I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that might help while you're waiting for your replacement check. If you have any gig work apps on your phone (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, etc.), even doing a few deliveries this week could help you scrape together something toward rent to show your landlord you're making an effort. I know it's not much and you shouldn't have to do this while dealing with EDD's slowness, but sometimes even $50-100 can buy you goodwill with a landlord when you explain the situation. Also, many utility companies have programs where they'll contact your landlord directly to verify your situation if you're behind due to benefit delays - sometimes that third-party verification helps landlords feel more confident about giving extensions. Worth calling your electric/gas company to ask if they have any tenant advocacy services. The fact that you're being so proactive about this and reaching out for help shows you're going to get through it. Hang in there!

I'm really sorry you're going through this nightmare situation - I can feel the stress coming through your post. I had my EDD check stolen from my mailbox about 8 months ago and went through this exact same panic about rent. Here's what worked for me: Call EDD at exactly 8:00 AM when they open (I tried the 8:01-8:02 timing others mentioned but had better luck right at 8:00). Have your UI Online account pulled up with your payment history ready - you'll need the check number, amount, and issue date. When you get through, immediately mention you're facing eviction and ask specifically about "emergency processing" or "critical needs payment" - they do have options for housing emergencies that can cut the timeline down to 3-5 days instead of the usual week+. While you're waiting for the replacement, definitely call 211 for local emergency rental assistance. Also try reaching out to your county's social services office - many have one-time emergency funds specifically for situations like this. In my case, I was able to get $400 from a local nonprofit that helped bridge the gap. Most importantly - talk to your landlord TODAY. Explain exactly what happened and that you've already started the replacement process with EDD. Bring documentation if you have it (police report, EDD confirmation numbers, etc.). Most landlords would rather work with you than go through eviction proceedings. You're going to get through this! The system is frustrating but it does work eventually.

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

Yes, I've heard of people having second interviews with EDD. It's usually when they need to verify information from your first interview or clarify something about your claim. This can happen for various reasons - maybe there was inconsistent information, they need to verify your work history, or they're doing additional fraud prevention checks. Don't panic! Just make sure you have all your documentation ready - employment records, pay stubs, reason for unemployment, etc. Be honest and consistent with what you told them in the first interview. The second interview doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your claim, they just need additional verification. Have you received any specific information about what they want to discuss in the second interview?

