Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through multiple RESEA appointments over the years - they've actually gotten a lot more streamlined and helpful! The key thing to remember is that the counselors are on your side. They're literally paid to help you find work, not to make your life harder. I've found that being upfront about any struggles you're having (whether it's finding jobs in your field, getting responses, interview nerves, whatever) actually leads to better help. Also, Sean - regarding the time commitment, I've noticed that people who are well-prepared like you're getting tend to have shorter appointments. Since you're already thinking about what info to bring and asking good questions here, you're probably going to breeze through it faster than the full 2 hours. One last tip: if they offer you any additional resources or workshops, seriously consider taking them up on it. I got connected to a networking group through my RESEA appointment that actually led to my current job. Sometimes these "bureaucratic hoops" can actually open doors you didn't even know existed! You're going to do great - the fact that you're preparing and asking questions shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly what they want to see. 👍

Hey Sean! I can totally relate to the RESEA appointment anxiety - I was a wreck before mine too! But after reading through all these responses, I'm seeing such a consistent theme: it's really not as bad as we build it up to be in our heads. What's really helping me feel better about this whole process is seeing how many people mention that the counselors are actually there to help, not to catch you doing something wrong. It sounds like as long as you're making a genuine effort (which you clearly are since you're asking all the right questions!), they're going to work with you. The Indeed thing seems like a total non-issue based on everyone's experiences, and the missing company addresses aren't a big deal either. I think your instinct to just explain that you applied online is spot on. As for the two-hour time slot, it really does seem like most people finish way earlier than that. Maybe they just block out that time to be safe? Honestly, after reading all these responses, I'm starting to think the anticipation and worry is way worse than the actual appointment. You've got this! And thanks for asking these questions because the answers are helping me prepare for mine too! 😊

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I received my severance two weeks ago and was also stressed about whether to report it again during certification since I had already mentioned it on my initial application. Reading everyone's experiences here confirms what I suspected - that the initial application and certification serve different purposes. I'll definitely be reporting my severance payment during my next certification. It's such a relief to see so many people who went through this exact same worry and came out fine on the other side. One question though - when you report the severance amount, do you include just the base severance or also any accrued vacation pay that was included in the same payment? My employer combined both into one lump sum payment.

I'm new to unemployment and going through the exact same anxiety right now! I got laid off two weeks ago and received my severance payment last Friday. When I applied for unemployment, I mentioned I'd be getting severance, and now I'm doing my first certification and seeing that question about "other income" including severance pay. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief - I was convinced I was going to accidentally mess something up and get in trouble. It sounds like everyone agrees you definitely need to report it during certification even though you already mentioned it on your application. My severance was about $4,200 which is definitely more than my weekly benefit amount, so I'm expecting to get $0 for that week. But honestly, after reading all these experiences, I'd rather have accurate reporting than risk any overpayment issues down the road. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories - it really helps us newcomers navigate this confusing system!

Pro tip: if you call and the line is busy, keep hitting redial. Eventually you'll get through to the hold music. Then just settle in for a loooong wait. Bring snacks 🍿

I feel your pain! This happened to me a few months ago and I was panicking too. Here's what worked for me: I called the 1-833-978-2511 number right at 8am when they open (set multiple alarms!). It took about 15 tries but I finally got through. When I explained I missed the interview due to a disconnect, they were actually pretty understanding and rescheduled me for the next week. Also, make sure to document everything - date/time you tried calling, any reference numbers, etc. The rep told me that technical issues causing missed interviews are more common than you'd think. Don't lose hope, you'll get this sorted out! 💪

This is such a nightmare! I went through something similar a few months ago and it was absolutely maddening. Here's what I learned from my experience: Call back IMMEDIATELY - like within the hour if possible. When you get through (and you will, just be patient with the hold times), explain exactly what happened and ask them to check for any technical notes in your file. In my case, they could actually see that the call had been dropped on their end and were able to reschedule me without any hassle. The rep even apologized and said their phone system has been having major issues. Also, make sure to ask for a confirmation number or reference number for your new interview appointment - having that written down saved me so much stress later. The whole system is broken but the individual reps are usually pretty understanding about these technical glitches since they deal with them constantly. You didn't do anything wrong, so don't let this discourage you from pursuing your benefits! Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞

This is incredibly frustrating but you're definitely not alone! The exact same thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago - they called right at 10 AM and the line went dead after maybe 2 seconds. I was so stressed thinking I'd blown my only chance. Here's what saved me: I called back immediately using the regular EDD number and after about an hour on hold, I got through to a rep who was actually super understanding. She said "Oh, that's our system glitch - it's been dropping interview calls all week." She rescheduled me for the next Friday without any issues and even put a note in my file about the technical problem. The rescheduled interview went perfectly! My advice: call back TODAY if you can, explain it was a dropped call during your scheduled window, and ask them to note the technical issue. They see this constantly and should be sympathetic. Also make sure to get a confirmation number for your new appointment. Don't panic - this is 100% on their broken phone system, not you! You've got this! 💪

I'm going through my first EDD claim after being laid off from my restaurant job due to budget cuts, and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I have my eligibility interview scheduled for Friday and was already nervous about it, but now I feel so much more prepared knowing about these temporary status changes that seem to happen routinely. Reading everyone's experiences - especially @Zoey Bianchi's complete journey from panic to resolution - has really helped me understand what to expect. The fact that so many people have gone through this exact same "disqualified" status appearing right after interviews, only to have it resolve within days, shows this is clearly a systemic issue with how EDD communicates processing stages. @Cassandra Moon your explanation about the interviewer vs claims processor workflow was particularly helpful - it makes total sense why there would be this interim period where the status looks alarming but isn't actually final. And @Amelia Martinez you're so right about the need for better status messaging. Something like "Interview under review" would prevent so much unnecessary anxiety. This community's collective knowledge is amazing. I'm bookmarking this thread to refer back to after my interview on Friday. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences so openly - it makes facing the EDD process feel much less daunting when you know what to actually expect!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm currently dealing with my first EDD claim after being laid off from my administrative role at a healthcare company last month. I had my eligibility interview yesterday morning and just like @Zoey Bianchi described, I logged in a few hours later to find both my certified weeks showing "disqualified" status. My heart just sank seeing that! But reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much hope and perspective. It's incredible how consistent this pattern seems to be - interview happens, scary status appears immediately, then resolves within 3-7 days for most people. @Cassandra Moon thank you especially for that insider explanation about how the interviewer vs claims processor workflow actually functions. That really helps explain why we see these interim statuses that look so alarming. I'm trying to follow everyone's advice and wait a few more days before panicking, though it's definitely hard when you're already stressed about finances. My interview felt like it went well - the rep just asked basic questions about my layoff due to department consolidation and verified some employment dates. Nothing seemed problematic. This community's shared knowledge is honestly more valuable than anything I could find on EDD's official resources. I'll definitely update this thread once my status changes (hopefully for the better like so many others here!). Thanks to everyone for being so open about their experiences - it makes this confusing process feel much less isolating.