I'm going through this exact same situation right now and it's honestly been one of the most stressful experiences I've had with any government agency. Filed my appeal about 7 weeks ago after being disqualified - my employer claimed I was terminated for violating company policy, but I have evidence showing the "violation" was actually me following safety protocols they had trained us on just weeks earlier. Like everyone else here, zero certification weeks since filing the appeal. The financial stress has been intense, especially since I have a mortgage and car payment. I ended up having to borrow money from family just to cover basic expenses. What's been most helpful from reading this thread: - Applied for CalFresh yesterday after seeing multiple people recommend it - Started keeping a detailed log of all my job search activities - Found the appeals board direct number and confirmed my case is in their system (they're scheduling hearings 12-14 weeks out now - even longer than what others reported!) - Organized all my documentation including emails, training materials, and witness contact info The complete lack of transparency from EDD during this process is maddening. You file your appeal and then basically disappear into a black hole with no updates or communication. If it wasn't for communities like this sharing experiences, I would have no idea if I was doing something wrong or if this endless waiting is actually normal. For anyone else dealing with this - hang in there. It sounds like the system is designed to discourage people from pursuing legitimate claims, but based on what I'm reading here, most people with solid evidence do eventually win and get their back pay. We just have to survive the waiting period first.

I'm currently in week 5 of waiting after filing my appeal and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My situation is similar - employer claimed I was fired for cause but I have documentation showing it was actually a position elimination due to budget cuts. No certification weeks since filing the appeal, which has been really tough financially. What's been most frustrating is exactly what everyone here is describing - the complete radio silence from EDD after you file. You submit your appeal and then just... wait. No updates, no timeline, nothing. I had no idea if this was normal until reading everyone's experiences here. I've already applied for CalFresh based on recommendations in this thread (great suggestion!) and I'm going to call the appeals board directly tomorrow to at least confirm my case is in their system. The 12-14 week timeline some of you are reporting is honestly scary given my financial situation, but it's better to know the reality than keep hoping for that optimistic "30+ days" they initially quote. One thing I'm curious about - for those who won their appeals and got the batch of back weeks to certify, was that process straightforward or did you run into any additional complications with EDD when trying to actually get paid? I'm trying to prepare mentally for what might come after the appeal (assuming I win). Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here. It's the only place I've found real information about what this process actually looks like!

I moved from Michigan to California about 3 months ago and went through this exact same confusion! Michigan required 4 work search activities per week that had to be logged during each certification - super detailed with company names, contact info, dates, the whole thing. California's system is SO much more relaxed. Here's what I've figured out: **During Certification:** You literally just check "yes" that you looked for work. No entering specific job details, no company names, no contact information - just one checkbox every two weeks. **Behind the Scenes:** Keep detailed records anyway! I use a simple spreadsheet tracking date, company, position, application method, and any follow-up. I aim for 3-4 activities per week to stay safe. **For Marketing Roles:** Don't forget that networking activities count too! Attending virtual marketing meetups, LinkedIn outreach, informational interviews, even taking relevant Coursera courses can all be documented as work search activities. **The Reality Check:** EDD can randomly audit you and ask for proof of your job search efforts. A friend of mine got called for an eligibility interview after 4 months and had to provide all the details they would have entered in other states. The "reasonable effort" standard basically means they trust you're actually looking for work and not just gaming the system. Coming from Michigan's rigid requirements, it felt weird at first but is actually way less stressful once you get into a routine. Welcome to California and good luck with your marketing job search! The opportunities here are definitely better than what I had back in Michigan.

I moved from Texas to California about a year ago and had this exact same confusion! Texas required 3 work search contacts per week with detailed logging during certification, so California's "reasonable effort" standard felt impossibly vague at first. Here's what I've learned through experience: **The Short Answer:** No specific number required in CA - you just check "yes" during bi-weekly certification that you looked for work. Way simpler than Oregon's system! **The Important Caveat:** Keep detailed records anyway because EDD can audit you anytime. I got randomly selected for an eligibility interview at month 8 and had to provide specifics about all my work search activities. **My Strategy:** I document 3-4 activities per week in a Google Sheet: job applications, LinkedIn networking, virtual career events, and even updating my marketing portfolio. For our field specifically, attending webinars, reaching out to agency contacts, and informational interviews all count as valid work search activities. **Pro Tip:** Create a dedicated email folder for application confirmations and save screenshots of job postings. When EDD called me, having organized proof made the interview super smooth and stress-free. The "trust but verify" approach here is actually way less anxiety-inducing than Texas's micromanagement once you establish a routine. California's marketing job market is also much stronger - you made a smart move despite the timing! Welcome to California and good luck with your search! The flexible system here is definitely worth the initial confusion.

