEKS trying to reach someone for my eligibility interview. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD rep quickly instead of calling hundreds of times. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The rep I talked to was actually understanding once I explained everything and provided documentation. Just make sure to emphasize that you will be available for work soon (even if not immediately) and that you had no reasonable alternative to quitting.

To clarify something important: You need to apply for UI benefits FIRST, then EDD will schedule the eligibility interview. You can't just wait until after your sister passes to apply, because benefits are not retroactive. File now, explain your situation honestly, and when you certify for benefits each week, answer truthfully about your availability. Once you become available for work again, you'll start receiving benefits if your voluntary quit was determined to be with good cause. Also remember that if you're denied, you have the right to appeal within 30 days.

wait i just realized something... did u apply for disability insurance (SDI) for ur sister? if shes disabled she might qualify for that and it could help with costs while ur caring for her. its different from unemployment but its also through EDD.

just wondering but have u looked into hospice care? they might be able to provide some respite care so u could work part time maybe? just a thought.

I'm so sorry you're going through this with your sister. What you're doing is incredibly selfless. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you have a strong case for "good cause" quitting, especially since you were already on PFL and had medical documentation. One thing I'd add - when you do your eligibility interview with EDD, emphasize that you explored all other options before resigning (sounds like you did with your employer trying to accommodate you initially). Also mention that this is temporary caregiving with a defined end, not an indefinite situation. Have you considered reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging? They sometimes have additional caregiver support resources that might help stretch the care coverage you're getting. Wishing you and your sister strength during this time.

I went through almost the exact same situation with my dad two years ago. I was on PFL for 8 weeks, then had to quit my job as a nurse when he needed 24/7 care during his final months with pancreatic cancer. EDD did approve my unemployment claim based on "good cause" but it took about 6 weeks and required an appeal. The key things that helped my case were: 1) Medical documentation showing the terminal diagnosis and care needs, 2) A letter from my employer confirming they couldn't hold my position longer, 3) Documentation that I was the only available family caregiver, and 4) A letter from his oncologist stating the expected timeline. During the eligibility interview, be very clear that this is a temporary situation with a defined end, and that you fully intend to return to work. I was honest about not being available immediately but emphasized I would be actively seeking employment once my caregiving ended. The process is emotionally draining when you're already dealing with so much, but don't let that discourage you from applying. You paid into the system and have a legitimate reason. My thoughts are with you and your sister.

I'm so sorry about your sister's diagnosis - what you're doing for her is truly compassionate. Based on the experiences shared here, it sounds like you have a solid case for "good cause" since you were already on PFL with medical documentation and your employer couldn't accommodate the extended leave. One additional resource that might help: some counties have caregiver support programs through their Department of Social Services that can provide temporary respite care or connect you with volunteer caregivers. This could potentially give you a few hours here and there to handle the EDD application process or prepare for interviews. Also, when you apply, make sure to mention in your initial application that you resigned specifically due to a family member's terminal illness requiring full-time care. This will help categorize your case correctly from the start rather than it just appearing as a standard voluntary quit. The timeline others mentioned (6+ weeks with potential appeal) is unfortunately realistic, so definitely apply soon even though you're not immediately available for work. The sooner you get the process started, the sooner benefits can begin once you are available again.