Yes, EDD should automatically begin processing your payments within 7-10 business days after receiving the ALJ's decision. Since you mentioned you've been certifying all along, you should receive all back payments for the weeks you certified that fall within your benefit year. If you don't see any payment activity within two weeks, that's when I'd recommend contacting EDD for clarification. Make sure to keep certifying for benefits every two weeks while you wait. Congratulations on winning your appeal! Quitting due to a hostile work environment is one of the legitimate 'good causes' for leaving employment, but it often requires an appeal to prove. You did everything right.

Congratulations Maya! I went through a very similar situation last year - quit due to harassment from my supervisor at a restaurant, initially denied, then won on appeal. The "overturned" language definitely threw me off too at first! One thing I learned during my process: even though the chances of your employer appealing are very low (especially since they no-showed), keep all your documentation from the harassment incidents just in case. The ALJ likely found your testimony credible about the hostile work environment, which is why they ruled in your favor. Also, once your payments start flowing, you might want to consider filing a complaint with your state's labor department about the workplace harassment if you haven't already. What your manager did wasn't just grounds for unemployment benefits - it was likely illegal workplace conduct that other employees shouldn't have to endure. Hope this helps ease some of your stress! You've been through the hardest part already.

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!

To clarify on some of the responses here - when unreported wages are found to be an honest mistake rather than willful fraud, EDD typically won't issue an overpayment or disqualification, especially for smaller amounts like you mentioned. The interviewer was required to tell you about appeal rights because that's standard procedure for ALL determinations, even favorable ones. The Notice of Determination you'll receive will include language about appeal rights regardless of whether they ruled in your favor or not. This is because all EDD determinations, positive or negative, can be appealed (though obviously you wouldn't appeal a favorable decision). The payment status changing to PAID is the system implementation of their decision, which is clearly in your favor. While there are occasional system glitches, this sequence of events strongly indicates a positive outcome for your claim.

Congratulations on getting your payments! I went through a similar situation last year with unreported DoorDash earnings from 2022 that I completely forgot about (only like $1,800). The interviewer was ice cold and made me feel like a criminal, but my payments also switched to PAID right after the call. Got my money within 2 days and the determination letter a week later confirming they ruled it was an honest oversight. The key thing EDD looks for is whether you were trying to hide income deliberately vs. just making a mistake. Since you were honest about it during the interview and the amount was relatively small, they likely saw it as the latter. Definitely keep reporting everything going forward - even if it's just $50 from a random gig. Better safe than sorry with EDD!

I'm sorry to hear about your situation! Getting fired from a job is stressful enough without worrying about unemployment benefits. I went through something similar a few years ago when I worked for a small nonprofit that also didn't pay UI taxes. It's definitely worth applying even if you're not sure you'll qualify - the EDD will review all your work history during the base period. From what others have shared, that holiday retail work you mentioned could be key! Also, don't forget to look into other resources while you're job hunting - food banks, utility assistance programs, and local churches (ironically) often have emergency assistance funds for people in tough spots. Wishing you the best of luck with your application!

Hey Kolton! I went through almost the exact same thing when I got laid off from a religious school in 2021. The church exemption is so frustrating when you're on the receiving end! One thing I learned that might help - even if your regular UI claim gets denied due to the church employment, you can sometimes qualify for federal programs like Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (though that's expired now) or other special assistance programs during economic hardships. Also, while you're waiting to hear back from EDD, definitely check with your local workforce development office. They often have emergency funds or can connect you with temporary work opportunities that pay immediately. Many of them also offer free resume help and job placement services. The waiting period for EDD can be brutal, so having multiple irons in the fire really helps. Keep us posted on how your application goes!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - when you get your doctor's documentation, ask them to be VERY specific about your functional limitations, not just hours. For example, "can work 15-20 hours per week with no lifting over 10 lbs, frequent breaks every 2 hours, and ability to alternate sitting/standing" rather than just "can work part-time." EDD seems to really appreciate that level of detail and it helps avoid questions later. Also, if your condition changes (gets better or worse), make sure to get updated documentation right away. I learned this the hard way when my recovery progressed faster than expected and I didn't update my work capacity documentation for a few weeks - caused some confusion with my benefits calculation.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with a back injury. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: 1. **Get your doctor's clearance IN WRITING before you even apply** - don't just mention it verbally. The form should specify exactly what you can/can't do. 2. **The Supplemental Wage Information form is crucial** - it usually comes with your initial SDI packet if you indicate you might work. If you forget to mention it initially, you can still get the form later but it's easier to get it from the start. 3. **Keep a detailed log** - I tracked every hour worked, every dollar earned, and every form submitted. This saved me when EDD had questions about a specific week. 4. **The wage loss calculation isn't as scary as it sounds** - basically they look at what you were making before vs now, and you get benefits to partially make up the difference. You won't get rich but you also shouldn't lose money by working part-time. The biggest headache for me was actually getting through to EDD when I had questions. Took forever on the phone. But once I got the process down, it worked pretty smoothly. Just be patient with the bureaucracy and document everything!