I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Got my disqualification notice two weeks ago for "voluntary quit" even though I was clearly laid off when my department got eliminated. Filed my appeal immediately but have been stressed about the hearing process. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - it sounds like having solid documentation (which you definitely have) makes a huge difference. I have my layoff notice, final paycheck stub showing "reduction in force," and emails from HR about the department closure. One thing I'm curious about - did anyone here have their former employer actually show up to contest the appeal? My HR department seemed pretty disorganized when I left, so I'm wondering if they'll even bother participating in the hearing process. Thanks for posting this question, Amelia - you've gotten some really valuable responses that are helping me prepare for my own hearing!

Just wanted to add my experience from last year - I was terrified about the hearing too but it really wasn't bad at all! Mine was a phone hearing that lasted about 30 minutes. The judge was very patient and walked me through each question clearly. One thing that really helped my anxiety was calling the EDD Appeals office a few days before my hearing to confirm the phone number and process. They explained exactly how it would work - they call you at the scheduled time, put you in a "waiting room" on hold, then connect you to the judge when it's your turn. Since you have that termination letter showing budget cuts, you're in great shape. I had similar documentation and won my appeal easily. The judge seemed most interested in whether I had any advance warning about being laid off (I didn't) and whether I was given any option to stay (nope). Try not to stress too much about it - you've got solid evidence and these judges deal with wrongful disqualifications all the time. They know the difference between someone who was legitimately laid off versus someone trying to game the system.

Hi everyone, just made a video about how to call the EDD and reach a live human agent: https://youtu.be/-R4SqP7_JUA

For those still struggling with this, I want to add that when you call Bank of America EDD at 1-866-692-9374, make sure you have your Social Security number and the phone number associated with your EDD account ready. They'll ask for verification before processing the emergency transfer. Also, double-check that the Western Union location you're planning to visit is actually open and has enough cash on hand - I learned this the hard way when I drove to a location that had closed early. The $15 fee is automatically deducted from your transfer amount, so if you request $300, you'll actually receive $285. Hope this helps someone avoid the headaches I went through!

I actually work at a local Social Security office and can confirm that this is totally routine! The key thing is consistency - always use whichever name is on your Social Security card for ANY government applications, including unemployment. We process name changes after marriage literally every single day. Your marriage certificate is golden proof, and EDD has to accept it by law. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - if you plan to update your driver's license soon, maybe wait until after your unemployment claim is processed to avoid any additional confusion. But honestly, you're in great shape with what you have! 👍

Just wanted to add my experience to help ease your worries! I went through this exact situation last year when I got married in the middle of being laid off. I was so stressed about the name mismatch, but it turned out to be way less complicated than I thought. Like others have said, definitely use your Social Security name when filing - that's what they match everything against. I brought my marriage certificate to the EDD office (this was pre-pandemic when you could still walk in) and they just made a copy for their records. The whole thing was resolved in about 10 days. The EDD staff told me they see this situation constantly, especially during wedding season! You're definitely not the first person to deal with this, so don't let the anxiety get to you. You have all the right documentation and you'll be fine! Congrats on the marriage btw! 🎊

Great thread everyone! As someone who learned this lesson the hard way, I want to emphasize something that might not be obvious - even if you think your 1099 income might be "irregular" or "one-time," EDD still expects you to report it. I made the mistake of thinking a small freelance project "didn't count" and ended up with a mess to clean up later. Also, for anyone reading this who might be in a similar situation in the future - if you're ever unsure about the exact amount to report when you haven't been paid yet, it's better to overestimate slightly than underestimate. You can always contact them to adjust downward if the actual payment is less, but underreporting can trigger fraud investigations even if it was an honest mistake. Jessica, you absolutely did the right thing by reporting it. The peace of mind is worth way more than potentially losing a week or two of benefits!

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - I have some freelance graphic design work (1099) that I completed last week but won't get paid for until next month. I was totally confused about when and how to report it. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially the horror stories about overpayments and penalties, really drove home how important it is to be accurate with reporting. The fact that EDD cross-references with tax filings later makes so much sense - of course they're going to catch unreported income eventually! @Jessica I think you made the absolute right call by reporting it. The stress of wondering "what if" would have been terrible, and now you can rest easy knowing you followed the rules correctly. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge here - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these confusing situations!

UPDATE: I finally got through this morning! I followed the advice about trying at an odd time (called at 10:42am) and only waited about 15 minutes. Turns out I had a pending eligibility interview because my former employer contested my claim saying I quit (I was actually laid off). The rep scheduled me for a phone interview next Tuesday and said my payments should release after that if everything checks out. She also put notes in my account about the financial hardship so they might expedite it. Thank you all for the suggestions and support!

Wow, what a rollercoaster but so glad you got through! This is exactly why I always tell people to document EVERYTHING with employers - separation notices, emails, even text messages. Your case is a perfect example of how employers can throw a wrench into legitimate claims. The contested claim explains the sudden stop in payments too, since they probably flagged your account for review the moment your employer filed the protest. Hope your interview goes smoothly next Tuesday! Keep us posted on how it turns out.