Update: I filed my claim yesterday and the process was smoother than I expected! I made sure to indicate that I was available for non-union work and other types of employment. My claim is pending now, and I have a phone eligibility interview scheduled for next week. Thanks everyone for your advice - it really helped me prepare! I'll update again after the interview to let everyone know how it went in case other actors are in the same situation.

Good luck with your interview, Caleb! I went through a similar situation during the writers' strike a few years back. One tip that really helped me: when they ask about your availability for work, be specific about the types of jobs you're actively pursuing. I mentioned I was looking for commercial acting work, teaching opportunities, and even restaurant work to show I was genuinely available and willing to work outside the union. They seemed to appreciate the concrete examples rather than just saying "I'm available for non-union work." Also, don't stress too much - the eligibility interview is really just to verify your situation, not to trip you up. You've got this!

btw ur friend might qualfy for the altenative base period if the regular 1 doesnt work out!!! they look at diferent quarters

As someone who went through the EDD process recently, I'd highly recommend your friend apply online through UI Online rather than trying to call. The online system walks you through each step and lets you save your progress. Also, make sure she has her Social Security card, driver's license, and any tax documents (W-2s, 1099s) from 2022 ready before starting. The system will ask for employer information going back to her base period, so having those documents handy will make the process much smoother. One thing that helped me was writing down all my employers and approximate dates before I started the application - it made filling out that section much faster.

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!

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.

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.