I just had my EDD phone interview yesterday and wanted to share some encouragement! I was in almost the exact same situation - laid off due to restructuring after working at my company for 7 years. I was SO nervous beforehand, but it ended up being much more routine than I expected. The interviewer was actually really kind and started by saying "I see this was a layoff due to company restructuring - these are typically straightforward cases, so don't worry." That immediately helped me relax! Here's what they asked: - Confirmed my personal details - Asked about my last day of work and final pay - Had me explain the restructuring situation in my own words - Asked if I was actively looking for work - Wanted to know about a few recent job applications The whole call took about 18 minutes. I had my termination paperwork ready, but they didn't ask me to read from it - they just wanted to hear my version of events. Since you were there for 6 years and have clear documentation of the layoff reason, you should have no problems at all. Just answer honestly and don't overthink it. The fact that you're asking questions and preparing shows you're taking it seriously, which is all you need to do. You've got this! The hardest part (losing your job) is already behind you. This is just a step toward getting the benefits you've earned.

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!

Reading through this thread has been incredibly reassuring - I'm in almost exactly the same boat with my claim balance at around $5,100 and dealing with multiple layoffs in marketing/tech since 2022. The pattern everyone's describing is so familiar it's almost eerie. What's been most helpful from this discussion is realizing I need to stop avoiding the administrative side and actually get organized. I'm going to log into UI Online today to check my benefit year dates (thanks for the motivation!), create that detailed job search tracking spreadsheet, and gather all my paystubs from previous employers, especially the smaller companies that might have reporting issues. The advice about workforce development programs and One-Stop Career Centers is something I never would have thought to look into - I've been so tunnel-visioned on EDD and online applications that I completely missed these other support options. Also planning to try the informational interview approach instead of just sending applications into the void. It's honestly both comforting and sobering to see how many of us are dealing with nearly identical situations and timelines. Clearly this is about broader economic conditions hitting our industries hard, not individual career failures. The constant layoffs and funding issues in tech/marketing have created this perfect storm that so many of us are navigating. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and practical advice. This thread has given me both concrete next steps and much-needed perspective that I'm not alone in this confusing process. Time to stop procrastinating and start taking action on all these great suggestions!

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 really glad I found this thread! I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation - got put on a PIP at my marketing company about a month ago and I can already tell the targets they set are pretty much impossible given our current team size and budget constraints. Reading through everyone's experiences is giving me a lot of hope that if things don't work out (which seems likely), I might actually have a shot at getting unemployment benefits. I had no idea that EDD distinguishes between misconduct and genuine performance issues - I always thought getting fired for any reason would disqualify you. I'm already starting to document everything like you all suggested - saving emails where I've raised concerns about resource limitations, keeping track of all the extra effort I'm putting in, and documenting my communications with management about why certain goals aren't realistic. One question for those who've been through this - should I be careful about how I phrase things in emails to my manager while I'm still trying to meet the PIP requirements? I want to show I'm making genuine efforts, but I also don't want to sound like I'm already planning for failure. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed advice and experiences. It's really reassuring to know there's support out there for situations like this!

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!

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.

This is such an inspiring success story! Thank you for sharing all the practical tips - it really helps to see what actually works in these appeals. I'm currently waiting for my own appeal hearing (they say I didn't meet work search requirements during a week when I was actually interviewing for 3 different positions). Your point about organizing documentation chronologically is spot-on. I've been putting together a folder with all my job applications, interview confirmations, and follow-up emails sorted by week. It's tedious but I can see how it would help during the hearing to quickly reference specific dates. For your friend's hearing today - I'd add that she should have water nearby! My cousin had a phone hearing that lasted almost an hour and her voice got really dry halfway through. Also, if possible, use a landline or make sure her cell phone is fully charged and she's in an area with strong signal. Wishing her the best of luck! Stories like yours give the rest of us hope that the system can work when you're properly prepared.

This is so encouraging to read! I just got my appeal hearing notice yesterday and I've been stressed about it for weeks. Your documentation strategy is really smart - I'm going to start organizing everything chronologically like you did. Quick question: when you say you had "relevant EDD code sections ready," did you print them out or just bookmark them online? I'm trying to figure out the best way to have reference materials accessible during a phone hearing without rustling through a bunch of papers. Also sending positive vibes to your friend for her hearing today! With all this great advice from everyone, she should be well prepared. The tip about answering unknown numbers is especially good - I would have definitely missed the call thinking it was spam.