This is such a relief to read! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got denied for "job abandonment" even though I was actually terminated for attendance issues (which should still qualify for benefits). Like you, I suddenly got certification emails last week even though my denial letter is only 3 weeks old. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like this happens pretty frequently when employers contest claims but then don't follow through with proper documentation. The fact that your status changed to "Active" in the History tab is huge - that's basically EDD's system telling you that your claim is valid now. I'm definitely going to check my own History tab after reading this thread! I've been scared to certify because of the overpayment warnings, but it seems like if the system is allowing it AND your status shows active, you're probably in the clear. Thanks for posting this - it's helping a lot of us who are dealing with EDD's confusing mixed signals! One question for the group: Has anyone here ever had their claim status flip back to denied after it showed active? I'm worried about certifying and then having EDD change their mind again.

I went through almost this exact situation last year! Got denied for "voluntary quit" after being laid off in a company restructuring, then about a month later started getting certification emails out of nowhere. Turns out my employer never submitted the required documentation to support their contest within EDD's deadline. The key thing that helped me was calling EDD and specifically asking to speak with a Tier 2 specialist who could access my claim notes. The regular customer service reps often can't see the detailed history of why decisions get reversed. The Tier 2 rep was able to tell me exactly what happened - my employer contested the claim initially but then failed to provide any evidence that I actually quit voluntarily. Since your claim status is showing "Active" in the History tab, that's a really strong indicator that your disqualification has been properly reversed in their system. I'd recommend going ahead and certifying, but also try to get through to EDD for official confirmation. In my case, I did eventually receive a reversal letter about 5 weeks after my status changed online, but the payments started coming through within days of certifying. Just make sure to keep detailed records of your work search activities and any part-time work/earnings to report accurately. The last thing you want is to give them a reason to question your eligibility again!

I'm going through something very similar right now and wanted to add a few things that have helped me navigate this mess. First, if you're still within your appeal window, definitely pursue it - but also consider reaching out to your local legal aid society or workforce development office. Many have advocates who specialize in EDD appeals and can help you frame your case properly at no cost. Also, while you're waiting for the appeal process, look into your local church or community organizations. I know it sounds random, but several in my area have emergency childcare funds or know of family daycare providers who offer sliding scale rates that aren't listed anywhere online. Sometimes these informal networks are lifesavers. One more practical tip - if you do get called for any job interviews during this process, ask potential employers upfront about their family-friendly policies. Some companies have on-site childcare, backup care partnerships, or flexible scheduling that could solve your work-childcare dilemma entirely. I've found that being honest about my situation during interviews actually helped me find employers who value work-life balance. Hang in there - this system is frustrating but you're clearly a thoughtful parent making the best decisions for your family with the resources available. That has to count for something!

I'm a single mom who successfully appealed an EDD denial for childcare reasons about 18 months ago, and I wanted to share some specific things that made the difference in my case. The appeal hearing judge told me afterwards what really convinced them: 1. I had created a spreadsheet showing my actual take-home pay after taxes/deductions versus childcare costs, broken down by week. This made it crystal clear that I would have been paying $200+ per week just to work. 2. I included a timeline showing when I first realized the childcare issue, what steps I took each week to try to solve it, and when I finally gave notice. This proved it wasn't an impulsive decision. 3. Most importantly - I had documentation showing I asked my employer for accommodations (flexible schedule, remote work options) and was denied. Even though you mentioned you might not have kept that email, check your sent folder or ask HR for a copy of any requests you made. The whole appeal process took about 6 weeks from filing to decision, and I was approved retroactively from my original application date. During that time, CalWORKs emergency assistance helped bridge the gap - definitely apply for that ASAP. You're not alone in this struggle, and your situation sounds very similar to mine. The system is definitely not parent-friendly, but appeals DO work when you have the right documentation. Don't give up!

