If I resign can I get unemployment in California EDD?

Wait so I actually have a chance? I was so sure I'd get automatically denied. I do have emails to HR and I saved some of the written complaints I submitted. Will EDD actually look at all of that or do they just take the employer's word?

EDD will contact your former employer for their side of the story - that's standard. But they also review any documentation you submit. Upload everything you have. The adjudication process for voluntary quit cases usually involves a phone interview where an EDD representative asks you to explain the circumstances. That's your chance to lay it all out.

this happened to my cousin she quit because her boss was harassing her and she got approved after the phone interview, took about 5 weeks but she got it

How long does adjudication usually take for voluntary quit cases? I'm really worried about the timeline here.

Honestly it varies a lot. I've seen people resolve it in 2-3 weeks, others wait 6-8 weeks. The phone interview scheduling is usually what takes the longest. If you haven't heard anything after 3 weeks you should try to contact EDD directly to check status.

adjudication took 7 weeks for me when i quit my last job. was awful waiting but eventually got approved and got backpay for all the weeks i certified

Oh wow I had no idea about this. So I should file my claim ASAP and start certifying immediately even before I know if I'm approved?

Exactly. File the initial claim as soon as your last day of work passes. Then certify every week via UI Online or EDD Tele-Cert. Don't wait for approval to start certifying - you'll regret it if you do.

THIS. I lost 3 weeks of benefits because nobody told me this when I was going through adjudication. Please listen to this advice OP

Same happened to me, I thought you weren't supposed to certify until approved and I missed out on weeks of backpay. The EDD website isn't super clear about this unfortunately

Getting through to EDD on the phone sounds like a nightmare. Did Claimyr actually connect you to a real agent? I have so many specific questions about my case I feel like I need to talk to someone directly.

Yes, a real live EDD agent. I was honestly shocked. Spent literally 2 weeks trying to call on my own and couldn't get through once. Used Claimyr and had someone on the line within the same day. Worth it just for the peace of mind.

ugh EDD phone lines are the WORST. good tip ill keep this in mind if i ever need it

Yes I definitely did - I have a paper trail of HR submissions going back 4 months. Is there a way to attach documentation when I file online or do I have to mail it in?

You can upload documents through UI Online directly. Under your claim there should be an option to submit additional documentation. I'd upload everything - emails, HR submissions, any written responses you got. Keep copies of everything you send.

This is really important info. A lot of people don't realize EDD looks for whether you tried to fix the problem first. If you just quit without trying to address it the good cause argument gets a lot weaker even if the situation was genuinely bad

That's actually not accurate - California absolutely allows unemployment benefits after a voluntary quit if you had good cause. Your brother may have been denied for a different reason or may not have had documented good cause. It's a common misconception that quitting = automatic denial in California.

oh i didnt know that. he never appealed it either wonder if he shouldve

Yes he likely should have appealed if he had a genuine good cause reason. Appeals have to be filed within 30 days of the Notice of Determination so depending on when this happened it may be too late, but worth looking into.

Good to know about the appeal option. I'm hoping it doesn't come to that but knowing there's a backup plan helps.

The appeal process sounds scarier than it is. It's basically a phone hearing where you explain your situation to the judge. You can bring documents, have a representative if you want, and present your case. Many people represent themselves successfully.

I won my appeal after being denied on a voluntary quit. The initial denial was frustrating but the hearing judge was actually pretty fair and listened to everything. Definitely appeal if you get denied!

how long does the appeal process take? does your weekly certification keep going during appeal too?

Unfortunately the UI Online portal is pretty useless for adjudication status details. Your best bet is actually calling EDD directly to ask an agent what stage your claim is at and if they need any additional information from you.

If you're struggling to get through on the phones I mentioned Claimyr earlier in this thread - claimyr.com - it's what I used when I was in the same situation. Really helped me get actual status info instead of just staring at 'pending' on the website.

Thank you - going to check out Claimyr. Three weeks of 'pending' is destroying my nerves

Yes! A substantial reduction in hours or pay can absolutely constitute good cause for leaving. California EDD generally considers a reduction of 20% or more in wages or hours as a material change in employment that could support a good cause claim. The key word is substantial though - minor fluctuations probably won't qualify.

interesting because my hours went from 40 to like 22 a week and my pay dropped a lot. maybe i should file

With that level of reduction you might actually want to file even before you quit - California allows partial unemployment claims when your hours are reduced significantly. You might not even need to resign to get some benefits.

This is incredibly helpful. I'm going to sit down this weekend and write out a timeline of all the specific incidents before I file. I actually kept a notes app log which has dates and details - didn't know that would come in handy.

That notes app log is gold. Export it or screenshot everything. Contemporaneous records (notes made at the time of incidents) are very persuasive because they show you documented things as they happened, not just remembered later.

Great advice. The phone interview can feel intense but going in with organized notes makes a huge difference. You can literally read from your notes during the call.

Yes, employers can and often do contest voluntary quit unemployment claims. EDD notifies them when you file and they have the opportunity to provide their version of events. This is exactly why your documentation matters so much - you need to counter whatever narrative they present.

Employers have a financial incentive to contest claims because unemployment payouts affect their 'experience rating' which determines their tax contribution rate. So yes, larger employers especially tend to contest voluntary quits routinely. Don't let it discourage you - just be thorough with your documentation.

Ugh ok. At least I kept records of everything. Going to make sure I upload it all when I file.

I hear you but honestly the situation was affecting my health. I had to get out. My savings can cover me for about 6 weeks so I'm hoping to have something new lined up within that window.

There is a one-week non-payment period at the start of a California EDD claim but it's just one week, not a multi-week wait. And in OP's case with documented medical impact it sounds like continuing was genuinely not viable.

oh its only one week? i thought it was longer. that makes sense then

Wait they had the wrong number? That's terrifying. How did that even happen? I'm going to check what contact info EDD has on file for me right now.

I still don't fully understand it honestly. Something about an old number from a previous claim years ago. Make sure your contact info in UI Online is current and accurate - go check it now if you haven't recently.

Just checked mine and my phone number was outdated! Updating it now - thank you for this tip!

This is such an underrated tip. EDD contact info errors can cause massive delays and you'd never even know because they'll just say they 'attempted to contact you' without any details

I haven't received anything like that yet since I haven't even filed yet (filing this weekend). But I'll watch my mail carefully and my UI Online messages too.

yes check both physical mail AND your UI Online inbox constantly. EDD sometimes sends notices to one and not the other. missing a deadline on any of those forms is really bad.

Really important point. EDD sends correspondence through multiple channels and missing a response deadline is one of the most common reasons people get denied on otherwise valid claims. Check everything obsessively.

Being asked to perform illegal acts is actually one of the strongest possible good cause arguments you can make to EDD. Document everything - what you were asked to do, when, who asked you, whether you raised concerns, how they responded. That's a very defensible position.

i actually sent emails saying i was uncomfortable with it and my manager basically said do it or your job is at risk. i have those emails

Those emails are incredibly valuable. Screenshot and back them up in multiple places immediately. That's documentary evidence of both the illegal request AND what amounts to constructive dismissal. You have a strong case.

This is the most organized summary I've seen. Saving this comment. Filing this weekend and feeling a lot more prepared than I was when I posted this. Thank you everyone seriously.

Bookmarking this whole thread. Going through the same thing and this helped me understand the process so much better.

Good luck OP. Your situation sounds like it has genuine good cause elements - be thorough, be specific, keep certifying, and don't give up if you get an initial denial.

hope it works out, keep us posted