Just wanted to add that your husband should also register with CalJOBS if he hasn't already - it's California's official job search site and EDD actually requires registration for most claimants. You can find it at caljobs.ca.gov. Once he's registered there, he can use job searches on that site as part of his weekly work search activities. It also has some decent resources for resume building and career exploration that might be helpful during his job search.

Quick tip that really helped me - I created a simple template in my phone's notes app with fields for "Company Name," "Position," "Date Applied," "Method (online/email/in-person)," and "Contact Info." Every time I apply somewhere, I just fill out a new entry. When certification time comes, I have everything organized and ready to copy into the UI Online boxes. Makes the whole process way less stressful! Your husband might find this approach easier than trying to remember everything later.

I just went through this exact same situation 6 months ago and want to offer some hope - I successfully got my overpayment completely overturned! Here's what made the difference in my case: First, that "without fault" designation is actually HUGE in your favor. It means no penalties and you're eligible for a waiver if needed. Second, the fact that they're only questioning 2 months suggests this might be fixable with the right documentation. My game-changer was getting a simple one-page letter from my former manager on company letterhead (even though the business had closed, they still had access to letterhead). The letter stated: my hire date, layoff date, reason for layoff (business closure), and confirmed I didn't quit or get fired for misconduct. I also gathered: final pay stub showing "layoff", group text messages between coworkers about the closure, a newspaper article mentioning restaurant closures in our area during that time period, and my termination letter. The appeal hearing took about 45 minutes via phone. The judge was actually really fair and understood that the employer's initial report to EDD was probably just a clerical error. My entire $7,200 overpayment was dismissed. Don't let them intimidate you into just accepting this. File that appeal ASAP (within 30 days!) and start gathering any evidence of that restaurant closure. You can absolutely win this if you fight it properly. The system makes mistakes constantly - your job is to prove they made one here.

I'm going through something very similar right now and wanted to add a few things that have helped me in my research. Since you mentioned this is about your "employment separation reason" being redetermined, I'd specifically recommend checking if your former employer filed anything with EDD recently that contradicted their original layoff report. Sometimes employers file corrected information months or years later, which can trigger these redeterminations. Also, if you can't track down your former manager, consider reaching out to your state labor department - they sometimes have records of mass layoffs or business closures that can serve as independent verification of what happened. In California, the WARN Act requires certain employers to report layoffs, so there might be official documentation of your restaurant's closure. One more tip: when you file your appeal, ask specifically for a phone hearing rather than in-person if given the option. From what I've heard from others, the judges tend to be more accommodating over the phone, and it's much less intimidating than going to an office. The fact that yours is marked "without fault" and only covers 2 months really suggests this is just a paperwork mixup that can be resolved. Don't let EDD intimidate you - they make errors constantly and count on people not fighting back. You've got this!

I had a similar issue with my old Yahoo email that I couldn't access anymore. What finally worked for me was using the DMV's "Real ID" appointment system - even though I wasn't getting a Real ID, the appointment process allowed me to update all my account information including email address. I brought my passport, utility bill, and bank statement as proof of identity and address. The clerk was super helpful and got everything sorted in about 30 minutes once I was seen. Way easier than trying to navigate their phone system or mail-in forms!

I actually just went through this nightmare myself a few weeks ago! After trying everything online with no luck, I ended up going to the DMV field office early in the morning (like 30 minutes before they opened) and brought every piece of ID I could find - driver's license, passport, birth certificate, social security card, plus recent bank statements and utility bills. The key was explaining to the clerk that I needed to update my contact information because I was locked out of my account. They had me fill out a DL 44 form (Application for Driver License) and were able to update my email address right there in the system. Took about an hour total including wait time. Pro tip: bring a printed copy of your old email address so they can see what needs to be changed. Good luck, Maria!

I'm really glad to see you're getting such great advice here! As someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago, I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me during the EDD process. When you have your eligibility interview, they might ask you something like "Did you consider any other options before quitting?" Be prepared to explain what you tried - like reporting to HR, talking to your manager directly (if you did), or even looking into transfers within the company. The key is showing that quitting was truly your last resort. Also, if you haven't already, try to get a copy of your company's harassment policy from the employee handbook. If they failed to follow their own procedures after you reported the harassment, that can actually strengthen your case for good cause. The emotional toll of dealing with workplace harassment is real, and it sounds like you made the right choice for your health and wellbeing. The unemployment process can feel overwhelming, but you're clearly being thorough and proactive about documenting everything. That preparation will really pay off during your interview. Best of luck - you've got this!

I'm so sorry you had to endure that kind of workplace harassment - it's incredibly brave of you to prioritize your mental health and leave that toxic environment. From what you've described, you absolutely have a valid case for "good cause" unemployment benefits. A few additional tips that might help strengthen your claim: 1. **Medical documentation is key** - When you get that updated doctor's note, ask them to specifically link your health issues (anxiety, insomnia) to the workplace harassment. The more medically detailed, the better. 2. **Prepare for the employer pushback** - Your former employer will likely contest your claim and may try to frame this as a performance issue. Having your detailed documentation will be crucial to counter their narrative. 3. **Be ready for specific questions** - During your eligibility interview, they'll want to know exactly what steps you took before quitting. Walk them through your reports to HR, any conversations with management, and why those efforts failed to resolve the situation. 4. **Save everything** - Keep all your documentation organized and easily accessible. Include emails, text messages, your journal entries with dates, medical records, and any witness information. The process can be lengthy and EDD often denies legitimate claims initially, but don't let that discourage you. Many people win on appeal with proper documentation. You're already doing everything right by being so thorough with your record-keeping. Stay strong - you made the right choice for your health, and you deserve those benefits while you look for a better work environment!

I'm in a similar situation and this whole thread has been incredibly valuable! Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - I created a simple spreadsheet to track my certification dates and any communications from EDD. It sounds nerdy, but having everything documented in one place really helped me stay organized during the transition period. Also, for anyone worried about the gap in payments, I'd recommend reaching out to your landlord/mortgage company and utility companies as soon as you know your benefits are ending. Most have programs for temporary payment deferrals or payment plans, especially if you can show them documentation that you're waiting for an extension to process. I was surprised how accommodating they were when I explained the situation proactively rather than waiting until I missed a payment. The medical device sales job market is definitely challenging right now, but I've noticed some uptick in hiring for roles that combine traditional medical sales with software/digital health platforms. Companies seem to value that hybrid skill set. Keep your head up - both the extension and the right job opportunity will come through!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact process in December 2024! My regular UI benefits exhausted right before the holidays (talk about stressful timing), but the extension process worked pretty much exactly as everyone here described. A few things that might help ease your anxiety: 1. I got my extension notice on day 6 after exhaustion, and payments resumed on day 8 - so right in that 7-10 day window everyone mentioned 2. The "California Extended Duration Benefits" program gave me the full 13 weeks at my same weekly amount ($580) 3. Most importantly - I kept certifying during the gap and all those certifications were honored once the extension kicked in One thing I wish I'd known: when you get the extension notice in UI Online, there's a small PDF attachment that explains the new work search requirements. Make sure to download and read it carefully because the requirements ARE slightly different for extensions (as someone mentioned about needing to expand your industry search). For medical device sales - have you looked into companies doing medical AI or remote monitoring devices? That sector is exploding right now and they really value traditional medical sales experience. A friend of mine transitioned from pharmaceutical sales to a company making AI diagnostic tools and said the earning potential is actually better than traditional med device. Hang in there - both the extension and the job market will work out. The system really has gotten more reliable over the past year!