I went through a similar company closure situation about 18 months ago and wanted to share a few things that really helped me navigate the process. First, definitely file your claim immediately after your last day - don't wait! The severance won't disqualify you, but you'll need to report it when you certify every two weeks. One thing that caught me off guard was that EDD sometimes requires additional documentation for company closures, especially if it's a larger business. They may ask for a copy of your WARN notice (if your company was required to provide one) or other layoff documentation. Having all your paperwork organized from day one will save you headaches later. Also, since you mentioned stress about income gaps - consider that even if your severance reduces your weekly benefits to $0 for those 8 weeks, you're still building time in the system. Once your severance ends, you'll immediately start receiving your full weekly benefit amount without having to wait for processing delays. The part-time work question is tricky - you can work and still collect partial benefits, but make sure you understand the earnings limits and reporting requirements. Every dollar counts during a transition like this, so it's worth exploring if you find the right opportunity. Hang in there - company closures are tough, but at least you have some advance notice and severance to help with the transition!

I went through this exact situation when my tech company shut down our entire Sacramento office in 2023. Here's what I wish I had known from day one: File your claim the day after your last worked day - period. Don't overthink it or wait for severance to end. I made that mistake and lost 3 weeks of potential benefits just from processing delays. Your severance will likely be reported as "wages" when you certify, which means EDD will reduce your weekly benefit dollar-for-dollar during those 8 weeks. So if your weekly benefit would be $300 but you're getting $400/week in severance, you'll get $0 from EDD that week. But here's the key - you're still certifying and keeping your claim active. Get everything from HR in writing: how the severance is classified (wages vs. dismissal pay), exact payment dates, and your official separation letter. EDD may audit later and you'll want documentation. The good news about company closures is that EDD often processes these claims faster since they're expecting multiple claims from the same employer. Plus, you'll have no issues proving you were laid off vs. quitting. Start your job search activities immediately even during severance weeks - you still need to meet work search requirements to maintain eligibility. Document everything in a spreadsheet or the CalJOBS system. You've got advance notice and severance - that's actually a pretty good position compared to sudden layoffs. The system will work in your favor once you get it started!

I'm going through something similar right now - had my hearing 3 weeks ago and the waiting is absolutely brutal! From what I've gathered reading through all these responses, it sounds like 4-6 weeks is pretty typical for the decision letter. What really struck me is how many people mentioned that even after winning, you have to stay on top of EDD to actually implement the changes. I'm already preparing myself for that battle. The fraud designation is what really gets me too - like you, I reported everything accurately and they're acting like I'm some kind of criminal. Hang in there, and definitely save all those phone numbers and tips people shared here. Sounds like we're going to need them!

I'm in the exact same boat right now! Had my hearing on September 28th for a $4,200 overpayment that I absolutely do not owe - I was meticulous about reporting my part-time earnings every week. It's been almost 4 weeks now and I'm going crazy checking the mail every day. The judge seemed to understand that EDD made an error in their calculations, but you never know for sure until that letter arrives. Reading everyone's experiences here is both comforting and terrifying - sounds like even winning is just the beginning of the battle! I've already bookmarked all the phone numbers and tips people shared because I have a feeling I'm going to need them. The stress of this whole process is unreal. Hoping we both get good news soon and that EDD actually follows through on implementing whatever the judges decide!

I'm going through a similar situation right now - my hearing is scheduled for next month and I'm also dealing with a misconduct claim that's completely false. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. One question I have is about the phone setup - do they call you or do you need to call in to a specific number? I'm worried about technical issues or missing the call somehow. Also, has anyone had experience with the judge rescheduling if there are connection problems? It's encouraging to see so many people successfully navigate this process, especially when employers don't show up. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about preparing a timeline and gathering all my documentation. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know what to expect!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! My employer claimed I was fired for performance issues when I was actually laid off due to company downsizing. They didn't show up to my phone hearing, which definitely helped my case. Here's what I learned: Even though your employer not showing up is a good sign, you still need to be fully prepared. The judge will have whatever initial documentation your employer submitted to EDD, so don't assume it's an automatic win. Make sure you have your termination letter mentioning "department restructuring" ready to reference, and practice explaining the timeline clearly. The judge asked me very specific questions like "What exactly did your supervisor tell you when you were terminated?" and "Did you receive any prior warnings about performance?" My hearing lasted about 30 minutes, and the judge was very professional and fair. I received my decision letter 9 days later - approved with full backpay of over $4,200. One practical tip: Test your phone connection beforehand and make sure you're somewhere quiet. I used my landline instead of my cell phone to avoid any connection issues. You've got this - just stay calm and stick to the facts!

Just wanted to add my experience with the new PIN system - I actually found it pretty straightforward once I figured out the timing. What really helped me was calling around 2:30 PM on Thursdays. Seems like most people don't think to call in the afternoon, so the wait times are way shorter. Also, make sure you have your PIN memorized or written down clearly because the automated system is pretty sensitive - if you mess up the PIN entry, it kicks you out and you have to start over. One more tip: if you're calling about SDI specifically, make sure you're using the SDI line (1-800-480-3287) and not the regular UI line. Saved me hours of frustration when I realized I was calling the wrong department. The new system isn't perfect but it's definitely more organized than the old one. Good luck everyone! 🍀

Just wanted to share my recent experience with the new PIN system since I finally got through yesterday! After reading all these tips, I tried calling on a Wednesday at 1:45 PM and got connected in about 15 minutes - way better than my previous attempts. The PIN system definitely takes some getting used to, but here's what I learned: make sure you enter it slowly and clearly because the system is pretty picky. Also, have your Social Security number ready right after the PIN because they ask for it immediately. One thing I noticed is that if you hear a brief pause after entering your PIN, don't hang up - that's normal and it means the system is processing. Overall, while the new system adds an extra step, it does seem to streamline things once you're actually connected to an agent. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice in this thread! 🙌

As someone who just went through this transition from Marine Corps active duty to reserves about 6 months ago, I can definitely relate to your concerns! The anxiety about getting it wrong is real - I spent weeks worrying about it before my first certification. Here's what worked for me: I kept a simple spreadsheet tracking my drill dates and when I actually received payment. This made certification much easier because I could quickly reference exactly when money hit my account. Also, don't forget that drill pay usually comes in two parts - your base pay and any special pays - and they might arrive on different dates. One more tip: if you're doing online job applications while collecting benefits, keep screenshots of those too. EDD sometimes asks for proof that you're actively seeking work, and having that documentation ready can save you headaches later. The transition period is tough enough without stressing about benefits. You're asking all the right questions upfront, which puts you way ahead of where I was. Thank you for your service, and best of luck with both the reserves and finding civilian employment!

Hey Keisha! Former Army National Guard here - went through a similar transition a couple years back. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you understand the difference between your "battle assembly" weekends (regular drill) and any additional duty days you might pick up. Sometimes units offer extra training opportunities or make-up drills that pay differently and might affect your benefits timeline. Also, when you do start working with civilians who don't understand military schedules, be prepared to explain why you're unavailable one weekend per month. I had a few interviews where employers seemed confused about reserve commitments. Having your drill schedule upfront can actually work in your favor - shows you're organized and committed. The EDD reporting is definitely the trickiest part, but you're smart to get it right from the start. Keep all your military documents organized in one place - LES statements, orders, training certificates, everything. EDD audits can happen months later and having that paper trail ready makes all the difference. Hang in there - the transition gets easier once you find your rhythm with both civilian work and reserve duties. Thank you for your service!