btw i forgot to mention my cousin was sooooo worried about his benefits he couldnt sleep for weeks! but it all worked out in the end. EDD system is confusing but hang in there!

I went through something similar about 8 months ago - got fired for what they called "misconduct" but was really just a minor policy violation. The most important thing I learned is that EDD's definition of misconduct is much stricter than what employers claim. They need to prove it was willful, substantial, and connected to your work duties. A forgotten safety vest and coffee stain sounds like an honest mistake, not deliberate misconduct. Don't beat yourself up about the "I don't remember" responses - interview nerves are totally normal and understandable. Even if you get initially denied, the appeal process gives you a fresh chance to present your case clearly. I'd recommend writing down a timeline of events now while it's fresh in your memory, including any positive feedback or performance reviews you received. That documentation could be really valuable if you need to appeal.

lol welcome to the club nobody wants to be in 🎉🙃 but for real, don't stress too much. there's usually a way to work it out

I went through this exact same thing last year and it was terrifying at first, but it worked out okay! The most important thing is to act quickly - don't let it sit. I'd recommend calling the EDD appeals office directly if you can get through (good luck with that 😬). Also, if you're low income, look into legal aid services in your area - many offer free help with unemployment appeals. The process is confusing but there are people who can walk you through it step by step. You got this! 💪

One more thing I forgot to mention - if your appeal is taking a long time and you're really struggling financially, consider applying for CalFresh (food stamps) and possibly Cash Aid while you wait. These programs have faster approval processes and can help bridge the gap. When I was waiting for my appeal, CalFresh was a lifesaver for groceries. You can apply online through BenefitsCal website.

I just went through this process and got my decision last month. Filed my appeal in early January and had my hearing in mid-March - so about 10 weeks total. The hearing itself was only about 30 minutes over the phone. The judge was actually pretty fair and asked clear questions about what happened with my employment. I won my case and got my first payment about 2 weeks after the hearing decision. A few tips that helped me: 1) Write down a timeline of exactly what happened with your job loss and keep it handy during the hearing, 2) If you have any emails or texts from your employer about the layoff, screenshot them now before you lose access, 3) Practice explaining your situation out loud so you're not stumbling over words during the hearing. The waiting is definitely stressful but try to stay positive. Most people who were legitimately laid off do win their appeals. And definitely keep certifying every two weeks like others mentioned - that backpay really helps when it finally comes through!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Thanks for sharing your experience with Claimyr! It's really encouraging to hear a success story. I've been struggling to get through to EDD for weeks now about my pending payments. Your detailed breakdown of the process is super helpful - especially knowing that even when the call dropped after 3.5 hours, the callback feature worked quickly. Did you have to pay anything for the service, or were you able to use just the free callback option? I'm in a similar situation with PEUC extension issues and this gives me hope that there's actually a way to get this resolved!

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you're calculating your weekly earnings, make sure to split your hours correctly if your work week doesn't align with EDD's Sunday-Saturday benefit week. For example, if you work Monday-Friday but EDD's week runs Sunday-Saturday, you might need to split some of your hours between two different certification periods. I made this mistake initially and it caused some confusion with my claim. Keep track of exactly which days you worked each week to avoid any issues!

One thing I learned the hard way is to screenshot or print your certification pages after you submit them. EDD's system can be glitchy and sometimes your submitted information doesn't save properly. Having proof of what you reported can be really helpful if there are any discrepancies later. Also, if you're unsure about any calculations, err on the side of reporting slightly more rather than less - it's better to have a small overpayment that gets corrected than to be accused of underreporting earnings. Keep all your timesheets and pay stubs organized in a folder, both physical and digital copies if possible. You'll thank yourself later if you ever need to provide documentation!