When you get fired who pays unemployment in California EDD?

Oh wow okay that completely changes how I was thinking about it. So my coworker was just wrong about me 'paying into it'? That's wild, I feel like everyone I know believes that.

Yeah everyone thinks they paid into it, it's one of the most common misconceptions. My cousin argued with me about this for 20 minutes last year lol.

Yep, completely wrong but very common belief. The CASDI deduction does come from your check, but that funds disability and paid family leave - different programs. Unemployment is employer-funded entirely.

The misconduct angle is what's freaking me out honestly. 'Performance reasons' could mean anything. So there's going to be a phone interview where I explain my side?

Exactly, and the DE 4800 that comes in the mail will show the specific date and time the interviewer phones you, and also what questions they're likely to ask. Keep your phone on you at that time.

Performance vs misconduct is a really important distinction. EDD's standard is that the employer has to prove actual misconduct - like it's on them to show it, not on you. Vague 'performance reasons' typically isn't that.

To add to what the person above said - because I went through it - EDD really does look at both sides. The agent mentioned they'd contact my former employer too before the interview even happened.

Did they ask you a lot about the specific reason you were fired, or more general stuff about your job?

Mostly specific to the firing - what happened, your version of events, any warnings you got beforehand. They also asked about my last day and final wages. It went faster than I expected.

Same experience here. The interviewer was professional and not aggressive at all. I was worried they'd take my employer's side automatically but that wasn't the case.

Oh no I did not know that. I've already been out of work two weeks and I'm just now filing. Those weeks are just lost?

Unfortunately yeah, EDD won't backdate to your last day of work. The clock starts when you apply. That's why everyone says file immediately.

Painful lesson a lot of people learn the hard way. The earlier the better, even if you're not sure you'll qualify yet.

So I actually have a decent chance even though I was fired? I assumed getting fired automatically disqualified you.

Really common misconception. Lots of people get fired and collect unemployment. The question is whether the employer can show actual misconduct, not just that they wanted to let you go.

Agreed, though I'd add - never assume anything until EDD issues their decision. File, do the interview, give your honest account of what happened. Let EDD decide.

I'm doing the ID.me thing right now actually. It's asking for a photo of my license. Is this the right process?

Yes that's correct - you create an account, upload your ID photo, and authorize ID.me to share it with EDD. Some people get verified instantly, others have to do a video call. Either way, do it right away because pending identity holds everything else up.

The identity verification step tripped me up because I didn't have a matching address on my ID. Had to do the video verification option instead. It worked but took an extra few days.

Three weeks is reassuring honestly. I was imagining months. Did you have any issues with the pending status during that time?

My claim history showed Pending for most of that period which scared me. But the agent explained during my interview that Pending just means EDD hasn't made the eligibility decision yet - it doesn't mean anything is wrong. Once the interview was done and I'd certified, it moved to payment.

The Pending status anxiety is REAL. Mine sat there for so long I convinced myself something was broken with my account. It was fine.

Okay so getting that notice doesn't mean I'm approved, it just means they calculated a potential amount?

Exactly right. You still need the interview, the eligibility decision, and then you need to certify. Think of the DE 429Z as 'here's the ceiling' not 'here's your money'. The actual qualification decision comes separately.

This confused me too. I thought getting the award notice meant I was good to go and skipped doing something I needed to do. Read the whole packet EDD mails you carefully.

So my old manager will know I filed? That feels awkward but I guess it makes sense.

They find out through EDD's formal process, not some alert on their phone. And just because they know doesn't mean they'll fight it - plenty of employers just don't respond within the 10 days.

Worth noting: an employer that doesn't respond to EDD within that window can't appeal EDD's decision. So sometimes silence from them works in your favor.

Every two weeks? I thought it was weekly. And what's the waiting week - does that mean I won't get paid for the first week at all?

Two weeks, not weekly - California does it in two-week cycles. And yes, the first week of your claim is always unpaid, it's called the waiting week. It doesn't reduce your total potential benefit amount, it just pushes the first actual payment back one week.

The waiting week thing is annoying but at least it doesn't eat into your total benefits. I had to really explain that to myself when I first saw it.

I hadn't even thought about how I'd actually receive the money. So they send a card automatically?

