I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! My claim balance is down to about $4,300 and I've experienced the same frustrating pattern - laid off from my content marketing role in September 2022, found a position at a small SaaS company in January 2023, then got hit with layoffs again in May 2023 when they had "restructuring." Still searching despite consistent applications. Reading through everyone's responses finally motivated me to stop avoiding my UI Online account and check those benefit year dates. Turns out my current benefit year ends in December 2024, which at least gives me a concrete timeline instead of just worrying about the unknown. What's been most reassuring is seeing how many of us have nearly identical experiences - same industries hit hard, similar layoff timeframes, claim balances in that same $4K-$6K range. It definitely helps combat that feeling of "what's wrong with me that I keep getting laid off" when you realize this is clearly a widespread pattern affecting marketing and tech professionals. I'm planning to implement several of the suggestions from this thread: creating that detailed job search spreadsheet for documentation, gathering paystubs from that disorganized SaaS company (their HR was a mess), and looking into those workforce development programs I had no idea existed. The shift from quantity to quality in job applications also resonates - I've been in that exhausting spray-and-pray cycle. One thing that's helped me cope is joining a few virtual job seeker support groups for marketing professionals. It's been good to have regular check-ins with others going through similar situations, and sometimes people share leads or companies that are actually hiring. Might be worth exploring for others feeling isolated in this process. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and practical advice. This community has provided more clarity and support than months of trying to navigate this alone!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My claim balance is at about $5,300 and I've had two layoffs since July 2022 - first from a content marketing agency, then from a fintech startup that downsized in February 2023. The stress about running out of benefits has been keeping me up at night. After reading everyone's experiences, I finally logged into UI Online today to check my benefit year dates (thanks for the push from this community!). My current benefit year ends in January 2025, so at least now I have a concrete timeline instead of just panicking about the unknown. What really stands out to me is how many of us have nearly identical stories - marketing/tech backgrounds, similar layoff timeframes, claim balances in that $4K-$6K range. It's both reassuring and sobering that this pattern is so widespread. Definitely confirms this is about broader economic conditions hitting our industries hard, not individual career failures. I'm going to implement several suggestions from this thread: creating a detailed job search tracking spreadsheet, gathering all my paystubs from that chaotic startup (their payroll system was a disaster), and looking into those One-Stop Career Centers I never knew existed. The informational interview approach also sounds much more sustainable than constantly sending applications into the void. One tip I'd add - I started using a simple calendar blocking system where I dedicate specific hours to job searching, EDD tasks, and skills development separately. It's helped reduce the overwhelming feeling of trying to juggle everything simultaneously while unemployed. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and practical advice. This community has provided more clarity and support than months of trying to decode EDD's confusing website alone. It's such a relief to know we're not navigating this broken system in isolation!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress and financial pressure must be overwhelming! As someone who successfully appealed a similar EDD overpayment case, I want to emphasize that you absolutely have grounds to fight this. The key is framing your situation correctly: during the COVID emergency, you were "able and available for suitable work that was compatible with your extraordinary caregiving circumstances." Document everything - your parents' medical conditions showing high-risk status, any communications with EDD from that time period, proof of remote job searches, and CDC guidelines about protecting vulnerable populations. The fact that you explained your situation during certification and to an EDD rep shows you weren't trying to hide anything. File your appeal IMMEDIATELY (don't wait for perfect documentation), and remember that collection is paused during the appeals process. The Administrative Law Judges handling appeals are much more reasonable than regular EDD staff and have authority to consider the unique pandemic circumstances that made family caregiving medically necessary. You did nothing wrong by protecting your vulnerable parents during a global health emergency - don't let EDD convince you otherwise. Many of us have been in similar situations and won our appeals by showing that the pandemic created extraordinary circumstances that changed what "available for work" meant in practice.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely infuriating how EDD is retroactively punishing people who made compassionate, responsible decisions during an unprecedented crisis. I went through something very similar last year when they demanded $5,800 back after I cared for my grandmother with diabetes and COPD during the worst of COVID. What helped me win my appeal was gathering evidence that showed three key things: 1) My caregiving was medically necessary (doctor's notes about her high-risk status), 2) I was genuinely seeking work that would accommodate my circumstances (saved emails from remote job applications), and 3) EDD's own guidance during the pandemic was confusing and contradictory (screenshots of their website and notes from phone calls). The most important thing is to file that appeal IMMEDIATELY - you have strong grounds since you were transparent about your situation from the beginning. The ALJ who handled my case was incredibly understanding about the impossible choices families faced during COVID, unlike the regular EDD staff who seem to have zero compassion. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking you did something wrong by protecting your elderly parents during a global health emergency. You were following your moral compass and the guidance available at the time. Stay strong and fight this - many of us have been where you are and there is hope!

