If you quit do you get unemployment in California? EDD eligibility explained

Wait so I actually might have a case here? I never complained in writing about the commute change because I assumed it wouldn't matter. Should I be sending emails to HR now before I resign?

yes document EVERYTHING before you leave, paper trail is everything with edd

The commute distance change is actually specifically addressed in California UI code - a substantial change in commute distance imposed by the employer can constitute good cause. I'd strongly recommend sending a formal written complaint to HR about both the commute change and the repeated denial of raises before you give notice. Keep copies of everything.

11 weeks with no income sounds terrifying. Did they ever pay you retroactively for that whole period once you won the appeal?

Yes, I got backpay for all the weeks I had certified during the appeal period. That part was actually really important - you HAVE to keep filing your weekly certifications even while waiting on the appeal or you lose those weeks entirely.

same happened to my sister, automatic denial then she won on appeal. edd seems to just deny first and ask questions later sometimes

how does that even work, do you just give them your number?

Yeah it's pretty straightforward, you basically sign up and it navigates the EDD phone system for you and calls you back when an actual agent picks up instead of you sitting on hold or getting disconnected

I've heard of this, my neighbor used it when her claim got stuck in adjudication for weeks. said it actually worked

This is actually really bad advice. Trying to intentionally get fired could backfire badly - if EDD determines you were fired for misconduct, you'd be disqualified just the same as a voluntary quit without good cause. And deliberately trying to get terminated could have other professional consequences too.

i mean i never got denied when i was laid off just saying

Yeah I don't think I could intentionally sabotage myself at work, that feels wrong and also risky like the above comment says

This is super helpful. I have some of the schedule change texts but not all of them - is there any way to get records from my employer before I leave?

You can request copies of your HR file and any written communications in California. Also screenshot everything you have access to now while you're still employed - email threads, text messages, anything documenting the changes. Once you leave you lose easy access to work systems.

also check if your employer has an internal complaint system or ethics hotline. filing something there creates a formal record that can really help during edd adjudication

How long did the whole appeals process take for you start to finish?

From when I filed the appeal to when I got the decision was about 7 weeks. Then another 2 weeks before money actually showed up in my account. So almost 2.5 months total but like I said they paid me for all those weeks retroactively so in the end I got everything I was owed

the retroactive payment thing is crucial and not enough people know this. keep certifying every week no matter what is happening with your claim status

Yes, quitting due to a medical condition that makes it impossible or unsafe to continue working can qualify as good cause in California, especially if your employer couldn't accommodate your condition. You'd typically need documentation from a doctor and evidence that you asked your employer for accommodation before quitting.

oh interesting. my doctor has been telling me to reduce stress and my job is legitimately making me sick. didnt realize that could count

Worth noting - there's also California State Disability Insurance (SDI) which might be relevant if a medical condition is preventing you from working. That's separate from unemployment and doesn't require the job separation to be involuntary. Might be worth looking into both programs simultaneously.

this seems to be the pattern honestly, automatic denial then appeal

It's absolutely the pattern. The initial determination people don't even read your documentation thoroughly. The ALJ at the appeal level actually looked at everything and reversed the decision in like 20 minutes. 20 MINUTES after I waited months for the initial decision.

Okay this is both encouraging and infuriating at the same time. Good to know appeals actually work though

I've been at this job two years full time so I assume I'd have enough earnings? How do I know if my base period wages qualify?

You can actually estimate your benefit amount on the EDD website before you even file. Generally if you've been working full time for most of the last 18 months you should be fine on the earnings requirement. The good cause question is usually the bigger hurdle for voluntary quits.

Also worth noting the job search requirement - you need to be making contact with at least three employers per week and logging those contacts. EDD can audit your job search records so keep a running log with dates, company names, and how you applied.

You file AFTER your last day of work. You can't collect unemployment while you're still employed (unless you've had a significant reduction in hours - that's a different situation). File your initial claim as soon as possible after your last day because there's a waiting week period before benefits start.

oh ok that makes sense, i wasnt sure if you could like set it up in advance

You can actually look up information and even create your myEDD account before you leave, just to have it ready. But the actual claim can only be filed after separation.

So you talked to EDD BEFORE you quit? That's actually brilliant. I had no idea you could do that, I assumed you could only contact them after filing.

