I'm also in a similar boat - just exhausted my benefits and looking at EDD positions! One thing I haven't seen mentioned here yet is that they also have seasonal hiring surges. A friend who works in their Sacramento office told me they typically do big hiring pushes right before tax season (January-March) and again before the holidays when claim volumes spike. So timing your application might matter. Also, for those worried about the long wait times - I've heard that some offices are more desperate for staff than others. Rural offices sometimes move faster through the hiring process than the big city ones because they get fewer applicants. Might be worth looking at positions outside your immediate area if you're willing to commute or relocate. The state does offer relocation assistance for some positions too.

I just wanted to add something that might help with the immediate financial pressure while you're waiting for the EDD hiring process - have you looked into gig work or freelance accounting services? Since you have an accounting background, you could potentially pick up some bookkeeping clients through platforms like Upwork or even local small businesses. I know it's not ideal when you want stable employment, but it could help bridge the gap during those 3-6 months of waiting for state employment. Also, don't forget to check if your local One-Stop Career Centers have any rapid employment programs or connections with employers who need immediate hires. Sometimes they have relationships with companies that aren't widely advertised. The combination of applying for EDD positions AND having some income coming in from temporary work might take some of the financial pressure off while you wait for the state bureaucracy to move. Hang in there - it sounds like you have a solid plan forming!

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

Thanks everyone for sharing these tips! I've been struggling to get through to EDD for weeks. Just to confirm - so the best strategy is to call right at 8am when they open, avoid the lunch hour (12-1pm), and try to get through before 5pm if I need a tier 2 rep? I'll definitely try calling first thing Monday morning. Has anyone had luck with the automated callback feature, or is it better to just stay on hold?

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation - it sounds incredibly stressful. Based on what others have shared, it seems like you might have a decent chance at qualifying for benefits given the documented uninhabitable housing situation that forced your move. A few additional thoughts that might help: - Consider reaching out to local housing assistance programs in Monterey County. Sometimes they have emergency transportation vouchers or can help with temporary housing closer to work while you transition. - Look into whether your county has any emergency rental assistance that could help you secure housing closer to your job, even temporarily. - If you do get terminated and file for unemployment, be very clear in your application that this was an involuntary relocation due to health hazards (the mold), not a personal choice to move somewhere inconvenient. The fact that you have documentation (texts with landlord, photos, doctor's note) and that you've been actively trying to solve the transportation issue shows you weren't just abandoning your job responsibilities. That should work in your favor. Good luck, and I hope you're able to find a local job soon that eliminates this whole transportation nightmare!

I work for a legal aid organization that handles housing and employment issues, and your situation is actually more common than you might think. The key legal concept here is "good cause" for leaving/losing employment. California recognizes several circumstances as good cause, including when unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions force a necessary relocation that makes continued employment impossible. The mold situation you described - especially with landlord refusal to remediate and documented health impacts - could absolutely qualify. A few critical points for your EDD application: 1. Frame this as "constructive discharge" - you were essentially forced out due to circumstances beyond your control 2. Emphasize the health hazard aspect of the mold (your doctor's note is crucial evidence) 3. Document your good faith efforts to maintain employment despite the obstacles 4. Show that the relocation was the only reasonable option available to you Also, since you're still employed, consider filing a complaint with your local health department about the mold issue. This creates an official government record of the habitability problem, which strengthens your case significantly. Don't let anyone tell you this is automatically a losing case - I've seen similar situations approved, especially when the claimant has strong documentation like you do.

LPT: Si logras comunicarte con alguien, pide hablar con un supervisor. A veces ellos tienen más autoridad para resolver problemas complejos como este.

¡Qué frustrante! Yo pasé por algo similar el año pasado. Una cosa que me funcionó fue intentar usar un navegador diferente (Firefox en lugar de Chrome) y también desactivar cualquier bloqueador de anuncios. A veces esos plugins interfieren con los sitios del gobierno. También, si tienes la opción, intenta desde una computadora en lugar de tu teléfono - el sitio web del EDD a veces no funciona bien en móviles. ¡Espero que puedas resolverlo pronto!

I just went through my EDD appeal hearing last month and won! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple one-page summary with bullet points of the key facts in chronological order. During the hearing, I could glance at it to stay on track without sounding like I was reading from a script. Since your case involves freelance work timing, make sure you can clearly explain the exact dates you did the work versus when you filed your claim. The judge will want to understand the timeline precisely. I'd suggest having a calendar or timeline visual ready - even just for your own reference during the phone call. Also, don't worry too much about being nervous. The judges deal with nervous claimants all day and they understand this is stressful. Just speak slowly and clearly, and if you need a moment to find a document or collect your thoughts, it's totally fine to say "Can I have just a moment to reference my documentation?" The fact that you have emails showing the work dates puts you in a really good position. Make sure those emails are easily accessible during your call!

I've been helping people with EDD appeals for several years, and your preparation sounds excellent! One crucial thing I always tell people: practice saying your key facts out loud before the hearing. When you're nervous, it's easy to stumble over dates or get your timeline confused, even when you know it perfectly on paper. Since your case involves freelance work done BEFORE filing, here's what the judge will likely focus on: - Exact dates you performed the work vs. when you filed your claim - Whether this work should have been reported (it shouldn't if it was before filing) - Why EDD thinks you made a "false statement" about it Make sure you can clearly articulate: "I completed freelance work in [specific month/year], received payment on [date], and filed my unemployment claim on [later date]. This work was completed entirely before I filed my claim, so there was no requirement to report it on my initial application." Also, double-check your state's rules about pre-claim work reporting - in most cases, work done before filing doesn't need to be reported unless it affects your base period wages. Having this regulation reference handy could be helpful. You've got this! Being this prepared already puts you ahead of most people who go into these hearings.