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As someone who just joined this community after struggling with EDD for months, I have to say this thread is absolutely incredible! The way everyone came together to help Sean troubleshoot his timeout issues is exactly what people need when dealing with EDD's broken system. I'm bookmarking every single solution mentioned here - the cellular data trick, using Edge browser, incognito mode, clearing cache, having everything prepared beforehand, and taking screenshots for documentation. It's like having a complete EDD survival guide written by people who've actually been through the trenches. Sean, so glad you got through in the end! And to everyone who shared their hard-won knowledge - Luca, Mateo, Zara, Charlie, and all the others - thank you for turning what could have been a disaster into a learning opportunity for the whole community. This is proof that we're stronger when we help each other navigate California's bureaucratic maze!
This thread really is amazing! I just stumbled into this community because I'm having my first major EDD issues and was feeling completely overwhelmed. Reading through Sean's journey from panic to success, plus all the detailed troubleshooting tips everyone shared, has been incredibly reassuring. It's such a relief to know there are actual people here who understand these frustrations and are willing to share solutions that actually work. I'm definitely trying the cellular data method next time I certify - never would have thought of that! Thank you Evan for summarizing all the key tips, and thank you to everyone else who contributed. This community is a lifesaver for navigating EDD's impossible system!
Just wanted to add my voice to this incredible thread! I'm relatively new to dealing with EDD and was having similar timeout issues last week. What worked for me was a combination of several tips mentioned here: I used incognito mode in Firefox, turned off my WiFi and used cellular data, and most importantly - I filled out all my work search information on a notepad file first so I could copy/paste quickly without thinking. The whole process took less than 10 minutes and went smoothly. It's amazing how this community has created the most comprehensive EDD troubleshooting guide I've seen anywhere! Sean, your frustrating experience ended up helping so many people. To all the newcomers reading this - save this thread! These solutions are pure gold when dealing with EDD's terrible website. Thank you to everyone who shared their hard-earned knowledge, especially Luca for the cellular data breakthrough and Mateo for the technical explanations. This is what mutual aid looks like in action!
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I'm going through the WIOA process right now too and this whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm at week 19 of my regular UI benefits and just realized I've been making a huge mistake by waiting for my WIOA approval before doing anything with EDD. My case manager has been super slow to respond (sound familiar?) and I failed the math portion on my first try too. But reading everyone's experiences here, I'm realizing I need to get way more aggressive about this process. Going to call EDD tomorrow morning at 8:01 AM asking specifically for the "Training Extension Unit" and that DE 8736 form. Also planning to show up at my WIOA office in person this week with a written request for my math retest - clearly the email approach isn't working! For anyone else struggling with the math portion, I've been using Khan Academy like several people suggested and it's actually helping build my confidence. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and specific strategies - this thread is honestly more helpful than anything my actual case manager has told me. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone in dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare, and seeing all the success stories gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. We shouldn't have to fight this hard for help we're entitled to, but at least now I have a real action plan! 💪
I'm in almost the exact same situation - week 18 of regular benefits and just had this huge realization from reading everyone's posts! I've been sitting around waiting for my WIOA case manager to get back to me about scheduling my math retest (it's been 2 weeks of radio silence) when I should have been working on the EDD side simultaneously. Your plan to call EDD at 8:01 AM asking for the "Training Extension Unit" is exactly what I'm going to do too - so many people here mentioned that specific phrase being the key to getting connected to someone who actually knows about CTB. And yes, definitely going in person to the WIOA office! I'm done being polite about this when my livelihood is on the line. For math prep, Khan Academy has been a game changer for me too. I was terrified of the retest but now I actually feel like I might pass it! The percentages and fractions aren't as scary when you break them down step by step. Thank you for posting this - it's weirdly comforting to know someone else is going through the exact same timeline and frustrations. We've got this! Let's both commit to being way more persistent and proactive. Feel free to update us on how your EDD call goes tomorrow - I'll probably be calling right after you! 🤞
I'm currently going through the WIOA process myself and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm at week 20 of my regular UI benefits and honestly had no clue about the DE 8736 form or that CTB was a completely separate process from WIOA approval. My case manager never mentioned any of this - they made it sound like everything would be automatic once WIOA went through. Reading everyone's experiences here, I realize I need to stop being passive and start taking control of this situation. Planning to call EDD tomorrow at 8:01 AM asking specifically for the "Training Extension Unit" and that DE 8736 form. Also going to show up at my WIOA office in person this week since my case manager has been ignoring my emails for over 10 days now. For anyone still struggling with the math portion like I am - Khan Academy's arithmetic section has been super helpful, and several people mentioned asking about calculator accommodations which I had no idea was possible. The test is apparently mostly percentages, fractions, and basic word problems, so it's not as impossible as it seems at first. The most frustrating part is realizing how much time I've wasted waiting for things to happen automatically instead of being proactive about both processes simultaneously. But seeing all these success stories proves it's definitely possible if you stay persistent and don't give up. Thank you to everyone who shared their specific timelines, forms, and strategies - this community support is honestly keeping me sane through this bureaucratic nightmare! 🙏
