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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
I'm in a similar situation waiting for my identity verification to be processed. From what I've read in other posts here, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on how backed up they are. Some people have had success calling after 24-48 hours since the documents should show up in their system by then, and a Tier 2 rep might be able to expedite the process. I'd recommend checking your UI Online account regularly for any status updates and be patient - I know it's frustrating when you need the funds! Keep us posted on how it goes.
Wow, what a rollercoaster! I'm so glad you finally got through and figured out what was going on with your claim. It's absolutely infuriating that employers can contest claims and leave people hanging financially while it gets sorted out - especially when you're already stressed about money. That 1-2-4-3 sequence is going straight into my emergency contacts list! It's amazing how this community comes together to share these little hacks that actually work. I hope your payment processes quickly and you can breathe a little easier. Thanks for following up with the resolution - it gives hope to everyone else dealing with this nightmare system!
I'm so happy to see this success story! As someone new to dealing with EDD, this whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea that employers could contest claims or that there were different tiers of representatives. The 1-2-4-3 sequence seems to be the golden ticket everyone's talking about - I'm definitely saving that for when I inevitably need to call them. It's really reassuring to know that persistence actually pays off and that there are people in this community willing to share what works. Congratulations on getting your claim resolved, and thank you for taking the time to update everyone!
This thread has been such a lifesaver! I've been lurking in this community for a while but finally decided to create an account after seeing all the helpful advice here. I'm currently on week 3 of trying to reach EDD about my pending claim, and reading everyone's experiences makes me feel less alone in this nightmare. The 1-2-4-3 button sequence is definitely going to be my strategy tomorrow morning - I've been just hitting random buttons hoping something would work! It's incredible how broken this system is, but it's equally incredible how this community comes together to help each other navigate it. Thank you all for sharing your tips and experiences, especially those who come back to update with what actually worked. Fingers crossed I'll have a success story to share soon too!
I went through something very similar! I was laid off from a tech company in 2022, collected UI for about 5 months, and then got rehired by the same company in 2023 when they got new funding. I was terrified about the same thing you're worried about. Here's what I learned: EDD only cares about whether your original claim was legitimate at the time you filed it. Since you were actually laid off due to restructuring (not fired for cause or quit), you were entitled to those benefits regardless of what happens later. The fact that you've been working elsewhere for a year actually strengthens your case - it shows there was no pre-arrangement with your former employer. You were genuinely unemployed and actively seeking work. I never heard anything from EDD about my situation, and it's been over a year now. Your circumstances sound even more clear-cut than mine were. I'd say go for the opportunity - don't let fear of an overpayment hold you back from advancing your career!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This is exactly the kind of real-world example I needed to hear. The fact that you had a similar timeline and never heard anything from EDD really puts my mind at ease. You're absolutely right about not letting fear hold back a good career opportunity - I think I was getting too caught up in worst-case scenarios. Really appreciate you taking the time to share this!
I'm dealing with a similar worry right now! I was laid off from a nonprofit in early 2023 due to budget cuts and collected unemployment for about 8 months. Now they're reaching out about a grant-funded position that just opened up. Reading through these responses is really helpful - it sounds like the consensus is that as long as your original layoff was legitimate (which yours clearly was with the department restructuring), you're in the clear. The time gap and the fact that you've been working elsewhere definitely work in your favor. I think what really convinced me from reading these experiences is that EDD evaluates claims based on the circumstances when you filed, not what happens years later. Business conditions change, companies recover, and sometimes that means opportunities to return. That doesn't invalidate the fact that you were genuinely unemployed when you needed those benefits. Good luck with the decision! Sounds like a great opportunity that you shouldn't let fear hold you back from.
UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know that my payment for the first week was approved! It switched from pending to paid this morning. Thanks for all the helpful advice. For anyone else in this situation - yes, you do get paid for partial unemployment when you only work one of the two certification weeks. The second week shows $0 since I earned more than my benefit amount.
Congratulations on getting it resolved! This is such a helpful update for anyone else who might be in the same situation. It's reassuring to know that EDD does handle partial unemployment correctly when you report everything accurately. How long did it take total from when you certified to when it switched to paid?
Ravi Sharma
Based on everything shared here, here's a quick summary of next steps: 1. Apply with California EDD as soon as possible 2. Select "Laid Off/No Work Available" with an explanation about the remote work elimination 3. Be prepared for a 4-6 week wait for the eligibility interview 4. Gather documentation of the job change and reasons why relocation isn't possible 5. Expect some delays due to the interstate claim process This is definitely a situation where speaking with an EDD representative will be necessary. If you have trouble getting through on the phone lines (which is very common), consider using a service to help connect with a representative to address any questions about the multi-state claim.
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Isabella Santos
•Thank you so much everyone for all the helpful advice! We're going to apply through California EDD right away and make sure to document everything. I feel much more confident about navigating this situation now. I'll update once we get through the process in case it helps someone else!
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Luca Conti
Just wanted to add another perspective - I'm a former EDD claims examiner and can confirm that everyone here is giving you solid advice. The key thing is that your husband didn't voluntarily quit in the traditional sense - the employer fundamentally changed the job requirements by eliminating remote work. This is what we call "constructive dismissal" and it's generally considered good cause for leaving. When he files, make sure he emphasizes that continuing employment was contingent on relocating to Minnesota, which wasn't feasible. The fact that he paid taxes in both states is actually helpful documentation that shows he was legitimately working from California. Keep copies of any emails or notices from the employer about the remote work policy change - that documentation will be crucial during the eligibility interview. Also, don't be discouraged if the initial determination is unfavorable. These multi-state cases with job requirement changes often require the human review that happens during the eligibility interview to get properly resolved.
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•Wow, having insight from a former EDD claims examiner is incredibly reassuring! The term "constructive dismissal" is really helpful - I didn't know there was an official name for this situation. We'll definitely keep all the emails from his employer about the remote work policy change. It's good to know that even if the initial determination isn't favorable, we shouldn't give up and should push through to the eligibility interview. Thank you for taking the time to share your professional perspective!
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