Unemployment if you quit or were fired in California
The state's rules for quitting and for being fired are different. This page gives the state's own words.
All about unemployment in California
Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.
Quit, fired or refused work
If you quit
If you quit, you need to show you had good cause for leaving and that you made reasonable attempts to keep your job, such as asking for a leave of absence or a transfer. EDD interviews you and your employer.
Examples the state names:
- Leaving to go with your spouse or domestic partner (or a person you are about to marry or register with) to a place too far to commute from
- Leaving to protect yourself or your family from domestic violence
- Choosing to be laid off in place of a worker with less seniority under a union contract
- Being retired under the mandatory retirement rule of a union contract
If you were fired
Being fired does not by itself stop benefits. You are disqualified only if EDD finds you were fired for misconduct connected with your most recent work. The law presumes you were not fired for misconduct unless your employer gives EDD written facts to show it, and EDD says your employer must prove the misconduct.
If benefits are denied for the separation
If you are disqualified for quitting without good cause or for misconduct, you cannot get benefits until, after the quit or firing, you work again and earn at least five times your weekly benefit amount.
Refusing work
Refusing suitable work without good cause can stop benefits for 2 to 10 weeks.
Law: Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code secs. 1256, 1257(b), 1260(a)-(b)
Official source: Source page
You usually must be unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states this means you lost your job because there was not enough work.
Able, available and looking for work
Each week you must be able to work, available for work, looking for work and ready to accept work right away. Your Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award (DE 429Z) gives your work search instructions. EDD suggests keeping a record of your job search dates and contacts.
Records to keep
Keep a record of the dates and employers you contact.
Law: Cal. Unemp. Ins. Code sec. 1253(c), (e)
Official source: Source page
To be paid for a week, you must be able to work, available to work and actively seeking work.
Law: 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(12)
Noncitizens
What the state says
To get benefits, you must show you had valid immigration status and work authorization when you earned the wages for your claim, and that you are authorized to work for each week you claim. EDD checks with the Department of Homeland Security.
Common reasons for a denial and what federal law says →
Free help
Call 1-800-300-5616. Legal aid and other free help in California → Official sources →
More questions about unemployment in California
Can I get unemployment in California if I quit?
If you quit, you need to show you had good cause for leaving and that you made reasonable attempts to keep your job, such as asking for a leave of absence or a transfer. EDD interviews you and your employer.
Can I get unemployment in California if I was fired?
Being fired does not by itself stop benefits. You are disqualified only if EDD finds you were fired for misconduct connected with your most recent work.