One more important thing - during your phone interview, be very careful about how you describe your commission work. If you say you "quit" that could trigger a separate eligibility review for voluntary quit. Instead, explain that "the position ended" because it wasn't financially viable due to the chargebacks. Also, remind them that this attempted work was AFTER your initial qualifying event (the plant closure in January). And remember to stay calm and professional during the interview even if the interviewer seems skeptical. Write down all your key points beforehand so you don't forget anything important when you're nervous.

btw did u certify for all those weeks already or r u waiting for them to let u backdate first? u should check ur ui online account and see if theres any weeks u can certify for already

Make sure you KEEP CERTIFYING every 2 weeks even while this is getting fixed!!! If you don't certify they won't backpay you for those weeks even after they fix your benefit amount!!! Learned this the hard way and lost 3 weeks of payments!!!

Just to share what happened in my case - after the wage investigation was complete, my benefit amount went from $0 to $450/week. They did backpay all the weeks I had certified during the investigation period, and it all came in one big deposit about 2 days after the investigation concluded.

Great news that you got your online application submitted! Keep that confirmation number safe - it's your proof that the claim exists. Regarding your comment about mentioning the paper application - don't stress too much. While the previous commenter is right that it *can* flag your account for review, it doesn't always happen. The most important thing is that you have a claim in the system now. The next step is likely certification. Once your claim is processed, you'll need to certify for benefits every two weeks through UI Online. Make sure you answer the work search questions accurately - this is where many people run into issues. The current requirement is to make at least 3 work search activities per week.

You can absolutely request that your claim be backdated to when you first became unemployed (when you sent in the paper application). However, you'll need to call and speak to a representative to explain the situation and request backdating. When you do connect with someone, be prepared with the exact date you mailed your original application and your last day of work. After your current claim is processed and shows in the system, request backdating by calling or using the Contact EDD feature in your UI Online account. Look for the option about claim date issues. Backdated weeks will appear in your UI Online account once approved, and you'll need to certify for those weeks as well.

just a heads up my appeal hearing was on zoom and it was kinda intimidating. the judge person was nice but the edd rep was super prepared with all kinds of paperwork. wish i knew that beforehand lol

Based on the comments here, I think you have a good approach moving forward: 1. Try calling EDD directly first to see if this can be resolved without a formal appeal 2. If you can't get through to EDD after multiple attempts, consider a service to help you connect 3. Continue with your appeal and start gathering all documentation 4. Prepare a clear, chronological explanation of your reporting with evidence The time investment is worth it since you believe you reported correctly. Resolving this could save you 15 weeks of benefits, which is potentially thousands of dollars.

i think what sucks most about these situations is most ppl dont even know they can get partial unemployment so they just accept the crappy new terms. make sure to tell ur coworkers if others are getting hit with the same changes

Based on your responses, it sounds like this is affecting multiple employees. That's actually helpful for your case as it demonstrates a clear business decision rather than performance-based action. When you file, you'll want to: 1. Wait until the actual change takes effect 2. Apply online through UI Online (faster than paper application) 3. Select "Still working but had hours reduced" as your reason 4. Clearly explain the 70% pay cut AND status change in the additional details section 5. Be prepared for EDD to contact both employers to verify details 6. Report ALL earnings accurately during certification If your application is initially denied, don't panic - many complex cases require an appeal. The appeal process gives you an opportunity to explain your situation to a judge who better understands employment law nuances.