I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - it's absolutely infuriating when EDD drops these bombshells years later! But reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you actually have a really strong case for appeal. The "without fault" designation is huge, and the fact that it's only questioning 2 months rather than your entire claim suggests this could very well be a simple paperwork error. Here's what I'd prioritize if I were in your shoes: 1) File that appeal TODAY - don't wait for perfect documentation, just get it submitted within the 30-day window, 2) Log into your EDD online account and look for the detailed determination letter to see exactly what your employer reported, 3) Start reaching out to former coworkers who can confirm the layoff situation, and 4) Dig through your old files for that final paycheck stub or any termination paperwork. I also want to echo what others said about contacting your state representative's office - they have staff specifically for EDD issues and can sometimes work miracles. And definitely consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you need to actually talk to an EDD rep. The most important thing is don't let them intimidate you into just accepting this. These determinations get overturned all the time when people fight them with proper documentation. You were legitimately laid off and deserve those benefits. Fight for yourself - you've got this!

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now and wanted to share something that really helped me understand my case better. When I got my notice, I immediately called the EDD overpayment department (separate from the regular claims line) and they were actually able to explain the specific reason codes on my determination letter in plain English. The number is different from the main EDD line and sometimes has shorter wait times. In my case, they explained that my employer had submitted a "correction" to their original separation report nearly 2 years after I filed my claim, which triggered the overpayment review. It turned out to be a mistake on the employer's part - they had confused my separation with another employee's. Since your notice mentions "employment separation reason being redetermined after employer response," I'd bet money this is exactly what happened to you. Your former restaurant probably filed some kind of correction or responded to an EDD inquiry and accidentally provided incorrect information about your separation. The good news is that these employer-error cases are some of the easiest to win on appeal, especially when you have that "without fault" designation. I'd definitely recommend calling that overpayment line to get clarity on exactly what your employer told them. Armed with that specific information, you'll know exactly what evidence to gather for your appeal. Don't give up - employer reporting errors happen constantly and judges see right through them when you present the real facts!

I'm going through something very similar right now - got laid off in February but didn't file until April because I was so confident about landing interviews that were "in final rounds." Spoiler alert: they all ghosted me eventually. Reading through this thread has been eye-opening but also frustrating. The fact that being hopeful about finding work quickly isn't considered "good cause" seems completely backwards to me. Like, isn't actively job searching exactly what they want us to do? @Charlotte White - that partial attempt you made in March could genuinely be huge for your case. I wish I had tried to file earlier and gotten confused by something, because now I'm looking at the same uphill battle you were facing. Has anyone here tried arguing that the whole "file immediately" messaging isn't clear enough on EDD's website? When I was laid off, nowhere did it explicitly say "file even if you think you'll find work soon." All the guidance I found online basically said "file when you need benefits" which I interpreted as "when you actually need the money." Anyway, rooting for you at your hearing in August! Please update us on how it goes.

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress - the whole backdating process is incredibly frustrating. From what I've seen in similar cases, that partial attempt you made in March could actually be your strongest argument. The fact that you encountered confusion about the severance question and stopped the application shows you were trying to file correctly but got stuck on unclear guidance. For your appeal hearing, I'd recommend focusing on: 1) That partial filing attempt and the specific confusion you had, 2) Any documentation of your job search efforts during those 8 weeks (even if it doesn't guarantee a win, it shows good faith), and 3) The lack of clear messaging on EDD's site about filing immediately regardless of job prospects. Even if you don't get the full 8 weeks backdated, partial backdating is definitely possible - I've heard of judges awarding 3-4 weeks when they feel there's some merit to the case. Don't give up hope, and definitely attend that hearing. Having you explain your situation in person can make a real difference with some judges.

