This is such a comprehensive thread! I'm also preparing for my DE 4800 interview and this gives me so much confidence. One thing I'd add - make sure you have a quiet space for the call where you won't be interrupted. The last thing you want after finally getting through is background noise interfering with such an important interview. Also, have water nearby since these calls can go 30-45 minutes depending on your situation.

I went through my DE 4800 interview last month and wanted to share one more tip that really helped me - practice explaining your condition out loud beforehand. I kept stumbling over medical terms and forgetting important details when I tried to wing it. So I literally practiced describing my symptoms, limitations, and how they affect my daily work tasks in front of a mirror. It sounds silly but when I got on that call, the words flowed much more naturally. Also keep a glass of water handy - these interviews can be emotionally draining and your throat gets dry fast when you're nervous. The rep was very patient with me when I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, so don't feel rushed.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - it's absolutely infuriating when EDD drops these bombshells years later! But reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you actually have a really strong case for appeal. The "without fault" designation is huge, and the fact that it's only questioning 2 months rather than your entire claim suggests this could very well be a simple paperwork error. Here's what I'd prioritize if I were in your shoes: 1) File that appeal TODAY - don't wait for perfect documentation, just get it submitted within the 30-day window, 2) Log into your EDD online account and look for the detailed determination letter to see exactly what your employer reported, 3) Start reaching out to former coworkers who can confirm the layoff situation, and 4) Dig through your old files for that final paycheck stub or any termination paperwork. I also want to echo what others said about contacting your state representative's office - they have staff specifically for EDD issues and can sometimes work miracles. And definitely consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you need to actually talk to an EDD rep. The most important thing is don't let them intimidate you into just accepting this. These determinations get overturned all the time when people fight them with proper documentation. You were legitimately laid off and deserve those benefits. Fight for yourself - you've got this!

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now and wanted to share something that really helped me understand my case better. When I got my notice, I immediately called the EDD overpayment department (separate from the regular claims line) and they were actually able to explain the specific reason codes on my determination letter in plain English. The number is different from the main EDD line and sometimes has shorter wait times. In my case, they explained that my employer had submitted a "correction" to their original separation report nearly 2 years after I filed my claim, which triggered the overpayment review. It turned out to be a mistake on the employer's part - they had confused my separation with another employee's. Since your notice mentions "employment separation reason being redetermined after employer response," I'd bet money this is exactly what happened to you. Your former restaurant probably filed some kind of correction or responded to an EDD inquiry and accidentally provided incorrect information about your separation. The good news is that these employer-error cases are some of the easiest to win on appeal, especially when you have that "without fault" designation. I'd definitely recommend calling that overpayment line to get clarity on exactly what your employer told them. Armed with that specific information, you'll know exactly what evidence to gather for your appeal. Don't give up - employer reporting errors happen constantly and judges see right through them when you present the real facts!

I'm going through something really similar right now with a chronic condition that causes unpredictable symptoms. What's been most frustrating is that my current doctor keeps treating this like a black-and-white disability issue - either I'm totally disabled or I'm fine to work my current job with no modifications. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing I need to be much more strategic about how I approach this. The advice about documenting specific work impacts and framing accommodation requests properly is so valuable. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully got UI benefits in similar situations, how long did the whole process typically take from filing to actually receiving benefits? I'm trying to plan financially for potentially being without income for a while. Also, did anyone find that having a diagnosis that's more "invisible" (like autoimmune, chronic pain, etc.) made it harder to get EDD to understand the legitimacy of the claim? I worry that because my condition isn't immediately obvious to others, they might be more skeptical. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences here. This has been incredibly helpful for understanding what I'm potentially facing and how to prepare properly. It's such a relief to find people who actually understand how complicated these situations can be!

I'm in a very similar situation with a chronic illness that makes my current position really challenging during flare-ups. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so eye-opening! One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my union rep - if you're in a union, definitely reach out to them before making any decisions. Even if you're not sure they can help directly, they often have experience with members who've faced similar medical accommodation issues and can sometimes advocate with your employer on your behalf. Also, I've been working with my state's vocational rehabilitation services (it's free!), and they've been really helpful in identifying what types of work environments and job modifications would be compatible with my condition. Having that professional assessment might strengthen your case with EDD if you do need to file, since it shows you're actively trying to stay employed but need specific accommodations. The hardest part for me has been the mental toll of not knowing what's going to happen. But seeing how many people here have successfully navigated this gives me hope that there are real options, even if the process is complicated. Wishing you the best with your new doctor appointment - hopefully they'll be much more understanding about the employment implications!

I'm dealing with this exact same "no wages" error right now! Been trying to file my UI claim for three days and the system keeps telling me I have insufficient wages even though I've worked at my current job for 18 months straight. This thread is honestly a lifesaver - I had no idea there were so many different technical reasons this could happen. The misspelled name issue really stood out to me because my last name has a hyphen and I bet that's causing problems in their database. Going to try calling first thing Monday morning at 8 AM with all my paystubs and W-2 ready. It's so frustrating that a simple data entry error can completely block you from filing, but at least it sounds like the reps can fix it once you get through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm currently stuck in the exact same situation - UI Online keeps saying I have no qualifying wages even though I've been employed continuously for the past year and a half. Reading about all these different causes (misspelled names, missing employers, hyphenated names causing issues) really helps explain what might be going wrong. My situation is a bit unique because I actually changed jobs twice during my base period, so I'm wondering if one of those employers just isn't showing up in their system at all. I have W-2s from both previous employers plus all my current paystubs, so I should have everything I need when I call. Going to try the 8 AM Wednesday strategy that several people mentioned worked well for them. It's honestly such a relief to know this is usually just a technical glitch and not an actual eligibility problem!

Also want to mention - if you're still having trouble after trying all these suggestions, consider contacting your state representative's office. They often have constituent services that can help with state agency issues like EDD. I had to do this once when I was stuck in limbo for weeks, and their office was able to get through to someone at EDD who actually helped resolve my case. It's free and they're usually pretty responsive since helping constituents is part of their job. Just google "[your area] state assembly" or "state senator" and look for their constituent services contact info.

I went through this exact same situation last year! One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every interaction with EDD - dates, times, reference numbers, who I spoke with, etc. When I finally got through to someone, having all that info organized made the process way smoother. Also, if you have any old correspondence from EDD (emails, letters, etc.) that mention those missing payments, definitely include copies with your reissue request letter. It helps establish a paper trail. The whole process is frustrating but don't give up - you'll get your money eventually!