I'm going through my first EDD claim after being laid off from my restaurant job due to budget cuts, and this entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! I have my eligibility interview scheduled for Friday and was already nervous about it, but now I feel so much more prepared knowing about these temporary status changes that seem to happen routinely. Reading everyone's experiences - especially @Zoey Bianchi's complete journey from panic to resolution - has really helped me understand what to expect. The fact that so many people have gone through this exact same "disqualified" status appearing right after interviews, only to have it resolve within days, shows this is clearly a systemic issue with how EDD communicates processing stages. @Cassandra Moon your explanation about the interviewer vs claims processor workflow was particularly helpful - it makes total sense why there would be this interim period where the status looks alarming but isn't actually final. And @Amelia Martinez you're so right about the need for better status messaging. Something like "Interview under review" would prevent so much unnecessary anxiety. This community's collective knowledge is amazing. I'm bookmarking this thread to refer back to after my interview on Friday. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences so openly - it makes facing the EDD process feel much less daunting when you know what to actually expect!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm currently dealing with my first EDD claim after being laid off from my administrative role at a healthcare company last month. I had my eligibility interview yesterday morning and just like @Zoey Bianchi described, I logged in a few hours later to find both my certified weeks showing "disqualified" status. My heart just sank seeing that! But reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much hope and perspective. It's incredible how consistent this pattern seems to be - interview happens, scary status appears immediately, then resolves within 3-7 days for most people. @Cassandra Moon thank you especially for that insider explanation about how the interviewer vs claims processor workflow actually functions. That really helps explain why we see these interim statuses that look so alarming. I'm trying to follow everyone's advice and wait a few more days before panicking, though it's definitely hard when you're already stressed about finances. My interview felt like it went well - the rep just asked basic questions about my layoff due to department consolidation and verified some employment dates. Nothing seemed problematic. This community's shared knowledge is honestly more valuable than anything I could find on EDD's official resources. I'll definitely update this thread once my status changes (hopefully for the better like so many others here!). Thanks to everyone for being so open about their experiences - it makes this confusing process feel much less isolating.

I've been dealing with EDD claims for years as a case worker, and your situation is actually one of the stronger "good cause" cases I've seen. The 35% rent increase creating financial necessity combined with the 73+ mile distance puts you well within EDD's approval criteria. A few additional tips from the professional side: 1) When they ask about "exploring alternatives," be ready to explain specifically what you looked into - other rentals, roommates, second jobs, etc. 2) They may ask why you chose Bakersfield specifically rather than somewhere closer - having your brother-in-law there for support is actually a good practical reason that shows this wasn't an impulsive decision. 3) Document any communication with your landlord about the increase - even if they wouldn't negotiate, showing you tried can help your case. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that EDD sometimes asks about your household expenses to verify that the rent increase truly created an unmanageable situation. Having a rough monthly budget showing how the new rent amount would have exceeded your means can be helpful supporting evidence. Both of you should definitely be able to apply separately since you work for different employers. The key is consistency in your explanations and having all that documentation ready. Based on everything you've shared, I'd be surprised if you weren't approved, though it may take 4-6 weeks to get through the process. Good luck with your move!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - my landlord just hit me with a 40% rent increase in San Francisco and I'm looking at having to relocate to the Central Valley. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has given me so much valuable information about how to approach the EDD application process if I end up having to quit my job to move. The level of documentation you all are recommending is eye-opening - I never would have thought to save screenshots of rental listings or calculate commute costs, but it makes total sense that EDD would want to see you explored all alternatives. The timeline advice is particularly helpful too. @Vanessa Chang - your situation sounds really well-planned and documented. With all the preparation you're doing based on the advice here, I think you have a strong case. The fact that you're moving first and then quitting (rather than the other way around) seems like it will really help your application. For anyone else following this thread, I'm definitely bookmarking this for reference. The housing crisis is forcing so many of us into these impossible situations, and having this kind of detailed guidance about the EDD process is invaluable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

Your employer is absolutely wrong and has no legal authority to block you from filing for unemployment! When your hours are reduced by 50% due to lack of work, you're exactly the type of situation partial UI benefits were designed for in California. Here's what you need to know: - Your employer cannot "approve" or "disapprove" unemployment claims - only EDD makes that determination - File immediately at edd.ca.gov - don't let their intimidation tactics stop you - You'll report your reduced hours and wages when certifying bi-weekly - Keep documentation of your old vs new work schedule as proof What your boss is really concerned about is their unemployment insurance tax rate potentially going up, but that's a normal business expense they need to handle - not your financial burden to bear. You've been paying into this system with every single paycheck, so these are benefits you've already earned and are entitled to. Make sure to document everything your boss said about "not approving" your claim - employer interference with unemployment filing can actually constitute illegal retaliation under California law. Don't let them guilt you into struggling financially when you have legitimate bills to pay and a legal right to this temporary income support!

