If a job fired you can you get unemployment through California EDD?

This is such a relief to hear. So I should still go ahead and file even though they fired me? I was afraid EDD would just automatically reject it.

Yes file immediately, like today if you can. Your benefit year starts from the week you file, not the week you were fired. Every week you wait is potentially money you won't get back. Go to UI Online at edd.ca.gov and start your claim.

Agreed, file ASAP. The waiting week rule means you won't get paid for week one anyway so don't add more unpaid weeks by delaying.

Did your employer fight your claim at all? That's what I'm most nervous about.

Mine tried to but they had zero documentation and EDD sided with me. Keep any emails or messages you have from your time there just in case.

same here, employer tried to contest mine and lost because they never gave me any written warnings before firing me

I've been trying to call EDD all morning and keep getting the 'high call volume' message and then it hangs up. I'll check this out.

omg the phone situation with EDD is an absolute nightmare i spent 3 days trying to get through

Claimyr is legitimate, I've seen a few people mention it here. Getting a live EDD agent to walk you through what qualifies as misconduct in your specific case is really valuable when your claim could go either way.

This is an important distinction. I've seen people disqualify themselves in interviews by saying things that accidentally sound like misconduct when really they were just performance-based terminations.

So when EDD asks why I was separated from my job what should I say exactly? I don't want to accidentally say the wrong thing.

Just be honest and accurate. Say you were terminated by your employer, that you were given no prior written warnings, and that the reason given was vague. Don't speculate or add extra details. Stick to facts.

this ^^^ is really good advice. just the facts, don't editorialize

I feel this so deeply. The adjudication process can drag on forever and EDD doesn't communicate well about what they actually need from you.

While I completely understand the frustration, it's worth noting that adjudication doesn't mean denial - it just means they need more info to make a determination. Keep responding to every request promptly and don't miss any deadlines.

I know I know I'm not giving up just venting. For anyone new reading this - adjudication is scary sounding but it's basically just EDD reviewing your case more carefully. Keep filing your weekly certifications even while in adjudication!

Wait I have to start job searching immediately even before my claim is approved? And I need to document it?

Yes, the job search requirement starts from the week you file your first claim. Keep a log of every employer you contact - company name, date, method of contact, position applied for. EDD can audit your job search records at any time.

Don't forget you also need to be able and available for full time work. If you have anything that would prevent you from accepting a job offer you need to disclose that.

Yeah someone here already told me to file today and I did. Just submitted the application a little while ago actually.

Good!!! Now make sure you complete the waiting period week certification when it opens up. Even though week one is unpaid you still have to certify it or you lose your place in line.

The waiting week thing trips so many people up. It's a formality but you absolutely have to do it.

How long does the employer have to respond? And will EDD tell me what my employer said?

EDD typically gives employers about 10 days to respond. You'll receive written notification of the determination including the reasoning, so yes you'll know. If the employer contests and wins you have the right to appeal within 30 days of the determination.

The appeal process is actually pretty fair in my experience. An administrative law judge hears both sides. Employers often don't even show up for the hearing.

It depends on the circumstances and documentation. Occasional tardiness without warnings generally isn't misconduct. Chronic tardiness after multiple written warnings and a final notice could potentially qualify as misconduct. EDD looks at whether the behavior was willful and whether you were properly warned.

ok so basically if they never gave written warnings it's probably fine?

Generally yes, lack of progressive discipline documentation really weakens an employer's misconduct claim. But every situation is different so file and let EDD make the determination rather than assuming either way.

I'll vouch for trying to reach an actual EDD rep for these nuanced separation questions. The answers really do depend on specifics that an agent can help you think through.

I actually got through to EDD using this - finally talked to a real person who confirmed I should be fine since I had no documented warnings. Feeling a lot better about everything.

Okay this is important, how do I certify? Is it through the UI Online portal?

Yes through UI Online at edd.ca.gov. You'll see an option to certify for your weekly benefits. They usually open every two weeks and you have to complete them within a certain window or they'll expire. Don't miss the windows!

You can also certify by phone using EDD Tele-Cert if you have trouble with the website. The number is on your UI award letter.

This is accurate and important. California tends to be more worker-friendly in how it interprets UI eligibility after termination.

If that's true then WHY IS MY CLAIM STILL IN ADJUDICATION. Sorry still bitter.

Adjudication doesn't mean they think you committed misconduct - it often just means there's a discrepancy between what you reported and what your employer reported and they need to sort it out. Hang tight.

Good luck! The sooner you file the better. Come back and update us.

will do, fingers crossed the adjudication thing doesnt take forever

Most straightforward firing cases get resolved within 3-4 weeks if the employer doesn't contest. You've got this.

Oh this is actually really useful. They specifically said 'moving in a different direction' which sounds like what you're describing.

I'd be a little careful here actually - be as honest and accurate as possible. If it truly was a layoff or restructuring, yes note that. But don't select a category that doesn't accurately match your situation just to avoid adjudication. Misrepresentation can cause bigger problems.

Fair point, I should clarify - I'm not suggesting misrepresenting anything. Just that OP's language from the employer genuinely does sound more like elimination of position than misconduct-based firing, so they should consider whether layoff/restructuring is actually the more accurate description of what happened.

Processing times vary a lot depending on how complex the separation circumstances are and whether the employer contests. Two weeks is possible for clean cases.

yeah his situation was pretty simple, company closed the location he worked at so I guess that's more of a layoff

Thank you for this summary and to everyone in this thread. Just got my claim acknowledgment email from EDD. Now I wait I guess. Will update when I hear something.

Good luck! Based on what you described you're in solid shape. The no-documentation-of-warnings factor is really significant in California UI determinations.

bookmarking this whole thread honestly

This is the best kind of update!! Congratulations and thank you for coming back to share. The weekly certification message cannot be stressed enough.

This gives me so much hope, congratulations!

Seven weeks is brutal but the outcome is what matters. And yeah the weekly certifications thing is SO important - I've seen people get approved only to find out they stopped certifying during adjudication and lost weeks of benefits they'll never get back.

Great news! And for what it's worth your experience is pretty typical - the adjudication process sounds scary but the majority of contested termination cases that go through the full process end up with the worker being approved, especially when employers can't document actual misconduct.

And if you can't get through on the phones (which is most people's reality), Claimyr at claimyr.com has been really helpful for people in exactly this situation - needing to quickly clarify a determination before the 30-day appeal window closes. Demo video is at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 for anyone who wants to see how it works.

The 30 day appeal window is NO JOKE. Don't sit on a denial thinking you have plenty of time. Count from the date on the notice, not the date you received it.

Yes this exactly. The appeal deadline is from the mailing date on the determination notice, not from when you actually open it. File the appeal as soon as you decide to, don't wait.