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EDD benefits exhausted and WGA strike affected my industry - what are my options?
I've been receiving UI benefits for almost a year but just exhausted my claim last week. The system says I can't file a new claim until August 2025 (6 months from now). The problem is that I work in post-production for TV, and with the WGA strike happening, there are virtually no jobs available in my field right now. I've applied for over 20 positions outside my industry but haven't gotten any callbacks. My savings are almost gone, and I'm getting really worried about paying rent. Does anyone know if there are any extensions or special programs for people in industries affected by strikes? Or am I just out of luck until August?
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EDD appeal hearing after employer falsified my resignation letter - need urgent advice
I just received an EDD appeal notice in the mail and I'm completely shocked by what my former employer did. I quit my retail management position back in March due to a hostile work environment, but my appeal documents show they submitted a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT resignation letter than what I wrote! They're claiming I quit for 'personal reasons' when my actual resignation cited poor management and a hostile workplace. Here's what happened: After I reported inventory mismanagement (that cost the company around $25,000) to the district manager, my direct supervisor started targeting me with false write-ups. When I finally decided to quit, they pressured me to 'rewrite my resignation without bashing anyone' if I ever wanted to transfer to another store location. I stupidly agreed because I had interviews lined up with other branches. But now 9 months later, they've submitted a FAKE resignation letter to EDD that I never wrote! My appeal hearing is in 12 days and I'm freaking out. I never thought they'd go this far. Has anyone dealt with this kind of employer deception during an EDD appeal? What documentation should I bring? How do I prove the letter isn't mine?
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just curious wht kind of job was this? retail? office? factory? different industries have different standards for what counts as "hostile" so it might matter
It was retail management at a large chain store. I was an assistant manager who reported inventory mismanagement, then suddenly started getting written up for things I didn't do.
ok thats helpful bc retail has super clear standards about inventory reporting and retaliation. make sure you mention your position title at the hearing
On the day of your hearing, arrive early (at least 30 minutes), dress professionally, and bring multiple copies of all your evidence (one for you, one for the judge, and one for the employer's representative). Also, as stressful as it may be, try to get a good night's sleep beforehand so you can think clearly. Finally, don't be afraid to respectfully ask the judge for clarification if you don't understand a question. And remember that if the employer doesn't show up for the hearing (which happens quite often), that significantly increases your chances of winning as long as you can articulate your case clearly.
Do you know if these hearings are still being done by phone due to COVID or are they in person now? The letter wasn't totally clear. And that's a good point about bringing multiple copies - I wouldn't have thought of that.
Most EDD appeals are still being conducted by phone in 2025, but it varies by office and case type. Your appeal notice should specify whether it's phone or in-person (usually in small print near the bottom). If it's by phone, have all your documents organized and in front of you, and make sure you're in a quiet place with good reception. If you're not sure, call EDD to confirm - this is another situation where getting through to a representative is crucial.
Received 1099-G form from EDD but never filed for disability in 2023 - what's going on?
I'm really confused and a bit worried. I just received a 1099-G tax form from EDD stating I received $8,430 in disability benefits during 2023, but I NEVER filed for any disability or unemployment! I haven't been on any EDD programs since 2021 when I had regular unemployment for 3 months. Has anyone experienced this before? Could this be identity theft? I'm freaking out because I don't want to get in trouble with the IRS for benefits I never received. I checked my mailbox yesterday and there it was - this random tax form showing income I never got! What should I do? Call EDD? Report it to the IRS? I've heard EDD is impossible to reach by phone. Really appreciate any advice because tax season is already stressful enough without this weirdness.
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People don't realize how common this problem is! The EDD systems were completely overwhelmed during the pandemic and they're still dealing with the aftermath of all the fraud. Always double-check any tax documents you receive, especially from government agencies. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice others have given: check if your employer received any notices about disability claims filed in your name. Sometimes EDD contacts employers to verify employment details for SDI claims, so your HR department might have information that could help your case.
That's a really good point - I hadn't thought of that. I'll check with HR tomorrow. Thank you!
wait so did they tell u how someone got ur info?? thats scary they could just file for benefits in ur name without u knowing!!
