One more important point: make sure you meet the earnings requirement to qualify for UI. You need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest-earning quarter during your base period, or at least $900 in your highest quarter and 1.25 times that amount across the entire base period. Based on your hourly wage, you should easily qualify if you've been working consistently, but it's something to be aware of. Also, start your work search requirements immediately after filing - EDD requires three work search activities per week for most claimants now.

I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago! The key thing that helped me was getting my boss to acknowledge in writing (via email) that I had requested to withdraw my resignation but he was choosing not to accept it. I sent him an email saying something like "As we discussed, I am withdrawing my two weeks notice and would like to continue my employment, but you indicated you prefer to proceed with my departure in May." He replied confirming that was correct. When EDD called him, his story matched mine exactly because we both had the same email thread. Got approved without any issues after the phone interview. The whole process took about 3 weeks from filing to first payment. Document everything and you should be fine!

Have you tried filing by phone instead of online? Sometimes that works when the website is being glitchy.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The key thing that worked for me was calling EDD early in the morning (like 8:01 AM sharp when they open) and explaining that their system wasn't recognizing my new work history. The rep was able to manually override the system and let me file a new claim based on my recent wages. Make sure you have your last few pay stubs ready when you call - they'll likely ask for the exact dates and amounts. It took about 2 weeks after that call for everything to process, but I was able to get my benefits. Don't give up, the system is just slow to update sometimes! 💪

Hey Sofia, I went through something similar last year with a $3,200 overpayment. One thing that really helped me was having all my bank statements from the past 3 months ready when I called - they wanted to see my actual spending patterns, not just estimates. Also, don't be afraid to negotiate the monthly amount if their first offer seems too high. I started at $180/month but got it down to $125 after explaining my situation. The whole process took about 30 minutes once I got through to the right person. You've got this!

Just wanted to add that when I had my EDD overpayment situation, they also offered the option to pay online through their website once the payment plan was set up. You don't have to mail checks every month - you can set up automatic payments from your bank account which made it way easier to manage. Also, make sure you keep records of every payment you make because their system sometimes doesn't update right away and you want proof you're staying current on your plan. The last thing you want is them thinking you missed a payment when you didn't!

Another option your cousin should look into is Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if he's been affected by any recent disasters in his area. California has had several federally declared disasters this year, and DUA can provide additional weeks of benefits for people who lost work due to disaster-related reasons - even if it's indirect impact like his manufacturing plant reducing operations because of supply chain issues from disasters. The deadlines for DUA applications are usually pretty strict (typically 30 days from the disaster declaration), but it's worth checking if any recent disasters in his county qualify. He can find this info on the EDD website under "Disaster-Related Benefits" or by calling the DUA hotline directly. Also, has he looked into any union resources if he was in one? Sometimes unions have emergency funds or job placement assistance that people forget about.

I'm sorry to hear about your cousin's situation - it's really tough right now with so few extension options available. Based on what others have shared here, I'd recommend he prioritize these actions immediately: 1. **Training Extension (TE)** - This seems like his best bet since he has 3 weeks left. Have him apply for California Training Benefits (CTB) through his UI Online account ASAP. Manufacturing has good approved training programs, and if approved, he could get up to 26 additional weeks while in training. 2. **CalFresh application** - Don't wait on this one. With two kids, he likely qualifies for substantial food assistance ($400+/month) and can apply while still receiving UI. 3. **Contact EDD directly** - Every situation is different, and he needs official confirmation of his options. If he can't get through on the phone, that Claimyr service another member mentioned might be worth considering. The reality is that without COVID-era extensions, options are really limited right now. But the Training Extension could be a game-changer if he qualifies - he'd get benefits while learning new skills that could help him find better work in the long run. Time is critical though, so have him start that CTB application today if possible. Hang in there - it's scary but there are still some options to explore.

Just checking in - were you able to reach EDD and get any of your funds released? The collections division can be really hard to reach sometimes.

So glad to hear you got through and they're releasing your funds! This is exactly why filing that appeal was so crucial - it shows you're disputing the overpayment in good faith and not just trying to avoid paying. Three business days is pretty fast for EDD too. For anyone else reading this thread who might face a similar situation: the key takeaways are 1) file your appeal ASAP if you're still within the 30-day window, 2) document your financial hardship with actual bills/expenses, and 3) don't give up on trying to reach a real person - services like Claimyr can really help when the phone lines are jammed. Hope your appeal goes well and you can get this whole overpayment issue resolved! Keep us posted on how it turns out.