I'm in almost the exact same situation! Had my eligibility interview last Friday and it's now been 6 business days with everything still showing "pending." The anxiety is real - I keep checking UI Online multiple times a day hoping something will change, but nothing yet. This thread has been incredibly reassuring though! Seeing that 7-14 business days is the normal range makes me feel so much better. My interview went well and my layoff was due to budget cuts with all the proper paperwork, so I'm trying to stay optimistic. I love all the practical tips people have shared here - checking the UI inbox for messages, taking daily screenshots to track changes, and definitely keeping up with certifications. The fact that EDD doesn't give any timeline during the interview is so frustrating! A simple "expect to hear back in 1-2 weeks" would save everyone so much stress. Thanks OP for asking this question and to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines. It really helps to know we're all going through this same nerve-wracking waiting period together. Fingers crossed we all get good news soon!

I'm currently on day 12 after my eligibility interview and finally got some movement! Just wanted to share my timeline to help others who are waiting. Had my interview on a Wednesday, and this morning (Friday of the following week) I found a determination letter in my UI Online inbox - it was approved! My payment status is still showing "pending" but based on what others have said here, it should update within the next day or two. My case was pretty straightforward - laid off due to company restructuring with all the proper documentation. The interviewer was professional and the whole call took about 15 minutes. Like everyone else, I was given no timeline and spent almost two weeks obsessively checking my account multiple times a day. The waiting really is the worst part, but hang in there everyone! For those still waiting, I'd definitely recommend checking your UI inbox regularly since the determination letter showed up there first. Also, the daily screenshot idea someone mentioned actually helped me track small system changes I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Thanks to this community for keeping me sane during the wait!

Good luck with your interview on Tuesday! You've gotten some great advice here. I went through a similar situation last summer when my daughter's summer camp was canceled unexpectedly and I had to quit my office job. One thing I'd add - if they ask about future employment, make sure to emphasize that you're actively seeking work that fits your available hours (evenings/nights/weekends). I brought a list of jobs I'd applied for in hospitality, security, and healthcare that had evening shifts. This showed I wasn't just collecting benefits without trying to work. Also, don't be surprised if they ask about your partner's work situation or other family members who could help with childcare - just be honest about your specific circumstances. The interviewer was actually pretty understanding once I explained everything clearly. You sound well-prepared and your situation is exactly the kind of thing EDD recognizes as good cause. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just wanted to add another perspective - I had my EDD interview about 6 months ago after quitting my job due to eldercare responsibilities (similar family obligation situation). The interviewer was very thorough but fair. One thing that really helped me was being able to articulate exactly WHY a leave of absence wouldn't have worked in my situation - the care needs were ongoing, not temporary. In your case, you can explain that even if your employer had offered unpaid leave, it wouldn't have solved the fundamental problem since you needed ongoing daytime childcare once schools closed. They also asked me about my job search efforts, so definitely be ready to talk about what types of positions you're applying for that match your available hours. Having specific examples of evening/night shift jobs you've looked into will show you're serious about returning to work when possible. You've got this! The fact that you're being so thoughtful about preparing for the interview shows you understand the process. EDD deals with childcare-related resignations all the time, especially post-COVID when so many school and childcare disruptions happened.

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add that when you call CUIAB, make sure to have your Social Security number and case/appeal number ready - they'll need both to pull up your file. Also, if the first person you talk to seems unhelpful or says they can't provide the documents, politely ask to speak with a supervisor. Sometimes the front desk staff aren't fully aware of your rights to access the appeal file. I had to escalate my request but eventually got everything I needed. The whole process is stressful enough without having to fight for basic information you're entitled to. Wishing you the best of luck with your hearing - it sounds like you have a solid case if you were truly laid off due to lack of work!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely contact CUIAB directly, not EDD! I made the mistake of calling EDD first when I had my appeal and they just transferred me around for hours before telling me they couldn't help. The CUIAB staff were actually much more helpful once I called the right number. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you get your documents, pay special attention to the dates on everything your employer submitted. In my case, they tried to submit "performance reviews" that were supposedly from months before my termination, but the digital timestamps showed they were actually created the day after I filed for unemployment! The judge was NOT happy about that and it basically won my case for me. Also, bring multiple copies of any supporting documents you have to the hearing - one for the judge, one for your employer's representative (if they show up), and one for yourself. Being organized and prepared really makes a good impression. Good luck - it sounds like you have a strong case since you have documentation of the layoff!

I just went through this exact same issue last week! Error E 324 was driving me absolutely crazy. What finally worked for me was a combination of several things mentioned here: I used incognito mode, made sure to format my driver's license number with NO spaces or dashes (this was key!), disabled all my browser extensions including ad blockers, and tried it super early in the morning around 5:30 AM when the servers weren't overloaded. Also make sure your address exactly matches what's on your license - even apartment vs apt can mess it up. The EDD system is incredibly finicky but don't lose hope! It took me about 6 tries with different approaches before I finally got through. Hang in there and keep trying different combinations of these fixes! 💪

I'm currently stuck with this exact same Error E 324 issue and reading through everyone's solutions has been incredibly helpful! I've been trying for days to get my disability application through and was starting to panic. Going to try the combination approach that seems to work for most people - incognito mode, early morning timing (maybe 6 AM), clean formatting with no spaces/dashes in the license number, and disabling my VPN and ad blockers. Also need to double-check that my address formatting matches exactly what's on my license. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access benefits we're entitled to, but at least there's hope with all these success stories! Will definitely check my spam folder for old EDD account numbers too. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread is a lifeline! 🙏

I've been following this thread as someone who went through a similar nightmare with EDD last year. After being disqualified for "voluntary quit" when I was actually laid off, I spent 6 weeks trying every free method imaginable - calling hundreds of times, messaging through UI Online, even showing up at the local office (they just told me to call). What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my assembly member AND used a paid service simultaneously. The assembly member's office got back to me after 8 business days, but by then the paid service had already gotten me through and my issue was resolved. For those worried about the ethics - I get it, I really do. But when you're facing homelessness because a government system is failing you, sometimes you have to do what you can to survive. The real problem isn't people using these services, it's that EDD has created a system so broken that these services can exist and thrive. @Amina Sow - if you do decide to use a service, make sure they guarantee you only pay if connected, and have your case details, ID, and any supporting documents ready before the call. Also ask specifically for a Tier 2 specialist right away - don't let them transfer you around. The whole situation is maddening, but don't let pride keep you from getting the help you need if free methods aren't working.

I've been in a similar boat and completely understand both your desperation and ethical concerns. After 4 weeks of trying to reach EDD about my pending disqualification, I finally broke down and used one of these services (ended up using EDD Caller after researching several options). Here's what I learned: - They do work, but they're essentially just sophisticated auto-dialers that keep calling until they get through the queue - Cost me $20 but saved probably 20+ hours of my time trying to redial constantly - Got connected to an actual EDD rep in about 45 minutes vs. weeks of failed attempts - The rep was able to see all my uploaded documents and resolve my issue in one call I felt conflicted about paying for what should be free government access, but when you're facing financial hardship and the system is this broken, sometimes pragmatism wins over principles. These services exist because EDD has failed to adequately staff their phone lines or improve their system. My advice: try the free methods others mentioned first (assembly member contact is surprisingly effective), but don't let ethics prevent you from getting help you desperately need. The system is broken - that's not your fault, and you shouldn't suffer because of it. Whatever you decide, make sure you're prepared with specific questions and all your documentation ready when you do get through!