I just had my EDD interview last week and completely understand your anxiety! I was also laid off due to company restructuring after several years and was terrified I'd mess something up. Here's what really helped me prepare: **Key things to have ready:** - Your exact last day worked - Clear explanation of the restructuring (be specific but concise) - Names of a few companies you've applied to recently - Your termination letter nearby (even if you don't need to read from it) **What actually happened:** The interviewer was professional and understanding. They explained it was routine verification since I was laid off involuntarily. Most questions were straightforward - why I left, when, if I'm looking for work, etc. **Biggest tip:** Answer honestly but don't over-explain. If they ask why you were laid off, say something like "My position was eliminated due to organizational restructuring" and let them ask follow-up questions if needed. Since you were laid off after 6 years due to restructuring, you're in great shape! This is exactly what unemployment benefits are for. The interview is just to verify details, not to trip you up. Take a deep breath - you've got this! The call lasted about 20 minutes and I was approved the same day. You'll be fine!

I had my EDD phone interview about a month ago and I totally get your nerves! I was laid off from my marketing job after 5 years due to company downsizing, so very similar situation to yours. The interview was honestly way less stressful than I imagined. Here's what helped me the most: **Preparation that actually mattered:** - Had my phone fully charged and found a quiet spot with strong signal - Wrote down key facts: last day worked, supervisor's name, brief reason for layoff - Kept my termination email pulled up on my computer (though barely referenced it) **What they actually focused on:** - Confirming basic details matched their records - Having me explain the layoff in my own words - Verifying I was actively job searching and available for work - Making sure I understood work search requirements going forward The interviewer was actually quite nice and said something like "Layoffs due to restructuring are common right now, so this is mainly just dotting our i's and crossing our t's." That really put me at ease! Since you have 6 years at the same company and clear documentation of the restructuring, you're in an excellent position. Just speak naturally about what happened - you lived through it, so you know the story better than anyone. The whole thing took 22 minutes and I was approved that same day. You've absolutely got this! The anticipation is definitely the worst part.

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been so helpful! My claim balance is at about $4,700 and I've had the same pattern - laid off from a marketing role in late 2022, brief employment at a startup that folded in early 2023, and searching ever since. What's really helped me recently is setting up a simple tracking system for everything - job applications, networking contacts, and all my EDD information. After reading through these responses, I'm definitely going to check my benefit year dates in UI Online today (I've been putting it off too long!). One thing I'd add is to consider reaching out to your state assembly member's office if you run into issues with EDD. They have constituent services that can help cut through the bureaucracy when you can't get through on the phone lines. I used this when I had a payment delay issue and they were able to get me connected to someone who could actually help within a few days. The job market has been brutal, especially in marketing with all the tech layoffs affecting our industry. But seeing how many people are dealing with nearly identical timelines and situations really drives home that this isn't about individual performance - it's about broader economic shifts that have hit certain sectors particularly hard. Thanks for starting this conversation - it's exactly what I needed to read to feel less alone in navigating this confusing system!

I'm in almost the exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! My claim balance is around $5,400 and I've been through two layoffs since August 2022 - first from a digital marketing agency, then from a tech startup that ran out of funding in March 2023. Still actively searching with about 15-20 applications per week. After reading everyone's experiences, I finally logged into UI Online today to check my benefit year dates (procrastinated for way too long on this!). Turns out my current benefit year ends in September 2024, so at least now I have a concrete timeline to work with instead of just panicking about the unknown. What really struck me is how many of us have nearly identical stories - same industries, similar timeframes, claim balances in that $4K-$6K range. It's both reassuring and concerning that this pattern is so widespread. Clearly shows this is about broader economic conditions rather than individual career issues. I'm definitely going to implement several suggestions from this thread: creating a detailed job search tracking spreadsheet for potential EDD audits, gathering all my paystubs from that chaotic startup, and looking into those workforce development programs that I had no idea existed. The informational interview approach also sounds much more sustainable than constantly sending applications into the void. One thing that's helped my mental health recently is setting aside specific days for EDD/administrative tasks versus job searching, so I'm not constantly stressed about both simultaneously. Might help others who are feeling overwhelmed by trying to manage everything at once. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community has provided more clarity in one thread than months of trying to decode the EDD website alone!

I'm going through a similar situation right now and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I was just terminated last week after being on a PIP for 45 days at my software company. Like many of you mentioned, the targets they set seemed completely unrealistic given that our team was already stretched thin and we were dealing with major technical debt issues. What really resonates with me is how many people emphasized the importance of documentation. I'm so glad I saved all my emails where I explained to my manager why certain sprint goals weren't achievable with our current resource constraints. I also documented all the extra hours I put in and the alternative solutions I proposed. I applied for unemployment benefits yesterday after reading through all your experiences, and I'm feeling much more confident about my chances. The distinction everyone explained between "misconduct" and genuine performance struggles really helped me understand that I'm not automatically disqualified just because I was fired. For anyone else in this situation - don't let your employer's discouraging comments about "performance reasons" stop you from applying. Based on all the success stories shared here, it seems like EDD really does look at whether you made good faith efforts, not just the end result. Apply as soon as possible since benefits aren't retroactive! Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed advice and personal experiences. This community support during such a stressful time means so much!

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - getting terminated after a PIP is incredibly stressful, especially when you have bills coming due. Based on what you've described, you should absolutely apply for unemployment benefits right away. The key thing to understand is that California EDD distinguishes between "misconduct" and performance issues. What you've described - genuinely trying your best to meet unrealistic PIP targets despite resource constraints - typically does NOT qualify as misconduct under California law. The fact that you communicated multiple times about the impossible expectations actually works in your favor, as it shows good faith effort. I'd recommend applying TODAY since benefits aren't retroactive to before you apply. When you fill out the application, be honest about being terminated for performance reasons but emphasize that you made genuine efforts and that the expectations were unreasonable given available resources. Keep all your documentation - emails about resource constraints, communications with your manager, anything showing you tried to meet the PIP requirements. If your employer contests the claim (which is common), you'll have an eligibility interview where this documentation will be crucial. Don't let HR's discouraging comments stop you from applying - they don't make the final determination, EDD does. Many people in similar situations get approved for benefits. You'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.

The whole system needs an overhaul. In 2024 there's no excuse for not being able to reach an EDD representative when people's livelihoods depend on it. We deserve better than this broken phone system.

I feel your frustration completely. I've been in the same situation for 2 weeks now - my claim got flagged for identity verification and I can't get anyone on the phone to help me submit the required documents. The automated system just loops me back to "call during business hours" even though I'm calling at 10am on a Tuesday. It's like they've designed this system to be as difficult as possible to navigate. Has anyone had success with the identity verification process specifically?