Fired after medical leave - can I qualify for EDD benefits with combined work history?

Yes, you should definitely apply for unemployment! EDD looks at your "base period" which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. Since we're in April 2025 now, they would look at Jan-Dec 2024 as your regular base period. If you don't qualify using that timeframe, they'll use the alternate base period which would include your most recent quarter. The good news is that EDD combines all of your employment during the base period to determine eligibility. So both your retail and restaurant jobs would count toward your total earnings. The key is that you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter, or earned at least $900 in your highest quarter AND 1.25 times that amount across your entire base period.

apply now dont wait!! when they fired u after medical leave thats basically wrongful termination anyway. i had simlar thing happen in 2023 and got approved for benefits no problem. EDD will contact all ur emploeyrs to verify wages.

Just to clarify something important - EDD will look at whether you had "good cause" to leave your job in October. Since it was for medical reasons, make sure you have documentation from your doctor. During your phone interview (you'll likely get scheduled for one), explain clearly that you had medical necessity to leave, but that you were told you could return. Then explain that when you tried to return, they terminated you. You should qualify in terms of quarters worked based on what you've shared, especially with the combined employment. But the reason for separation is equally important for EDD to determine eligibility.

The EDD phone interview is THE WORST part of the entire process!!! I waited 7 WEEKS for mine and almost lost my apartment because they wouldn't process my claim until after the interview. And when I called to try to get it scheduled sooner, I couldn't even get through - just constant busy signals and disconnections!!

make sure u check ur work search requirements when u certify!! i got disqualifid for 2 weeks bcuz i didnt do the reqired searches. now i gotta keep track of 5 job applications every week its so anoying lol.

i went threw something kind of similar last year except mine was a back injury not medical. my boss told me i could come back and then when i showed up he said business was slow and laid me off. the EDD people are going to want to know EXACTLY why you were seperated from work. in my case they determined i was laid off due to lack of work which was a valid reason for benefits. sounds like ur case might be the same.

One more thing about your multiple jobs - when you file your claim, you'll need to report ALL employment within the last 18 months. The EDD form will ask for employer names, addresses, employment dates, and reason for separation for each employer. Be thorough and accurate with this information. After you apply, EDD will send you a Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award showing all wages reported by your employers. Review this carefully! If any wages are missing (especially from your restaurant job if it was cash tips), you can appeal and request a wage investigation. Based on the earnings you mentioned, you should qualify for a weekly benefit amount between $450-550 depending on your highest quarter earnings.

To answer your question about the interview process - yes, most claims that involve leaving a job for medical reasons will trigger a phone interview. It's nothing to be nervous about. The interviewer will simply ask questions about why you left your job in October and what happened when you tried to return. Just be honest and straightforward. Explain that you had documented medical reasons for leaving, that you were told you could return, and that when you attempted to return, they informed you there was no position available. The interviewer is mainly trying to determine if you had good cause for separation and are available for work now. Document everything - dates you spoke with your former employer, who you spoke with, and what was said. This documentation can be very helpful during your interview.

When I applied last year after being let go, my former employer tried to fight my claim saying I voluntarily quit (which wasn't true). Just be prepared that your employer might contest your claim. If they do, you'll get paperwork about an appeal hearing. DON'T PANIC if this happens! It's actually pretty common. Just make sure you attend the hearing (they're usually by phone) and bring all your documentation. The judges are generally fair if you can show medical necessity and that you were essentially laid off when trying to return.