I'm going through a similar situation right now - my hearing is scheduled for next month and I'm also dealing with a misconduct claim that's completely false. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. One question I have is about the phone setup - do they call you or do you need to call in to a specific number? I'm worried about technical issues or missing the call somehow. Also, has anyone had experience with the judge rescheduling if there are connection problems? It's encouraging to see so many people successfully navigate this process, especially when employers don't show up. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about preparing a timeline and gathering all my documentation. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know what to expect!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! My employer claimed I was fired for performance issues when I was actually laid off due to company downsizing. They didn't show up to my phone hearing, which definitely helped my case. Here's what I learned: Even though your employer not showing up is a good sign, you still need to be fully prepared. The judge will have whatever initial documentation your employer submitted to EDD, so don't assume it's an automatic win. Make sure you have your termination letter mentioning "department restructuring" ready to reference, and practice explaining the timeline clearly. The judge asked me very specific questions like "What exactly did your supervisor tell you when you were terminated?" and "Did you receive any prior warnings about performance?" My hearing lasted about 30 minutes, and the judge was very professional and fair. I received my decision letter 9 days later - approved with full backpay of over $4,200. One practical tip: Test your phone connection beforehand and make sure you're somewhere quiet. I used my landline instead of my cell phone to avoid any connection issues. You've got this - just stay calm and stick to the facts!

Hey Yara! I just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who's been helping people navigate the EDD system for years. You've received absolutely fantastic advice from everyone here, and I can tell you're feeling much more confident about the process now! One final tip that might help - consider creating a simple calendar reminder system for your certification weeks. EDD typically gives you a two-week window to certify, but doing it consistently on the same day (like every other Sunday) can help you avoid accidentally missing deadlines. I've seen too many people lose benefits simply because they forgot when their certification period opened. Also, since you mentioned being in accounting, you might want to reach out to local CPA firms that do seasonal tax work. Many firms start ramping up their hiring for tax season in December/January, and temporary tax positions often lead to permanent opportunities. It's a great way to get back into the workforce while potentially finding your next long-term role. You're clearly a thoughtful person who's approaching this systematically, which is exactly the right mindset. With all the resources and strategies people have shared here, plus your professional qualifications, I have no doubt you'll land something great. The unemployment benefits are just there to support you during this transition - use them as intended and focus on finding the right opportunity!

Hey Yara! I can see you've gotten absolutely incredible advice from this community - everyone has really covered all the essential points about how unemployment benefits work! As someone who just went through this process recently, I wanted to add one small but important detail that helped me a lot. When you're doing your job search documentation for EDD, make sure to include the specific method you used for each application (company website, Indeed, LinkedIn, recruiter, etc.). During certification, they sometimes ask for these details, and having them already recorded saves you from trying to remember later. Also, since you're a CPA, you might want to check if your state CPA society has a job board or career center. Many of them offer exclusive postings that aren't available elsewhere, plus career coaching services for members. It's another great resource to add to your job search toolkit! You're asking all the right questions and have such a great attitude about this whole process. With your professional qualifications and all the excellent strategies people have shared here, I'm confident you'll find something great well before you use up that $6,000. The unemployment system is definitely confusing at first, but you're approaching it exactly the right way - getting informed and then taking action. Best of luck with your search!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! I just wanted to add something that might help others - when I spoke with an EDD representative about my graduate research stipend, they emphasized that the timing of when you receive the payment doesn't matter as much as when you perform the work. So if you're doing research work consistently throughout the month but only get paid once at the end, you should still divide that payment across the weeks you actually worked and report it for each certification period during those weeks. Also, for anyone worried about this affecting future unemployment claims - the rep told me that properly reported stipend income during your current claim won't negatively impact your ability to file a new claim later if needed. It's only unreported income that can cause problems down the road. The key is transparency and consistency. I've been following the advice in this thread for three months now with no issues, and it's such a relief to know I'm handling everything correctly!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience with a similar stipend situation that might help! I just finished dealing with a 6-month research stipend from a local medical center and successfully navigated the EDD reporting process. Like many others have mentioned, I divided my monthly stipend by 4.33 weeks and consistently reported it as "other income" during certification. One thing I learned that hasn't been mentioned yet - if your stipend amount changes during your research period (maybe due to additional responsibilities or project extensions), make sure to recalculate the weekly amount and update your reporting accordingly. I had my stipend increased halfway through my project and initially wasn't sure if I should report the new amount or stick with the original. EDD confirmed I should always report the current weekly equivalent of whatever I'm actually receiving. Also, keep copies of any email communications with your university contact about the stipend terms and payment schedule. When EDD did their review, they specifically asked for documentation showing the nature of the work and payment structure, and having those emails made the process much smoother. The whole experience was way less stressful than I expected once I got into a routine of consistent reporting!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding how EDD handles honest mistakes! Giovanni, I'm so glad you got such a positive resolution. Your experience really drives home the importance of self-reporting errors quickly rather than hoping they won't be noticed. The fact that the rep was understanding and documented it as a "claimant-reported correction" should give everyone confidence that EDD does distinguish between honest mistakes and intentional fraud. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, this thread is a perfect example of why transparency and proactive communication work in your favor. Thanks for sharing your outcome - it's exactly the kind of real-world guidance this community needs!

This is such a fantastic thread for anyone dealing with EDD application errors! Giovanni, your positive outcome really shows that being proactive and honest about mistakes is always the right approach. The way the EDD rep handled your situation professionally and documented it as a "claimant-reported correction" is exactly how these things should work. Your experience demonstrates that EDD really does distinguish between honest errors and intentional fraud - which is so reassuring for everyone here who's been stressed about similar issues. Thank you for taking the time to share both your initial concern and the successful resolution. This kind of real-world guidance is invaluable for our community!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the EDD paper certification process multiple times. The 13-day timeline you experienced is pretty typical - I've had it range anywhere from 10-18 days depending on how busy they are. One thing I learned the hard way: always make copies of your paper certification forms before mailing them! EDD has lost my forms twice over the years, and having copies made it much easier when I had to call and get things sorted out. Also, I started using certified mail with tracking after the first time they "lost" my paperwork - costs a few extra bucks but gives you proof they received it. For anyone still reading this thread who might be dealing with similar issues, another option is faxing your certification forms if you have access to a fax machine. It's faster than regular mail but still slower than online/phone certification. Some UPS stores and libraries offer fax services if you don't have access to one at home. Glad everything worked out for you in the end!

As someone who works in government benefits administration (not EDD but similar state agency), I can confirm that paper processing is always the slowest option across all unemployment systems. The 13-day timeline you experienced is actually quite reasonable - I've seen paper certifications take 3-4 weeks during peak periods. A few additional tips for anyone who might end up in this situation: 1) Always date your paper forms clearly and legibly - unclear dates can cause processing delays, 2) Use black ink only (blue ink sometimes doesn't scan well in their systems), and 3) If you're ever unsure whether your form was received, you can request a "proof of mailing" receipt at the post office for regular mail, or upgrade to certified mail like others mentioned. The good news is that once EDD processes your certification, the payment timeline for checks is pretty consistent at 3-5 business days. Your check should definitely arrive before your next certification period begins.