Your boss is totally wrong and doesn't understand how unemployment works AT ALL! You absolutely can and should file for partial unemployment when your hours get cut by 50% - that's literally what it's designed for. Here's the deal: your employer has ZERO power to "approve" or block your unemployment claim. That's not how any of this works! EDD makes the decision, not your boss. She's probably freaking out because unemployment claims can raise their tax rates, but that's their problem to deal with as a business cost - not yours. You've been paying into the unemployment system with every paycheck, so these are YOUR benefits that you've earned. Don't let her guilt trip you out of getting help you're legally entitled to when you literally can't pay your bills with half your income. File online at edd.ca.gov tonight and document everything she said about "not approving" your claim - that could actually be illegal interference with your worker rights. Your rent doesn't care about your boss's feelings about unemployment insurance!

I'm dealing with a very similar self-employment documentation appeal right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you used any online platforms like PayPal, Venmo, or banking apps for your freelance payments, screenshots of those transaction histories can be really valuable supporting evidence. I learned this the hard way when I initially only submitted my Schedule C and bank statements, but the EDD rep I finally got through to mentioned that payment platform records often provide the clearest timeline of self-employment income. Also, if you worked through any freelance websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or similar platforms, your profile and earnings history from those sites can serve as additional documentation. Just make sure to black out any sensitive client information while keeping the payment amounts and dates visible. The key seems to be showing multiple sources of evidence that all tell the same story about your legitimate self-employment income. Good luck to everyone going through this process!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who successfully appealed a self-employment documentation issue earlier this year. Reading through all these helpful responses, I think the most important thing that hasn't been emphasized enough is ORGANIZATION. When I went to my hearing, I had everything in a three-ring binder with tabs separating different types of evidence (tax docs, bank statements, client correspondence, etc.). The judge commented on how well-organized I was and it definitely helped my case move smoothly. One specific tip for self-employment appeals: if you have any business cards, flyers, or marketing materials from your freelance work, include copies! They help establish that you were running a legitimate business operation, not just doing occasional odd jobs. Also, if you have any business licenses or permits (even city business licenses), those carry a lot of weight. For those asking about payment platforms - yes, include PayPal/Venmo records! I actually printed out my entire PayPal transaction history for the relevant time period and highlighted all business-related payments. The judge found this very compelling because it showed consistent income over time. Keep your head up - most people who appeal with proper documentation do win their cases. The system is designed to help legitimate claimants, not punish them!

I'm going through something very similar right now with my grandmother who has Alzheimer's. The financial stress is overwhelming when you're doing the right thing for family but can't access traditional support systems. One resource that's been helpful for me is the National Family Caregiver Support Program - it's federally funded but administered locally, so the benefits vary by area. In my county, they provided some respite care hours and even small emergency cash assistance when I was behind on utilities. Also, since you mentioned your teenage son, don't forget to check if your school district has any resources for families in crisis. Some districts have emergency funds or can connect you with local family support services. Our school counselor actually knew about programs I'd never heard of. The fact that you're managing both elder care AND parenting while dealing with financial stress shows incredible strength. Keep advocating for yourself - there are people and programs out there who understand that family caregivers are essential workers, even if the system doesn't always reflect that.

I'm a social worker who has helped many families navigate these exact challenges. Your situation highlights a major gap in our support systems for family caregivers. While you likely won't qualify for traditional unemployment due to availability requirements, there are several paths worth exploring. Since your father is a Vietnam veteran, definitely pursue the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers - this could provide monthly stipends, healthcare coverage, and respite care. The process is lengthy but worth starting immediately. For immediate relief, contact your county's Adult Protective Services office (not because of abuse, but because they often coordinate caregiver support services). Many counties have emergency assistance funds specifically for family caregivers that aren't well-publicized. Also consider applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - as someone caring for a dependent teenager while providing unpaid care work, you might qualify. The income limits consider your caregiving situation. Finally, document everything about your caregiving duties and your father's needs. This documentation will be crucial for any benefit applications and could help establish eligibility for programs you haven't discovered yet. You're providing essential care that would cost the state far more if provided institutionally. Don't give up - there are advocates and programs designed to support families like yours.