Hey there! I'm new to this community but have been following this thread because I'm in a similar situation - just got my RESEA notification yesterday and was completely freaking out until I read through everyone's experiences here. What really strikes me is how consistent everyone's feedback has been about the appointments being more supportive than scary. I've been unemployed for about 2.5 months and have been doing my work search activities, but like many of you, my documentation isn't perfect. Reading that the counselors are generally understanding about record-keeping gaps is such a relief. I'm planning to follow the advice here about going through my email confirmations and job site histories to fill in what I can remember. The tip about printing out records even for virtual appointments is genius - I never would have thought of that! Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences. This thread has completely changed my mindset from dreading the appointment to actually seeing it as an opportunity to get additional resources and support. It's amazing how much better I feel after reading all these positive outcomes. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating the EDD system!

I just had my RESEA appointment last Friday and wanted to jump in here since I was following this thread when I was preparing for mine! @Heather, I hope your appointment went well on Wednesday - would love to hear how it turned out! For anyone else who might be preparing for one of these, I can confirm everything everyone has said here is absolutely accurate. My experience was really positive. The counselor was professional and helpful, and we spent most of the time talking about my career goals and what resources might help me. She even suggested some industry-specific job boards I hadn't heard of before. The work search review was straightforward - I had some gaps in my records too, but she was totally understanding when I explained what I remembered. One thing I'd add is that they asked me about any training or certifications I might be interested in pursuing while job searching. Apparently there are some programs that can help pay for relevant coursework or certifications that could make you more competitive. I had no idea these resources existed! The whole appointment took about 45 minutes and I actually felt energized about my job search afterward. To anyone still worried about their upcoming RESEA - you've got nothing to fear if you've been genuinely looking for work. The counselors really do want to help you succeed!

Congratulations on getting your appeal submitted online! That's a huge relief. For your upcoming hearing preparation, I'd recommend gathering all your work search records, any correspondence with employers, and documentation showing you were actively seeking work during the period in question. The hearing officer will want to see concrete evidence that you were available and actively looking for work. Also, practice explaining your situation clearly and concisely - you'll likely have limited time to present your case. Many people find it helpful to write out key points beforehand so they don't forget anything important during the hearing. Good luck!

I'm so glad you got your appeal submitted online successfully! That's a huge weight off your shoulders. I went through a similar availability dispute last year and want to share a few tips for your hearing preparation: 1. Organize your evidence chronologically - it helps tell a clear story 2. If you have any medical documentation that might have affected your availability, bring copies 3. Practice explaining why you disagree with their decision in 2-3 sentences - hearings can move quickly 4. Write down the names and contact info of any witnesses who can vouch for your work search efforts One thing that really helped me was calling a few of the employers I had applied to and asking if they could provide written confirmation that I had applied and was available to start work. Most were willing to send a quick email confirming this. Also, don't be intimidated by the formal process - the hearing officers are generally fair and just want to understand the facts. You've already taken the hardest step by getting your appeal in on time. Keep us updated on how it goes!

Congrats on finally getting through @Zara Shah! Your experience is unfortunately way too common with EDD. I've been helping people navigate these issues for years and the system really needs a complete overhaul. For anyone else reading this thread who might be struggling with similar issues, I'd recommend keeping a detailed log of all your call attempts with dates and times - this can be helpful if you need to escalate to your assemblyperson's office or file a complaint. Also, if you're facing immediate financial hardship due to delayed payments, some local food banks and utility assistance programs can provide temporary relief while you wait for EDD to process your claim. The system is frustrating but don't give up - persistence does eventually pay off!

I'm so glad you got through and got it resolved! This thread is like a masterclass in dealing with EDD - between the comma trick, the 8am calling strategy, and checking for hidden messages in UI Online, there's so much helpful info here. I'm bookmarking this for future reference because let's be honest, with EDD you never know when you'll need these tips again. The fact that it was just an employer verification flag causing all that stress is both relieving and infuriating at the same time. Thanks for sharing your experience and updating us - it gives hope to others going through the same nightmare!

Hi everyone, just made a video about how to call the EDD and reach a live human agent: https://youtu.be/-R4SqP7_JUA

This message typically appears when EDD's automated systems have flagged something in your account that requires manual review. Even though you've already verified your identity, there could be other factors triggering this - like discrepancies in work history, wage information, or even just a routine audit. I'd recommend calling EDD directly to get specific details about what exactly they need to verify. In the meantime, make sure all your information is consistent across all documents you've submitted. The waiting can be frustrating, but hang in there!

Just to add another important point: when you certify for benefits and report your vacation/sick pay, make sure you answer "Yes" to the question about whether you received any income for that week. Select "vacation pay" or "sick pay" from the dropdown menu, enter the amount before taxes, and the dates. Being precise with this information prevents problems later. Also, temporary layoffs sometimes qualify for partial benefits if you're working reduced hours rather than zero hours. So make sure you understand your exact employment status.

One more thing to keep in mind - if you're planning to use both vacation AND sick time during the waiting period, spread them out strategically. Don't use all 50 hours in one week because that might put you over the earnings threshold and could affect your benefit calculation later. Maybe use some during the waiting period and save the rest for when you might have partial work weeks after recall. Just a thought based on my experience with temporary layoffs in manufacturing!