I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time finding work. Just wanted to add that while you're exploring all these options, don't forget to check if your local library or community college offers free job training programs or certifications. Many of them have partnerships with employers and can sometimes lead directly to job placement. Also, temp agencies might be worth trying - even short-term assignments could help you start building those qualifying wages everyone mentioned, plus give you recent work experience to put on your resume. Hang in there!

I went through a very similar situation about 8 months ago. After my benefit year ended with no new wages, I was devastated to get that $0 award letter. What helped me was getting connected with my local One-Stop Career Center (part of the America's Job Center network). They not only helped with job search strategies but also informed me about a program called WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) that provides training funds for eligible individuals who've been unemployed long-term. I was able to get certified in forklift operation and warehouse safety, which directly led to my current job. The whole process took about 6 weeks, and they even provided supportive services like gas cards for interviews. Definitely worth looking into - you can find your local center at careeronestop.org. Don't give up hope!

Glad you got it sorted out with EDD directly! Just want to add one more thing that might help others in similar situations - when you're documenting your job search, make sure to save copies of job postings that clearly state "full-time" in the requirements. If EDD ever questions your work search efforts, having evidence that you're actively applying to appropriate full-time positions that match your career goals really strengthens your case. It shows you're genuinely seeking suitable work and not just being picky about offers.

Really glad to see you got this resolved! For anyone else who might be in a similar situation, I'd also recommend keeping a simple spreadsheet or document tracking all your job applications - date applied, company name, position title, whether it was full-time/part-time, and any responses you got. I learned this the hard way when EDD asked me to provide my work search log during a phone interview. Having everything organized made that conversation so much smoother. Also, if you do end up taking part-time work while continuing to look for full-time, remember that your work search requirement doesn't stop - you still need to keep applying and be available for full-time work to maintain your benefits eligibility.

This exact thing happened to me when I did some freelance graphic design work last year! I was getting $475/week and then reported about $200 in freelance income one week. My payment dropped to like $75 and I completely freaked out thinking I had somehow damaged my claim permanently. Like everyone else is saying, it's just the partial unemployment formula - they reduce your benefit for that specific week based on your earnings, but your underlying claim stays the same. Once you certify with zero income again, you'll get your full $550 back. The EDD really needs to do a better job explaining this process because SO many people panic when it happens. Maybe they could add a simple explanation right on the certification page that says "reporting income will only affect THIS week's payment, not your overall benefit amount" or something like that. Would save everyone a lot of stress! Anyway, don't worry - your benefits will definitely return to normal with your next certification.

I'm dealing with something similar right now and this thread is incredibly helpful! I just started a part-time retail job (20 hours/week) while collecting unemployment and I'm dreading my next certification because I know my payment is going to drop significantly. It's reassuring to hear from so many people that this is temporary and my benefits will go back to normal if the part-time work doesn't work out. The anxiety of not knowing how the system works is honestly worse than the actual reduction sometimes. One question though - does anyone know if there's a minimum number of hours you can work before it affects your benefits? Or does ANY reported income trigger the reduction formula?

Congratulations on getting through your hearing! It really sounds like you were well-prepared and handled it professionally. The fact that your employer couldn't provide documentation when the judge asked for it is definitely a positive sign for your case. I went through a similar appeal last year (also retail management with hour cuts) and won my case. A few things to keep in mind while you wait: 1. The 7-10 day timeframe is pretty accurate in my experience - I got my decision letter exactly 8 days after my hearing. 2. If you win, don't be surprised if there's a delay in actually receiving your backpay. I had to call EDD twice to get them to process it, but once they did, I received 4 months of back benefits within a week. 3. Keep checking your EDD account online - sometimes the status updates there before you receive the physical letter. Your preparation with the paystubs and text messages was exactly the right approach. Judges appreciate concrete evidence and specific financial details. Really hoping you get that favorable decision! Please update us when you hear - success stories help others going through the same process.

I went through a similar phone appeal hearing last year after my employer claimed I quit voluntarily when they essentially forced me out by cutting my hours drastically. Here are some additional tips that really helped me: **Before the hearing:** - Test your phone connection beforehand! I used a landline instead of my cell to avoid any dropped calls or poor audio quality - Have a notepad ready to jot down notes during the hearing - you might want to reference something your employer says when it's your turn to respond - Prepare a simple timeline of events with dates - when your hours were cut, when you asked for more hours, when you finally had to leave **During the hearing:** - The judge will likely ask your employer to present their case first, then you'll get to respond. Take notes on any inaccuracies in their version - If your employer makes claims without evidence (like yours did with "attendance issues"), the judge will notice. Don't get defensive - just calmly state the facts - Be specific about your financial situation. I calculated exactly how much my monthly income dropped and explained which bills I couldn't cover anymore **After the hearing:** - Don't stress too much about the wait time. I know it's nerve-wracking, but if you presented your case well with documentation like you did, you should be in good shape Your preparation sounds excellent, and the fact that your employer couldn't back up their claims with documentation is definitely a good sign. Wishing you the best outcome!

Good news - I just checked and the EDD Appeals Office now has an online portal where you can request postponements! Go to https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Appeals.htm and look for the appeals portal link. You'll need the appeal case number and some personal information to access it. This is much faster than calling or faxing in most cases.

That's such a relief that you got the online portal to work! I just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - make sure to save/screenshot that confirmation page with the reference number. When I used the online portal last year, I didn't save the confirmation and then got paranoid that my request didn't go through. Having that reference number gives you something to reference if you need to follow up. Also, even though they said 24-48 hours, in my experience they usually respond within the first 24 hours if it's submitted during business days. Fingers crossed everything works out for your partner's case!