If I quit my job can I still get California EDD unemployment benefits?

Ok so the hostile environment situation could actually qualify? I have emails and written complaints I submitted to HR. Is that enough documentation or do I need more?

Emails and HR complaints are solid. Also keep any responses HR gave you, or document in writing that they failed to respond. The more specific the better - vague 'bad environment' claims don't hold up well but specific documented incidents of harassment or discrimination are much stronger.

This is good info. I quit last year for similar reasons and EDD did question it but my documentation saved me. They sent a questionnaire asking me to explain why I left and I basically wrote a detailed timeline with all my evidence attached.

wait so if your boss just cuts your hours in half without telling you that counts?? asking for a friend lol

Yeah a significant reduction in hours or pay without agreement can absolutely be good cause. That's considered a material change to your employment contract basically. Your 'friend' should document when the change happened and whether they were notified in advance.

I had this happen to me - went from 40hrs to 22hrs and EDD approved my claim after I quit. They called it a forced separation. Make sure to note the exact dates the schedule changed when you file.

Wait this actually works? I've tried calling EDD like 6 times and either get the busy signal or it just disconnects me after 45 minutes on hold.

Yeah I was skeptical too honestly but it worked for me. Got connected to an actual person who looked at my specific situation. For something like your question - where you want to know if YOUR specific circumstances qualify before you take the leap - talking to an actual rep is way more reliable than trying to guess from forum posts.

gonna try this, been trying to get through to EDD for two weeks now about a different issue and I'm losing my mind

How long did the appeal process take? Did you eventually get approved or were you just out of luck?

My appeal took about 8 weeks. I did eventually win but it was stressful and I had to do an actual hearing over the phone with an ALJ. If I had just documented things properly before quitting I probably wouldn't have needed the appeal at all.

This happened to me too. The disqualification notice is terrifying to receive. And the appeal system is backed up so you're waiting months potentially with no income. Definitely worth doing it right the first time.

yeah my employer lied to EDD about why I left and EDD initially sided with them. had to go to appeal to get it sorted out with my actual evidence

This is so important. The appeals process exists exactly for situations where the employer misrepresents things. But it's much easier if you have solid documentation from the start rather than trying to prove your case later.

This is making me want to be even more careful about documenting everything before I make any move. Thank you for mentioning this.

Great question actually. 'Job abandonment' - just not showing up - can complicate your claim significantly because EDD might record it as a termination for cause rather than a voluntary quit, which creates a different set of problems. Always give formal notice even if you're quitting for good cause. Email is fine, it actually creates a paper trail.

ohhhh ok so ghosting the job is actually worse somehow. got it

Exactly. If you job abandon and they call it a termination for misconduct, you could be disqualified that way instead. Always formally resign in writing and state that you're resigning due to [your good cause reason]. That written statement becomes part of your evidence.

Yes - the benefit amount is calculated the same way regardless of how you separated from your job. It's based on your highest earning quarter in the base period. The separation reason only affects whether you QUALIFY, not how much you get if you do qualify.

Oh that's actually reassuring. I thought maybe they'd reduce it or something for quitters. Good to know.

Yep same calculation. Your award notice will show your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount. Usually around 60-70% of your previous wages up to the state maximum.

Thank you for the actual timeline, that's really helpful. So even best case scenario I'm looking at 2 months before any money comes in?

More or less, yes. There's also the standard 1 week unpaid waiting period built into CA unemployment regardless. And if EDD has follow up questions the timeline can stretch. It's one of the reasons I'd suggest not quitting until you have at least 2-3 months of expenses saved if possible.

I'd add - even after approval your first actual payment can take another week or two. So budget for the gap carefully.

YES this actually does qualify! Leaving one job to accept a new job that then falls through is considered good cause in California. You need to be able to show the new job was real - offer letter, email confirmation, any written communication about the offer and the rescission. File immediately and explain exactly what happened.

oh my god i have the offer letter and the rescission email. filing today thank you so much

This is one of those lesser-known qualifying reasons. Definitely file and include those documents. Good luck!

I keep hearing about this service in this thread, might actually try it before I make my final decision. Would be really helpful to talk to an actual EDD rep about my specific HR documentation situation.

Honestly for a decision this big - quitting your job - it's worth it to get real information from EDD directly instead of relying on general info. Your situation has specific details that matter.

used it yesterday after seeing it mentioned earlier in this thread, got through within the hour. way better than my previous experience trying to call directly

wait really?? i thought if you had like a temp layoff or something you could be on standby and not have to do job searches

Standby status is different - that's usually for people expecting to be recalled to a specific job. If you quit and are collecting regular UI you generally do have to do job searches unless your employer puts you on standby which wouldn't apply here. Different situation.

Correct. Active job search is required for most UI claimants. You log your 3 weekly activities through the UI Online portal when you certify each week. Can be applications, interviews, job fairs, resume workshops etc.

This is really important to say. EDD denials on quit claims are common even with good documentation. The appeals process exists and people do win. But yes, be mentally prepared for it to be a process.

And document EVERYTHING through the appeals process too. My appeal hearing was recorded and the ALJ was actually way more thorough than the initial EDD determination. I felt more heard at the appeal level honestly.

Same experience here. Initial denial, appeal, won. It's exhausting but the appeals process does work if you have a real good cause reason. Don't give up after a first denial.

This is encouraging to hear. I'm going to make sure my documentation is as specific as possible if I do decide to move forward.

Good luck! Just be thorough and honest. The written questionnaire they send is actually your best opportunity to lay out your case clearly.

You can absolutely file online at UI Online through the EDD website. Most people do it online now. The initial claim application is online, weekly certifications are online, and most correspondence is through UI Online. You'd only really need to call if you have a specific issue to discuss or if EDD contacts you about your claim.

oh thank god, the thought of spending hours on hold just to start a claim sounded awful

Yeah the online system is pretty decent for initial filing. Where calling becomes necessary is if something flags on your claim or goes into adjudication - then you often do need to speak to someone to resolve it.

You can earn some money while collecting but you have to report ALL earnings when you certify each week. EDD reduces your benefit based on what you earn. There's a partial benefit calculation - basically if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount you still get some UI. If you earn more than your benefit you get nothing that week. Hiding earnings is considered fraud and the consequences are severe.

ok that makes sense - so it's not all or nothing, you just report it and they adjust. good to know

Yep exactly. And for gig work specifically - report what you actually earned that week, not when you get paid. The timing of when you certify matters. When in doubt, report everything and let EDD do the math rather than trying to figure out yourself what qualifies.

Still in the process of deciding honestly. I've been using the time to really build up my documentation and I also tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned (claimyr.com) and actually got to talk to an EDD rep who confirmed my situation sounds like it could qualify as good cause. That conversation actually gave me a lot more confidence. Still weighing timing and finances but feeling less panicked about it now.

That's good to hear! Getting actual confirmation from EDD before you pull the trigger is smart. Good luck whatever you decide.

Glad this thread helped. Whatever you decide, you're clearly approaching it thoughtfully which is the best thing you can do.