You're being so brave through all of this. Just wanted to add that when you do your phone interview, don't feel like you have to rush through explaining your situation. Take your time, and if you need a moment to collect yourself that's completely okay. The rep should be patient with you given the sensitive nature. Also, if at any point during the process you feel like the person you're talking to isn't understanding the DV exception or seems dismissive, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or request to be transferred to someone who specializes in these cases. You deserve to be treated with compassion and understanding. Wishing you all the best with your interview - you've got this! 💪

I went through something very similar about 18 months ago. Left my job suddenly due to an abusive ex who was escalating and showing up at my workplace. EDD did approve my claim, but it took about 6 weeks total from filing to first payment. A few things that helped me: - I kept a detailed timeline of incidents leading up to when I left work - Screenshots of threatening messages (which you mentioned having) - A brief statement from my therapist confirming I was dealing with domestic violence trauma - Contact info for the DV hotline I had called (even though I didn't file a police report either) The phone interview was actually less intimidating than I expected. The rep was professional and seemed experienced with these situations. They asked specific questions about how the abuse related to my work situation and why leaving felt necessary for my safety. One tip - when they ask about your job search activities, mention any steps you're taking to establish safety first (new address, changed phone number, etc.) as they do understand these situations require settling in before actively job hunting. You're taking all the right steps by working with a DV organization. Stay strong - the system does work for survivors, even if it's not always smooth. Feel free to reach out if you have questions after your interview!

Pro tip: if you're calling, try right when they open or just before closing. Sometimes you can catch a break in the queue.

Anybody else notice that the website is always "undergoing maintenance" when you actually need to use it? 🙄

The EDD representative direct line dream died when they supposedly 'improved' their phone system. Now it's Russian roulette every time you call - busy signal, 2+ hour hold, or dropped call. At least before you knew which department you were reaching.

Pro tip for anyone still hunting for an EDD representative direct line: Stop looking and adapt to the new reality. I wasted 3 months searching for shortcuts that don't exist anymore. Finally accepted that you either commit to the manual calling marathon or pay for a service like Claimyr to handle it.

When I had my appeal hearing last year, my decision took almost exactly 30 days. My friend who appealed around the same time got hers in 3 weeks. I think it really depends on your specific judge and how complicated your case is. The more documentation and witnesses involved, the longer it seems to take. On a related note, did anyone else notice how their UI Online access seemed to temporarily freeze while waiting for an appeal decision? Mine wouldn't let me certify for benefits during that time, which seemed weird.

I'm dealing with the same thing right now - had my appeal hearing 4 weeks ago and still nothing. It's so frustrating because you can't really plan anything when you don't know if you're going to get a lump sum payment or not. I keep second-guessing how the hearing went too, even though I thought it went well at the time. The waiting is honestly the worst part of this whole process. Thanks for asking this question because reading everyone's responses is making me feel less alone in this situation!

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!