Quitting due to health issues—can I qualify for EDD benefits?

Yes, you CAN qualify for unemployment after quitting if it's for "good cause" - health issues that are caused or worsened by your job absolutely count. But documentation is ESSENTIAL. Here's what you need: 1. Medical documentation from your doctor AND therapist detailing your condition and specifically stating that leaving your job is medically necessary 2. Evidence that you tried to resolve the situation with your employer before quitting (emails requesting accommodations and their responses) 3. When you file, make it very clear that you're quitting for health reasons that couldn't be resolved with your employer I was approved after leaving a job that was causing severe migraines and anxiety. The key was having my neurologist write a letter specifically saying continued employment was detrimental to my health. I also had documentation showing I'd requested reduced hours as an accommodation and was denied. Expect that EDD will schedule a phone interview to determine eligibility. Be honest but clear about the health impacts and your attempts to resolve the situation.

dont get ur hopes up. EDD denied me even with docotrs note. they said i could have looked for different job in same field instead of quitting. whole system is rigged

I successfully received UI benefits after leaving a job due to health reasons in 2023, but there are some important things to understand about the process: 1. You MUST show that you tried to preserve your employment. This means requesting accommodations, asking for transfers to different positions, or even requesting leave before resigning. Document every conversation. 2. The medical documentation needs to specifically indicate that: - Your health condition is serious - It's being caused or worsened by your specific job duties - You cannot perform your current job without detriment to your health - You attempted to resolve the issue with your employer 3. During your eligibility interview (which you will definitely have), focus on the facts. Explain how your health condition prevents you from doing your SPECIFIC job, not just any job. EDD needs to see that you're available for other suitable work that wouldn't affect your health. 4. Be prepared for initial denial. Many legitimate claims are denied at first and approved on appeal. In my case, I had to appeal the initial decision, but I won because I had thorough documentation showing I had tried everything possible to keep my job while addressing my health needs.

For your question about timing - I submitted my initial claim without the medical documentation. During my phone interview (which happened about 3 weeks after filing), the EDD interviewer told me to submit the medical documentation within 7 days. I faxed it in (yes, they still use fax) and also uploaded it to my online portal. But honestly, if I were doing it again, I'd submit everything upfront. The interviewer seemed annoyed that I didn't already have it ready, even though nobody told me I needed it before then.

Have you tried calling EDD to ask about your specific situation? The problem is that reaching them is almost impossible these days. I spent TWO WEEKS calling multiple times daily and couldn't get through. Then I found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD rep in less than 30 minutes. Totally worth it because the rep explained exactly what documentation I'd need for my specific case. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km or their website claimyr.com Getting specific guidance from an actual EDD rep before you submit could save you months of back-and-forth.

am i the only one who thinks its crazy that we need doctors permission to quit a job thats destroying our mental health??????

I'm in the process of appealing my denial for a similar situation. My biggest mistake was not getting specific enough documentation from my doctor before quitting. My doctor's note just said I was being treated for anxiety and depression, but didn't specifically say my job was causing it or that I needed to quit for medical reasons. Now I'm working with my doctor to get more detailed documentation for my appeal hearing. It's been a NIGHTMARE and I'm 4 months without income fighting this. Please learn from my mistake - get VERY specific medical documentation BEFORE you quit.

One more important thing: If your doctor confirms your health issues make you unable to work at your CURRENT job but you could work at a less stressful job, make sure to indicate on your EDD application that you are "able and available" for work. This is critical! If you say you're completely unable to work due to health, they'll direct you to State Disability Insurance (SDI) instead. But if you're able to work just not at your specific job due to its negative health impacts, that's when unemployment can apply. This distinction trips up a lot of people. Remember, EDD wants to know you're able and looking for suitable work - just not the specific work that was harming your health.

I went through something similar last year! I quit my job because it was making my anxiety disorder completely unmanageable. Here's how it went for me: - I applied for UI benefits right after quitting - Got scheduled for a phone interview about 3 weeks later - EDD rep asked detailed questions about my health reasons and why I couldn't resolve the issue without quitting - About 2 weeks after the interview, I got denied - I appealed with more detailed doctor's documentation - Had an appeal hearing by phone with a judge (super stressful but not as bad as I feared) - Won my appeal and got backpay for all the weeks The whole process took almost 4 months from application to getting approved on appeal. Make sure you have enough savings to last through a potentially long process!

Just to add one more thing that helped me: when you're writing your explanation on the EDD application about why you quit, be FACTUAL and SPECIFIC, not emotional. For example, instead of saying "My boss was terrible and caused me stress," say something like "My documented anxiety disorder (diagnosed on [date]) was significantly worsened by required 60+ hour workweeks. I requested accommodation for a 40-hour workweek on [dates] but was denied. My physician determined continuing in this position would cause further health deterioration as documented in the attached medical certification." Also, continue certifying for benefits every two weeks even if your initial application is denied. If you win on appeal, you'll only get paid for weeks you certified for.