Laid off from temp agency after 2 months - do I qualify for EDD unemployment?

Yes, you should definitely qualify! I worked through several staffing agencies over the years and have received unemployment between assignments. The key factors EDD looks at are: 1) Did you earn enough wages during your base period (usually the 12-18 months before filing), 2) Were you let go through no fault of your own (which layoff due to lack of work clearly is), and 3) Are you able and available for work. When you file, make sure to list the staffing agency as your employer, not their client company. Have your final paystub ready and any documentation showing you were laid off rather than quitting. You'll need to certify every two weeks and show you're actively looking for work.

temp agencies are THE WORST!! i worked for 3 different ones last year and they ALL tried to fight my unemployment claims saying i "refused assignments" which was a total lie. make sure u save ANY texts or emails where they tell u theres no work. screenshot everything!!!

You should be eligible, but there are some specific things to know about temp agencies and EDD claims: 1. When you certify, if the agency contacts you about ANY potential assignment, you must report it as a job contact/offer 2. If you decline an assignment that's comparable to your previous position, it could affect your eligibility 3. Some agencies automatically contest all unemployment claims as standard practice 4. Be prepared for an eligibility interview - they're common with temp agency situations During your base period, you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter to qualify for minimum benefits. If you've worked consistently over the past year, even at different jobs, you should meet this threshold easily.

Base period is basically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in April 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024. As for timing, EDD claims from temp agencies often take longer because they frequently trigger eligibility interviews. You might wait 2-3 weeks just for the interview to be scheduled, then another week for determination after that. The biggest challenge with EDD right now is actually reaching someone if you have questions or problems. I spent THREE WEEKS trying to get through when my claim had an issue. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep in under an hour. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Totally worth it because the rep fixed my issue immediately once I actually got through.

random q but did they give u any kind of layoff notice or paperwork? when i got laid off from my temp job they just texted me "no work tomorrow dont come in" and never sent anything official. made filing for edd super annoying bc they kept asking for documentation i didnt have

OK IMPORTANT QUESTION did they say anything about you being able to come back when they have more work??? Because if they did, you might be on what EDD calls "standby" status and that can complicate things!!!!! I went through this EXACT situation and EDD denied my claim initially because the agency said I was just on temporary standby NOT actually laid off. Had to go through appeals and everything it was a NIGHTMARE!!!!

Another important tip - when you file your claim, you'll need to report all employers from the past 18 months. Make sure you have the correct legal name, address and dates for each one. I recommend checking your Social Security statement online to verify all employers that have reported wages for you. Mistakes in your work history can delay your claim processing.

wait does anyone know if temp agencies are supposed to give u a special form when they lay u off? my friend said theres some specific form they have to provide but i never got one either time i was laid off

Good luck getting through to EDD when you file! Their phone system is ridiculous these days. I spent two weeks trying to reach someone.

Update: I got an official layoff email today that clearly states I was let go due to "insufficient client demand and no suitable positions currently available." Going to file my claim online today. Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'll update once I hear back from EDD on my claim status.

As someone who just went through this process with a temp agency layoff last month, I wanted to add a few practical tips that helped me: 1. File your claim ASAP - benefits are backdated to when you file, not when you were laid off 2. Keep a detailed job search log from day one. EDD requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week, and they can audit this 3. If the temp agency calls with a new assignment while you're on benefits, you generally have to accept it if it's "suitable work" (similar pay/hours/location to your previous job) 4. Set up direct deposit when you file - paper checks take forever Also, don't be surprised if your weekly benefit amount seems low. It's calculated based on your highest earning quarter in the base period, so temp work can sometimes result in lower benefits than expected. But something is definitely better than nothing while you're job hunting! The online filing process is pretty straightforward, just make sure you have all your employer info and wage details ready before you start.