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

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.

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.

@original_poster Regarding the employer response - that could definitely be the holdup. Even in clear-cut layoff situations, if the employer contested anything or provided information that doesn't match what was on the claim, it triggers a review process. At this point, your best action plan is: 1. Call EDD directly (or use a service to help you get through) 2. When you speak to a representative, specifically ask if there's an employer dispute or discrepancy 3. If they mention an eligibility interview is needed, ask them to schedule it ASAP 4. Request that they make notes on the account about your contact attempt If payments are approved, they'll be backdated to when he first became eligible, so you won't lose any benefits due to this delay.

UPDATE: Finally got through to EDD! Turns out there was a discrepancy between the dates of employment my husband provided and what his employer reported. The agent was able to correct it on the spot, and she said the claim should be processed within 48 hours. She also mentioned they're experiencing higher than normal volumes right now due to seasonal layoffs, which is contributing to longer processing times. Thank you everyone for your advice - I wish I had called sooner instead of just waiting and hoping!

btw i forgot to mention earlier but my issue ended up being that I needed to do the ID.me verification again because my old one expired or something? The EDD lady on the phone said its a new requirement in 2025 that everyone has to redo their ID verification every 8 months now. maybe check if that's your problem too

UPDATE: I got through to EDD this morning! For anyone having similar issues, here's what happened: My ID.me verification had expired (apparently they require reverification every 8 months now), and instead of notifying me, they just locked my account. Once I completed the new ID.me verification, they were able to unlock everything and manually let me certify for the past two weeks I missed. The payments should be processed within 48 hours. Thank you all for your help!!