Hey Oliver! I had my appeal hearing about 8 months ago and won my case. The ALJ will definitely call you at the scheduled time - make sure you're in a quiet place with good phone reception about 10 minutes early. My hearing lasted about 90 minutes because my employer brought their manager and tried to argue I was fired for cause when I was clearly laid off. Here's what really helped me: I organized all my evidence into folders on my computer so I could quickly pull up any document they referenced. Have your emails about the restructuring ready to go! Also, when the judge asks you to explain what happened, stick to the facts and timeline - don't get emotional even if your employer says frustrating things. The good news is that ALJs are way more reasonable than the initial EDD reviewers. They actually listen to your side of the story. Since you have documentation showing it was restructuring and not a voluntary quit, you should be in good shape. Just be confident and tell the truth!

I just wanted to add that you should also prepare for the possibility that your employer might bring up reasons why they think you quit voluntarily - like maybe they'll say you didn't show up for work after being told about the restructuring or something like that. Have your story straight about exactly what happened on your last day and who told you what. Also, don't worry too much about the legal language or sounding perfect - the ALJ just wants to understand what actually happened. I was so nervous during mine that I stumbled over words, but the judge was patient and asked follow-up questions to clarify. The most important thing is being honest and having those restructuring emails ready to reference. You're going to do great!

Just wanted to add that I went through something similar when I started my freelance writing business while still doing part-time retail work. The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of everything - hours worked on my business, all W-2 earnings, job search activities, etc. When I had my phone interview with EDD, the representative actually appreciated that I was so organized and transparent about my situation. She explained that as long as I was genuinely available for full-time work (not turning down job offers to focus on my business) and actively job searching, I could continue receiving partial benefits. One tip: when you report your self-employment hours, be realistic about time spent on actual business activities vs. just thinking about your business. EDD cares about active work hours, not passive planning time. Document everything in case you need to provide details later!

I'm actually going through this exact situation right now! I started a consulting business in January but haven't landed any clients yet, while also doing occasional temp work through agencies. After reading all these responses, I called EDD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned (took about 30 minutes to get through) and got some really helpful clarification. The rep told me that since I'm actively job searching and available for full-time W-2 work, I can still qualify for partial benefits. The key things she emphasized: - Report ALL self-employment hours during certification, even with $0 income - Be specific about actual work time vs just brainstorming - Continue meeting work search requirements (3 job contacts per week in my area) - Report any W-2 earnings accurately She also mentioned that EDD has a specific form (DE 1378) for self-employed individuals that might be helpful to fill out proactively. The whole conversation was recorded on their end, which gives me peace of mind that I'm following their guidance correctly. Definitely recommend getting official guidance rather than risking it - the penalties for misreporting can be really harsh!

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

Have you tried logging into your UI Online account at edd.ca.gov? Sometimes the customer account number is displayed there in your account profile or on correspondence within the system. You can also try calling the EDD customer service line at 1-800-300-5616, though it may take several attempts to get through. If you have your Social Security number and other personal info ready, they should be able to provide your customer account number over the phone.

For anyone else who encounters this issue in the future: This appears to be related to the 2025 system update EDD implemented for their identity verification process. They're now using an automated flagging system that sometimes generates verification requests with extremely short timelines that aren't even in compliance with their own policies (which require minimum 10 days notice). If you receive a verification request, take screenshots immediately and upload your documents as soon as possible. Don't wait until the deadline, even if it seems reasonable. The system has been known to accelerate disqualifications unpredictably.

This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me so frustrated with EDD! I'm glad you were able to get it resolved by actually talking to someone. I've been dealing with a pending verification for 3 weeks now and this thread is making me nervous that something similar might happen to me. Going to try calling first thing Monday morning. Quick question - when you uploaded your documents after the rep fixed everything, did you get any kind of confirmation that they received them? I submitted mine through the portal but never got any acknowledgment and I'm paranoid they didn't go through properly.

Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a very similar situation last year! My benefit year ended in May after I'd exhausted all funds, but I had worked part-time for about 4 months during my claim year. I was able to file a new claim successfully through UI Online. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I had all my employment info ready (pay stubs, employer details, etc.). My new weekly benefit amount was definitely lower since it was based on my part-time wages, but it was still enough to help while continuing my job search. One tip: make sure you file right when your benefit year ends, don't wait! There's usually a one-week waiting period for new claims, so the sooner you file the better. Also, keep doing those work search activities - they're required for the new claim too. Sounds like you're already on top of that though. Best of luck with your new claim and job search!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Your part-time work earnings of $5,600 should definitely qualify you for a new claim. That's well above the $1,300 minimum quarterly requirement that others mentioned. A few things that helped me when I filed my new claim: - I gathered all my pay stubs and W-2s from that part-time work beforehand - Filed online exactly one week before my benefit year ended to account for processing time - Made sure I had accurate employer contact info and exact employment dates The online system walked me through everything step by step. My new weekly amount was about 60% of what my original claim was, but hey, it kept me afloat during my continued job search. The hospitality industry has been brutal - I totally feel you on that front. Don't stress too much about the application process. With your work history during the claim year, you should be good to go. Just make sure you keep up with those work search requirements on the new claim too!