dont listen to the pesemists on here EDD mess things up ALL THE TIME!!! my freind got 3 denials and then suddently got aproved with back pay. just keep fighting and tel your story about youre mom needing care. the system is designed to wear people down so they give up on gettin benefits they deserve

I went through something very similar last year - got denied, then got a second interview letter on the same day as my denial notice. It was confusing but turned out to be legitimate! In my case, the second interview was with a different adjudicator who was much more thorough and actually listened to my situation. The key things that helped me get approved were: 1. Having all my documentation organized (sounds like you already have the texts and schedule approvals - that's perfect) 2. Clearly explaining the timeline of events and emphasizing that the employer changed the terms AFTER approving your arrangement 3. Focusing on the fact that you had no reasonable alternative given your caregiving responsibilities Don't get discouraged by the initial denial - it seems like the system sometimes auto-denies voluntary quit cases and then flags them for human review. Your situation with the approved reduced schedule being suddenly revoked definitely sounds like it could qualify as good cause. Make sure you're prepared to explain exactly when your schedule was approved, who approved it, and how suddenly it was changed. The "no reasonable alternative" angle is crucial here. Good luck with your second interview!

For those following this thread with similar concerns, there are actually three possible outcomes of an overpayment appeal: 1. Full reversal - The overpayment determination is completely eliminated 2. Partial reversal - The overpayment amount is reduced 3. Affirmation - The original overpayment determination stands In addition, if you do receive an unfavorable decision, remember that EDD is required to offer reasonable payment plans for overpayment recovery. They can't demand the entire amount immediately if you can demonstrate financial hardship. Standard payment plans can be as low as $25 per month depending on your situation.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - had my overpayment appeal hearing 3 weeks ago and the waiting is absolutely killing me! They're claiming I owe $4,200 for unreported earnings from 2023. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful because I had no idea about the timeline or what to expect. The judge at my hearing was pretty neutral and didn't give any hints about which way it might go. I brought all my documentation including screenshots of the EDD website being down when I was trying to report, but you never know if it's enough. Thanks for posting this question - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this stress and uncertainty!

btw make sure u activate ur money network card!!! my friend didnt realize she had to activate it and thought the payments werent coming thru but they were just sitting on the card lol. also u can set up direct deposit if u want on the edd website its way easier than using the card imo

Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble understanding your payment schedule, you can also check the "Certification History" section in your UI Online account. It shows all your past and upcoming certification periods with dates, so you can see exactly when you need to certify next and what weeks each payment covers. Also, pro tip: set up text or email notifications in your UI Online account settings. EDD will send you reminders when it's time to certify, which helps avoid missing deadlines. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to certify one time and had to wait an extra week for my payment! The whole system is definitely confusing at first, but once you get into the rhythm it becomes much more manageable. Good luck with everything!

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!

I just wasted 2 hours driving to my local workforce center only to find out they're closed on Wednesdays!!! Make sure you check the hours before going. So frustrated right now uuuuggh

This is a game changer! I've been struggling to get through to EDD for over a month about my benefit year ending. Called probably 200+ times and never got past the busy signal. I found my local America's Job Center using the CalJOBS website and went there yesterday morning around 9am when they opened. The staff were amazing - they knew exactly what I needed and showed me to their phone area. Got connected to an EDD rep in about 12 minutes! The agent was able to help me file my new claim right over the phone and explained everything clearly. Wish I had known about this sooner. For anyone reading this - definitely try it, but bring all your paperwork (W2s, pay stubs, etc) just in case they need info to help resolve your issue on the spot.