No, they didn't tell me exactly how it happened, but the rep mentioned there were several data breaches over the past few years that exposed people's personal information. She said the fraudsters probably got my SSN and other details from one of those breaches. Really scary stuff!
EDD appeal filed 3 months ago but still no hearing date scheduled - normal wait time?
I'm really frustrated with the EDD appeals process and hoping someone can give me some insight. I got disqualified for benefits back in March because my employer claimed I was fired for misconduct (which is completely untrue - I was laid off due to budget cuts). I filed an appeal through the CUIAB website on April 12th, got the confirmation letter about a week later saying they received my appeal... and then nothing. It's now July and I haven't heard a single thing about a hearing date. Is this normal? How long does it typically take to actually get scheduled for a hearing? I've called the appeals office twice but just get voicemail. I'm running out of savings and really need to get this resolved. Has anyone gone through this recently and know what the current timeline looks like?
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One more tip - while you're waiting for your appeal hearing, you might want to try contacting your former employer directly. Sometimes if you can get them to submit a correction to EDD stating you were laid off rather than fired for misconduct, you can potentially get the disqualification reversed without waiting for the full appeal process. It's a long shot, but worth trying.
That's a great idea I hadn't thought of. HR wasn't very helpful when I left, but maybe enough time has passed that they'd be willing to clarify things. Worth a try at this point.
Fired after leaving out-of-town job site against supervisor's orders - Can I get EDD benefits?
Hey everyone, I'm in a tough spot and hoping someone can help me figure out if I have a chance at unemployment. I was working for the same construction company for almost 5 years until last week. We were at a job site about 3 hours from home, and Friday evening I got a call that my teenager was in some serious trouble and needed me immediately. I told my supervisor I needed to go back home to handle a family emergency, but he refused and said we had Saturday work scheduled (even though it wasn't on our original timeline). I explained it was really serious with my kid, but he still said no. I left anyway since we were done for Friday and technically off-clock. When I got back Monday, they fired me for "job abandonment" and "insubordination." I'm worried this counts as misconduct and will disqualify me from unemployment. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Does leaving a job site against orders automatically disqualify me from benefits? I have a perfect record otherwise and have never had any write-ups or warnings.
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my brothers gf works for edd and she says they r really backed up right now so expect to wait FOREVER for interviews.. apply now so u can get in line
One more important point: When you explain your case to EDD, be very careful about how you frame what happened. Don't say "I disobeyed my supervisor" or "I knowingly violated policy." Instead, present it as "I had to respond to a family emergency involving my child's safety after work hours." Framing matters tremendously in these cases. Also, California has specific protections for parents dealing with emergencies related to their children. If your employer has more than 25 employees, you might have been protected under California's Family Rights Act, which could strengthen your unemployment case by showing the termination itself may have been improper.
I didn't know about the Family Rights Act! My company definitely has more than 25 employees. I'll look into that right away - that could really help my case. Thank you so much for this information.
Just FYI the Family Rights Act only applies if you've worked there for at least a year AND worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months. So make sure you meet those requirements before you mention it to EDD.
Sophia Miller
I went thru this last year and ended up doing Instacart, which was better than food delivery cuz I didn't have to drive as much. just shopping and then dropping off in my neighborhood. not great money but better than nothing!
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Emma Johnson
UPDATE: I got through to EDD this morning! The rep said I DO qualify for a new claim, but at a much lower benefit amount ($97/week vs. my previous $450). She said this is because my base period only includes that one quarter with the November job. It's not much, but it's something to help with groceries while I keep searching for work. She also confirmed the CalFresh application should be approved since my income is now so low. Thank you everyone for the advice and support. For anyone else in a similar situation - definitely check if you have ANY earnings during your benefit year that might qualify you for a new claim, even a small one.
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Isabella Martin
That's awesome news! $97 isn't much but it's definitely better than $0. Glad you got something figured out!
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Liam Brown
Great news! And remember, once the strike ends and you're able to get back to work, make sure to report any earnings correctly. You can still collect partial benefits if you work part-time but earn less than your weekly benefit amount. Every dollar helps right now.
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