What drug test is required for California EDD unemployment benefits?

Oh thank goodness. I've been panicking for like two days over this. So there's absolutely nothing drug-test related I need to worry about?

Correct. No drug test requirement for California UI benefits. The only federal exception that exists in some states is for certain occupations where drug testing was a standard condition of employment, but California does not implement that provision. You're fine.

yeah california is pretty claimant-friendly compared to a lot of other states, no drug testing here

Wait so if someone was fired FOR failing a drug test at their job, does that affect their unemployment eligibility differently? Like could they still get benefits?

Great question. Being fired for failing a workplace drug test could potentially make you ineligible for UI benefits because it may be considered misconduct under California EDD rules. But that's a misconduct disqualification issue - it's separate from requiring claimants to take a new drug test to receive benefits. Very different situations.

this is actually a really common misconception, lots of people confuse drug test REQUIREMENTS to receive benefits vs being fired for drugs which is a misconduct question

I've been having so much trouble getting through to anyone at EDD too. I'll check that out, thanks.

does that actually work? i've tried calling edd so many times i've basically given up

It worked for me. I was skeptical too but I genuinely got connected to an agent who answered all my questions. Worth it when you're dealing with something time-sensitive.

Wow that's kind of messed up that employers would do that to discourage people from filing

right?? like he knew i'd qualify and just wanted me to not bother lol

unfortunately some employers do spread misinformation about this stuff

what counts as misconduct exactly? like if someone got fired for failing a test but it was like their first offense is that still misconduct?

Misconduct determinations are made case by case. California EDD looks at whether the behavior showed a willful disregard for the employer's interests. A first-time drug test failure might or might not be considered misconduct depending on the employer's policies, whether you had prior warnings, what the job was, etc. If you're in that situation you'd want to make sure you explain all the context when California EDD contacts you.

I went through a misconduct determination and it took forever to resolve. The adjudication process for those is brutal

lol well now you know! easy mistake to make given how other states do it

yeah i think i was mixing it up with welfare requirements or something

honestly the rules are SO different state to state it's really easy to get confused

The 3 job search activities per week - does that mean I need to actually apply to 3 jobs or can it be like attending a workshop or updating my resume?

Multiple activities count - submitting applications, attending job fairs, contacting employers, using CalJOBS, attending employment workshops, registering with employment agencies. Applying to jobs is the most common but you have flexibility with what counts.

Don't forget you need to keep records of your job search activities in case California EDD requests documentation. I learned that the hard way during an audit.

How has the weekly certification process been for you? Any issues?

pretty smooth honestly. i do mine on Sunday nights through UI Online. just answer the questions carefully especially the ones about work and earnings

same experience here, 4 months in and zero complications as long as you're honest on the certifications

I haven't done this yet - is it mandatory or just recommended?

For most claimants it is required. When you registered on UI Online it should have mentioned it. I'd go register now just to be safe, takes maybe 10 minutes.

Correct - California EDD requires registration with the America's Job Center of California network which uses CalJOBS. Most claimants are required to do this within a certain timeframe of filing. It won't affect your drug test question since there isn't one but it could affect your eligibility if you skip it.

California EDD interviewers are not going to ask you about recreational drug use. Their interviews focus on your separation from work, your availability for work, your job search activities, etc. Recreational marijuana is legal in California and your personal activities outside of work are not relevant to UI eligibility unless they affect your ability to be available for work.

that makes sense, i was just overthinking it

Right - 'able and available for work' is about whether you can accept suitable work, not about lifestyle choices. Unless drug use is actively preventing you from being available, it's irrelevant to your claim.

wait the paying back thing isn't true either?? i've heard that so many times

No, that's not how it works. If you find work you just stop certifying. You don't owe money back because you found a job quickly. You might owe money back if you were overpaid due to an error or if you were collecting while working without reporting earnings - but just getting a job doesn't create an overpayment.

This thread has been so educational honestly

ok two people have mentioned this now, going to look it up

It's legitimately useful when you have a specific question that the website doesn't answer. EDD phone lines are notoriously hard to get through and this actually helps.

seconding this, used it when my claim went into adjudication and needed to understand why. got connected pretty quickly

Perfect summary, thank you. And I wasn't fired for that reason anyway, I was laid off due to the warehouse cutting staff. So I have nothing to worry about on that front either.

Layoff for business reasons is exactly the type of separation California EDD benefits were designed for. You should be fine.

yeah layoffs are basically the cleanest path to UI approval, no misconduct questions, no disqualification concerns

It really seems like this is just one of those persistent myths. Glad I asked before I stressed myself out any more over it.

honestly same, i almost didn't file because of it

5 weeks in adjudication is stressful but not unusual unfortunately. California EDD adjudication times vary a lot. You should make sure you're still submitting your weekly certifications every week even while in adjudication - if you get approved, you'll be paid retroactively for all certified weeks.

For actually getting through to talk to someone about your adjudication, try Claimyr at claimyr.com - that's what I used when I was in adjudication limbo. Getting a live agent on the phone was the only way I could actually understand what was happening with my claim. The video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 walks through how it works.

thank you both - i'll keep certifying and try that phone service. 5 weeks with no income is brutal

Good clarification for anyone who might have moved recently or is comparing notes with friends in other states.

yeah this is why googling general unemployment questions can be misleading - you might find info from another state that doesn't apply to california at all

No. California EDD doesn't differentiate claims based on industry when it comes to drug testing requirements. The benefits determination process is the same regardless of your occupation. The only industry-specific considerations are things like union membership, base period wages, and what constitutes 'suitable work' for your experience level.

makes sense, thanks. I was a construction supervisor and was wondering if they'd somehow hold me to different standards

The 'suitable work' factor can actually matter in your situation - you don't have to accept job offers that are significantly below your experience level and previous wages, at least early in your claim period. California EDD has standards around this.

Agreed - I almost didn't file because I believed it. Would have been a huge mistake.

same, i know at least 3 people who delayed filing or didn't file because of this exact myth

misinformation about edd benefits costs people real money

Really appreciate this whole thread. Started the day panicking about a drug test that doesn't exist and ended up learning a lot about how the whole system actually works.

That's what these forums are for. Good luck with your claim - sounds like you have a clean separation so you should be approved without issues.