I'm currently going through a very similar situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! I was just placed on a PIP at my fintech startup two weeks ago, and honestly, the metrics they want me to hit seem completely unrealistic given that we're understaffed and dealing with major system integration issues that slow down everything. Reading through everyone's experiences here is giving me so much hope and practical guidance. I had no idea that EDD looks at whether you made genuine good faith efforts rather than just the final outcome. The advice about documenting everything is spot on - I've already started saving all my emails where I've flagged resource constraints and proposed alternative approaches. What's really encouraging is hearing from so many people who got approved after PIP terminations. It sounds like the key is being able to show you genuinely tried despite circumstances beyond your control. I'm definitely going to keep pushing to meet my PIP goals, but knowing that there might be options if things don't work out is such a relief. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences and advice. This kind of community support during stressful employment situations is invaluable. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar boat - don't give up hope! It seems like there are more options than employers want you to believe.

I'm in almost the exact same situation right now - just got terminated yesterday after 6 weeks on a PIP at my data analytics company. They had me trying to hit impossible KPIs while our team was down 3 people and our main reporting system kept crashing. I documented everything just like you did, including all my requests for additional resources and timeline extensions. Reading through this thread has been such a relief! I was terrified that being fired for "performance issues" would automatically disqualify me, but hearing from so many people who got approved is giving me hope. The distinction between misconduct and genuine performance struggles despite good faith efforts makes total sense. I'm applying for benefits today based on everyone's advice here. It's reassuring to know that EDD looks at the full context and whether you were genuinely trying, not just the final outcome. The fact that we both communicated about unrealistic expectations should definitely work in our favor. Thanks for posting this question - this entire discussion has been incredibly helpful during such a stressful time. Definitely applying TODAY since benefits aren't retroactive. We've got this!

This is such great advice about keeping job search records! I just started my claim last week and didn't realize they could ask for documentation later. Do you know what specific details they typically want to see? Like is it enough to just write down company names and dates, or do they want more detailed info like job titles, how you applied, contact info, etc.? I want to make sure I'm tracking everything properly from the beginning rather than trying to recreate it later like you had to do.

Adding to what everyone said about documentation - I'd also suggest keeping track of any networking events you attend, informational interviews, or even conversations with recruiters. EDD considers these valid job search activities too! I went to a few industry meetups and career fairs during my unemployment and those counted toward my search requirements. Also, if you're taking any online courses or certifications related to your field while unemployed, document those as well since they show you're actively working to improve your employability. The more thorough your records, the better protected you'll be if questions ever come up about your claim.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still struggling with this! I finally got my name change processed after 2 months of back and forth. The game changer for me was actually going to a local EDD office in person with all my documents. I know not everyone can do this, but if you have one nearby, it's worth trying. The staff there were able to look up my case immediately and process everything on the spot. They told me that name changes often get stuck in the system when done over the phone or mail because there are multiple verification steps that can only be completed by someone with direct system access. Brought my marriage certificate, driver's license with new name, social security card, and a filled out DE 1101 form. Was in and out in 45 minutes! Sometimes the old-fashioned approach really works best with government agencies.

This thread is incredible - so much better than anything I could find on the official EDD website! I've been trying to change my name after divorce for about 6 weeks now with zero progress. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing I've been doing everything wrong. I was just calling the main number randomly during lunch breaks and getting nowhere. Tomorrow I'm going to try the strategic approach: calling 1-877-238-4373 at exactly 8:01 AM, asking specifically for a "name change specialist," and having my court order, new driver's license, and DE 1101 form ready to go. If that doesn't work, I'm definitely going to look into visiting a local EDD office like @StarStrider suggested - 45 minutes in person vs months of phone tag sounds like a no-brainer! Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences and actual strategies. It's so refreshing to get advice from people who've actually been through this process instead of just generic government website instructions. Fingers crossed I'll have a success story to add to this thread soon! 🤞