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I'm dealing with something similar (different field) and I'm so nervous about the eligibility interview next week. What kinds of questions do they ask? Do I need a lawyer? My employer is a large corporation with HR and legal teams and I'm just me...
You don't need a lawyer for an eligibility interview. They'll mainly ask about the circumstances of your separation - why you were terminated, if you received warnings, your work history, etc. Be honest, stick to facts, and have any supporting documentation ready. The interviewer is trying to determine if you were fired for misconduct that would disqualify you from benefits. Most people handle these interviews on their own without legal representation.
Make sure you CERTIFY FOR BENEFITS every two weeks even while waiting for the initial determination!!! I made the mistake of waiting until my claim was approved, and I lost out on several weeks of backpay because I didn't certify. Even if your claim is pending or under review, you need to certify for each eligible week or you won't get paid for those weeks later!
I didn't know this - thank you! I would have probably waited for approval before certifying. So even while they're deciding if I qualify, I should still do the bi-weekly certification?
wait im confused...do u have to quit to get unemployment or not?? my boss cut my hours too (from 35 to 22) but im scared to apply cuz what if they say im committing fraud or something?? everyone tells me different things!!
No, you absolutely do NOT need to quit to get unemployment benefits. In fact, quitting voluntarily could disqualify you. When your hours are substantially reduced (like yours - from 35 to 22), you can qualify for partial unemployment benefits while continuing to work those reduced hours. This is perfectly legitimate and not fraudulent at all.
Second update: My claim went through! I got a message in my UI Online inbox saying my weekly benefit amount is $267. I just did my first certification and reported the 20 hours I worked. The calculator said I'll receive a partial payment of $164 for the week. Not as much as I hoped but definitely helps with the reduced income. Thanks again everyone!
Update to my earlier comment: I just checked the CUIAB website, and they state that the current average processing time for appeals is 61 days from receipt to hearing. So while 5 weeks feels long, it's actually still within their normal timeframe. Here's what I recommend: 1. Send a duplicate appeal via certified mail 2. Include a cover letter stating this is a duplicate 3. Attach proof of your original submission (tracking number) 4. Call CUIAB directly at (800) 400-7166 instead of regular EDD 5. Continue checking your UI Online account daily The CUIAB phone line is separate from EDD and specifically for appeals status.
btw when i finally got my appeal hearing they only gave me like 5 days notice!! so make sure ur checking ur mail every single day or you might miss it. good luck!!
When you apply online, make sure you're using a desktop computer if possible, not a mobile device. Many of the website errors happen on phones or tablets. If you keep getting the error message, try using Internet Explorer (yes, the old browser) as the EDD website sometimes works better with it. For phone contact, here's a method that worked for me: call the 833-978-2511 number, press 1 for English, then when prompted press 2 and immediately after press 4. This sequence sometimes gets you to a queue instead of the disconnection message. Be prepared to wait 1-2 hours once you're in the queue. While you're waiting to get through, gather all your employment information: last employer details, start/end dates, reason for separation, wages earned, etc. Having this ready will make the application process much smoother when you finally connect.
Just wanted to update that I was able to get through today! I tried the 833 number that people suggested with the 1-2-4 sequence right at 8:01am. It took about 7 attempts but I finally got into the queue instead of being disconnected. Waited about 45 minutes but finally spoke to someone who helped me file my claim. They said I should receive my account number in the mail within 10 days. Thank you everyone for the help!
Aiden Rodríguez
Has EDD scheduled your eligibility interview yet? That's where they'll determine if the misconduct disqualification applies. In my experience, if you haven't received an interview date within 10 days of filing, you should be proactive about contacting them. Most people just wait and end up in benefit limbo for weeks.
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Jacob Smithson
•No interview date yet. The determination notice just says they'll contact me. I've tried calling but can't get through - just the 'too many callers' message and then it hangs up. I'm going to try that Claimyr service the other person mentioned because I can't afford to wait around.
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Maya Patel
During your eligibility interview, be prepared for specific questions about your termination. The EDD interviewer will likely ask: - Did you receive proper training for the tasks? - Were you aware of the correct procedures? - Had you previously been warned about similar errors? - What was your understanding of the consequences for making these errors? The key factor will be establishing that any mistakes were not intentional or deliberate violations of company policy. If this truly was a case of occasional errors rather than deliberate falsification, you should prevail in your claim.
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Jacob Smithson
•This is really helpful - thank you! I was only given one verbal warning about a month ago about being more careful with paperwork, but nothing formal. And I actually improved after that conversation. These recent mistakes they fired me for were different types of errors that nobody ever mentioned were problems before. I'll make sure to explain all this during the interview.
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