Got it. I appreciate all the help from everyone. Feeling much better about my chances now!

I went through something very similar last year! Got fired while out with COVID and was terrified about getting denied for unemployment. The key thing that helped me was being super detailed in my initial application about the circumstances - I explained that I was following CDC isolation guidelines and had provided all required documentation to my employer. EDD did schedule me for a phone interview about 3 weeks later, but once I explained the situation and provided my test results and doctor's note, they approved my claim. The whole process took about 6 weeks from start to finish, but I got all my back pay once approved. One tip: when you certify each week, there's a question about being able and available to work. Make sure you only certify for weeks when you were actually recovered and job-searching, not the weeks you were still sick and isolating. Good luck!

Update us when you find out what caused the disqualification. It'll help others who might run into the same issue. And don't worry - this happens quite often and is usually fixable. Did you receive any notices in your UI Online inbox? Sometimes they send a DE 4800 explaining the disqualification reason, though it can take several days to appear.

That's such great news! I'm so glad you were able to get it resolved quickly. This is exactly why I always tell people not to give up - most of these disqualifications really are just misunderstandings about how to answer the certification questions. For anyone else reading this, the key lesson here is that you should generally answer "yes" to being available for work even if you had a brief appointment or emergency, and then explain the specific circumstances in the comments section if needed. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

Just a helpful reminder for everyone dealing with EDD overpayments - always keep detailed records of everything. Save screenshots of your account before any system updates, keep all letters they send you, and note the name of every representative you speak with along with the date and time. Since tax refund intercepts involve both EDD and the Treasury Department, the process can take longer than the standard timeframes they quote. In my experience working with clients, the best approach is polite persistence. Call once a week to check status until it's resolved.

Just want to add that if you're still having trouble getting through to EDD, try calling right after lunch around 1:30-2:00pm. I've noticed the hold times are sometimes shorter then compared to first thing in the morning when everyone calls. Also, if you get disconnected while on hold (which happens way too often), immediately call back - sometimes they'll put you back in the queue at a higher priority. One more tip - when you do get through, ask the rep to email you a summary of what was discussed and any case numbers they reference. This has saved me multiple times when I've had to call back and explain the situation to a different person. The turnover there is pretty high so having documentation helps a lot.

Good luck! One last tip: when you certify for benefits, make sure you indicate you're "able and available" for work. Some substitute teachers make the mistake of saying they're only available for teaching positions, which can complicate their claim. Unless you have specific work restrictions, you should be open to suitable work in other fields during your unemployment period.

Just wanted to add another perspective - I work for a different type of staffing agency (not education-focused) and they were very clear during my onboarding that they cannot guarantee work during any specific period, including school breaks. This actually worked in my favor when I filed for unemployment during a slow period last year. The EDD rep specifically asked if my agency had any written policies about work availability during summer months. Since they didn't (and couldn't guarantee placement), I was approved. I'd suggest reaching out to your agency's HR department to get clarity on their summer placement policies in writing - this documentation could be really valuable for your claim. Also, keep track of how many days per week you typically work through them during the school year. If it's inconsistent or part-time, that might also support your case that you don't have "reasonable assurance" of steady income.

I'm glad you were able to get through and reschedule! This is a really important thread for anyone who might face a similar situation. I had a retroactive interview about 18 months ago for a claim from 2021, and like you, I was completely caught off guard by the timing. One thing I learned during my experience: when you do have your rescheduled interview, make sure to have your separation documentation ready (layoff notice, final pay stub, etc.) and be prepared to answer the specific questions listed on your notice. The interviewer will stick pretty closely to those questions, so reviewing them beforehand really helps. Also, don't be surprised if they ask about your work search activities during specific weeks - even though it's been years, they sometimes want to verify you were actively seeking work during your benefit period. I had to reconstruct some of my job search records from old emails and browser history. Good luck with your interview next week! It sounds like yours is just a routine audit, so you should be fine as long as you're prepared and honest about everything.

This thread has been so educational! I had no idea EDD could circle back years later for these kinds of reviews. @Beth Ford I'm really glad you were able to get it sorted out and rescheduled. The fact that it's just a random audit is actually reassuring - I was worried they might be targeting specific claims for fraud investigations or something more serious. The Claimyr service sounds like a lifesaver too. I've been putting off calling EDD about a different issue because I know how impossible it is to get through. Knowing there's a way to actually reach a human being without losing an entire day might finally motivate me to deal with it. Thanks for keeping us updated throughout this process - it's really helpful to see how these situations actually play out in real time rather than just hearing horror stories after the fact!