One thing nobody has mentioned - check if your former employer is even going to contest the appeal. Sometimes they don't bother showing up to the hearing, which makes it MUCH easier to win your case. You could potentially call your former HR department (not your boss) and ask if they plan to participate in the appeal hearing. If they don't, self-representation becomes much more viable.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got disqualified after my eligibility interview and facing a $3,200 overpayment. Reading through everyone's responses here has been really helpful! I'm leaning toward trying to represent myself first since my case seems straightforward (employer cut my hours from 35 to 12 per week), but I'm definitely going to get a free consultation with an attorney just to be safe. One question for those who've been through this - how long did you have to prepare between filing your appeal and the actual hearing? I want to make sure I have enough time to gather all my documentation and organize everything properly. Also, did anyone record their conversations with their boss? I have a few voice recordings on my phone from when we discussed the schedule changes but I'm not sure if those are even admissible. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's scary going through this alone but this community really helps!

One more tip: when you have your eligibility interview (they'll likely schedule one given your situation), be very clear that: 1. You were ready and willing to return to work with the doctor-approved restrictions 2. Your employer couldn't accommodate those restrictions 3. You're actively looking for work that you can perform with your medical limitations Avoid mentioning that you were "fired" as that term can sometimes trigger concerns about misconduct. Instead, explain that your employment ended because your position was filled during your disability leave and no suitable alternative positions were available that could accommodate your medical restrictions. Good luck with your claim! With the documentation you have, you should be in good shape.

I'm in California and went through something very similar - was on SDI for about 15 months due to a work injury, then my employer terminated me saying they couldn't hold my position any longer. I was nervous about applying for UI but it actually went pretty smoothly. A few things that helped me: I applied online right after my SDI ended, made sure to emphasize that I was medically cleared to return to work (with restrictions), and had documentation showing my employer couldn't accommodate me. They did use my pre-disability wages to calculate my benefit amount, which was actually better than I expected. The key is being honest about your medical restrictions while showing you're genuinely able and available for suitable work. I had to do a phone interview about 3 weeks after applying, but once I explained the situation clearly, my claim was approved. Don't let the horror stories scare you - many of us have successfully transitioned from SDI to UI without major issues.

btw when u do the interview make sure ur in a quiet place with good reception! My call dropped TWICE during my interview and the lady was super annoyed having to call back. Also have ur work separation info ready (last day, if u were fired/laid off/quit, managers name, etc

After your interview, you should see a decision in your UI Online account within 2-3 business days. If approved, payments typically process within 24-48 hours after the decision. If your claim is denied, you'll receive a Notice of Determination explaining why and how to appeal. About 60% of eligibility interviews result in immediate approval, especially for clear-cut layoff situations.

Make sure you arrive early to your interview and have your EDD Customer Account Number ready. The eligibility interviewer will likely ask detailed questions about your work schedule over the past few months, so having a calendar or work schedule with you would be extremely helpful. Also, don't get defensive or frustrated during the interview (even though this situation is frustrating). Stay calm, stick to facts, and clearly explain that you remain employed but with reduced hours, which is precisely what partial unemployment benefits are designed for.

I went through something very similar with EDD last year! They flagged me for "job abandonment" when I was actually just working reduced hours due to my employer cutting shifts. Here's what really helped me prepare: 1. Get everything in writing from your employer - not just a verbal confirmation from your supervisor, but an actual letter on company letterhead stating you're still employed 2. Print out your recent pay stubs AND a statement showing your direct deposit setup is still active 3. Take screenshots of your employee portal showing your active status and any recent shift postings you've viewed 4. If you have any recent text messages or emails about picking up shifts, screenshot those too The key is proving continuous employment relationship, not just that you worked recently. During my interview, I emphasized that I never resigned, never received termination paperwork, and was still actively seeking additional hours through their internal system. The interviewer cleared the flag immediately once I showed all the documentation. Don't stress too much - this is actually a pretty routine mix-up with part-time/on-call workers, and they see it all the time. Just be prepared with your paperwork and you'll be fine!

Just to answer your original question more specifically - the current timeline I'm seeing for appeals is: - 6-8 weeks from appeal filing to receiving a hearing date - Usually the actual hearing is scheduled 2-4 weeks after that notification - Decision typically comes 1-2 weeks after the hearing So unfortunately, you're looking at potentially 9-14 weeks total from appeal filing to having a decision. If you win, you'll get backpay for all weeks certified. One last piece of advice - when you have your hearing, be very calm, factual, and organized. Judges respond well to clear, logical explanations without excessive emotion (even though this is obviously an emotional situation). Frame your decision as the only reasonable choice you could make under the circumstances.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your father. As someone who works in healthcare administration and has seen many similar cases, I wanted to add that you should also document any financial hardship this caregiving role has created - like increased medical transportation costs, time off work for appointments, etc. This helps establish that continuing your previous employment truly wasn't feasible. Also, since you mentioned you're an RN, make sure to emphasize your professional qualifications and that you're actively seeking work in your new area. The fact that you have specialized skills and are genuinely looking for employment (not just avoiding work) strengthens your case significantly. Many judges view healthcare workers favorably, especially when family caregiving is involved. Keep your chin up - the combination of your medical documentation, employer support, and the compelling nature of caring for a terminally ill parent puts you in a strong position for your appeal.