I'm really sorry this happened to you! Reading through all the responses here, it sounds like you have a very strong case for unemployment benefits. The fact that you immediately self-reported the mistake and had a clean 9-month record really demonstrates this was an honest error, not intentional misconduct. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you file your claim, make sure to keep copies of everything you submit. Screenshot your online application, save confirmation emails, etc. If there are any delays or issues with your claim later, having that documentation can be really helpful. Also, while you're waiting for the EDD process to play out, you might want to look into local food banks or assistance programs if money gets tight. Many communities have resources specifically for people dealing with unexpected job loss, and there's no shame in using them while you're between jobs. Hang in there - based on everything people have shared, it sounds like EDD will see this for what it really was: an honest mistake that didn't deserve termination. Costco's loss is going to be some other employer's gain!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through a very similar situation with a different employer. What really stands out to me about your case is that you were actually trying to use UNPAID time off when the mistake happened - this completely undermines any claim of "time theft" since you were literally trying to NOT get paid for time you wouldn't be working. When you have your EDD phone interview, I'd recommend organizing your explanation around three key points: 1) This was your first and only issue in 9 months of employment, 2) You immediately self-reported the error showing good faith, and 3) You were attempting to take unpaid time off, not gain unauthorized pay. That third point is crucial because it shows your intent was the opposite of theft. Also, don't let Costco's corporate response intimidate you. Large retailers often have standard policies about contesting unemployment claims, but EDD makes their own determination based on the legal definition of misconduct, not company policy. Your situation clearly doesn't meet California's standard for willful misconduct. Stay confident and stick to the facts - you've got this!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just wanted to add that if you run into any delays with your claim processing, don't panic - it's unfortunately common for IHSS-related unemployment claims to get flagged for additional review, even though they're totally legitimate. This happens because some automated systems don't immediately recognize IHSS employment status. If your claim shows "pending" for more than 2 weeks or you get any kind of eligibility questionnaire asking about your work relationship, respond quickly and clearly explain that you were an IHSS provider employed by the county's Public Authority. Include your provider ID number in any correspondence. Also, I'd recommend setting up your EDD online account notifications so you don't miss any important updates or requests for information. Missing a deadline can really slow things down. From everything shared here, it sounds like you're doing all the right things. The fact that so many people have successfully gotten benefits in similar situations should give you confidence. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and don't hesitate to reach out if you hit any snags with the process.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing someone you've been caring for is heartbreaking, and having to worry about finances on top of grief is incredibly stressful. You absolutely should qualify for unemployment benefits! I haven't personally gone through this with IHSS, but I work in disability services and deal with similar employment situations regularly. IHSS providers are definitely considered employees of the county/Public Authority, not independent contractors, which means you're covered under regular unemployment insurance. Based on all the great advice already shared here, it sounds like you're on the right track with your application. One small thing I'd add - when you're doing your bi-weekly certifications, be very careful about the questions regarding availability and job search activities. EDD can be strict about these requirements, so keep detailed records of everything. Also, if you haven't already, you might want to reach out to your local caregiver resource center or aging services department. They sometimes have additional resources for caregivers transitioning between positions, including job placement assistance or even temporary financial support programs. This community has given you excellent guidance. You've been contributing to the system for two years and absolutely deserve these benefits. Take things one day at a time and don't hesitate to advocate for yourself if you encounter any confusion from EDD staff. You've got this!

I just completed my CalJOBS appointment last week and wanted to add my experience to help ease your anxiety! The process was much smoother than I expected. Timeline & Access: - Link arrived exactly 24 hours before via email (also showed up in UI Online) - Link remained active for about 20 minutes past my scheduled time, but don't rely on this - Appointment lasted 42 minutes What helped me succeed: - Created a simple Word doc with: Company name, Job title, Date applied, Method (Indeed, company site, etc.) - Updated my CalJOBS profile 2 days before the appointment - Tested my camera/mic beforehand - Had my login credentials written down (lifesaver!) During the appointment, they had me share my screen to review my CalJOBS account and work search log. The counselor was genuinely helpful - she suggested I expand my search radius and recommended a few industry-specific job boards I hadn't considered. Pro tip: They asked about my networking efforts too, not just online applications. Things like reaching out to former colleagues or attending virtual industry events count toward work search activities. The whole experience felt more like career coaching than an audit. As long as you can demonstrate you're actively and consistently looking for work, you'll be fine. The anticipation is definitely worse than the actual appointment! Good luck - you've got this!

I had my CalJOBS appointment about 6 weeks ago and wanted to share what I learned! The link came through email exactly 24 hours before my scheduled time - I actually set up an email filter to make sure it went straight to my main inbox since I was so worried about missing it. My appointment lasted about 38 minutes and was honestly way more helpful than I expected. The counselor had me share my screen to go through my CalJOBS profile and we reviewed my work search activities together. I had been tracking everything in a basic Excel spreadsheet (company name, position, date applied, application source) which they seemed to appreciate. A few things that really helped: - I updated my CalJOBS resume the weekend before and made sure all sections were complete - I wrote down examples of networking activities (reaching out to former coworkers, LinkedIn connections, etc.) since they count those too - I prepared a brief explanation for a gap in my work history from earlier this year The counselor actually helped me identify some skills I wasn't highlighting enough and suggested a couple of local job search resources I didn't know about. She also reminded me that informational interviews and industry meetups count toward work search requirements. One technical note - the screen sharing worked directly through the browser, no downloads needed. Just make sure you have your CalJOBS login handy! The whole experience felt more like getting free career advice than being audited. As long as you can show you're genuinely trying to find work, you'll be totally fine. The waiting and worrying beforehand is definitely the worst part!