You're absolutely right about needing to take control instead of waiting for things to happen automatically! I just went through this exact situation a few months ago and made the same mistake of thinking everything would be coordinated between WIOA and EDD - it definitely is not! The 8:01 AM call strategy really works - I finally got through to the Training Extension Unit on my third try using that timing. Make sure you have your Social Security number and UI claim info ready because they'll ask for it right away. Also, when you go to your WIOA office in person, bring multiple copies of any documents you've already submitted - their filing system seems pretty disorganized and having backups saved me from having to start over. For the math prep, I'd also suggest checking if your local library has GED prep books you can borrow. The practice problems in those are really similar to what's on the WIOA assessment. And definitely ask about the calculator accommodation - it made a huge difference for me! Don't beat yourself up about the time you feel like you've "wasted" - the system is deliberately confusing and most people don't know about these separate processes until they stumble into the same situation. You're being proactive now and that's what matters. Keep us posted on how your EDD call goes - rooting for you! 💪
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I'm so sorry you're going through this situation - it's incredibly frustrating when you try to be accommodating to your employer and they turn around and penalize you for it! Your situation definitely sounds like it would qualify for unemployment benefits once you're medically cleared. A few things to add to the excellent advice already given here: 1. Keep detailed records of ALL communications with your employer about your medical leave, including any pressure they put on you to delay your surgery. This could be important if they try to dispute your unemployment claim. 2. When you do get your medical clearance, make sure it's very specific about your ability to work. Ask your doctor for a note that clearly states you are "released to full duty work without restrictions" with the specific date. 3. Consider reaching out to your state's Department of Fair Employment and Housing if you feel your employer is discriminating against you based on your medical condition. Six years of excellent performance and then suddenly being let go right after medical leave raises some red flags. 4. Don't let them rush you into signing any separation paperwork. Take time to read everything carefully and make sure nothing suggests you quit or were fired for performance issues. You've got a lot of people rooting for you here! Focus on your recovery first - the rest will work out once you're healthy and ready to get back to work.
This is such great comprehensive advice! The point about documenting any pressure from the employer to delay surgery is really smart - I hadn't thought about how that could be relevant to the unemployment claim, but it really shows this whole situation stemmed from trying to accommodate them. And you're absolutely right about the potential discrimination angle - being let go right after medical leave when you have 6 years of excellent performance does seem suspicious. I'm definitely going to look into the Department of Fair Employment and Housing as a backup option. Thanks for the reminder not to rush on any separation paperwork too - I can see how easy it would be to just sign something quickly when you're stressed about the whole situation. Really appreciate you taking the time to lay out all these important points!
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - it's awful when companies pressure employees to delay necessary medical care and then punish them for the consequences! Based on what everyone has shared here, it definitely sounds like you'd qualify for unemployment once you're fully cleared by your doctor. One thing I wanted to add is that you might want to check if your company has any policies about extended medical leave beyond FMLA. Some employers have their own policies that provide additional unpaid leave for serious medical conditions, especially for long-term employees like yourself. It might be worth asking HR directly if there are any other options before they proceed with separation. Also, when you do get separated, make sure to ask for a copy of your personnel file. California law allows you to request this, and it could be helpful to have documentation of your 6 years of excellent performance reviews in case your employer tries to claim the separation was for cause rather than inability to return from medical leave. The advice everyone has given about waiting until full medical clearance before filing for unemployment is spot on. And definitely document everything - dates, times, who said what. You're dealing with a lot right now, but you have rights and options. Take care of your health first, and know that there's light at the end of this tunnel!
This is excellent advice about checking for extended medical leave policies beyond FMLA! I didn't even think to ask about that - after 6 years with the company, there might be additional options available. And you're absolutely right about requesting my personnel file - having documentation of all those excellent performance reviews could be crucial if they try to twist the separation reason later. It's smart to get that now while I'm still technically employed. I really appreciate the reminder to take care of my health first too. With all the stress about finances and job security, it's easy to forget that my recovery should be the priority. All of this advice from everyone is helping me feel so much more prepared and confident about handling this situation properly. Thank you for the encouragement!
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I went through a very similar self-employment appeal last year and want to share what worked for me. The most important thing is to create a clear timeline of your business activities with supporting documents. I made a simple chart showing: Date | Client/Project | Amount Earned | Supporting Document. This helped the judge follow my case easily. Also, if you have any email correspondence with clients about payments or project details, include those - they really help establish legitimacy. Don't forget about business bank account statements if you had a separate account for your freelance work. Even if you mixed business and personal funds, highlight the business-related deposits. One thing that really helped my case was including a brief written statement explaining how COVID affected my business and why I needed to apply for UI benefits. The judges understand that many self-employed people were hit hard and had to pivot. You sound like you have good documentation, so stay confident!
