Just want to add - make sure you keep detailed records of your work schedule and pay stubs! I learned this the hard way when EDD asked me to verify my reported earnings from 6 months prior. Having everything documented saved me from a huge headache. Also, if your hours vary significantly week to week (like 10 hours one week, 25 the next), your benefits will adjust accordingly using that same formula everyone explained. The system is actually pretty fair once you understand how it works. Good luck with the new job!

I went through this exact situation 8 months ago when I started part-time at a grocery store! The anxiety was real, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. Everyone's advice about gross pay is spot on. One thing I wish someone had told me: if you're uncertain about ANY earnings (like if you get tips, bonuses, or your employer pays you for training), always report it. I made the mistake of not reporting a $30 training bonus my first week because I wasn't sure if it counted - EDD caught it later and I had to explain. Nothing major happened, but it was stressful. Also, your retail job might have fluctuating hours during busy seasons (holidays, back-to-school, etc.), so your benefits will go up and down accordingly. That's totally normal! The key is just being consistent with your reporting. You've got this!

Anyone else feel like were playing a game of chance with EDD? One day your fine, the next day BAM! mystery letter 😵‍💫

Hey Oliver! I totally get the stress of getting unexpected letters from EDD. A few things that might help while you're figuring this out: 1. Check if there's a "Notice Type" or code at the top of the letter - this can give you a clue about what it's regarding 2. Look for any dollar amounts mentioned - sometimes it's just a routine notice about benefit calculations 3. See if there's a "Response Required By" date - this will tell you how urgent it really is I've gotten a few confusing EDD letters over the years and most of the time they weren't as scary as they initially seemed. But definitely don't ignore it! If you can share what the subject line or notice type says (without any personal info), we might be able to help you decode it better. Hang in there! 🤞

I'm in a very similar boat right now - came back from maternity leave last month to find my department completely reorganized and my previously flexible schedule now requiring daily office presence. The anxiety about potential termination and financial security is so real. From what I've researched and experienced so far, the key seems to be framing this correctly - you're not refusing to work, you're unable to accommodate a substantial change in working conditions that occurred while you were on protected leave. I've been documenting every email and conversation about the changes, and I'd strongly recommend you do the same. One thing that's helped my peace of mind is knowing that EDD does recognize childcare constraints as legitimate reasons for being unable to meet new job requirements. It's not the same as just "choosing" not to work - it's a practical impossibility given your circumstances. Have you considered reaching out to your HR department to see if there's any flexibility or accommodation they can offer before it gets to the termination stage? Sometimes they're more willing to work with new mothers than the direct supervisor might be.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while also adjusting to life with a new baby. The timing is just awful. I went through something similar about 18 months ago when my company decided to end remote work arrangements right as I was returning from leave. Here's what I learned: EDD does recognize that a substantial change in working conditions after protected leave can qualify you for benefits, especially when you have legitimate childcare constraints. The key is how you present it - you're not refusing work, you're unable to accommodate the new requirements due to circumstances beyond your control. A few practical tips from my experience: - Save every email about the restructuring and new requirements - If possible, try to get clarification in writing about exactly what the new role requires - Document any attempts you make to find childcare solutions (even if unsuccessful) - If they do terminate you, ask for the termination reason in writing I ended up qualifying for benefits, but it took an eligibility interview where I had to explain the whole situation. The EDD representative was actually pretty understanding about the childcare constraints once I explained that I was willing and able to work, just not under the substantially changed conditions. Hoping things work out for you - whether that's finding a solution with your current employer or successfully transitioning to something that works better for your family situation.

Just checking in - has there been any update on your situation? Did you end up trying Claimyr to reach someone at EDD?

I'm in a similar situation - filed my appeal 3 weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying! It sounds like 4-8 weeks is pretty normal right now depending on your location. A few things that might help while you're waiting: I called my local legal aid society and they have a free unemployment appeals clinic that helps people prepare for hearings. They reviewed my documentation and gave me some really good tips on how to present my case. Also, if you're facing eviction, look into your county's emergency rental assistance programs - some of them will help even if you're waiting on unemployment appeals. Keep us posted on how the assembly member route works out for you. I might try that myself if I don't hear anything in the next week or two. This whole system is so frustrating but at least we're not going through it alone!

I had this exact same issue last month! Turns out my claim had expired and I needed to file a new one entirely. The system doesn't always make it clear when your benefit year has ended. Check your account summary page - if your benefit year end date has passed, that's why you can't reopen or certify. You'll need to start a completely new application instead. It's frustrating but once I figured that out, everything worked smoothly. Hope this helps!

I went through this exact same frustration a few months ago! Here's what worked for me: first, double-check if your benefit year actually expired by looking at the dates in your account summary. If it has expired, you can't reopen - you have to file a brand new claim instead. If your benefit year is still active, try logging out completely, clearing your browser cache, and then logging back in. Sometimes the system just glitches and needs a fresh start. Also, I noticed that certain browsers work better than others - Chrome seemed to work more reliably for me than Safari. If none of that works, the messaging system through UI Online actually got me faster responses than calling. Hope this helps and you get it sorted out soon! 🤞