You'll get through this! One more thing - remember that EDD will ask during your appeal if you were actively looking for work during those weeks. Be prepared with details of any job applications, networking, or resume updates you did during that time. Having specific dates and companies can really help your case.

I went through this exact same situation last year! That certification question is so poorly worded - I think half the people who file unemployment mess it up at first. The good news is that you're absolutely right - you'll only be disqualified for those specific weeks where you answered incorrectly. Since you can still certify for new weeks and they're processing, your claim is definitely still active. I'd 100% recommend filing the appeal. I won mine by simply explaining that I misunderstood the question and providing a list of all the job applications I submitted during those weeks. The key is being super clear that you WERE available and actively looking for work during the disputed period. One tip: start documenting your job search activities now if you haven't been keeping detailed records. Even for your appeal, having specific company names, dates, and application methods will strengthen your case significantly. The whole process took about 2 months for me, but I got those weeks paid retroactively. Don't give up on that money - it's rightfully yours if you were genuinely available for work!

I'm new to this community but going through something similar right now. I was a project manager making $78k and just got scheduled for one of these interviews after my UI claim got flagged. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying! One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if they consider remote work opportunities differently? Most of the management positions I'm qualified for in my area are now remote or hybrid, which opens up way more opportunities but also means I'm competing nationally. I'm wondering if EDD factors that into their "suitable work" calculations or if they still expect me to consider only local positions. Also, for those who've been through this - how long was your actual interview? I'm trying to plan my day around it but the notice just says "allow sufficient time" which isn't very helpful. Thanks for all the insights everyone has shared here!

Just went through this exact interview process two months ago after transitioning from PFL back to UI! Here's what I wish I had known beforehand: First, they DO understand that your field (healthcare administration) typically has fewer openings than retail/service jobs, so 3-4 quality applications per week is generally acceptable IF you can show they're well-targeted. What saved me was demonstrating that I was also doing other job search activities - attending virtual networking events, working with healthcare recruiters, updating my professional certifications, etc. During my interview, the EDD rep spent about 30 minutes going through my job search log and asked very specific questions: "Why didn't you apply to this coordinator position that paid $65k?" and "Have you considered temporary or contract management roles?" Be ready to articulate your reasoning for each decision. The biggest thing that helped was showing flexibility within reason. I emphasized that while I was focusing on management roles, I was also open to senior coordinator positions at healthcare systems or consulting firms that utilized my experience. This showed I wasn't being unrealistic while still advocating for appropriate-level work. One tip: if you have any healthcare management certifications or are considering pursuing additional ones during your job search, mention this! It shows you're actively working to stay competitive in your field rather than just waiting for the perfect job to appear. You'll do great - having 12+ years of management experience actually works in your favor because EDD recognizes the value of appropriate job matching for retention purposes.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress, but I completely understand that panic! I had the exact same reaction when I got laid off from my retail job about 5 months ago. Filed my claim on a Thursday and got that eligibility questionnaire Friday morning - I was convinced my manager had gone back on her word about not contesting. But everyone here is absolutely spot on - this questionnaire is 100% routine for every single UI claim filed in California. EDD is legally required to collect your separation details before they can process anything, regardless of whether it's contested or not. Your manager telling you they won't contest is actually great news because when EDD contacts them for verification (which they do automatically for all claims), they'll confirm the layoff instead of claiming misconduct. The key is using identical language to what your manager told you during the exit interview. I made sure to use the exact "store closure due to lease termination" wording my manager gave me, and everything went smoothly from there. My claim took about 2.5 weeks to get approved and I received my first payment shortly after. Since you filed yesterday and have 3 weeks until rent, you should be in good shape timing-wise if you submit that questionnaire quickly. I know the financial stress is overwhelming, but you're definitely on the right track. This community helped me so much when I was in your shoes - hang in there!