Card comes in the mail automatically. If you want direct deposit instead you change it in myEDD before EDD processes payments. Either way, don't throw away any mail from EDD before reading it - stuff like that card can look like junk mail.

Are there work search requirements? I didn't realize I'd have to be actively applying while collecting.

Every week you certify you're confirming you were able to work, available for work and looking for work. EDD doesn't state a specific number of applications required but you do have to be genuinely searching, not just saying you are.

CalJOBS registration is also required for most claimants - you need to register there and post a resume within 21 days of getting the Notice of Requirement to Register for Work. EDD tells you if you're exempt.

I keep reading 'fired for misconduct disqualifies you' in older posts and panicking. 'Performance reasons' is my situation and I'm hoping that's genuinely different.

Misconduct in EDD's world has a specific meaning. Generic performance issues - not hitting numbers, style disagreements with management, whatever - really doesn't typically rise to what EDD considers misconduct. The employer has to prove it, and vague reasons usually don't hold up.

Just don't go into the interview trying to spin anything. Tell the actual story of what happened. EDD has heard every version of everything.

21 days from when I get that notice, got it. I'll do it the same day that letter arrives.

Smart move. The site itself is clunky but posting a resume isn't complicated. Just make sure it reflects real work history and isn't a placeholder.

Week 14 - so you've been on it a while. Any hiccups along the way or did it run smoothly after the initial approval?

One stretch where my Claim History showed Pending for about 10 days even after I'd been collecting for weeks - turned out to be nothing, it resolved on its own. EDD's UI Online doesn't always update instantly and that caused me unnecessary stress.

The UI Online refresh delay is real. Payment information updates daily on 1-866-333-4606 too if you want a faster answer than waiting for the screen to change.

How long does the actual card take to arrive by mail? I want to plan around when I might see my first payment.

Mine came about a week after my first certification. The first payment took a little longer to process than later ones. If you go direct deposit route instead, change it before EDD starts sending payments.

How long was your claim sitting in adjudication before the interview? I keep reading horror stories about months-long waits.

My interview happened about three weeks after I filed. The timing varies but the DE 4800 gave me the exact date and time, so at least I wasn't just guessing when it would happen.

Firings almost always trigger adjudication just because there's a separation question EDD needs to resolve. It doesn't mean you're going to be denied - it means EDD is doing its job.

Oh I had no idea about the tax part. So I could owe money at tax time if I don't do withholding?

Potentially, depending on your overall income situation. The 10% option comes up each time you certify. Some people skip it and handle it at tax time, some prefer having it taken out as they go.

Skipped withholding my first time and deeply regretted it in April. Opting in now automatically.

They offered a small severance. So I report it but it probably won't wipe out my UI payment?

Report it as the certification asks and let EDD calculate the impact. Severance paid under a company plan or policy isn't counted as wages for UI purposes - but EDD decides based on your specific situation. Don't skip reporting it.

Just report everything accurately. The problems people run into with overpayments almost always come from either not reporting something or reporting it in the wrong week. Report in the week the pay was for, not when you got the check.

Knowing they already have the documentation from your employer going in sounds both reassuring and terrifying. Good to be prepared.

Exactly. Having it confirmed meant I didn't walk in blind. The interviewer did ask about it but I had my side ready. Decision came by mail afterward.

Notes going into the interview are a smart move. Even just writing down the key dates and what was said when you were let go helps you tell a consistent story without blanking.

I really hope I don't get to the appeal stage but it's good to know the option exists. The 30-day window seems tight.

It goes fast, so if a denial comes, read the notice the day it arrives and don't sit on it. The form is attached so you don't have to hunt for it.

Continuing to certify during an appeal is the part people forget. If you stop certifying and then win the appeal, you can only get paid for weeks you actually certified for.

My highest quarter was probably this past spring when I was doing extra shifts. Hoping that gets counted. How far back does EDD look?

Standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim starts. So your spring earnings probably fall in there depending on exactly when you filed. The DE 429Z will show the actual calculation.

If the standard base period misses your highest wages for whatever reason, EDD automatically checks an alternate base period - the last four completed quarters - but only if the standard one doesn't produce a valid claim at all. It's not something you request and it doesn't bump up a claim that already qualifies.