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.

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 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!

After reading all these responses, it seems like your options are: 1. Find a different CNA program with evening/weekend classes 2. Look for employer-sponsored CNA training programs (hospitals, nursing homes) 3. Try one more time to negotiate reduced hours for partial unemployment 4. Consider a small personal loan to cover the 8-week period 5. See if your school offers any emergency financial aid Unfortunately, quitting to attend school almost certainly won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits. The system is designed to support people who lost jobs involuntarily, not those making career transitions - even though more flexibility would actually help workers gain better skills. Whatever you decide, I'd recommend having another job lined up before finishing the program, even if it's part-time, to avoid any gaps in income.

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - check if your local community colleges offer CNA programs through their continuing education departments. Many of these are designed for working adults and offer evening or hybrid schedules. Also, some Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs provide funding for healthcare training if you meet income requirements. You can find these through your local One-Stop Career Center. The training might even be free or low-cost, which would eliminate the need for loans or unemployment benefits altogether. Worth looking into before making any major decisions!

I'm new here but wanted to chime in after reading your story - what you experienced is absolutely terrible and you 100% made the right decision to leave that toxic environment. Your safety and wellbeing are more important than any job. I haven't been through the EDD appeals process myself, but I work in employment law and can tell you that your case sounds very strong. The key factors working in your favor are: 1) You have documented evidence of the harassment, 2) You properly reported it to HR, 3) HR essentially admitted they couldn't help because the harasser was the owner, and 4) You had no reasonable alternatives left. California law specifically recognizes that employees shouldn't have to endure illegal harassment to keep their jobs. The initial denial is frustrating but unfortunately common - EDD often denies first and hopes people don't appeal. Stay strong and definitely file that appeal! With your documentation and witness statements, you should have a good chance of success.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - what a horrible situation to be put in! As someone new to this community, I've been reading through all the advice and wanted to add my support. You absolutely did the right thing by leaving that toxic environment, and you deserve those benefits while you search for a safer workplace. One thing I noticed that might help strengthen your appeal: make sure to emphasize the timeline of events clearly. Document exactly when the harassment started escalating, when you reported to HR, and when they essentially told you there was no recourse. This timeline will help show the judge that you didn't just quit impulsively - you tried to resolve it through proper channels first and only left when it became clear there was no other option. Also, if you haven't already, try to get that HR response in writing if it was verbal. Even a follow-up email saying something like "Per our conversation yesterday about my concerns regarding [owner's name], I understand that internal resolution isn't possible given the reporting structure" could be helpful documentation. You've got a strong case and great advice from everyone here. Don't let EDD discourage you - file that appeal and fight for what you deserve!