If I was fired can I collect unemployment in California EDD?

Ok that's actually really reassuring to hear. So even though my employer might say I was fired for performance, EDD would look at the actual details of what happened?

Exactly. EDD contacts your former employer to get their side too, but YOU get to explain your side as well. If they claim misconduct, you'll go through a process called adjudication where both sides are reviewed. Just be honest and provide any documentation you have like emails, performance reviews, anything showing the situation.

this is accurate. worked in HR for years and watched so many people wrongly assume they couldn't file. California has pretty claimant-friendly unemployment laws compared to a lot of states.

Wait so there's a waiting week where I get nothing? That's the first I'm hearing about that.

Yeah unfortunately. The first week after you file is called the 'waiting period' - you have to certify for it but you won't receive payment for that week. It's just how California EDD works. So file ASAP so you start that clock ticking.

Same happened to me. They approved me even though I was fired. Just make sure you answer the questions on the initial claim honestly about the reason for separation.

Oh wow I was literally about to spend all day tomorrow trying to call EDD. This might save me a ton of frustration. Did the rep actually give you useful info or just generic stuff?

The rep was genuinely helpful - they looked at my account, explained the adjudication process for terminations, and told me what documentation would strengthen my case. Way more specific than anything I found online. Definitely worth it if you need real answers fast.

Claimyr worked for me too when my claim went into adjudication after being fired. Got through to EDD same day and cleared up a question about my last paycheck affecting my benefit amount.

idk sounds kinda sketchy to me, i just kept calling early morning around 8am and eventually got through after like 3 days of trying lol

This is super helpful. My situation was basically them saying I wasn't hitting certain productivity targets. There were no incidents, no altercations, nothing like that. Based on what you're saying that sounds like it shouldn't count as misconduct?

Almost certainly not misconduct in the legal sense EDD uses. Failing to meet productivity benchmarks without any documented formal process, warnings, or PIP (performance improvement plan) is really hard for an employer to classify as willful misconduct. File your claim and explain exactly what you told us.

I had a similar situation - fired for 'poor performance' with zero documentation from the employer and EDD approved my benefits no problem. The employer didn't even respond to EDD's inquiry.

Good question - eligibility is based on your 'base period' earnings, not just your most recent job. The base period covers roughly 12-18 months of work history. So even if you only worked at the job you got fired from for a few months, wages from previous jobs within your base period count toward your eligibility threshold.

oh ok so it looks at all your jobs not just the last one. that makes more sense now

Right, and California's minimum earnings threshold to qualify is actually pretty accessible - you need to have earned enough in your base period to qualify, which EDD calculates automatically when you file. Most people who've worked consistently will meet it.

Pending is completely normal at this stage - it just means EDD received your claim and it's being processed. Don't panic yet. When a termination is involved they do typically contact the employer for their account of why you were let go, which can add some time to processing. But pending doesn't mean anything bad, it's just the initial status.

Ok thank you. I'm just so stressed. How long does it usually take to know if I'm approved or not?

Typically 3-5 weeks for claims involving termination, sometimes a bit longer if adjudication is required. Make sure you're filing your weekly certifications every week even while waiting - you won't get paid for those weeks until after approval but if you forget to certify you lose those benefit weeks entirely.

Wait I have to file weekly even before I'm approved?? I didn't know that. Going to do that right now, thank you so much.

That tracks - chronic tardiness is generally not considered misconduct under California law unless the employer can show the employee was repeatedly warned, given clear policies about consequences, and continued anyway despite knowing. Even then it's often not enough.

yeah the employer didn't even fight it apparently. she said it was surprisingly easy

Great! Now the waiting game begins. Remember - certify every week starting from your claim date even while waiting for a determination. Check your UI Online account regularly for any notices or requests for additional information from EDD.

Good luck! Based on what you described about no documentation and no real misconduct situation, you seem like a pretty strong candidate for approval.

If your claim goes into extended adjudication or you get any confusing notices, remember about Claimyr at claimyr.com - having an actual EDD rep explain what a notice means is way better than trying to interpret it yourself.

