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!

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.

I went through a very similar situation last year and want to share what worked for me. I was disqualified for work search issues and got hit with a $3,600 overpayment notice. Here's what I learned: 1. File BOTH appeals immediately - they're separate processes even though they're related 2. For the work search appeal, focus on proving you were actively looking but didn't understand the specific documentation requirements 3. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit and send via certified mail 4. If you can't afford repayment, definitely request the hardship waiver on the overpayment appeal The key thing that helped my case was showing a pattern of consistent job searching (even with incomplete documentation) rather than periods of no activity. I also emphasized that I received the benefits in good faith and spent them on necessities like rent and food. My hearing was scheduled about 6 weeks after I filed the appeal, and I won both the disqualification reversal and overpayment waiver. The judge seemed to understand that the work search documentation rules can be confusing for people who are genuinely trying to comply. Don't give up - you have legitimate grounds for appeal here!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I got disqualified for work search documentation issues 2 months ago and just received my overpayment notice for $5,200. Reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that this isn't hopeless. A few questions based on what I'm seeing: 1. Is there any advantage to filing the appeals at the same time vs. separately? 2. For those who won their appeals - about how long did the whole process take from filing to final decision? 3. Should I continue certifying for benefits while my appeals are pending, or does that hurt my case? I've been unemployed for 8 months now and genuinely was looking for work the whole time, just didn't realize how specific their documentation requirements were. The thought of owing them over $5K when I'm barely keeping up with basic expenses is terrifying. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it's nice to know I'm not alone in this mess!