Just wanted to update that I went through my records from when this happened to me. My timeline was: - Filed claim: June 3 - First certification: June 17 - Eligibility interview notice: June 29 (letter arrived July 3) - Interview conducted: July 12 - Determination letter: July 18 (approved) So from filing to interview was almost exactly 5.5 weeks for me. Hope that helps give you some idea of timeline.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - my former employer is claiming I quit when they actually just stopped scheduling me after promising to keep me on permanently. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful and reassuring that EDD does seem to side with employees when there's good documentation. @Sara I think you have a really strong case based on what you've described. The emails showing they promised to keep you on and your attempts to get clarification about your status should definitely work in your favor. I'm keeping detailed records of everything too after seeing how important that seems to be. Has anyone here dealt with an employer that tries to claim "job abandonment" instead of voluntary quit? That's what I'm worried my former company might try to argue since there was a gap between when my hours got cut and when I finally gave up trying to get them restored.

Has anyone tried the UI Online message center instead of calling? My brother-in-law couldn't get through on the phone either but he sent a detailed message through his UI Online account (under Contact EDD) about his disqualification issue. He included his phone number and asked for a callback. An EDD rep called him back 3 days later and fixed his issue. Might be worth trying along with the phone strategies!

I've been in your exact situation and know how stressful it is! Here's what worked for me after weeks of trying: I used the calling strategy mentioned above (calling at 8:01am, not 8:00) combined with the Claimyr service that Hunter mentioned. The service cost me $20 but it was worth every penny to avoid the endless calling. When I finally got through to an EDD rep, they found that my documents were uploaded correctly but got stuck in their review queue. The rep was able to manually push my case through and remove the disqualification within 2 days. In the meantime, definitely file that appeal Andrew mentioned - it gives you a safety net and shows EDD you're serious about disputing the decision. Also, since you mentioned rent is due soon, call 211 for emergency assistance programs in your area. Many have funds specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits. You're not alone in this - the system is overwhelmed but your case sounds like a simple processing error that can be fixed once you reach the right person. Keep pushing!

Just wanted to add another red flag about these scam texts - they often create a false sense of urgency by saying your payment will be "delayed" or "canceled" if you don't act immediately. Real EDD payments don't work that way. There's no manual verification step required from your end once your claim is approved. The scammers prey on people's anxiety about getting their benefits, but legitimate payments are processed automatically through the system. Stay vigilant everyone!

This is such an important warning thread! I'm a new claimant too and I've been getting so many suspicious texts lately claiming to be from various agencies. What really helped me was setting up Google Voice notifications so I can screen calls/texts related to my claim. Also, for anyone still waiting on their Money Network card - mine took exactly 10 business days to arrive after my first payment was processed. The key is checking your UI Online account regularly rather than relying on any texts or emails. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and keeping each other safe from these scammers!

One more thing - continue certifying for benefits while your appeal is pending, even if your payments show as "disqualified" or stop coming. If you win your appeal, they'll release all those held payments at once. If you stop certifying, you won't be able to claim those weeks later, even if you win.

This is such a frustrating situation, but you're absolutely doing the right thing by appealing! I went through something similar last year where my employer changed their story after I filed for benefits. A few additional tips that helped me: Document the missed interview thoroughly - write down the exact date, time window, and that you received no call. This shows EDD failed to follow their own procedures. If possible, get a letter from your cell phone provider showing your call log for that day to prove you didn't miss any calls during the interview window. When you're at the hearing, stay calm and stick to facts. Let your employer dig their own hole if they try to fabricate a performance issue that contradicts 15 years of employment and positive reviews. The fact that your boss mentioned calling you back when work picked up is huge - that clearly indicates a layoff, not a firing. Do you have any text messages or emails where he mentioned this? You've got this! The appeal process exists exactly for situations like this where employers try to game the system.

One thing to consider - if your brother-in-law does get laid off and has to file a new claim (after his benefit year), the weekly amount might be different based on his earnings at the new job. If he was making more money, his weekly benefit might go up (potentially higher than the $450 max if his new job paid A LOT more). But if he was making less, his weekly benefit might go down too. Just something to keep in mind when planning finances! My benefit amount dropped by $78/week on my second claim because I had taken a lower-paying job between claims. It was a nasty surprise.

Just wanted to add something that might help - if your brother-in-law is worried about the timing, he should keep track of when his benefit year actually ends. You can find this date on your EDD account online or on any correspondence from EDD. It's exactly 12 months from when he first filed, not from when he started receiving benefits. Also, if he does end up needing to file a new claim after his benefit year expires, he should file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There's no waiting period to build up more earnings - as long as he meets the base period requirements, he can file right away. The longer he waits, the more potential benefits he loses since you can't get retroactive payments for weeks before you file. Good luck to your brother-in-law! The system is definitely confusing but sounds like he's in a better position than many people dealing with EDD.