Pro tip: if you call and the line is busy, keep hitting redial. Eventually you'll get through to the hold music. Then just settle in for a loooong wait. Bring snacks 🍿

I feel your pain! This happened to me a few months ago and I was panicking too. Here's what worked for me: I called the 1-833-978-2511 number right at 8am when they open (set multiple alarms!). It took about 15 tries but I finally got through. When I explained I missed the interview due to a disconnect, they were actually pretty understanding and rescheduled me for the next week. Also, make sure to document everything - date/time you tried calling, any reference numbers, etc. The rep told me that technical issues causing missed interviews are more common than you'd think. Don't lose hope, you'll get this sorted out! 💪

I went through the same confusion with CalJobs registration! From my experience, it's definitely part of the work search requirements that came back after the pandemic pause. The registration itself won't speed up your benefits, but it's required to keep them coming. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my job search activities in CalJobs - EDD can ask for proof at any time. If you're having payment issues on top of this, definitely use those phone tricks Tom shared. The combination of registration requirements AND payment problems can be overwhelming, but they're usually separate issues that need to be handled individually.

I was in the exact same boat a few months ago! The CalJobs registration is definitely just part of the work search requirements - it's not an indicator that your benefits are coming soon, unfortunately. It's basically EDD's way of making sure you're actively job searching, which is required to keep receiving unemployment. The timing of getting that request along with issues about payments is probably just coincidence, but both need to be addressed. I'd suggest registering for CalJobs ASAP to stay compliant, and then tackle the payment issue separately by calling EDD. Those YouTube links Tom shared are gold - I used similar methods and finally got through to a real person. Hang in there, the system is frustrating but you'll get it sorted out!

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!