What does 'disqualified week' mean on EDD claim after wrongful termination?

Disqualified' week means EDD has determined'you re not eligible for benefits for that specific week. This usually happens after your employer contests your claim by reporting you were fired for misconduct.'You ll need to appeal this decision within 30 days of the disqualification notice date. During the appeal, you should gather any evidence showing you were following company policy or that the alleged violation'wasn t serious misconduct. Continue certifying for benefits while your appeal ispending!

same thing happned to me last year! my boss said i was on my phone too much but i was actually using it for WORK stuff! EDD sided with them at first but i fought it and won. dont give up!!

EDD ALWAYS sides with employers at first! It's part of their ridiculous system. They make these automatic disqualifications and expect people to just give up because the appeal process is so frustrating. I've been through THREE appeals with them over the years - won every single time but had to fight like hell. Document EVERYTHING from your old job. Get statements from coworkers if possible. The burden is on YOU to prove you didn't commit misconduct. And whatever you do, KEEP CERTIFYING every two weeks even while disqualified or you'll lose those weeks permanently!

did u get a letter in the mail explaining why? sometimes the online status just says disqualified but the letter has the actual reason. might help for ur appeal

I've helped several friends through this exact situation. Here's what you need to do: 1. File your appeal immediately using the DE 1000M form. Don't wait for the letter if you already see the disqualification online. 2. When explaining your case, be specific about the company policy you allegedly violated. Detail exactly what procedure you followed and why it was correct. 3. Continue certifying for benefits every two weeks while waiting for your appeal. 4. Prepare for your appeal hearing by gathering documentation: employee handbook sections about the policy, any emails/texts showing you followed procedure, witness statements from coworkers, performance reviews showing your good work history. 5. At your hearing, stick to the facts about this specific incident. Don't get sidetracked complaining about your manager or other workplace issues. The appeal process typically takes 6-12 weeks currently. You'll eventually get back pay for all weeks if you win. In the meantime, have you been able to reach an EDD representative to get more details? That could be helpful.

If you need to actually talk to an EDD rep (which I definitely recommend before your appeal hearing), try using Claimyr. It's a service that calls EDD for you and connects you when they get through. I was skeptical but it saved me hours of frustration when I had a similar issue. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Getting direct info from EDD about why exactly they disqualified you will be super helpful for preparing your appeal. Sometimes they can even resolve it without going through the whole hearing process if there was a simple misunderstanding.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but misunderstanding company policy isn't usually considered good cause for termination under EDD rules. What matters is whether your actions constituted 'misconduct' - which has a specific legal definition for unemployment purposes. Misconduct means a deliberate disregard for the employer's interests. If you genuinely believed you were following procedure correctly, that's generally NOT misconduct even if you made a mistake. Be very clear about this distinction in your appeal. Don't argue about whether you followed policy perfectly - argue that any mistake was not deliberate misconduct. This is a critical legal distinction that often determines these cases. Also, if the policy was unclear, inconsistently enforced, or if you received inadequate training, definitely mention that in your appeal. These are all factors that can help your case.

i would also recommend applying for calfresh while ur waiting if ur low on funds. doesnt take long to get approved and helps with food at least

One more thing - after you file your appeal, you'll get a notice with your hearing date. California uses the Office of Appeals to handle these cases. The hearing will likely be over the phone with an Administrative Law Judge. You'll have the chance to present your side, and your former employer may participate as well. The judge will make a decision based on whether your actions met the legal definition of misconduct under unemployment insurance law. They'll mail you their decision within 2-3 weeks after the hearing. If you win, all disqualified weeks will be paid retroactively. If you lose the first appeal, you can file a second-level appeal to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Hang in there! The system is complicated but navigable.

Update us after you speak with EDD or file your appeal. Many of us have been through similar situations and can offer more specific advice as you move through the process.

Don't let this discourage you from fighting back! I went through something very similar about 6 months ago - got fired for supposedly not following safety protocol, but it was really just a personality conflict with my supervisor. EDD automatically disqualified me too. Here's what worked for me: I gathered every piece of documentation I could find - old emails, my training records, even photos of the work area that showed the safety equipment was faulty. I also got a written statement from a coworker who witnessed what actually happened. The key thing that helped my case was proving that I had received conflicting instructions from different supervisors about the same procedure. The judge said that showed the company's policies weren't clear or consistently applied. It took about 10 weeks total from filing my appeal to getting my back pay, but I got every penny I was owed. The stress was worth it in the end. You've got this - just stay organized and don't give up!

I've been helping people navigate EDD appeals for years through my work at a legal aid clinic. Here are some additional resources that might help: 1. California's Self-Help Guide for UI Appeals has step-by-step instructions: https://www.calhealthadvocates.org/unemployment/ 2. Many local libraries offer free legal clinics where attorneys can review your appeal paperwork before you submit it. 3. If you're in LA, SF, or San Diego, there are specific unemployment advocacy organizations that provide free assistance with appeals. The fact that you had 3 years of good employment history and this happened right after a management change actually works in your favor. Appeals judges see patterns like this all the time - new managers trying to clean house or being overly strict about policies that were previously enforced differently. Also, document if you received any kind of employee handbook or written policies about returns. If the policy was vague or if you weren't given clear training on the specific situation you encountered, that's strong evidence against misconduct. Most importantly - don't let them intimidate you out of fighting this. The system relies on people giving up because the process seems overwhelming. You clearly have a legitimate case here!