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

The interview is typically about verifying your eligibility for unemployment benefits. They may ask about your work separation (why you left your job), availability to work, job search efforts, or any discrepancies in your claim information. Since you mentioned having an out-of-state address while claiming California benefits, that could be what they want to clarify. Make sure you have documentation ready about your work history and reason for being out of state. Good luck with your interview!

I went through this exact same thing about 8 months ago! Got denied for "insufficient wages" but kept getting certification emails every two weeks. It was so confusing and stressful. Here's what I learned: the certification system runs independently from the determination system, so you can be denied but still be expected to certify. The key thing is to KEEP CERTIFYING while you appeal - I can't stress this enough. When my appeal was eventually approved, I only got paid for the weeks I had properly certified for. A few things that helped me: - I appealed within the 30-day window (super important!) - I specifically requested alternate base period consideration in my appeal letter - I included copies of ALL my recent pay stubs, even from jobs that seemed too short to matter - I kept detailed records of my job search activities for every week I certified The whole process took about 7 weeks for me, but I got backpay for everything. Don't let the denial discourage you - with his recent work history, the alternate base period could totally change the outcome. The system is frustrating but it does work eventually if you stay on top of it. Good luck with the appeal! Feel free to ask if you have questions about the process.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! My wife was denied for "insufficient wages in base period" but we're still getting those certification emails every week. It's such a relief to see this thread and know we're not alone in this confusing mess. Based on all the advice here, we're definitely going to: 1. Keep certifying for every week (even though it feels weird after being denied) 2. File an appeal and specifically request the alternate base period 3. Gather all pay stubs from her recent jobs The thing about the base period looking at older quarters makes so much sense now - she just started working again after being out of the workforce for a while, so the standard base period probably misses most of her recent earnings. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! It gives me hope that this can actually work out if we stay persistent with the process. The EDD system is definitely broken but at least there seems to be a path forward. @Dananyl Lear - please do update us on how your appeal goes. I think a lot of us are in similar boats and would love to hear about any progress!

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get this resolved? For others who might have this same issue in the future, another option is to visit an in-person EDD office with your ID. They can verify your identity in person and help reset your online access without needing the payment information.

Glad you got it resolved! This is such a common issue and your experience will definitely help others. For future reference, it might be worth downloading and saving important documents like payment history or tax forms right after you access them, since these password reset requirements seem to get more strict over time. EDD really needs to update their security verification methods to something more reasonable than expecting people to remember payment amounts from years ago.

Congrats on making it work! I'm in a similar situation - got laid off from my tech job and considering a part-time remote position. Your update is really encouraging. Quick question: when you report your hours, do you include breaks/lunch time or just actual working hours? I want to make sure I'm reporting correctly from the start. Also, have you noticed any delays in your benefit payments when you switch between different weekly earning amounts, or does EDD process the adjustments pretty smoothly?

This is really helpful info for anyone considering part-time work while on benefits! I went through something similar after being laid off from my retail management job. One thing I'd add is that you should also consider how taking the part-time job might affect your job search requirements. EDD still expects you to be actively looking for work and available for full-time employment. Make sure the part-time schedule doesn't conflict with potential interviews or job opportunities in your field. I found it actually helped my job search because I was networking with new people and staying active in the workforce, plus the financial stress was reduced so I could be more selective about full-time opportunities rather than taking the first desperate offer. The income boost really does make a difference - you're making the smart choice here!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone helpful! After calling about 20 times this morning, I reached a Tier 2 specialist who looked into my case. Apparently, my appeal reversal was sitting in a queue waiting for manual review. The specialist said she would escalate it and marked it as "urgent" since it's been over 30 days since the judge's decision. She said I should see movement within 5-7 business days and to call back if nothing changes by next Friday. She also confirmed I should receive a Notice of Adjustment before any payment is processed, so I'll be watching for that. At least now I have a somewhat definite timeline and someone who actually looked at my specific case instead of giving me generic information. Thanks everyone for your advice and support! I'll post another update when (hopefully) I get my money.

This is so helpful to read everyone's experiences! I'm dealing with a similar situation - won my appeal in October and still waiting for my repayment. The inconsistent timelines from different reps is the most frustrating part. One told me "any day now" three weeks ago, another said it could be 2-3 more months! @Yara Abboud - really glad you finally got someone who could actually help and escalate your case. That gives me hope that persistence pays off. I'm definitely going to try asking specifically for a Tier 2 specialist next time I call instead of just accepting whatever the first rep tells me. Has anyone had luck with the assembly member route? I'm in Orange County and thinking about reaching out to mine if this drags on much longer.