This timeline chart idea is genius! I wish I had thought of that when I was organizing my documents. Creating that visual connection between dates, clients, amounts, and supporting docs would make it so much easier for the judge to follow the story of your business. I'm definitely going to steal this approach if I ever have to deal with an appeal. The point about including email correspondence is also really smart - those casual emails about project details or payment confirmations can be incredibly powerful evidence because they're so authentic and hard to fake. Did you find that the judge asked a lot of follow-up questions about your timeline, or did having it laid out so clearly make the hearing move pretty smoothly?
As someone who works in employment law, I want to emphasize a few critical points that haven't been fully covered here. First, make sure your appeal letter specifically references the "Notice of Determination" date and number - this helps EDD track your case properly. Second, if you're appealing a self-employment documentation issue, include a clear explanation of WHY the original documentation should have been sufficient. Don't just resubmit the same docs - explain what each document proves and why EDD's rejection was incorrect. Third, consider requesting an in-person hearing if you're more comfortable presenting your case face-to-face rather than over the phone. You have that right! Finally, if your appeal is successful, you'll receive all back benefits for the weeks you were disqualified, so keep certifying as others mentioned. The appeals process can feel intimidating, but the Administrative Law Judges are generally fair and want to get to the truth of your situation.
This is excellent professional advice! I especially appreciate the point about explaining WHY the original documentation should have been sufficient rather than just resubmitting the same materials. That makes so much sense - you need to address EDD's specific concerns and reasoning for the initial rejection. The tip about including the Notice of Determination date and number is also crucial for proper case tracking. Quick question though - for someone dealing with a self-employment documentation appeal, would you recommend writing the explanation as a separate cover letter or incorporating it directly into the appeal form itself? I want to make sure I format everything properly to give myself the best chance of success.
Amina Sow
I'm in the exact same situation right now! Just filed my claim 3 days ago after being laid off from my banking customer service role due to branch closure. This entire thread has been such a relief to read - I was genuinely panicking thinking everyone automatically gets a phone interview. The clarification that interviews are only for specific eligibility issues rather than standard procedure is huge! My UI Online account just shows "pending" with no flags, and based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like I should just be patient and trust the process. I already tried that automated phone line (1-866-333-4606) that several people mentioned - what a fantastic resource! It confirmed my claim is in normal processing with no issues, which has completely eased my anxiety about potentially missing something important. The realistic timelines everyone shared (10-14 days for straightforward cases) are so valuable. I was checking my account obsessively every few hours, but now I know that's totally unnecessary. Christian's 11-day approval story and all the other success stories give me real hope that this will work out smoothly. Thank you to everyone who shared their actual experiences instead of just generic advice - it makes such a difference for newcomers navigating this stressful process for the first time!
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Darcy Moore
•I'm so glad I found this thread too! I'm actually about to file my first unemployment claim this week after being laid off from my office coordinator position due to company relocation. Like you, I was really stressed about the whole process and had no idea what was normal vs. what should be concerning. Reading through everyone's real experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening - especially learning that phone interviews aren't automatic but only happen when there are specific eligibility questions. Your situation sounds very similar to mine (straightforward layoff, no complications), so it's really encouraging to see you're getting confirmation through that automated line that everything is processing normally. I'm definitely going to use that phone number once I file! Thank you for sharing your experience and to everyone else who contributed - this thread has turned what felt like a terrifying unknown process into something much more manageable with clear expectations.
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Zara Shah
This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm filing my unemployment claim tomorrow after being laid off from my retail store manager position due to company-wide restructuring. Reading through everyone's real experiences has completely transformed my understanding of the process - I had no idea that phone interviews were only for specific eligibility issues rather than being automatic for everyone. Like so many others here, I was really anxious about potentially missing an interview notification or doing something wrong. But seeing Christian's success story (11 days, no interview needed) along with all the other similar outcomes gives me so much confidence. My situation is straightforward - layoff due to restructuring, no performance issues, full availability - so based on everything shared here, I'm optimistically expecting a smooth process. The practical tips everyone provided are gold: the automated phone line (1-866-333-4606) for checking status, realistic 10-14 day processing expectations, and the importance of checking both UI Online and physical mail. I'm bookmarking this entire thread to reference throughout my claim process. What I appreciate most is how people shared actual timelines and outcomes rather than just generic advice. It's amazing how much anxiety comes from simply not knowing what's "normal" in this process. Thank you to everyone who took the time to document their experiences - it makes such a difference for newcomers like me navigating unemployment for the first time!
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Dmitry Petrov
•I'm in such a similar boat! Filing my claim this week after being laid off from my customer service supervisor position due to department elimination. This thread has been a lifesaver - I was honestly terrified about the whole process and kept imagining worst-case scenarios. Reading everyone's real experiences has shown me that straightforward layoffs like ours often process without interviews, which is such a relief! The automated phone line tip is genius - I had no idea that resource existed. I'm definitely going to use it to check my status without the stress of trying to reach a live agent. It's incredible how much peace of mind comes from understanding what's actually normal versus what we worry might go wrong. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and outcomes - having these real data points makes this intimidating process feel so much more manageable!
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