Got fired for not showing up to work - can I get unemployment in California?

That's actually really reassuring to hear. I kept reading stuff online that said fired = no benefits but it sounds like it's more nuanced than that.

This is correct. I work in HR and the misconduct standard in California is actually pretty claimant-friendly compared to other states. Document everything about your family emergency before you file.

yeah what they said, i was fired once for attendance too and got approved after explaining my medical situation to EDD

Ugh adjudication sounds stressful. How long does that usually take?

Adjudication timelines vary a lot - anywhere from 2 weeks to 2+ months depending on complexity and EDD's current backlog. During this time you should still be filing your weekly certifications so if you do get approved you get back pay for those weeks.

THIS IS SO TRUE. I was in adjudication for 8 weeks and nobody at EDD would tell me anything. Tried calling every single day and could never get through to a real person. It was absolutely maddening.

Oh wow that gives me hope. I did actually send my manager a text at one point even though I didn't do a formal call-out. Should I save that before they lock me out of work accounts?

Yes absolutely save everything NOW before you lose access. Screenshots, emails, texts, anything showing you tried to communicate or explaining what was happening.

smart advice on saving evidence early. also check if your workplace has any FMLA or leave policy that should have applied - if they fired you when they should have offered leave that's a whole separate issue

I've heard EDD phones are basically impossible. I'll check out that link, thanks.

yeah EDD phone system is notoriously brutal. good tip

honestly calling EDD directly is crucial when you have a complicated fired-for-cause situation because you can explain nuances that don't fit neatly into the online forms

Oh I definitely wasn't going to say I quit because that's not what happened. But good to know about how the burden of proof works differently.

This is an excellent point that a lot of people get confused about. The fired vs quit distinction is critical in California UI law and affects who has to prove what.

wait really?? I had no idea about this burden of proof difference. I've been on both sides of employment separations and never knew this

It was my child who had a sudden serious medical situation, I was basically at the hospital for several days straight. I have hospital records.

Hospital records are excellent documentation. A child's medical emergency is exactly the type of situation that can demonstrate your absence wasn't willful misconduct. Keep those records.

Yes the nature and severity absolutely matters. A documented child medical emergency is among the stronger cases you could have for an absence-related termination.

Is the weekly certification separate from the initial claim? I wasn't sure how that worked.

Yes completely separate. Initial claim gets you into the system. Then every week you have to log in to UI Online and certify - basically confirming you're still unemployed, did any job search activities, and are available for work. If you skip a week you might lose benefits for that week.

yes this! don't skip certifications even while in adjudication. that's how you make sure you get all back pay if approved

I really hope it doesn't come to an appeal but it's good to know that's an option. How long does the appeals process take?

Appeals to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board typically take 4-8 weeks to schedule a hearing after you file. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of your determination notice so watch the dates carefully.

Appeals are absolutely worth filing when you have documentation of extenuating circumstances like a child's medical emergency. Administrative law judges at the CUIAB look at the totality of circumstances and give claimants a real hearing.

That's so reassuring to hear. Did you reach out to EDD or did they contact you first?

they contacted me first via phone for the fact-finding interview. but i had also tried calling them to proactively explain my situation which i think showed good faith

The fact-finding interview is really important - that's your chance to tell your side directly. If they try to call and you miss it, call back ASAP because delays can slow down your claim

I didn't know about the job search requirement being 3 per week. Is that contacts as in applying, or does it include other activities?

California EDD considers various activities as job search contacts - submitting applications, attending interviews, contacting employers directly, networking events, job fairs, etc. The key is logging them accurately in your weekly certification. EDD can request your job search log as evidence of compliance.

Also register with CalJOBS when you file your EDD claim - EDD requires this and it helps satisfy job search requirements. Some people forget this step.

This actually really helped me emotionally. I have been feeling a lot of shame about this whole situation.

That shame is so common and so unnecessary. The system is designed for exactly these kinds of complicated situations. File the claim, be honest, and see what happens.

100% agree. EDD exists for situations like this. the worst they can say is no and then you appeal

Makes a lot of sense. Being proactive seems really important in adjudication cases.

This is good advice. In complex termination cases especially, being able to reach EDD proactively rather than just waiting is huge. The system doesn't always flag claims for follow-up as quickly as it should.

Yes employers absolutely have financial incentive to contest unemployment claims because their UI tax rate (experience rating) goes up when former employees collect benefits charged to their account. This is exactly why employers often contest termination claims even when the circumstances might favor the employee. Don't be surprised if your former employer fights your claim.

This is a really important point. Your former employer may submit documentation against you or argue their case to EDD. This is normal and doesn't mean you lose - it just means EDD weighs both sides.

That's honestly really useful context. So my employer has a financial motive to say this was misconduct even if it wasn't. I'll make sure to document my side really thoroughly.

I really feel for you - that desperate waiting period with no income is brutal. Have you tried Claimyr? When I was in a similar situation of not being able to get through to anyone, using claimyr.com is what finally got me an actual EDD agent on the phone who could tell me what was happening with my claim and what additional info they needed. Might help you get some answers at least even if it doesn't speed up the actual decision.

Also while waiting look into whether you qualify for any county-level emergency assistance programs or CalFresh (food assistance) - these can bridge the gap while waiting for UI benefits to come through. Don't assume you have to just survive with nothing.

Thank you both. I will look into both of these options. I just feel completely abandoned by a system I paid into for years.

Part time or gig work while claiming UI is allowed - you just have to report ALL earnings in your weekly certifications. EDD will reduce your benefit amount for weeks where you earned income but you won't necessarily lose benefits entirely. The formula is complex but basically they disregard a small amount and then reduce benefits based on earnings above that. DO NOT fail to report earnings - that can result in overpayment fraud charges.

This is correct and important. Reporting earnings is mandatory. Many people make the mistake of not reporting small amounts of gig work thinking it doesn't count - it does and EDD can match earnings records from tax filings later.

oh wow good to know. i was not aware that not reporting could be considered fraud. definitely will report everything

Ask EDD is basically useless for anything complex or time-sensitive. It's fine for simple questions but for adjudication status questions or anything that requires actual account review, you need to talk to a live person.

Ask EDD is a JOKE for adjudication. Three weeks response time for a copy-paste answer that doesn't help. It's like they designed it to not actually help people.

Phone is genuinely the only way to get real answers about adjudication status. Which is why EDD phone access is so critical and why it's so frustrating that their call volume makes it nearly impossible to get through on a normal basis.

This is gold, thank you. The bit about reading mail immediately is especially important - I would not have thought about tight response deadlines.

Can't emphasize the EDD mail point enough. I almost missed an appeal deadline because I assumed a letter was just informational. Always read everything from EDD right away.

Thank you everyone in this thread. I'm going to file today. I'll report back on what happens.

Good luck! Come back and update us - your outcome might help others in a similar situation.

Filing today is the right move. The longer you wait the more weeks of potential back pay you're leaving on the table if you are approved.