This is such a nightmare situation, but you're absolutely doing the right things! I went through almost the exact same thing last year - appeal case closed for "failure to appear" when I never got any hearing notice. A few things that really helped me beyond what others have mentioned: 1. When you fill out the DE 6054, include your USPS Informed Delivery screenshots if you have that service set up - it shows what mail you actually received during the time period when the notice should have arrived. 2. Print out your UI Online message history to show you've been actively checking and responding to EDD communications throughout your claim. 3. If you've moved recently (even within the same building/complex), mention that in your request - EDD's address update system is notoriously buggy and mail often gets sent to old addresses even after you update online. 4. Consider also filing a complaint with EDD's customer service about the notification failure - having that complaint number can add weight to your reopening request. The whole system is broken and you're definitely not alone in this. I got my case reopened after about 3 weeks, and the new hearing went smoothly once I actually knew when it was scheduled! Stay strong and keep pushing - you've got good cause and you're handling this exactly right.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the exact same thing happened to me about 4 months ago and I know how absolutely terrifying it feels when you see that "CLOSED" status without any warning! The good news is that missed hearings due to lack of proper notification are actually one of the most successful reasons for getting cases reopened. I ended up getting mine reopened within about 2-3 weeks after submitting the DE 6054 form. A couple of things that really helped my case that I haven't seen mentioned yet: - Take screenshots of your UI Online account showing your current contact information is correct and up-to-date - If you have a smartphone, check if you can pull up your location history for the days around when they claim the notice was sent - it shows you were home to receive mail - Ask your neighbors if they received any mail intended for you by mistake (this actually happens more than you'd think) The $4,800 overpayment amount is scary, but don't let that panic you into making rushed decisions. You're taking all the right steps by acting quickly and getting that reopening request filed. The Appeals Board sees these notification failures constantly - you're definitely not the first person this has happened to. Keep us posted on how it goes! Rooting for you to get this resolved quickly.

Based on everyone's experiences shared here, it really sounds like you have a strong case for getting UI benefits approved! The fact that you tried to work with your employer on the schedule issue and have documentation of your childcare search puts you in a good position. I wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you're preparing for your eligibility interview, consider creating a simple one-page summary that includes: - Timeline of events (schedule changes, your requests for accommodation, when you quit) - Financial impact (income loss, childcare cost estimates) - Evidence you'll reference (emails, texts, daycare waitlist confirmations) Having this organized summary can help you stay focused during the interview and make sure you don't forget to mention important details when you're nervous. The success stories in this thread show that EDD does recognize childcare as legitimate good cause when you can prove you exhausted other options. With your 3 years at the full-time job, your benefit amount should be calculated on those higher wages too, which will help. Don't let the initial stress discourage you from applying - even if there's a chance of initial denial, the appeals process is there for exactly these situations. You've got solid documentation and a legitimate case. Good luck with your application!

I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation - had to quit my full-time job because they changed my schedule with no notice and I couldn't arrange childcare. I've been terrified to apply for UI because I thought quitting meant automatic disqualification. Reading all these success stories is giving me hope that I might actually have a chance. I have emails where I asked my supervisor for a consistent schedule, documentation of my childcare search, and even cost estimates showing that emergency care would have eaten up most of my paycheck. @Zara Khan - have you decided to file your claim yet? I'm in the same boat with still working part-time but losing most of my income. Maybe we can support each other through this process! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - especially the detailed tips about documentation and interview preparation. This community is amazing for helping people navigate such a stressful situation. I'm going to organize my evidence this weekend and file my claim next week. Fingers crossed!

Congratulations on getting your first payment! That's such a relief when you're waiting for bills to be paid. The 24-hour timeline you experienced is pretty typical for BofA from what I've seen. Just a heads up - keep track of your certification dates going forward because the timing stays pretty consistent once you're in the system. Also, if you ever have issues with future payments, don't panic right away since sometimes there can be small delays during holidays or if there are system maintenance windows. Glad everything worked out for you!

That's such great news that your payment came through! 24 hours is actually really good timing for a first payment. I remember when I got my first EDD deposit, I was checking my account every few hours because I was so anxious about it. It's such a huge relief when that money finally hits your account, especially when you have bills waiting. Thanks for updating the thread too - it's really helpful for other people who might be in the same situation to see real examples of how long it actually takes!