Hey Oliver! I had my appeal hearing about 8 months ago and won my case. The ALJ will definitely call you at the scheduled time - make sure you're in a quiet place with good phone reception about 10 minutes early. My hearing lasted about 90 minutes because my employer brought their manager and tried to argue I was fired for cause when I was clearly laid off. Here's what really helped me: I organized all my evidence into folders on my computer so I could quickly pull up any document they referenced. Have your emails about the restructuring ready to go! Also, when the judge asks you to explain what happened, stick to the facts and timeline - don't get emotional even if your employer says frustrating things. The good news is that ALJs are way more reasonable than the initial EDD reviewers. They actually listen to your side of the story. Since you have documentation showing it was restructuring and not a voluntary quit, you should be in good shape. Just be confident and tell the truth!

I just wanted to add that you should also prepare for the possibility that your employer might bring up reasons why they think you quit voluntarily - like maybe they'll say you didn't show up for work after being told about the restructuring or something like that. Have your story straight about exactly what happened on your last day and who told you what. Also, don't worry too much about the legal language or sounding perfect - the ALJ just wants to understand what actually happened. I was so nervous during mine that I stumbled over words, but the judge was patient and asked follow-up questions to clarify. The most important thing is being honest and having those restructuring emails ready to reference. You're going to do great!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Have you tried logging into your UI Online account at edd.ca.gov? Sometimes the customer account number is displayed there in your account profile or on correspondence within the system. You can also try calling the EDD customer service line at 1-800-300-5616, though it may take several attempts to get through. If you have your Social Security number and other personal info ready, they should be able to provide your customer account number over the phone.

Just wanted to add that I went through something similar when I started my freelance writing business while still doing part-time retail work. The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of everything - hours worked on my business, all W-2 earnings, job search activities, etc. When I had my phone interview with EDD, the representative actually appreciated that I was so organized and transparent about my situation. She explained that as long as I was genuinely available for full-time work (not turning down job offers to focus on my business) and actively job searching, I could continue receiving partial benefits. One tip: when you report your self-employment hours, be realistic about time spent on actual business activities vs. just thinking about your business. EDD cares about active work hours, not passive planning time. Document everything in case you need to provide details later!

I'm actually going through this exact situation right now! I started a consulting business in January but haven't landed any clients yet, while also doing occasional temp work through agencies. After reading all these responses, I called EDD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned (took about 30 minutes to get through) and got some really helpful clarification. The rep told me that since I'm actively job searching and available for full-time W-2 work, I can still qualify for partial benefits. The key things she emphasized: - Report ALL self-employment hours during certification, even with $0 income - Be specific about actual work time vs just brainstorming - Continue meeting work search requirements (3 job contacts per week in my area) - Report any W-2 earnings accurately She also mentioned that EDD has a specific form (DE 1378) for self-employed individuals that might be helpful to fill out proactively. The whole conversation was recorded on their end, which gives me peace of mind that I'm following their guidance correctly. Definitely recommend getting official guidance rather than risking it - the penalties for misreporting can be really harsh!

Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a very similar situation last year! My benefit year ended in May after I'd exhausted all funds, but I had worked part-time for about 4 months during my claim year. I was able to file a new claim successfully through UI Online. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I had all my employment info ready (pay stubs, employer details, etc.). My new weekly benefit amount was definitely lower since it was based on my part-time wages, but it was still enough to help while continuing my job search. One tip: make sure you file right when your benefit year ends, don't wait! There's usually a one-week waiting period for new claims, so the sooner you file the better. Also, keep doing those work search activities - they're required for the new claim too. Sounds like you're already on top of that though. Best of luck with your new claim and job search!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Your part-time work earnings of $5,600 should definitely qualify you for a new claim. That's well above the $1,300 minimum quarterly requirement that others mentioned. A few things that helped me when I filed my new claim: - I gathered all my pay stubs and W-2s from that part-time work beforehand - Filed online exactly one week before my benefit year ended to account for processing time - Made sure I had accurate employer contact info and exact employment dates The online system walked me through everything step by step. My new weekly amount was about 60% of what my original claim was, but hey, it kept me afloat during my continued job search. The hospitality industry has been brutal - I totally feel you on that front. Don't stress too much about the application process. With your work history during the claim year, you should be good to go. Just make sure you keep up with those work search requirements on the new claim too!

Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I dealt with this exact verification loop about 3 weeks ago and it was absolutely maddening. What finally worked for me was a combination of clearing all browser data AND switching to my mobile hotspot instead of my home WiFi. Apparently some ISPs have security settings that interfere with EDD's verification system. After switching networks and following the 5-minute wait rule, I was able to get in on the first try. Also want to echo what others said about Tele-Cert (1-866-333-4606) as a backup - I actually ended up using it for one certification while dealing with the login issues and it worked perfectly. Don't let pride keep you from using the phone system if you're running out of time! This community really is amazing for helping each other navigate EDD's chaos.

I'm new to this community but stumbled across this thread while frantically searching for solutions to this exact same problem! I've been trapped in the verification email loop for the past 2 days and was starting to think my account was permanently broken. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been such a relief - I was beginning to think I was the only one dealing with this nightmare. I'm definitely going to try the incognito browser method first, then work my way through the other suggestions if needed. It's incredible how detailed and helpful everyone's responses are here. Thank you all for taking the time to share your troubleshooting steps and experiences - this thread is literally a lifesaver for people stuck in EDD hell! Will definitely update with results and pay it forward if I discover anything new in the process.