I'm new to this community and currently facing the same situation - need to mail in several weeks of claim forms after the online system was down. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! It's reassuring to see so many success stories with that mailing address. Based on all the advice shared, I'm planning to: - Send everything certified mail with tracking - Include a cover letter with my SSN and list of weeks being submitted - Make copies of all forms and take phone photos as backup - Use a manila envelope to keep forms flat - Be patient for the 4-6 week processing timeline Anna, it sounds like you're doing everything right! The consistency in everyone's experiences gives me confidence that this process works, even though the waiting period is stressful. I'll be going through this same timeline soon, so I'd love to hear updates on how your forms are processed. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these EDD challenges!

I'm also dealing with a backlog of claim forms that need to be mailed in! This thread has been so helpful - it's reassuring to see so many people have successfully used that same mailing address. I was really stressed about potentially losing those benefit weeks, but reading everyone's experiences with the 4-6 week processing time and backdated payments gives me hope. I'm definitely going to follow all the great advice shared here: certified mail with tracking, cover letter with SSN and week details, copies of everything, and patience during the waiting period. It's also good to know that the online account might show confusing status updates during processing - I'll try not to panic if I see weird information while they're reviewing my forms. Anna, I hope your forms get processed smoothly! Please keep us posted on how it goes. Thanks to everyone else who shared their experiences - this community is such a lifesaver for navigating these EDD challenges. The detailed tips and encouragement really help reduce the anxiety of dealing with this system!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Got denied last week with zero explanation. From what I've read here and other forums, it seems like the most common issues are missing medical certification or not meeting the work requirements. I'd definitely recommend calling that 8am number someone mentioned - I tried yesterday but couldn't get through. Also planning to contact my assembly member's office today since that seems to help move things along. Keep us posted on what you find out - we're all in this together! 🤞

I've been through this nightmare before! First, definitely appeal immediately - you usually have 20 days from the denial date, not 30. Don't wait for the explanation letter since it can take forever. When I appealed, I wrote a detailed letter explaining why I believed I qualified and resubmitted all my documents (even though I thought they already had them). Turns out they "lost" my doctor's certification form 🙄. The appeal process took about 6 weeks but I eventually got approved retroactively. Also try calling right at 8am or use that claimyr service someone mentioned - I was skeptical but desperate times call for desperate measures! Keep fighting, these denials are often administrative errors.

I just completed my REASA meeting yesterday and wanted to share my experience while it's still fresh! Like many of you, I was absolutely terrified when I first saw that notification in UI Online - I had never heard of REASA before and the language made it sound really intimidating. But honestly, it was SO much better than I expected. My interviewer was incredibly professional and started the call by explaining exactly what we'd be covering and why these meetings exist. We spent about 45 minutes going through my CalJOBS work search activities, but it felt more like a career coaching session than an interrogation. She helped me identify some gaps in my search strategy that I hadn't even noticed - like how I was mostly applying to the same types of companies and missing out on opportunities in adjacent industries. She also connected me with a local job center that offers mock interview sessions and industry-specific workshops. The most surprising part was learning about all the free resources available through the workforce development system. I had no idea there were things like transportation assistance for job interviews or childcare vouchers for training programs! My advice for anyone preparing: update your CalJOBS profile completely, be ready to discuss your job search strategy (not just list where you applied), and don't be afraid to mention any challenges you're facing. They genuinely want to help solve problems, not find reasons to disqualify you. This thread has been incredibly helpful in preparing me mentally - thank you all for sharing your experiences! You really helped turn my anxiety into confidence.

I had my REASA meeting about 2 weeks ago and wanted to add my voice to all these encouraging experiences! I was absolutely panicked when I first got the notification - I thought it was some kind of audit or investigation into my claim. The reality was completely different. My interviewer was professional, patient, and genuinely helpful. We spent time reviewing my CalJOBS work search log, but she was more focused on understanding my approach than checking boxes. She asked great questions like "What's working well in your search?" and "Where do you think you might need more support?" The best part was discovering resources I never knew existed. She enrolled me in a free professional development workshop series and gave me contact info for career counselors who specialize in my field. I also learned about a local job club that meets weekly - I've been to two meetings already and the networking has been invaluable. One thing that really helped me prepare was organizing my thoughts about what challenges I was facing and what kind of help I was hoping to find. Having that clarity made the conversation much more productive. To anyone still feeling anxious: this community's advice is spot-on. Be prepared, be honest about your efforts and challenges, and go in with an open mind about the resources they might offer. You might be surprised at how much support is actually available! This meeting could genuinely be a turning point in your job search.