Yes! EDD agents can answer general questions about eligibility without you having an active claim. Knowing what to document in advance made a huge difference. The Claimyr thing was the only way I could actually get through though, regular calling was hopeless

This is genuinely great advice I wish I had known before I went through my situation. Talking to an agent beforehand to understand what you need to document is way smarter than finding out after the fact.

Correct - documented safety violations that the employer refused to address are a classic good cause scenario. The key word being 'documented' - she likely had those OSHA complaint records to point to.

yeah she had filed actual OSHA complaints before quitting which I think really helped her case

smart move filing the OSHA complaints first, creates an official paper trail outside of just internal HR

Not the same thread topic exactly but briefly - being fired for performance reasons (not meeting goals, low productivity) is generally NOT considered misconduct by California EDD and would typically allow you to collect benefits. Misconduct means intentional violation of company policy or duties. Simple poor performance usually doesn't rise to that level.

Oh wow that's actually really reassuring, I was terrified I'd get nothing if they let me go

That said, if you have concerns about how a termination might be characterized, it might be worth talking to an employment attorney. Many offer free consultations and can help you understand your rights before anything happens.

4 months is a long time to float yourself financially. Did you have to take any other work during that period to survive?

I picked up some gig work but you have to be careful to report it properly during your weekly certifications or you can get hit with an overpayment later which is a whole separate nightmare. partial benefits exist for when you're working reduced hours

the overpayment thing is so real, report every dollar you earn during certifications, don't try to hide anything

Constructive discharge (the legal term) is when an employer deliberately makes working conditions intolerable to force a resignation. California EDD does recognize this concept - if you can demonstrate the employer intentionally created unbearable conditions to push you out, it can be treated similarly to an involuntary termination rather than a voluntary quit, which would make qualifying easier. Documentation is crucial here too.

Interesting - the OP's situation with the commute change and repeated raise denials could potentially be framed this way if there's evidence it was intentional

There's some overlap between constructive discharge and good cause for voluntary quit. Either way the documentation of what the employer did and the claimant's attempts to resolve it before leaving are the key factors.

That's a really practical tip about how to handle the interview. Is there any way to prepare for what they'll ask?

They basically ask: why did you leave, when did you first notice the problem, did you report it to management, what did management say, and why did you feel you had no other option than to quit. Practice answering those five questions clearly and factually and you'll be prepared for 90% of it.

This matches my experience exactly. Those are basically the core questions. Having your dates and facts organized in advance makes a huge difference

Mostly correct. The waiting week is your first week of eligibility - you certify for it but don't get paid for it (it's just a formality). After that, if your claim is straightforward you start getting payments. If there's an issue (like a voluntary quit that needs review) it goes to adjudication where an investigator looks into it. During adjudication you absolutely keep certifying every week - those certified weeks accumulate and if/when your claim is approved or you win an appeal, you get paid for all of them retroactively.

Ok so the waiting week is basically just lost no matter what but the adjudication weeks you can get back if approved, got it

Exactly. That one waiting week is just gone - it's built into the system. But everything after that can be recovered retroactively if your claim is ultimately approved.

That's useful to know for financial planning. I've had fairly consistent earnings so probably won't matter much in my case but good to know

yeah for most steady full-time workers it won't make a huge difference but I've seen people surprised when the amount doesn't match their current salary expectation

the max weekly benefit in california right now is around $450 right? or has it gone up

Is this legit? Feels weird to use a third party service for something like this

I had the same thought initially but it just navigates the phone queue for you - you're still talking directly to an actual EDD agent when you get connected. It doesn't do anything with your claim itself

I vouch for it, used it twice now. EDD phone system is designed to make you give up and this just evens the playing field a bit

I will definitely update. Based on everything in this thread I'm going to send a formal written complaint to HR about the commute change and the raise situation before I do anything else, document whatever response I get or don't get, and then make my decision. Feeling a lot more informed than when I posted this. Thank you everyone

That sounds like exactly the right approach. Good luck - and remember to file your weekly certifications starting week one after you leave, no matter what your claim status shows. Don't skip a single week.

Rooting for you. The system is complicated but navigable. Come back and let us know how it goes.