You worked hard, day in and day out at your job, only to find out that your position has been terminated. Unfortunately, you’re now out of a job and, as a result, a source of income. Rather obviously, this is a precarious situation to be in, and you most likely immediately sought unemployment benefits. However, you recently received a letter in the mail notifying you that your request for unemployment benefits has been denied. What now? Please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Los Angeles County employment lawyer to learn more about unemployment benefits in CA and how our legal team may be able to help if you’ve been wrongfully denied them. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Am I entitled to receive unemployment benefits in California?
The state of California is an employment-at-will state, meaning employers can lawfully fire any employee for any reason. That said, this does not mean that an employer can also deny unemployment benefits for any reason. Therefore, as long as you lost your position within your company because of a lack of work (and no other reason) you should receive unemployment benefits.
What grounds may prohibit me from receiving these benefits?
Certain grounds may potentially warrant an employer’s denial of unemployment benefits. They are as follows:
- The employee did not work long enough to qualify for unemployment benefits
- The employee did not verify their identity
- The employee engaged in misconduct in connection with their work and quit or was fired because of it
That said, if you did not engage in misconduct that hurt your employer’s business and you were unfairly denied unemployment benefits, you likely will have a valid claim against your employer.
What can I do if I was wrongfully denied benefits?
If your position was terminated and you believe your employer wrongfully denied your unemployment benefits, you should understand that you have a right to appeal your employer’s decision. That said, you will likely only have 30 days to file an appeal, and you should not do so without a competent attorney in your corner. Our firm can assess the circumstances of your situation, determine whether you truly qualify for unemployment benefits, and, from there, file your appeal and fight for the benefits you deserve.
For further questions, or if you’d like to speak with a seasoned employment attorney, simply contact RD Law Group for assistance today.
