Fired without explanation - Do I qualify for EDD benefits in CA?

Yes, you can file for unemployment! Being fired without misconduct (which it sounds like in your case) generally means you qualify. Your employer might try to contest it by claiming misconduct, but the burden of proof is on them. File your claim RIGHT AWAY on UI Online - don't wait. You'll need to provide your employment history, last day worked, and reason for separation (just state what you wrote here - terminated without cause). Once approved, you'll need to certify every two weeks. The EDD will also likely schedule an eligibility phone interview to get your side of the story in case your employer contests. Just be honest about what happened. Good luck!

sry abt ur job. same thing happened 2 my cousin last yr. he got benefits no prob. just make sure u say u were fired without cause NOT laid off cuz thats different.

I went through this EXACT situation in January. Filed online immediately and selected "discharged/fired" as reason for separation and briefly explained I was given no specific reason. Here's what to expect: 1. File claim online ASAP 2. Wait 1-2 weeks for confirmation letter in mail 3. You'll likely get scheduled for a phone interview (mine was 3 weeks after filing) 4. Start certifying for benefits as soon as UI Online allows you to The phone interview is CRITICAL! Be prepared to explain what happened in detail. EDD will contact your employer for their side, and if they claim misconduct, you need to be ready to counter that. In my case, they never called me at my scheduled time, and I had to wait another week before getting rescheduled. One suggestion: Start job searching immediately and document everything. You need to report your job search activities when certifying for benefits. Also helps if you ever need to appeal a denial. My first payment took about 5 weeks total from filing, but once approved, they back-paid for all eligible weeks.

I know this sucks but consider yourself lucky. When I got fired they made up a bunch of BS about "policy violations" that never happened just so they wouldn't have to pay unemployment. I had to fight for 3 months to get benefits. If your boss didn't give you a specific reason in writing, that's actually better for you.

If you're struggling to reach EDD to ask questions (and trust me, you will be), I highly recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in the same boat, calling 50+ times a day trying to reach someone about my eligibility interview. A friend recommended this service, and it got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes after days of failed attempts. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Totally worth it to get answers about your specific situation, especially since your case might need clarification with the "fired without cause" aspect. The EDD phone system is absolutely terrible otherwise.

To answer your question about what constitutes "misconduct" - this is important to understand. For EDD purposes, misconduct is generally defined as a deliberate disregard of the employer's interests, willful violation of rules, or repeated negligence despite warnings. Being occasionally a few minutes late WITHOUT formal write-ups or warnings would NOT typically qualify as misconduct that would disqualify you. Misconduct usually requires: 1. The employee knew about the rule/expectation 2. The rule was reasonable 3. The violation was willful or repeated after warnings 4. The misconduct was significant In your case, based on what you've described, it sounds like you would likely qualify for benefits. When you have your eligibility interview, be honest but emphasize that you were never formally disciplined or warned that your job was at risk. Also mention your 14-month employment history with the company as evidence of otherwise satisfactory performance.

Regarding your question about timeline: it varies widely, but here's a general expectation: - Application processing: 1-2 weeks - First certification period: Available after claim is processed (typically 2 weeks after filing) - Payment after certification: 2-3 days (direct deposit) or 5-7 days (debit card) So best case scenario is about 2.5-3 weeks for first payment. However, if there's an eligibility interview scheduled (which is likely in termination cases), your payments may be pending until after that interview is completed. The interview could be scheduled 3-5 weeks out due to backlog. If you're approved after the interview, they'll release all pending payments at once. If your employer doesn't contest your claim, sometimes EDD will approve without an interview, but don't count on that. Don't forget to certify for benefits every two weeks once you're able to, regardless of whether you've had your interview yet. This ensures you'll get all back payments if/when approved.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you answer the certification questions CORRECTLY every 2 weeks!!! This is where people mess up. When it asks if you were "too sick or injured to work" only say YES if it prevented you from working THE ENTIRE WEEK. Same with "did you refuse work" - only say yes if you actually turned down a formal job offer. If you answer these questions wrong, it can delay or stop your payments!!!

Thank you all so much for the advice! I filed my claim online today and printed everything for my records. The system says I should be able to certify in 10 days. I'm going to start job hunting tomorrow and keep detailed records of everywhere I apply. I think I'm most worried about the phone interview since it sounds like that's when they decide if I really qualify or not. I'll update this thread after my interview to let everyone know how it goes. Fingers crossed my ex-employer doesn't try to fight it!

I went through something similar last year and want to emphasize a few key points that helped me. First, when you have your eligibility interview, be prepared to explain your job duties and any positive feedback you received during your employment - this helps establish that you were a good employee who wasn't fired for misconduct. Second, if you have any text messages or emails from your termination day, save screenshots! I had a text from my manager saying "sorry this happened so suddenly" which helped prove it wasn't performance-related. Also, don't be discouraged if your employer contests your claim - many do automatically, but EDD will look at the facts. The key is being honest and having your timeline of events clear in your mind. You've got this!

Hey Sophia, I'm sorry this happened to you - getting blindsided like that is such a terrible feeling. I wanted to add something that might help ease your mind: California is an "at-will" employment state, which means employers can terminate employees for almost any reason OR no reason at all, as long as it's not discriminatory or retaliatory. The fact that your boss said "going in a different direction" without giving specifics actually works IN YOUR FAVOR for unemployment purposes. It suggests this was a business decision rather than anything you did wrong. When you file (which you absolutely should do immediately), make sure to mention that you received no prior warnings, write-ups, or performance issues during your 14 months there. That's a solid employment history that shows you weren't terminated for misconduct. Also, start documenting your job search efforts right away - you'll need to show you're actively looking for work when you certify. Hang in there, you've got a strong case for benefits!