Maya, I completely understand that panic! I went through the exact same thing when I got laid off from my teaching position about 4 months ago. Filed my claim on a Friday and woke up Saturday morning to that eligibility questionnaire email - immediately thought my principal had changed her mind about not contesting even though she'd been super supportive during my exit meeting. Everyone here is absolutely right though - this questionnaire is sent to every single person who files a UI claim in California, no matter what. It's just EDD's required first step to collect your side of the story before they reach out to verify with your employer. The fact that your manager explicitly told you they wouldn't contest and to apply right away is actually a really positive indicator! When EDD contacts your employer (which they do automatically for every claim), they'll simply confirm the layoff details you provided instead of disputing anything. Just make sure you use the exact same terminology on the questionnaire that your manager used during your exit interview about the reason for the layoff. My claim ended up getting approved in about 17 days with zero issues, and I got backpay for the whole period. Since you filed yesterday and have 3 weeks until rent, you should definitely be covered if you submit that questionnaire promptly. The waiting is nerve-wracking when money is tight, but you're absolutely on the right track - this is just how the process works for everyone!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm actually going through something similar right now - got my first eligibility interview completed about a month ago, everything seemed fine, got a few payments, but now I have another interview scheduled after my latest certification. Reading through everyone's experiences here really puts my mind at ease. It sounds like this happens more often than you'd think, and most of the time it's either employer paperwork, system glitches, or just routine reviews rather than any real problem with your claim. @Grace Patel thanks for sharing your outcome - it's really encouraging to see that calling EDD actually worked and they were able to resolve it quickly once you got through to someone. I'm definitely going to try calling tomorrow morning before just waiting around for my scheduled interview. For anyone else dealing with this, it seems like the key takeaways are: 1) Don't panic, it's more common than you think, 2) Try calling EDD first to see if they can explain what triggered it, and 3) Have all your documentation ready just in case you do need to go through the interview again. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences with these confusing EDD processes!

As someone who's been dealing with EDD for over a year now, I can tell you that multiple interviews unfortunately aren't that uncommon, especially with how backed up and glitchy their system has been lately. What likely happened is that your employer submitted additional documentation after your first interview (maybe their HR department was slow to respond initially), or there was some kind of wage discrepancy that flagged your account for review. The good news is that since you already passed one eligibility interview and received payment, you're probably in good shape. The second interview will likely just be them verifying the new information against what you already told them. Definitely call them ASAP though - like others mentioned, they might be able to clear it up over the phone and release your payment without making you wait for the scheduled interview. I've had success calling right at 8am when they open. Have your claim number ready and be prepared to explain that you already completed an eligibility interview and received payment. Don't let this stress you out too much - it's frustrating but very solvable! Keep us posted on how it goes.

This is such an amazing success story and really shows how powerful this community is! Ella, you absolutely crushed this situation - getting that official layoff letter was the perfect outcome. Your manager's attempt to pressure you into "voluntary resignation" is unfortunately super common, but you handled it like a pro by refusing to be manipulated. That documentation is going to be golden for your EDD claim. When you file, make sure to really emphasize that you approached them first trying to work out the scheduling, they said they couldn't accommodate it, and THEY initiated the separation. You've got everything you need to show this wasn't your choice. Also, congratulations on nursing school! The timing is perfect - healthcare is booming right now and you'll have way better job security than retail. Plus you'll never have to deal with managers playing these unemployment benefit games again. Most healthcare employers actually support their staff's education instead of punishing them for it. This whole thread should be bookmarked by anyone dealing with employment issues - the advice here literally saved you thousands in benefits you rightfully deserve. You stood your ground perfectly and it's going to pay off big time. Best of luck with your claim and nursing program - you're going to do amazing things in healthcare!

Wow, this entire thread has been such an incredible journey to follow! Ella, you absolutely nailed this situation and should be so proud of how you handled it. Your manager's attempt to trick you into "voluntary resignation" is exactly the kind of manipulative tactic that costs workers thousands in rightful benefits, but you saw right through it thanks to this amazing community's advice. That official layoff letter is going to make your EDD claim rock solid. The fact that you have written documentation showing THEY initiated the separation due to scheduling conflicts they couldn't accommodate is perfect. When you file, just make sure to emphasize that timeline - you tried to work with them, they said no, they decided to lay you off. You've got all the pieces in place for a successful claim. And huge congratulations on pursuing nursing! The timing couldn't be better - healthcare is desperate for good people right now and the job security is incredible. You're trading a manipulative retail environment for a career where employers actually value and support your professional growth. This whole situation, while stressful, is probably going to end up being the best thing that happened to you. This thread should honestly be pinned as a guide for anyone facing similar employment pressure. The community advice here literally saved you from a costly mistake and showed exactly how to protect yourself when employers try these games. Best of luck with nursing school and your EDD claim - you handled this perfectly and deserve all the success coming your way!