California residents who have been denied unemployment benefits can request an unemployment denial appeal to dispute the decision. Former employees who win their appeals will receive all employment benefits they are entitled to.

Residents can begin the procedure to appeal denied unemployment compensation with the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Unemployment applicants who have been denied aid must submit an appeal within 30 calendar days of the date they received the Notice of Determination and/or Ruling from the EDD.

For residents who have had unemployment compensation benefits denied, the state of California offers two different levels of appeals. Residents who are not approved after submitting the first-level appeal may file a second-level appeal in an effort to receive denied unemployment benefits.

In most cases, if California residents have been subject to wrongful termination, the EDD may change its original decision for denial.

We have compiled helpful information, hints, and tips about appealing an unemployment benefits denial in California on this website and FAQs and our free guide.

Learn more about this process in California by reading below, checking out our California FAQs, and reading our free guide.

Reasons You May Have Your Unemployment Benefits Denied in California

You may have your unemployment compensation benefits denied in CA for a variety of reasons. First of all, not all California residents who apply for unemployment benefits are eligible.

Former employees must be out of work due to no fault of their own and must be physically able and available to work at any given time in order to receive unemployment aid. Soon after submitting a claim to receive unemployment aid, the CA EDD will determine whether or not you have been approved and will mail you its ruling.

California residents may be denied unemployment benefits due to any of the following reasons:

• Submitting an incomplete application for unemployment insurance (UI)
• Not earning the required wages prior to filing a claim
• Quitting your job without good reason
• Being discharged from your job for misconduct
• Failing to meet the weekly requirements in order to receive continued unemployment benefits

California residents can file an unemployment denial appeal regardless of the reason for which they were denied unemployment benefits. If you believe you were unfairly denied unemployment compensation for reasons such as wrongful termination, then you may submit the necessary evidence to prove your case to the EDD.

How to File a First-Level Unemployment Denial Appeal in California

California residents who have become unemployed can file an unemployment denial appeal at the first level in order to dispute their case of denied unemployment benefits. Former employees who were granted unemployment coverage can also file an unemployment denial appeal if they believe they are entitled to more aid than what they receive.

Unemployment claimants must submit an appeal within 30 days of receiving the EDD’s notice of determination. In the event that you fail to send an unemployment denial appeal within this period, you will not be able to dispute the decision made by the EDD.

Workers who are unemployed can submit an unemployment denial appeal using several methods, including online, by mail, by phone, by fax or in person at a local CA EDD office. Specific instructions to submit the first-level appeal using the aforementioned methods are as follows:

• Online: To file a first-level unemployment denial appeal online, you must visit the eApply4UI EDD site and provide the necessary information. Once you have completed the application, you can submit it online.
• By mail, by fax or in person: Complete a physical or digital copy of the UI DE1101I application. Once you have successfully completed the unemployment denial appeal application, print it and submit it by mailing or faxing it to the CA EDD office. Applicants can also submit it in person by visiting their nearest EDD office. The mailing address, fax number and physical address of the office are stated on the application.
• By phone: If you have been denied unemployment benefits, you can submit a first-level appeal by calling the EDD office’s toll-free number. Upon speaking to a department representative, you will be asked a series of questions you must answer in order to submit an appeal.

How to File a Second-Level Appeal for Denied Unemployment Assistance in California

For unemployed Californians asking themselves, “What can I do if unemployment denied my first appeal?” the EDD provides an option to submit a second-level appeal. A second-level appeal gives applicants another opportunity to request a review of their case. Second-level appeal applicants must submit their requests within 30 days from the initial appeal decision.

To submit a second appeal disputing denied unemployment benefits, you must include the following information:

• The former company/business name
• Your address
• Your phone number
• Your Social Security Number
• The employer account number
• Your representative’s name and mailing address
• Your reason for the appeal
• The appeal case number assigned to the Administrative Law Judge’s decision

Once you have completed the application, mail the appeal to the return address on the initial Administrative Law Judge’s decision notice. The Appeals Board will confirm the receipt of the appeal and will determine whether or not the evidence you present is acceptable.

Last Updated: February 28, 2023