Oh I didn't know about the job search requirement. So I need to be applying to jobs even while my claim is still pending and I haven't been approved yet?

Yes, from the first week you certify. The job search requirement starts immediately. EDD can ask you to submit your job search records at any point. Three activities per week is the minimum - activities can include submitting applications, attending job fairs, using CalJOBS, or even doing employment-related workshops.

Wait so I need to do 3 job search activities a week?? I've been sitting at home stressed out not applying anywhere because I thought I had to wait until I was approved. Going to start today.

Agree with this completely. In California the employer's unemployment insurance taxes only go up slightly when a former employee collects - it's called 'experience rating' - and for many employers the cost-benefit of fighting a claim just isn't there, especially for performance-related terminations.

This is really reassuring. My former employer is a pretty big logistics company so maybe they just won't even bother contesting it.

yeah my friend's ex employer never responded and she got approved automatically basically

That's a helpful timeline, thank you. So there might be a phone interview where an EDD person actually calls me to ask about the firing?

Yes, in termination cases they often do a phone interview as part of adjudication. Don't overthink it - just tell the truth, stick to the facts, and don't volunteer negative things about yourself that they didn't ask about. The interviewer is trying to establish whether misconduct occurred, not to trap you.

Oh no I didn't know about a possible phone interview. What if I miss the call?

They'll usually leave a voicemail with a callback number. Call back ASAP - missing or being slow to respond to EDD contact during adjudication can delay your case significantly. Make sure the phone number on your claim is one you actually answer.

The phone situation with EDD is honestly one of the most demoralizing things. That's exactly why when I found Claimyr I was shocked it actually worked. I watched the demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 before trying it and it does exactly what it shows - gets you in the callback queue so you don't have to sit on hold. claimyr.com if anyone's hitting this wall with EDD phones.

I ended up just going in person to a local EDD office which i didn't even know was an option. waited like 2 hours there but at least i got to talk to someone.

Going in person is underrated for complex questions. EDD offices do walk-in appointments. The wait can be long but you get real face-to-face answers which is sometimes worth it for things like adjudication explanations.

This is probably the most useful thing I've read in this whole thread honestly. I was definitely psyching myself out over the official-sounding language they used when they fired me.

Super common reaction. The fear of rejection stops so many people from even filing. At worst EDD denies you and you can appeal. But most people I know who got fired for vague reasons got approved.

Yes, probationary status doesn't automatically disqualify you. Same rules apply - EDD looks at whether the firing was for misconduct. Being let go during a probationary period for not being the right fit is not misconduct. As long as your friend has sufficient base period wages from all jobs combined, they should be eligible to file.

ok cool i'll tell them to file. they were scared to even try because of the probation thing

Probation is an employer HR concept, not an EDD concept. EDD doesn't really factor it in. What matters is the reason for the termination and the wage history.

Good luck! That's the right move. Come back and update us.

Seriously so many people in this boat. The misconception that firing = no unemployment is so widespread and it costs people money they're legally entitled to.

Me too lol that's basically how I ended up here. Good luck with your claim!

appreciate it. did you end up getting approved?

Still waiting on my determination - it's been about 2 weeks and I've been certifying every week like people suggested. Staying hopeful. Will definitely update when I hear something.

Good to know there's a backup option. I'm still waiting on my determination and getting anxious. At least if they deny me it's not completely over.

Exactly - denial is not the end of the road. And the appeal hearing is actually more claimant-friendly than people expect. The judge is neutral, it's informal, and you don't need a lawyer (though you can bring one).

I'd also add - if you receive a denial and want to appeal, try to get an EDD rep on the phone to understand exactly WHY you were denied before drafting your appeal. That's where something like Claimyr can be useful, getting through to EDD to understand the specific basis of a denial so you can address it directly in your appeal.

The 30-day appeal window is serious. I've seen people miss it by a couple days and lose their right to appeal entirely. Mark it on your calendar the day you get any determination notice.