I'm new to this community but going through something similar right now. I was a project manager making $78k and just got scheduled for one of these interviews after my UI claim got flagged. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying! One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if they consider remote work opportunities differently? Most of the management positions I'm qualified for in my area are now remote or hybrid, which opens up way more opportunities but also means I'm competing nationally. I'm wondering if EDD factors that into their "suitable work" calculations or if they still expect me to consider only local positions. Also, for those who've been through this - how long was your actual interview? I'm trying to plan my day around it but the notice just says "allow sufficient time" which isn't very helpful. Thanks for all the insights everyone has shared here!

Just went through this exact interview process two months ago after transitioning from PFL back to UI! Here's what I wish I had known beforehand: First, they DO understand that your field (healthcare administration) typically has fewer openings than retail/service jobs, so 3-4 quality applications per week is generally acceptable IF you can show they're well-targeted. What saved me was demonstrating that I was also doing other job search activities - attending virtual networking events, working with healthcare recruiters, updating my professional certifications, etc. During my interview, the EDD rep spent about 30 minutes going through my job search log and asked very specific questions: "Why didn't you apply to this coordinator position that paid $65k?" and "Have you considered temporary or contract management roles?" Be ready to articulate your reasoning for each decision. The biggest thing that helped was showing flexibility within reason. I emphasized that while I was focusing on management roles, I was also open to senior coordinator positions at healthcare systems or consulting firms that utilized my experience. This showed I wasn't being unrealistic while still advocating for appropriate-level work. One tip: if you have any healthcare management certifications or are considering pursuing additional ones during your job search, mention this! It shows you're actively working to stay competitive in your field rather than just waiting for the perfect job to appear. You'll do great - having 12+ years of management experience actually works in your favor because EDD recognizes the value of appropriate job matching for retention purposes.

I'm so sorry you're going through this @Zoe Wang - this is absolutely infuriating! As someone new to this community, I'm shocked by how common these retroactive reviews are becoming. The fact that EDD is targeting people who were completely honest about their medical situations during a global pandemic feels like they're punishing vulnerability. Your case sounds really strong for appeal though. Being immunocompromised with doctor's documentation during COVID should absolutely qualify you for accommodations rather than complete work disability. The distinction between needing reasonable accommodations vs being totally unable to work seems to be the key legal issue here. I'm taking notes from all the excellent advice in this thread - especially about getting updated doctor letters that specifically mention ability to work remotely, filing the DE 1000M appeal form ASAP, and requesting financial hardship waivers. The success stories like @Carmen Vega's are really encouraging! It's disgusting that they approved everyone quickly in 2020-2021 without proper review, then come back years later with these "gotcha" reversals when people have already spent that money on basic survival needs. You acted in complete good faith and deserve to have your original approval upheld. Please keep us updated on your appeal progress - you've got this whole community supporting you! 💪

I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in with some encouragement after reading your story @Zoe Wang. What EDD is doing to you and others is absolutely outrageous - targeting people years later who were completely honest about their medical situations during a global pandemic. As someone who's been lurking and reading these stories, I'm shocked by how systematic this seems to be. They rubber-stamped approvals in 2020-2021 when people desperately needed help, and now they're coming back with these retroactive "gotcha" determinations when folks have already used that money to survive. Your case sounds really solid for appeal though. Being immunocompromised with medical documentation during COVID absolutely should qualify you for work accommodations rather than complete disability. The fact that you were actively seeking remote work while protecting your health shows you were genuinely "able and available" for suitable employment. All the advice here about getting updated doctor letters, filing the DE 1000M form quickly, and documenting your work search activities sounds spot-on. Success stories like @Carmen Vega's prove these wrongful determinations can be overturned with proper preparation. Don't let EDD intimidate you into paying back money you legitimately qualified for. You acted in good faith during an unprecedented crisis and deserve to have your original approval upheld. This community has your back - please keep us posted on how your appeal goes! 💪