I went through this exact situation last year. EDD took my entire state refund ($1,800) but surprisingly left my federal refund alone. I was also on a payment plan and never missed a payment, but they still intercepted the state portion. The thing that really helped me was calling EDD's Collections department directly (not the regular UI number) at 1-800-300-5616. I explained my financial hardship and they were able to set up a temporary suspension of collections for 90 days while I got back on my feet. During that time, I also applied for the overpayment waiver that someone mentioned above. One tip: if you do lose your refund to offset, make sure to get documentation showing the payment was applied to your debt. Sometimes there are processing delays and your account doesn't get updated right away, which can cause confusion about your remaining balance. Good luck with everything - I know how stressful this whole situation is!

I'm in a similar boat right now - owing EDD about $4,200 from 2022 and expecting a $1,900 refund that I desperately need for medical bills. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying! From what I'm gathering, it seems like whether they take your refund depends on several factors: fraud vs non-fraud classification, how long you've been on a payment plan, and sometimes just luck of the draw. The fact that some people got to keep their federal refunds while losing state ones gives me a sliver of hope. I'm definitely going to look into that overpayment waiver form (DE 1446W) and try calling the collections number that @Keisha Williams shared. Has anyone had success getting EDD to agree NOT to intercept your refund if you can prove severe financial hardship? Like if losing the refund would mean not being able to pay rent or buy medication? Also wondering if filing taxes later in the year (closer to the deadline) makes any difference in terms of giving you more time to resolve things with EDD first?

As someone new to this community, I just wanted to share my recent experience as a school bus driver who successfully got UI benefits last summer. Like many of you, I was initially worried about the "reasonable assurance" rule, but I learned that the key is being very specific about your employment classification and any uncertainties about returning. In my case, I emphasized that: 1) I'm an hourly employee with no guaranteed hours, 2) My route assignments can change based on enrollment and budget decisions, and 3) I was actively seeking other employment during the break. The initial online application was denied, but during the phone interview (which took about 3 weeks to get scheduled), the EDD representative was much more understanding of the nuances. What really helped was that I had documentation showing I was genuinely job searching - I applied to delivery companies, summer camps, and other seasonal work. Even though I didn't get hired elsewhere, having that paper trail showed I wasn't just sitting around waiting for September. For those of you who are part-time aides or hourly workers, I'd definitely encourage you to apply. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised. Just make sure to frame it correctly - you're temporarily unemployed due to lack of work, not just "on vacation." Good luck everyone!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share some additional insight that might be helpful. I'm a school library aide and went through this exact situation last summer. What I learned is that EDD actually has specific guidelines for educational institution employees in their handbook, and the "reasonable assurance" determination is more nuanced than many people realize. A few key points that helped my case: 1) I documented that my position is subject to annual review and isn't automatically renewed, 2) I showed that my hours could vary based on library program funding, and 3) I demonstrated active job searching with a detailed log of applications and interviews. The most important thing I discovered is that part-time hourly positions like ours are often evaluated differently than full-time contracted positions. Since we don't have employment contracts guaranteeing our return, we're more likely to qualify than teachers with signed contracts. I'd also suggest reaching out to your union representative if you have one - they often have experience with these situations and can provide guidance on how to frame your application. My union steward actually helped me understand which aspects of my employment status to emphasize. The process took about 5 weeks total, but I was ultimately approved and received benefits through August. Don't give up if you get an initial denial - the appeal process is worth it for our employment category. Document everything and be persistent!

One more important tip - after you manage to reach EDD and get those weeks added back, also ask the representative to make a note in your file about this system error. This documentation can be useful during your appeal hearing to show you were actively trying to comply with the certification requirements. If you do use Claimyr or manage to get through on your own, be sure to get the representative's ID number and the date/time of your call for your records.

Yes, sending a message through UI Online is a good additional step. But honestly, these issues almost always require phone contact to resolve. The messaging system often results in generic replies that don't actually fix your specific problem. That's why getting through to a live person is so crucial for appeal-related certification issues.