Just to follow up on your original question - under California UI code, you need to demonstrate you had no reasonable alternative to quitting. When you file your claim and explain the separation reason, make sure you indicate the specific circumstances that made continuing work impossible despite your good faith efforts. During the eligibility interview, you'll likely be asked detailed questions like: - Why couldn't you arrange alternative childcare? - Did you propose alternative schedules? - What specific accommodations did you request? - Was there a company policy regarding schedule changes? The eligibility determination hinges on whether EDD finds your actions reasonable given your circumstance. Documentation of all attempted solutions will be crucial.

Have you considered reaching out to your state representative's office for assistance? I had a similar childcare situation with my nursing job and their constituent services helped me navigate the EDD process. They can sometimes expedite reviews or provide guidance on documentation. Also, check if your company has a family leave policy or if you qualify for any California family leave protections before quitting - sometimes there are options HR doesn't mention. Document everything with dates and keep pushing for written responses. Good luck!

I went through this exact decision last year when my company downsized. Here's what I learned: if you're even slightly worried about your ability to save consistently, go with withholding. I chose to take the full amount thinking I'd be responsible about setting money aside, but between job hunting stress and unexpected expenses, I ended up spending some of my "tax fund." Had to scramble to pay a $1,800 tax bill in April. The peace of mind from automatic withholding is worth the smaller weekly payments. Plus, unemployment is stressful enough without adding tax anxiety to the mix!

I'm dealing with this same decision right now after being laid off from a startup. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm leaning heavily toward having taxes withheld. The stories about owing thousands at tax time are genuinely scary! One thing I'm curious about though - for those who chose withholding, did you feel like the reduced payments made your unemployment period more stressful financially? I'm trying to figure out if I can manage on about $360/week instead of $400/week (rough math on the 10% federal withholding). My rent alone is $1,800/month so every dollar counts, but I also don't want to get blindsided next April.

When you do get through to EDD, make sure your husband asks about the work sharing program if his hours are just reduced rather than completely eliminated. My brother-in-law is in roofing and they use this during rainy seasons - the company reduces everyone's hours and EDD pays partial benefits to make up some of the difference. It's better than full unemployment in some ways because he doesn't have to do the job search requirements. Just something to consider!

I went through this exact same situation last year! My account got locked after about 8 months of not using it when my seasonal job ended unexpectedly. The key thing is that your husband absolutely has to be the one to call - they won't unlock it for anyone else, even spouses. When I finally got through (took about 2 hours of calling), they asked me tons of verification questions including my previous employers, the exact dates of my last claim, and even details about my last certification. Have him gather all that info before calling. Also, since he's in construction and it's weather-related, that's actually one of the fastest types of claims to process once the account is unlocked. They understand seasonal construction layoffs are legitimate and usually don't require as much documentation. The rep told me weather-related work stoppages are pretty routine for them to handle. One tip that helped me: call right at 8am when they open. The wait times are usually shortest then before everyone else starts calling.

No need for amended certification for weeks already processed. The overpayment process will handle that. Just make sure your future certifications are accurate. Also, keep in mind that when you call, wait times are still extremely long. Have your claim number, ID, and employment details ready. Document everything - who you spoke with, reference numbers for the call, etc. This will save you headaches if there are any issues with how the overpayment is processed.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with a startup that backdated my start date for equity vesting purposes. Here's what I learned: definitely report it proactively, but also ask your employer for a letter explaining WHY they backdated the start date. Sometimes if it's purely administrative (like for benefits enrollment or equity), EDD might handle it differently than if you were actually performing work. In my case, they still required repayment but the documentation helped expedite the process. Also heads up - if your backdated period crosses into a different quarter, it might complicate things with their wage matching system, so mention that when you call. Good luck with the new job though, dealing with this bureaucracy is annoying but at least you're employed again!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you're checking both your online EDD portal AND your physical mail. Some appeal notices only come through mail, not electronically. I almost missed my hearing because I was only checking my online account. Also, if your hearing is scheduled by phone, they'll call exactly at the appointed time, and if you miss that call, it can be very difficult to get rescheduled. I'd recommend taking the entire day off work for your hearing date once you get it.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Filed my appeal in April and it's December with absolutely nothing. Like you, I was laid off due to company restructuring but my employer is claiming I quit. It's incredibly frustrating to see people waiting 9-12 months - I had no idea it was this bad when I filed. One thing I've learned from reading everyone's responses is to make sure you're doing everything possible while you wait: keep all your documentation organized, get statements from coworkers if possible, and definitely contact your assembly member's office like Sofia suggested. I'm also going to try that Monday morning calling strategy that Lilah mentioned. The financial stress is unbearable - 8 months without income while your former employer lies about why you left is just devastating. But seeing that people are actually winning these appeals when they have good evidence gives me some hope. Hang in there!