hang in there OP, we're all in the same sinking boat. Just keep swimming! 🏊‍♂️

Same thing happened to me last year! The key is being persistent and organized. I made copies of EVERYTHING and sent it multiple ways - mail, fax, AND uploaded through their portal if possible. Also keep a log of every call you make with date/time/who you spoke to. It took about 6 weeks but they eventually corrected mine. Don't give up! 💪

Just wanted to chime in with some practical advice for your hearing prep! I went through this same process last year (employer claimed voluntary quit when they cut my hours from 30 to 8 per week). A few things that really helped me during the actual hearing: - Have a glass of water nearby - your mouth gets dry when you're nervous - Write down 3-4 key bullet points on a notecard so you don't forget your main arguments - Practice saying out loud "I did not quit voluntarily, I was forced to leave due to insufficient hours" - having that phrase ready helped me stay focused - If you get flustered, it's totally okay to ask the judge "Can I have a moment to check my notes?" The judge in my case actually asked really straightforward questions like "How many hours were you working before?" and "What happened to make you unable to continue?" Your text evidence showing the schedule changes is going to be huge - that's way better documentation than most people have. My backpay took about 8 days to hit after the decision. The relief when that money finally came through was incredible! You're going to do great on Wednesday - the hardest part is just getting through the waiting. Rooting for you! 🙌

Hey Benjamin! I just went through this exact process about 8 months ago - same situation where my employer claimed I quit when they actually reduced my hours from 38 to 14 per week. Won my appeal and got my backpay! A few things from my experience: - The backpay took about 2.5 weeks to hit my account after the judge's decision. It was longer than some people here mentioned, but still faster than I expected - Definitely organize all your evidence in the order you want to present it. I had my old schedules, pay stubs, and text messages all printed and numbered - The judge asked me very specific questions about my expenses and whether the reduced hours covered basic living costs. Be ready to explain exactly why you couldn't afford to stay with the reduced schedule - Don't stress too much about the phone format - I was worried about not being able to see the judge's reactions, but they guide you through everything step by step Your text evidence showing schedule changes is golden - that's exactly what won my case. Employers rarely have documentation to counter that kind of proof. You've got this! The waiting has been the worst part, but it sounds like you're well-prepared. Sending good vibes for Wednesday! 🍀

Just to update with the most current information for 2025: When your daughter files, she'll need to use her ID.me account to verify her identity. This is now required for all new claims. If she doesn't already have an ID.me account, she should set one up before starting her application - it will save time in the long run. Also, EDD now primarily issues benefits through the Money Network debit card or direct deposit. She can choose her preference during the application process. One last thing - if she does get approved for partial benefits, make sure she understands that these benefits are taxable income. She can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes (recommended) or pay them later when she files her tax return.

Just wanted to add one more important tip that helped me when I was dealing with partial unemployment - your daughter should keep a detailed log of her work schedule changes. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking my hours before the reduction vs. after, along with dates and any communication from my manager about the cuts. This documentation was super helpful when EDD asked for more information about my situation. I included: - Screenshots of my work schedule from before the cuts - Text messages or emails from my manager mentioning the hour reductions - Pay stubs showing the difference in earnings - Notes about conversations regarding the business slowdown Having all this organized made the process much smoother and showed EDD that the hour reduction was legitimate and not my fault. It also helped when I had to recertify and answer questions about my employment status. Good luck to your daughter - partial unemployment really can help bridge the gap during tough times like this!

I want to add something that might help with your interview preparation. Make sure you have your medical records organized and easily accessible during the call. The interviewer might ask specific questions about your diagnosis, treatment timeline, and how your condition specifically impacts your ability to drive safely. Also, if you had any incidents at work where your panic attacks occurred (even if unreported), be prepared to describe them in detail. The more specific you can be about how your condition created unsafe driving situations, the stronger your case will be. One last thing - consider getting a letter from your doctor that specifically states driving would be unsafe given your current condition. This reinforces that quitting wasn't just a personal choice but a necessary safety measure. Good luck with your interview on Tuesday!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement - you absolutely made the right decision prioritizing safety over your job. Having panic attacks while transporting patients could have had serious consequences, and any reasonable person would understand that. For your interview, I'd suggest also preparing to explain what type of work you ARE able to do now. Since EDD requires you to be "able and available" for work, be ready to discuss other positions you could handle while managing your condition - maybe office work, remote positions, or jobs that don't involve driving. This shows you're not just collecting benefits but genuinely looking for suitable employment. Also, document everything from your interview afterward in case you need to reference it later during an appeal. Write down the interviewer's name, questions asked, and your responses. Really rooting for you - mental health is just as important as physical health, and you deserve support during this difficult time.

I went through something very similar in 2022 - EDD hit me with a $3,400 overpayment notice completely out of the blue, no explanation whatsoever. What I learned is that you absolutely MUST respond to both the appeal AND the collection notice separately - they're handled by different departments that don't communicate. For the collection notice, send a certified letter immediately stating that you have an active appeal pending (include the date you filed it) and request a temporary hold on collection activities. I also discovered that many of these mysterious overpayments are actually data entry errors or employer wage reporting mistakes that EDD's automated systems flag incorrectly. In my case, it turned out they had duplicated some wage information, making it look like I earned more than I actually did during certain weeks. The appeal process took 6 months, but I eventually got the overpayment completely reversed. Don't let them intimidate you - keep fighting and demand specific documentation about why they think you were overpaid. The burden of proof should be on them, not you!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - got hit with a $2,800 overpayment demand last month with zero explanation, and like you, we moved out of state (to Arizona) after my claim period ended. What's helped me so far: 1) I sent a certified letter to both the appeals department AND the collections department on the same day, clearly stating I'm appealing and requesting all collection activity be suspended pending resolution. 2) I also sent a separate certified letter specifically requesting an "Administrative Review" of the overpayment determination - this is different from a regular appeal and sometimes gets faster results. 3) Through persistence (and about 40 phone call attempts), I finally got through and learned that out-of-state moves can trigger automatic system reviews that sometimes generate false overpayments. The rep told me to specifically ask for the "Interstate Claims Unit" when I call back for updates. 4) I'm keeping a detailed log of every interaction, and I've also filed complaints with both the California State Auditor and my new state's unemployment office (they can sometimes apply pressure on California's behalf). The whole system is broken, but don't give up - I've read too many success stories here to lose hope. Hang in there and keep fighting!