One additional thing to remember - you still need to meet the work search requirements for each week you certify, even during weeks when you have no assignments from this employer. Make sure you're doing and documenting your work search activities (applying to jobs, networking, etc.) so you don't run into eligibility issues later.

I work in a similar irregular W2 situation and want to add something important - make sure you understand how your employer handles your status during gaps between assignments. Some companies automatically terminate employees after X days of no work, while others keep you active indefinitely. I learned this the hard way when my employer told EDD I was "separated" even though I thought I was just waiting for my next assignment. Now I always confirm with my supervisor before each certification period whether I'm still considered an active employee or not. It's worth that awkward conversation to avoid potential overpayment issues later!

Quick update for those following this thread - I just checked the EDD website and they've posted updated guidelines for constructive discharge cases. As of January 2025, they explicitly state that a reduction of hours resulting in 25% or greater loss of wages is presumed to be good cause for voluntary quit IF the reduction is indefinite/permanent. This strengthens your case if your hours were cut that significantly. Make sure to cite this in your appeal letter and during your hearing!

I went through a similar appeal in 2023 and won without an attorney, but I'll be honest - it was stressful and took a lot of preparation. Based on what you've described (38 hours cut to 15-18), you definitely meet that 25% wage reduction threshold that @Chloe Robinson mentioned. Here's what made the difference in my case: I created a detailed timeline with exact dates, kept screenshots of my work schedule changes, and had my final paycheck showing the dramatic reduction. The judge asked very specific questions about whether I tried to get more hours elsewhere in the company and if the reduction was supposed to be temporary. One thing that really helped was that I found the specific EDD regulation (Section 1256-3 of Title 22) that defines "good cause" for voluntary leaving. Having that legal reference made me sound more prepared. If you do decide to represent yourself, practice explaining your situation out loud beforehand. The hearing felt less intimidating than I expected, but being able to clearly tell your story without rambling is key. Good luck!

I went through this same nightmare a few months ago! What finally worked for me was going to a local EDD office in person. I know it's a pain, but they were able to help me get through the identity verification on the spot. You can also try uploading your documents during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) when the system isn't as overloaded. The whole process is incredibly frustrating, but hang in there - you'll get through it!

I just went through this last week! One thing that really helped me was making sure my photos were taken against a plain background with good lighting. Also, try clearing your browser cache and cookies before attempting again - sometimes the system gets glitchy if you've tried multiple times. If you're still having issues, you might want to try the ID.me verification option if it's available in your area. It's a bit more involved but tends to work better than the standard upload process. Don't give up - I know it's super frustrating but you'll get through it!

One last important point - when you do receive and report the winnings in 2025, be sure to certify the question about refusing work as "No." Sometimes when people report large amounts of income in a week, they accidentally answer "Yes" to refusing work, which can trigger a separate eligibility issue. The income reporting and the work availability questions are separate issues with EDD, but people sometimes get confused when filling out the certification.

Hey Ella! Congrats on the game show win - that's amazing! Just wanted to add one more practical tip that might help when you eventually report this in 2025. When you're doing your bi-weekly certification and you report the $5,200 under "Other Income," EDD's system might flag it for manual review since it's such a large amount for one week. Don't panic if your payment gets delayed - this is normal for unusual income amounts. They just want to verify the income source matches what you reported. Having that documentation from the game show ready (like the letter stating payment date and the 1099) will help speed up the review process if they ask for it. You're doing the right thing by planning ahead!

Update from someone who works with UI claimants: EDD has been experiencing delays with their mail processing recently. I've had several clients who didn't receive their account number letters until 12-14 days after filing. If you filed just 8 days ago, I'd recommend waiting a few more days for the mail before spending hours trying to call. Also, double-check that you're using the correct SSN format when trying to register - it should be entered without dashes (e.g., 123456789, not 123-45-6789). And make sure your name is entered exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. Even minor differences can cause the system to reject your registration attempt.

I went through this exact same frustrating experience last month! The "must have registered before" error is definitely confusing wording on EDD's part. What worked for me was calling the EDD technical support line (1-833-978-2511) early in the morning around 8:05 AM - I got through on my third try that way. The rep explained that when you file by phone, they create a "skeleton" account that needs to be activated, but the error message makes it sound like you already have a full account. Since you mentioned you have a hyphenated last name, that could definitely be part of the issue. When I was on the phone with the rep, they told me that their phone system sometimes records names differently than how people actually spell them, especially with hyphens and apostrophes. The rep was able to see exactly how my name was entered in their system and help me match it for the online registration. Don't stress too much about the timing - you've still got time before your first certification window opens up. But definitely keep trying to get through to someone since waiting for mail can be unreliable right now. Good luck!