One more important thing: If your wife does end up signing something (ideally the "mutual separation agreement" that someone suggested), when she files for unemployment, she should be ready for an eligibility interview. EDD almost always schedules these when there's any hint of a voluntary quit. During that interview, she needs to clearly explain that while she signed a document, she did not truly quit voluntarily - the school eliminated her position and gave her no real choice. The EDD interviewer will likely contact the school to verify, which is why it's so important to have documentation showing this wasn't a true voluntary resignation. If the employer contradicts what your wife says during this interview, things get more complicated. That's why having things in writing is so crucial.

UPDATE: I just spoke with my wife and she managed to negotiate with the director! They agreed to give her a formal layoff notice instead of asking for a resignation. The director admitted they were trying to "keep their paperwork clean" but understood how a resignation could harm her benefits eligibility. She'll be eligible for recall if enrollment increases, but at least now there's no question about her EDD eligibility. Thanks everyone for the advice - it gave us the confidence to push back!

Hey OP, what state are you in? The process can vary a bit depending on location.

I went through the exact same thing last year with CA SDI! The "insufficient evidence" reason is so vague and unhelpful. What really helped me was requesting a copy of my entire file from EDD - you can see exactly what they have on record and what might be missing. Sometimes they don't receive all the medical records you think you sent. Also, for the appeal, make sure you highlight any functional limitations your condition causes (like inability to sit/stand for long periods, concentration issues, etc.) rather than just listing diagnoses. The appeals process took about 3 months for me, but I eventually got approved. Hang in there! 💪

Congratulations Dominique! That's such great news and what a relief that must be. Your story gives me hope - I'm dealing with a similar situation where EDD says I have an old claim from 2020 that's interfering with my new filing. I've been waiting 6 weeks now with no updates. Did you have to provide any specific documentation about your COVID-era claim during the interview, or did they already have all the information they needed in their system?

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar boat - filed 6 weeks ago and just found out there's an issue with an old claim from 2021 that was never properly closed. Reading through everyone's experiences here really helps calm my nerves about the whole process. It's crazy how many people are dealing with these overlapping claim issues from the pandemic years. Sounds like as long as you're honest during the interview and have your employment documentation ready, things usually work out. Thanks for sharing your journey Dominique - really gives the rest of us hope!

I've been struggling with my PFL application too. Has anyone had success getting through to an actual person recently? The wait times seem incredibly long and I keep getting disconnected. Also wondering if there are any specific documents I should have ready before calling to make the process smoother once I do get through.

As someone who's been through the PFL process, I'd recommend having these documents ready before calling: 1) Your Social Security card or number, 2) Birth certificate of the family member you're caring for (if applicable), 3) Medical certification forms from the doctor, 4) Your employment information including employer's name and address, and 5) Banking information for direct deposit setup. Also, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - I had better luck getting through then. The automated system Katie mentioned really does work if you follow those exact steps. Good luck everyone!

One more thing to note - if this is your first benefit payment ever, EDD might issue it on their Money Network debit card instead of direct deposit, even if you requested direct deposit. This is a security measure they sometimes implement. You might want to watch your mail for the card. Subsequent payments would then follow your direct deposit preference. If that's the case, you can transfer funds from the card to your bank once you receive it.

The Money Network card typically takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail after your first payment is processed. If your online status changes from 'pending' to 'paid' but you don't see a direct deposit, this is likely what happened. Once you get the card, you can set up transfers to your bank account or continue using the card (it works like a regular debit card). For future payments, the direct deposit should work as expected. If your status doesn't change from 'pending' to 'paid' within the next few days, that's when you should try contacting EDD directly.