I reapplied last week and got approved in 3 days! Maybe they've finally fixed the backlog? 🤞

Just wanted to add that if you're reapplying after your benefit year ended, make sure you check if you have any remaining balance from your previous claim first. Sometimes you can just reopen your existing claim instead of filing a brand new one, which is usually faster. I learned this the hard way after waiting weeks for a new claim when I could have just reopened! Also, keep copies of everything you submit - I mean EVERYTHING. Screenshots, confirmation emails, the works. The system can be glitchy and you'll want proof if something goes wrong.

Just want to add another important point - since your contract is ending at the end of this month, make sure you get clarity on whether they're treating this as a "layoff" vs "contract completion" for EDD purposes. Sometimes companies try to classify contract endings differently, but if it's truly not being renewed due to business reasons (not your performance), it should be treated as a layoff for unemployment eligibility. Also, definitely get that vacation payout confirmation in writing BEFORE your last day - don't wait until the final paycheck to discover there's an "issue." California gives you a lot of protection here, but it's always easier to sort things out while you're still employed rather than having to file complaints afterward!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure to ask about the timing of your final paycheck! In California, if you're being laid off (which sounds like your situation), they're required to give you your final paycheck INCLUDING the vacation payout on your last day of work. They can't mail it to you later or make you wait for the next regular pay cycle. If they try to delay it, they owe you "waiting time penalties" which is basically one day's wages for each day they're late (up to 30 days). This is separate from the vacation payout requirement - it's about WHEN they have to pay you everything they owe. Given that your payroll person has given incorrect info before, I'd specifically ask HR to confirm they understand California's final paycheck timing requirements too!

I've been through this exact nightmare myself! EDD missed my scheduled interview about 4 months ago and I was absolutely panicked thinking my claim would be disqualified. Here's what worked for me: Call the 1-800-300-5616 number at EXACTLY 8:00 AM when they open - set multiple alarms if you need to. Be prepared to redial 20-30 times because you'll get busy signals, but don't give up! Once you get through, calmly explain that you had a scheduled interview that EDD failed to conduct, emphasize that YOU were available and waiting all day, and ask them to document in your file that this was EDD's error, not yours. In my case, they rescheduled me for the very next week instead of the usual 3-week wait. The rep even apologized and said they'd been having major staffing and technical issues. Don't let them brush you off with a standard "wait for a letter" response - politely insist on immediate rescheduling since this was their mistake. You've got this! Their system is broken but there ARE ways to get results if you stay persistent and polite.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is unfortunately way more common than it should be with EDD. I went through something similar last year - had a scheduled phone interview, cleared my whole day, sat by the phone for hours, and they never called. The stress and uncertainty is horrible, especially when you're already dealing with financial pressure. Here's what I learned from my experience: Call the main EDD line (1-800-300-5616) RIGHT at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. I literally mean set an alarm for 7:59 AM and start dialing at exactly 8:00. You'll probably get busy signals for the first 15-20 attempts, but keep trying - persistence is key with their broken phone system. When you finally get through, be very clear about what happened: "I had a scheduled eligibility interview today that EDD failed to conduct. I was available and waiting by my phone all day." Ask them to document in your claim file that the missed interview was due to EDD's error, not yours. This is crucial for protecting your benefits. Don't accept a 3-week wait for a new appointment when it's THEIR mistake. Politely but firmly ask for expedited rescheduling - many people here have gotten interviews within a week when they pushed back on the standard delay. You're not alone in this, and it absolutely can be resolved. Their system is a mess, but you deserve those benefits and you'll get through this!

As someone who just joined this community, I have to say this thread is incredibly valuable! I'm currently waiting for my eligibility interview (scheduled for next Friday) and reading through everyone's experiences has really helped calm my nerves. The consistent pattern of same-day payments indicating approval is so reassuring to know about ahead of time. What really stands out to me is how this community provides the kind of real-world information that you just can't get from the official EDD website. The fact that payment processing and notification systems run on different timelines makes perfect sense when you think about it - it's just not something they tell you anywhere in the official documentation. I'm bookmarking this thread to reference after my interview. It's amazing how much less stressful the process becomes when you know what to actually expect rather than just the vague "7-10 days" timeline they give everyone. Thanks to Isaac for starting this discussion and to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of peer support that makes navigating unemployment benefits so much easier!

I just joined this community and wow, this thread is exactly what I needed! I'm scheduled for my eligibility interview next Tuesday and I've been so anxious about what to expect. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - especially seeing the consistent pattern where same-day payments almost always mean approval. What really helps is understanding that the payment system and notification system work on different schedules. The official EDD website makes it sound like you have to wait a full week in limbo, but it's clear from everyone's stories that when your case is straightforward, they can approve you immediately during the interview. I'm definitely going to have all my separation paperwork organized and ready, plus write down the key dates and details about my layoff so I can give clear answers. It sounds like being prepared really helps the interviewer make a quick decision. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community provides way better information than any official resource I've found. I'll report back after my interview to add to the data pool here!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

You can usually find your award letter through your EDD online account. Log into your UI Online portal and look for a "Documents" or "Correspondence" section - your award letter should be available there as a PDF download. If you can't find it online, you can also request a copy by calling EDD, but given the wait times, I'd definitely check your online account first. The award letter is typically sent when your claim is approved and shows your weekly benefit amount and other important details about your claim.