Hey Malik! I'm new to this community but your post really resonated with me because I'm actually in the exact same boat right now - started my unemployment claim a few days ago and have been second-guessing myself ever since. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the "dormant but active" option that several people mentioned. It sounds like the perfect middle ground for people like us who want to keep our options open without the commitment of weekly certifications. The guilt factor is hitting me hard too. Even though logically I know we've been paying into this system through every paycheck, I still feel weird about actually using it. But seeing so many people share similar feelings really helps normalize this experience. I'm definitely going to look into that workforce center counselor suggestion - it sounds like they have insights that EDD doesn't always share upfront. And if I do end up calling, I'll try that 8am strategy everyone keeps mentioning. Thanks for starting this thread - it's been so reassuring to see how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone in feeling uncertain about this stuff makes all the difference. Whatever you decide, it sounds like you've got some great options and people here who genuinely want to help! 🙏

Hey Malik! I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I was in almost your exact situation a couple months ago. You absolutely CAN cancel your unemployment claim, but here's the thing - the process and consequences really depend on where you are in the application. If you haven't done any weekly certifications yet, it's usually just a phone call to EDD requesting withdrawal. But if you've already received any payments, you'll need to repay them. What really helped me was learning about the "middle option" that several people here mentioned - you can actually stop doing weekly certifications without fully canceling your claim. This keeps it "dormant" so you could reactivate it later if needed without starting the whole process over. Game changer! The 8am calling strategy is legit - I got through on my second try that way. But honestly, before you make any decision, really think about WHY you want to cancel. If it's guilt (which I totally felt too), remember we've been paying unemployment insurance premiums through every paycheck. This is literally what it's designed for. If it's because you found work - awesome! But if there's any uncertainty, keeping that safety net might be worth it. Either way, document everything and get confirmation numbers if you do call EDD. This community has been amazing for navigating these tricky situations. Whatever you decide, you've got support here! 🙏

I'm so glad I found this thread! Just got laid off from my packaging job two weeks ago and have been stressed about making my $298/week UI benefits work. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea you could use CalFresh and unemployment together without any issues. The consistent message from everyone who's actually done this is exactly what I needed to hear: these programs are designed to work together, CalFresh doesn't get reported as income for UI certification, and the application process through BenefitsCal is much more straightforward than dealing with EDD. I'm planning to gather my EDD award letter this weekend and start the CalFresh application. Based on all the timelines shared here, it looks like I should have the EBT card within 2 weeks, which would be such a huge relief. Thanks to Chad for asking this question and to everyone who shared their real experiences. This community support makes navigating these programs so much less intimidating. The manufacturing and warehouse layoffs have been brutal lately, but at least we have these resources to help us get back on our feet!

I just wanted to share my recent experience to add to all the helpful information here! I was laid off from my logistics job about 3 weeks ago and was really nervous about applying for CalFresh while on unemployment. After reading through this amazing thread, I decided to go for it. I applied through BenefitsCal last weekend and just had my phone interview yesterday - it was literally 6 minutes and super straightforward. The caseworker confirmed that they process UI + CalFresh applications constantly and there's absolutely nothing to worry about. She said with my $341/week unemployment and $1380 rent, I should qualify for around $160-180/month in benefits. The relief I felt walking out of the grocery store yesterday knowing I didn't have to stress about every item I put in my cart was incredible. Even though I'm still waiting for my EBT card to arrive, just knowing it's approved has allowed me to focus so much better on job applications. To anyone still hesitating - please don't! These programs exist specifically for situations like ours. The application really is as easy as everyone described, and the peace of mind is worth so much more than the small amount of time it takes to apply. This thread convinced me to stop overthinking and just do it, and I'm so grateful I did!

glad it workd out! EDD can be a pain but sometimes they do things right lol

That's awesome that it's showing as processing! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - make sure to keep screenshots of that payment processing status in case there are any issues later. I've learned the hard way with EDD that documentation is everything. Also, the prorated amount should be roughly your daily benefit rate multiplied by 5 days (since it's covering Mon-Fri that week). Hope it hits your account smoothly!