my cousin works for edd she says always appeal bc like 40% of people win just bc the employer doesnt show up to the hearing lol

I went through something similar when my employer terminated me after FMLA leave. The key thing that helped me win my appeal was organizing all my documentation chronologically and creating a simple timeline showing: 1) when I went on leave, 2) when I was medically cleared to return, 3) when I contacted my employer to return, and 4) when they terminated me. The judge really appreciated having everything laid out clearly. Also, if you have any witnesses (coworkers, supervisors who knew about your leave), mention them in your appeal paperwork. Even if they don't testify, it shows you have corroborating evidence. Don't give up - this is exactly the kind of case appeals are designed for!

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!

Thank you for summarizing everything so clearly. I'll help her come up with a budget plan tonight and research emergency assistance options. It's going to be tough, but at least now we know what we're dealing with rather than having false hope based on incorrect information.

I'm so sorry your cousin is going through this nightmare. I dealt with penalty weeks myself in 2023 and it was absolutely devastating financially. The misinformation from EDD reps is unfortunately very common - they seem to either not understand the penalty week system or just tell people what they think they want to hear. From my experience, here's what helped me survive the penalty weeks: 1. Apply for every assistance program possible - not just CalFresh but also utility assistance (LIHEAP), rental assistance through your county, and food banks 2. Look into gig work like DoorDash, Uber, or TaskRabbit for immediate income while still job searching 3. Contact local churches and community organizations - many have emergency funds for people in crisis 4. Check if her county has a 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) for comprehensive resource information The penalty weeks are brutal but they do end eventually. I had to serve 8 weeks and it nearly broke me financially, but I got through it. Make sure she keeps detailed records of everything and continues certifying religiously. Once those penalty weeks are done, her payments should start automatically. Stay strong and don't let EDD's incompetence destroy your hope. There are resources out there to help bridge the gap.

Has anyone had luck with the online chat feature? I've heard mixed things

One thing that really helped me when I reopened my claim was having my social security card and ID ready for verification. They might ask you to upload photos of these documents. Also, if you had any part-time work or gig work since your last claim, make sure you report it accurately - even small amounts. The system flags inconsistencies and it can delay your approval. The whole process took about 10 days for me from start to finish. Hang in there!

I just want to emphasize what was mentioned earlier about how you describe your separation. This is CRITICAL. Never say you "had to leave because you graduated." Always frame it as "the position ended" or "I was laid off because the position is only available to enrolled students." The difference seems subtle but it's extremely important for how EDD classifies your case. Also, when you file, you'll be asked about your availability for work. Make sure you indicate you're available for full-time work immediately. If you say you're only available part-time or have restrictions, that can disqualify you. Good luck! And let us know how it goes - your experience could help future students in the same situation.

As someone who works in HR at a California university, I can add some insight here. Universities are required to pay into the UI system for student employees in most cases - the main exception being pure work-study positions funded entirely by federal dollars. Since you mentioned yours was part regular employment and part work-study, the university-funded portion should definitely have UI contributions. The "position termination due to program completion" language in your separation letter is actually really good for your case. We use similar language specifically because it indicates the separation was due to program requirements, not a voluntary quit. A few tips for your application: - Apply online ASAP since there's often a waiting week - Keep copies of everything (pay stubs, separation letter, job applications) - When asked about work availability, be clear you're seeking full-time employment now - Don't mention future job prospects unless specifically asked Even if initially denied, many students win on appeal with proper documentation. The fact that you have SDI deductions on your pay stubs is a strong indicator you should be eligible for the non-work-study portion of your wages.