I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Got my disqualification notice two weeks ago for "voluntary quit" even though I was clearly laid off when my department got eliminated. Filed my appeal immediately but have been stressed about the hearing process. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - it sounds like having solid documentation (which you definitely have) makes a huge difference. I have my layoff notice, final paycheck stub showing "reduction in force," and emails from HR about the department closure. One thing I'm curious about - did anyone here have their former employer actually show up to contest the appeal? My HR department seemed pretty disorganized when I left, so I'm wondering if they'll even bother participating in the hearing process. Thanks for posting this question, Amelia - you've gotten some really valuable responses that are helping me prepare for my own hearing!

Just wanted to add my experience from last year - I was terrified about the hearing too but it really wasn't bad at all! Mine was a phone hearing that lasted about 30 minutes. The judge was very patient and walked me through each question clearly. One thing that really helped my anxiety was calling the EDD Appeals office a few days before my hearing to confirm the phone number and process. They explained exactly how it would work - they call you at the scheduled time, put you in a "waiting room" on hold, then connect you to the judge when it's your turn. Since you have that termination letter showing budget cuts, you're in great shape. I had similar documentation and won my appeal easily. The judge seemed most interested in whether I had any advance warning about being laid off (I didn't) and whether I was given any option to stay (nope). Try not to stress too much about it - you've got solid evidence and these judges deal with wrongful disqualifications all the time. They know the difference between someone who was legitimately laid off versus someone trying to game the system.

Just wanted to update everyone - I had my appeal hearing yesterday, and I'm cautiously optimistic! I followed the advice here and prepared a detailed timeline with documentation for each point. The judge seemed particularly interested in the fact that I was taken off the schedule after returning from medical leave and that HR never responded to my formal complaint. I should get the decision in 7-10 days. I'll update when I hear something. Thank you all for the guidance - it really helped me organize my thoughts and evidence for the hearing!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my manager created such a hostile environment that I developed anxiety and had to leave. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially learning about the "good cause" terminology and constructive discharge concept. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who have been through the appeal process, how long did it typically take from filing the appeal to actually having the hearing scheduled? I just filed mine last week and I'm trying to plan ahead for gathering all my documentation. Also, did anyone find it helpful to practice their testimony beforehand, maybe with family or friends? The advice about organizing everything chronologically really resonates with me. I have emails, text messages, and medical records scattered across different places, so I need to get that all sorted out. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's giving me hope that there's light at the end of this tunnel!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago with my Amazon affiliate earnings. Here's what I learned from experience: ALWAYS report it, no matter how small. I was making around $15-30 per week and thought about skipping the reporting because it seemed pointless. But I'm so glad I didn't! Here's why: 1. The earnings disregard ($25 or 25% of your WBA) means you likely won't lose ANY benefits for amounts under $25 2. EDD can cross-reference with your tax records later - affiliate programs send 1099s if you earn over $600 per year 3. Not reporting is considered fraud regardless of the amount The certification process is actually pretty straightforward once you get used to it. Just report it as self-employment income for the week you earned it. I kept a simple spreadsheet tracking my weekly affiliate earnings to make certification easier. Trust me, those few extra clicks during certification are worth the peace of mind knowing you're completely compliant with EDD rules!

I'm new to this community but have been lurking and reading through similar questions. This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in almost the exact same situation with Shopify affiliate commissions - making around $18-22 per week. Reading everyone's responses has convinced me that reporting is definitely the way to go. The peace of mind knowing I won't have to worry about audits or overpayment notices later is worth way more than the minor inconvenience of reporting small amounts during certification. One question for those who've been through this - when you report affiliate income as self-employment, do you need to provide any additional documentation to EDD, or is just entering the amount during certification sufficient? I want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly from the start. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating EDD's confusing system!

Hey Mateo! I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when my restaurant cut me from 35 hours to 12 hours due to "slower business." Here are some practical tips that really helped me: 1. Apply ASAP - there's a waiting week, so the sooner you file, the sooner you might start receiving benefits 2. When you file, you'll answer questions about why your hours were reduced - be honest that it was your employer's decision, not yours 3. Get something in writing from your manager about the hour reduction if possible (even a text or email works) 4. The work search requirement is real - I had to apply to 3 jobs per week and keep records, even though I was still working part-time One thing that surprised me: my first certification was confusing because I had to report earnings for a week where I hadn't been paid yet (since payday was later). Just remember it's about when you WORKED, not when you got paid. The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap while I looked for a second part-time job. Don't let people scare you off - yes, EDD can be frustrating, but the program exists for exactly your situation. You've got this!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! My hours just got cut from 40 to 20 per week at my office job, and I've been really stressed about making ends meet. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially knowing that I need to report gross earnings and track everything carefully. One question I have that I didn't see addressed: if my employer decides to increase my hours back up in a few months, do I just stop certifying for benefits at that point, or is there a formal process to close out the claim? I want to make sure I handle everything properly from start to finish. Also, does anyone know if having a side gig (like occasional freelance work) affects partial UI benefits? I do some graphic design work here and there and want to make sure I report that correctly too if I get any projects while collecting benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really reassuring to know this program exists for situations like ours!

Congratulations on getting your appeal approved! That's such a relief after waiting 8 months. For anyone else dealing with similar confusion about BofA vs Money Network cards, this is a perfect example of why it's always worth calling EDD to verify, even if it takes multiple attempts to get through. The transition period is definitely causing a lot of mixed signals, but at least now we know that old claims stick with their original payment system. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - got a BofA card last week for a claim I filed in early 2024 that went to appeal. I was panicking thinking it was a scam since everyone talks about the Money Network switch. Reading about your successful resolution gives me hope that my appeal might have been approved too. Going to check my UI Online account right now and then call EDD to verify. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on finally getting your benefits!